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COSA Committee Meeting

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Presentation on theme: "COSA Committee Meeting"— Presentation transcript:

1 COSA Committee Meeting
June DONNA SCHROEDER Marine Ecologist DAVID PEREKSTA Avian Biologist BOEM, Pacific Region

2 Pacific Seabird Monitoring Program
© David Pereksta

3 Pacific Seabird Monitoring Program
BOEM Information Need: The status and trends of seabird populations to: Perform impact assessments under NEPA Consult with the USFWS under the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Determine the effectiveness of mitigation measures Understand cumulative impacts Desholm et al. 2006 POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO SEABIRDS FROM OFFSHORE ENERGY

4 Pacific Seabird Monitoring Program
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act 43 USC 1346(b): For the “human, marine, and coastal environments” shall… “provide time-series and data trend information which can be used for comparison with any previously collected data for the purpose of identifying any significant changes in the quality and productivity of such environments” © David Pereksta

5 Pacific Seabird Monitoring Program
Pacific Region OCS Planning Areas Date Information is Required: Now, for ongoing energy programs Approximately 3 to 5 yrs population data before new offshore energy projects begin Impact and reference sites Local and regional scales Length of pre-project data needs depends on variability in parameters, magnitude of impact, etc.

6 Pacific Seabird Monitoring Program
eBird range for the Black-footed Albatross

7 Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network
Background – MARINe Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network MARINe is a consortium of government agencies, universities, tribes, and private groups that collect long-term monitoring data for rocky intertidal species at 169 sites along the west coast of North America since 1992

8 Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network
Background – MARINe Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network MARINe is a consortium of government agencies, universities, tribes, and private groups that collect long-term monitoring data for rocky intertidal species at 169 sites along the west coast of North America since 1992

9 Background Relationship with Previous Work/Efforts:
Developing and Applying a Vulnerability Index for Scaling the Possible Adverse Effects of Offshore Renewable Energy Projects on Seabirds on the Pacific OCS + many other avian studies Synopsis of Research Programs that Can Provide Baseline and Monitoring Information for Offshore Energy Activities in the Pacific Region (ongoing) A Strategy for Improving the Mitigation Policies and Practices of the Department of the Interior

10 Developing and Applying a Vulnerability Index for Scaling the Possible Adverse Effects of Offshore Renewable Energy Projects on Seabirds on the Pacific OCS

11 Developing and Applying a Vulnerability Index for Scaling the Possible Adverse Effects of Offshore Renewable Energy Projects on Seabirds on the Pacific OCS

12 Developing and Applying a Vulnerability Index for Scaling the Possible Adverse Effects of Offshore Renewable Energy Projects on Seabirds on the Pacific OCS © David Pereksta

13 Synopsis of Research Programs that can Provide Baseline and Monitoring Information for Offshore Energy Activities in the Pacific Region (ongoing) Objectives: (1) Identify ongoing or completed research programs that contain information on species and habitats sensitive to offshore energy activities (2) Review the capability of these programs to provide baseline and monitoring data to understand and mitigate potential impacts of offshore energy development in the Pacific Region

14 Synopsis of Research Programs that can Provide Baseline and Monitoring Information for Offshore Energy Activities in the Pacific Region (ongoing) - TYPES OF DATA for Seabirds Colony count data Nest count data Roosting count data At-sea counts from shore At-sea distribution/abundance (vessel based) At-sea behavior Colony behavior (attendance, activity, flight direction, etc.) Telemetry/sensors Nest/burrow occupancy Hatching success Fledging success Breeding success Chick growth/morphometrics Phenology Sub-adult/Adult survival Adult morphometrics Blood/feather/tissue sampling Chick diet Adult diet Contaminants Beach surveys for carcass deposition Necropsy/tissue archival Disturbance Predation Mist-netting Acoustics Other

15 Synopsis of Research Programs that can Provide Baseline and Monitoring Information for Offshore Energy Activities in the Pacific Region (ongoing) – METADATA

16 California Current System Seabirds
61 data sets collected for California 44 Oregon 13 Washington 3 26 marine bird species Marine mammals Cetaceans - 16 Pinnipeds - 26

17 DOI Mitigation Policy 10 guiding principles Landscape-scale
Full hierarchy: avoid, minimize, compensate Promote certainty Advance planning Science and tools Foster resilience Durability Transparency Collaboration Monitoring

18 White House Memo on Mitigation
“… opportunities to offset foreseeable harmful impacts to natural resources are available in advance… to achieve positive environmental outcomes and potentially reduce permitting timelines.”

19 Study Objectives Test trial acoustic methods to estimate the rate of bird strike from wind turbine operations using terrestrial analogs Coordinate and support a monitoring program of vulnerable seabird species that encompasses offshore energy projects in the Pacific OCS. potential partnership with California Energy Commission & Industry

20 Methods – Acoustic Monitoring
Cost efficient Comprehensive assessment Collect data during specified times Presence, distribution, abundance Detect rare and elusive species Potential to build network in remote areas difficult to monitor Consistency in long-term monitoring Set up multiple reference sites

21 Methods – Monitoring Program
YEAR 1 Series of planning workshops Build partnerships YEARS 2-4 Collect trial data YEAR 5 Write final report with recommendations Reynolds, JH, Knutson MG, Newman KB, Silverman ED, and Thompson WL A road map for designing and implementing a biological monitoring program. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 188:1-25

22 Future Steps Build multi-agency framework Additional areas (Alaska)
Additional taxa (shorebirds) Mitigation and restoration program © David Pereksta DPSIR framework

23 Relationship to Strategic Science Questions
• How can BOEM best assess cumulative effects within the framework of environmental assessments? • What are the acute and chronic effects of sound from BOEM-regulated activities on marine species and their environment? • What are the acute and chronic effects of exposure to hydrocarbons or other chemicals on coastal and marine species and ecosystems? • What is the effect of habitat or landscape alteration from BOEM-regulated activities on ecological and cultural resources? • What are the air emissions impacts of BOEM-regulated activities to the human, coastal, and marine environment and compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) increments? • How will future ocean conditions and dynamics amplify or mask effects of BOEM- regulated OCS activities? • How does BOEM ensure the adequate study and integrated use of social sciences in assessing the impacts of OCS activities on the human environment? • How can BOEM better use existing or emerging technology to achieve more effective or efficient scientific results? • What are the best resources, measures, and systems for long-term monitoring? 6 of 9 Strategic Science Questions Addressed

24 Requested Feedback from Committee
Separate out acoustic detection of bird strike from monitoring objectives? Relationship to Strategic Science Questions, other studies? Recommend other conceptual models for impact assessment and mitigation/restoration options besides DPSIR framework? Other

25 Thank you! DONNA SCHROEDER Marine Ecologist donna.schroeder@boem.gov
DAVID PEREKSTA Avian Biologist BOEM, Pacific Region © David Pereksta


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