Results will Assist in Reviews of Future Renewable Energy Project Locations
WASHINGTON, DC — The Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE)
announced today that it has awarded approximately $2.5 million to
Pandion Systems, Inc. for two bird monitoring studies on the
Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The collection of this
information is important for the future development of offshore
renewable energy projects on the Atlantic OCS.
“BOEMRE continues to look for
opportunities to support scientific research on the OCS,” said
BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. “The results from these studies
will add significant information to our current body of knowledge
and will help accelerate reviews for future renewable energy
projects on the Atlantic OCS.”
One study will monitor the acoustics
and thermal imagery of passing birds on the Atlantic OCS. Both
acoustic microphones and thermal imaging cameras will be used to
capture information on bird traffic. This equipment will be solar
powered, remotely operated and will transmit data to shore,
recording flight calls and capturing thermal images of birds 24
hours a day. This will be the first study of its kind to capture
bird traffic offshore, at night or in poor visibility weather
conditions, over an extended period of time. These devices will be
deployed widely in ways that will pinpoint the exact location of a
bird in flight. The height of passing birds, especially at night or
in poor visibility, is critical when determining the risk posed by
offshore wind turbines to local and migratory bird populations. This award was made in the amount of $1,586,291 for one year, with BOEMRE being able to renew the award for three extensions of one
year each, at a total cost of $3,959,940 over four years if all
options for extensions are exercised.
The other study will conduct surveys
to monitor the seasonal presence of birds, marine mammals and sea
turtles on the Atlantic OCS. This study will also develop aircraft
and equipment guidelines and sampling protocols to determine areas
on the Atlantic OCS that are important to these species. There are
currently no established protocols for using high definition aerial
imagery to survey vast areas such as the Atlantic OCS. Determination
of a safe, effective and scientifically credible method to sample a
large area, such as the Atlantic OCS, will lead to the first ever
collection of survey data over a broad area. This award was made in
the amount of $896,310 and will be completed in September 2012.