Pacific Coast Offshore Wind Environmental Research Project Finder

In support for the North Coast Offshore Wind Feasibility Project, funded by the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC), this document provides an inventory of existing conditions and evaluates the potential effects of the project scenarios developed by Humboldt State University (HSU) and Mott MacDonald. These project scenarios (also referred to as the proposed action) represent different combinations of project scales and locations, as presented briefly below. The goal of this document is to inform the evaluation of project scenario feasibility and support future regulatory and permitting efforts.

Ship-based and aerial surveys are critical to achieving NOAA Fisheries marine mammal and sea turtle population assessment goals, which include abundance estimation and examination of trends and human impacts relative to management objectives. A limited number of marine mammal and sea turtle-focused surveys are conducted and managed by our six Science Centers. These often involve more than one center, as well as internal and external collaborators. The number of protected species surveys conducted each year is dependent on funding and available ship time allocated at the national level.

This study used GPS tags to track Pacific Flyway geese (Pacific greater white-fronted goose, tule greater white-fronted goose and lesser snow goose) on transoceanic migrations between Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the contiguous United States and evaluated how geographic and environmental covariates affected (1) whether birds were at rest on the water versus in flight (binomial model) and (2) altitude selection when in flight (similar to a step-selection framework). The authors used a Monte Carlo simulation to predict the probability of flying at each altitude under various conditions, considering both the fly/rest decision and altitude selection.

This project developed an analytical framework for conducting marine spatial planning through tradeoff analysis, and applied it to prospective offshore wind energy development in Morro Bay, California, USA Wind Energy Area (WEA). The study generated spatial data layers estimating MW power production and impacts on fisheries value and marine wildlife conservation (seabird and cetacean populations) from wind farm development and quantified each sector’s response to plans of development across the WEA and inside three leases. Finally, the study integrated the sector response data into an analytical framework for mitigating sector tradeoffs with novel spatial planning solutions (maps of wind farm size, location, and configuration) that optimally maximize value to the emergent energy sector (MW power) while minimizing impacts to historical (fisheries and wildlife) sectors.

The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) project is a large network with the goal of integrating diverse measures of biodiversity to create a global biodiversity monitoring program. We work as part of the Central California MBON to combine observations from environmental DNA, remote sensing products, traditional trawls, and animal telemetry to create a model for how biodiversity observations could be conducted and scaled up in the future.

To help the Coastal Commission in this review and assessment process, Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) was tasked with developing a data catalogue and to synthesize the most relevant environmental datasets that are known within the HWEA or vicinity, including the nearshore coastal areas offshore Humboldt County. The intent of this report is to identify the best sources of data currently available on California’s offshore resources, particularly in and around proposed wind energy areas.

The deep-sea is a diverse habitat, but it is turning out to be even more diverse than we imagined. There are two ways that we are discovering new layers of this diversity: First, using remotely operated submersibles (ROVs) we can collect fragile life forms which have not been studied before. Second, within the species that we think are familiar, we find new genetic diversity.

To help in the review and assessment of a proposed wind energy area 17 miles off the coast of San Luis Obispo County, California, Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) developed a data catalogue that synthesizes relevant known environmental datasets within the vicinity, including the nearshore coastal areas.

NMFS conducts annual or biennial surveys to gather biological and environmental data about West Coast ecosystems. Managers use these data to sustainably manage commercial and recreational fish stocks, protected species like Pacific salmon and Southern Resident killer whales, and understand broader environmental trends and socio-economic impacts from a changing ocean. Surveys include the West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/us-west-coast-groundfish-bottom-trawl-survey, and the Joint U.S.-Canada Integrated Ecosystem and Pacific Hake Acoustic Trawl Survey https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/joint-us-canada-integrated-ecosystem-and-pacific-hake-acoustic-trawl-survey, (see the following for surveys conducted by the NWFSC. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/research-surveys-pacific-northwest

Killer whales respond to anthropogenic activities in various ways, including changes in acoustic behavior, surface behavior, dive behavior, travel direction, and behavioral activity states. The research program evaluates the impact and response of Southern Resident killer whales to noise. (NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center)

This project examined the sensitivity of coastal marine heatwaves, which are prolonged extreme seawater temperatures that are among the greatest threats to marine ecosystems, to seawater temperature increases motivated by offshore wind-induced warming. Using a novel long-term coastal water temperature record spanning over four decades, the results showed that there is the potential for significant increases in marine heatwaves days, with individual marine heatwaves becoming more intense and prolonged.

An EEMS multi-modeling effort to produce spatial information related to: (1) wind energy potential; (2) OSW deployment feasibility; (3) existing ocean uses; and (4) environmental considerations. The models will be synthesized together to produce a spatial support tool that allows uses to explore data interactions.

