BOEM Grant for Continued Marine Species Surveys in Massachusetts Offshore Wind Development

This specific project is intended for eligible applicants. However, cooperative research (establishment of teams) is encouraged and the applicant may include subcontracts to non-profit organizations, private institutions of higher education, private companies or public and state controlled institutions of higher education within their proposal. This research project is required to have a staff member of the applying organization as the Principal Investigator (PI). Federal entities as partners are allowed, however the tasks performed by the Federal partner and the associated budget must be presented separately by the Federal partner. Other non-federal organizations may be partners and their tasks and budgets should be included in the eligible applicant’s proposal.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act, BOEM and other federal agencies are required to review environmental assessments of offshore development and construction plans to identify and mitigate potential effects of development on marine species.  This time series of consistent survey effort provides the information on the abundance and distribution of marine mammals and turtles in the survey area that are needed for these assessments.  This information can also help wind energy developers plan the timing of activities, such as turbine construction, to minimize impacts on protected species.