Studies of cetacean behavior provide information on social organization, social signals, mating systems, and anthropogenic impacts. The goal of these studies is to provide a social framework within which to investigate questions about stock identity, population trends, and fishery interactions. The cetacean behavior studies reflect the interests and expertise of many researchers in the Marine Mammal and Turtle Division. NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center uses a variety of tools and work in collaboration on a number of different questions related to cetacean societies and social living in the open ocean.

NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center conducts research on marine turtles to further our understanding of their ecology, life history, human threats, and conservation status. In addition, we provide scientific advice and practical support to those who study, manage, and conserve marine turtles. We are involved with turtle research and conservation around the world, with an emphasis on the Pacific Ocean. The program focuses on five primary areas: Turtle research, Stable isotopes, Demography, Turtle tagging, Turtle stranding response, Turtle outreach

The goal of this project was to use existing spatial data representing marine species, the marine environment, and human uses of ocean waters to: 1) identify areas for potential offshore wind energy development that balance impacts and benefits; and 2) examine the existing offshore Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) and the sea space for potential future development identified under the AB525 process.

This study by the U.S. Geological Survey compiled marine fisheries and coastal spatial data from various wildlife agencies in California, Oregon, and Washington and integrated it into a single, comprehensive GIS-based system. The database includes information about Pacific Coast fish, fisheries, and active fishing, as well as southern California seabirds and marine mammals.

Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean's biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon. Our data obtained directly by MBARI’s ROVs have revealed an abundant and very diverse assemblage of predators confronting the migrators; a group far more complex and dynamic than was previously believed to exist.

In May 2024, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) convened a two-day workshop in San Francisco entitled “Collaboratively Developing a Vision for a Pacific Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Network for Marine Mammals”, with 56 attendees. The workshop focused on leveraging current efforts and partnerships across the Pacific region to develop a comprehensive PAM network to monitor potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine mammals. Key concepts discussed included robust collaboration, coordination, data sharing, sustainability, efficacy, and technology integration.

This project developed a ecosystem-wide spatial suitability model to inform the selection of Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Oregon. BOEM selected two WEAs as a result of the modeling process. These two WEAs encompass a

total of 219,568 acres, an 81.06% reduction in size from the Call Areas.

The Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) is the Regional Association of the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) in the Pacific Northwest, primarily Washington and Oregon. NANOOS has strong ties with the observing programs in Alaska and British Columbia through our common purpose and the occasional overlap of data and products.

The overarching goal of the food web study is to further explain the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California, with a primary focus on the roles of understudied midwater animals. Feeding interactions, and learning how these links fit into a food web, are critical for understanding deep-sea ecosystem structure and function.

Focusing on how marine animals will respond to shifting ocean conditions caused by climate change and other human activities. In the laboratory, we’ve developed an “Upwelling Simulator” that controls the temperature, oxygen levels, and acidity of waters fed to experimental aquaria. We can mimic the sort of environmental variation that nearshore animals off California experience naturally, and under more severe future conditions, and measure how it affects the reproduction, growth, and survival of organisms (e.g., black abalone).

Gray whales in the eastern North Pacific represent a conservation success story, tied to successful management of a species that was driven to near extinction by past commercial whaling. Gray whales are the most commonly-observed whale on the U.S. West Coast. Off California, our scientists collect data on their population abundance, calf production, and body condition; all of which are used for stock assessment. (NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center)

NMFS has conducted large-vessel cetacean and ecosystem assessment surveys in waters off the U.S. West Coast. These line-transect surveys typically occur in summer and fall and span waters out 300 nautical miles offshore, from the US-Canada to US-Mexico border, but sometimes include waters in Canada or Mexico as well. Data types collected principally include visual sightings data for cetaceans and seabirds, passive acoustic (e.g., towed or drifting array) data for cetaceans, tissue biopsy sampling used for genetics analysis, and oceanographic sampling. Survey data have been used to estimate cetacean population size and trends, delineate cetacean population stock structure, describe cetacean and seabird distributions and hotspots, develop species distribution models, and inform marine mammal stock assessment reports pursuant to statutory requirements under the MMPA.

Cetacean species distribution models (SDMs) or “habitat models” estimate density as a continuous function of habitat variables (e.g., sea surface temperature, seafloor depth) and within the study area that was modeled, densities can be predicted at all locations where these habitat variables can be measured or estimated. SDMs therefore allow estimates of cetacean densities on finer spatial and temporal scales than traditional line-transect or mark-recapture analyses.

Blue whales are classified as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act; human activities may be responsible for hampering their recovery. A team of scientists attached transmitters to 171 blue whales off California and in the Gulf of California in 1993 to 2008 and tracked their movements via satellite to identify hot spots.

From 19992002, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Humboldt State University (HSU) worked with BOEM (formerly known as the Minerals Management Service, MMS) to conduct a multi-year study that quantified the at-sea distribution of seabirds and marine mammals. The aerial at-sea survey team flew over 55,000 kilometers and counted 485,000 seabirds (67 species) and 64,000 marine mammals (19 species). The study provided resource managers with updated information on distribution and abundance patterns and compared results with information from the late 1970s to early 1980s (Briggs et al. 1981, Briggs et al. 1987, see Mason et al. 2007). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW; formerly known as California Department of Fish and Game, CDFG) and U.S. Navy also provided significant matching funds.

As the regional observing system for Southern California, SCCOOS, has developed the capabilities to support short-term decision-making and long-term assessment by implementing and leveraging biological, chemical, and physical observations and models, many of which are available in near real-time.

In response to the proposed listing of Southern Resident killer whales under the Endangered Species Act, the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center established a dedicated research program in 2003. The program aims to fill data gaps and assess the impact of potential threats to this population. We use various monitoring and survey techniques to study these whales.

The system consists of a 52-km (32-mile) undersea cable that carries data and power to a “science node” 891 meters (2,923 feet) below the surface of Monterey Bay. More than eight different science experiments can be attached to this main hub with eight nodes. Additional experiments can be daisy-chained to each node. MARS is located at latitude North 36 degrees 42.7481 minutes and longitude West 122 degrees 11.2139 minutes. Ocean scientists are invited to consider deploying instruments on the MARS ocean observatory testbed.

This study by Mangi Environmental Group compiled and analyzed information generated after 1977 about the coastal and marine environment from Grays Harbor, Washington to San Francisco Bay, and from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.-Mexico border. It identified early information and data gaps about oceanographic resources and potential impacts of offshore renewable energy development.

This study by Normandeau Associates synthesized data and information about subsea power-transmission cables and the sensitivity of marine organisms to electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by the cables. It produced a database of information about potentially affected species of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), other fishes, marine mammals, sea turtles, and invertebrates. It also recommended future research priorities and potential mitigation measures.

This program of research on benthic habitats and organisms of the Outer Continental Shelf off Washington, Oregon and northern California was designed to provide baseline knowledge of seafloor geology and

marine invertebrate distributions at a regional scale by undertaking new mapping, synthesizing existing mapping data, conducting biological assessments and developing new predictive models. By focusing on the physical properties of the seafloor and species-habitat associations throughout the region, this study has delivered tools and information directly useful for assessing renewable energy development in the

Pacific Northwest and for determining the nature and extent of future seafloor explorations.

This study by the U.S. Geological Survey will provide up-to-date information on species composition, distribution, abundance, and seasonal variation of seabirds and marine mammals from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to the U.S.-Mexico border. Data generated will be used for environmental review of renewable energy projects proposed in this area. Previously collected data will be assessed and analyzed to allow for comparisons with the newly collected data to identify changes in distribution and abundance of seabirds and marine mammals over the last 40 years.

This study by the University of California, Santa Barbara measured the strength and variability of electromagnetic fields (EMF) along subsea power transmission cables in the Santa Barbara Channel, which are similar to cables used for offshore renewable energy inter-device electrical connections. It also compared fish communities in cable versus natural habitats and determined the potential effectiveness of cable burial as a mitigation measure to decrease EMF.

We developed maps of occurrence and relative abundance for selected groundfish off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington, within the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME). Our project supports NOAA’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) of this area. We analyzed fish distribution and abundance information, to improve our understanding of the ecosystem and to forecast how environmental conditions and management actions affect it.

Researchers developed and experimentally tested an array of sensors that continuously monitors for interactions (including impacts) of birds and bats with wind turbines. The synchronized array includes three sensor nodes: (1) vibration (accelerometers and contact microphones), (2) optical (visual and infrared spectrum cameras), and (3) bioacoustics (acoustic and ultrasonic microphones). This system can be used to monitor and identify wildlife affected by onshore and offshore wind energy facilities.

This study by ICF International assessed the potential for submerged prehistoric sites on the California, Oregon, and Washington Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), and identified coastal properties and significant coastal cultural resources subject to potential visual impacts from offshore energy development. It also produced a proprietary inventory of known, reported, and potential historic shipwrecks.

This study by the University of California, Santa Barbara improved understanding about the natural range and sources of variability in the kelp forest ecosystem and generated predictions about how it will respond to environmental change. The findings will enable scientists and managers to evaluate possible impacts from alternative energy production, and develop options to mitigate these impacts.

This effort, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, collaborated with the Yurok Tribe of California, Grand Ronde Tribe of Oregon, and Makah Tribe of Washington to develop best practices for consultation through implementation of a cultural landscape approach. Each Tribe employed this approach to develop their own unique case studies. This information will likely be important to future consideration of marine renewable energy projects.

This study by the University of California, Santa Barbara surveyed the distribution and abundance of a non-native bryozoan on 23 platforms and natural reefs in the Southern California Bight, and elucidated the role that offshore artificial structures may have in linking and affecting biological communities. The study results will inform environmental reviews of conventional energy activities (including decommissioning of platforms) and renewable energy activities (including siting of facilities) offshore southern and central California.

This study by the U.S. Geological Survey and Oregon State University collected high-resolution, multibeam seafloor data of the potential Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lease area offshore Coos Bay, Oregon. The data were used to develop comprehensive maps of seafloor habitats and geology, which are needed to address site-specific siting, ecosystem assessments and geohazards.

This project tracked four species (Common Murres, Western Gull, Pink-footed Shearwaters, and Pacific Loons) and compiled tracking data into the Oregon Seabird Tracking Inventory. The study also provided a framework for analysis and visualization that combines data from multiple location types (Argos, GPS) and summarized the data within the Oregon Exclusive Economic Zone and the northern California Current System. They also used bootstrapping methods to estimate the percentage of time spent within the Rotor-Sweep Zone for seabird species and applied boosted regression trees to disentangle environmental, bird behavior, and electronic-based influences on seabird flight heights. The project report summarizes at-sea survey efforts for three surveys (2015-2017) in the northern California Current System and compares the species composition and at sea densities to telemetry-derived utilization distributions.

We assembled and tabulated information about marine bird and mammal research and monitoring programs that could provide data needed to support environmental risk assessments. This included identifying ongoing or completed research programs that contain information on species and habitats sensitive to offshore energy activities and that could provide baseline and monitoring data to understand and mitigate potential impacts of offshore energy development in the Southern California Planning Area, Washington-Oregon Planning Area, and the Hawaiian Outer Continental Shelf of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

This oceanic field survey by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration performed detailed observations of marine mammals, seabirds and ecosystem conditions off Oregon in August/September 2014. Specifically, these short-term, sequential surveys covered the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lease blocks for the Pacific Marine Energy Center South Energy Test Site (PMEC-SETS) and WindFloat Pacific, with overlapping, edge-to-edge transects. The methodology used visual, passive acoustic, water and other sampling protocols that have been used for over 10 years off the West Coast and allow for data integration and comparisons.

Empirical evidence exists that marine animals perceive and orient to local distortions in the earth’s main geomagnetic field magnetic field. The electromagnetic fields generated by the cables that carry electricity from hydrokinetic energy sources to shore-based power stations may produce similar local distortions in the earth’s main field. Concern exists that animals that migrate along the continental shelves might orient to the EMF from the cables, and move either inshore or offshore away from their normal path. The Trans Bay Cable (TBC) is a ±200-kilovolt (kV), 400 MW 85-km long High Voltage Direct Current (DC) buried transmission line linking Pittsburg, CA with San Francisco, CA (SF) through the San Francisco Bay. The study addresses the following specific questions based on measurements and projections of the EMF produced by an existing marine cable, the Trans Bay Cable, in San Francisco Bay.

This study by the University of California, Los Angeles developed a multi-year hindcast (re analysis) of winds, waves, and currents along the coast of California. The high-resolution (1 km) ROMS hindcast is for the ten-year period 2004–2013 and extends from the U.S.-Mexico border to south of Monterey Bay.

This two-part research effort was to learn more about whether the electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from subsea power transmission cables may affect the movement and harvest of commercial crab species. The first part was conducted by the University of California, Santa Barbara, which collected data on red rock crab in the Santa Barbara Channel and Dungeness crab in Puget Sound. The second part collected and analyzed additional data.

Currently, there is a gap in useable information regarding marine bird distributions on the U.S. Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). We are synthesizing available high-quality, at-sea data to produce high-resolution, predictive maps of occurrence and density for marine bird species within the Pacific OCS. These maps will help fill important spatial planning information gaps and guide placement of offshore renewable energy facilities in order to minimize impacts on birds.

This study identified, collected, and synthesized available quantitative scientific seabird survey data for the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf off California, Oregon, and Washington collected over the last 50 years and merged these in a common database. Predictive modeling produced gridded, high-resolution predictive maps of presence probability and sightings per unit effort for bird species and groups of interest, including maps of seasonal climatological means and quantiles that are integrated to produce annual climatologist and uncertainty maps.

This study will synthesize specific geological and geophysical data from offshore southern California and central Oregon, conduct field investigations, and refine local sea-level models to assess submerged paleo landforms and determine if they are associated with ecologically sensitive areas. The project will further improve identification of submerged cultural and natural resources on the continental shelf by evaluating the geophysical survey guidelines for biological, pre-contact archaeological, and paleontological resources.

This report presents the findings and recommendations resulting from a review of scientific literature and discussions with resource managers and subject matter experts, concerning the potential ecological effects of marine renewable energy devices, specifically wave energy converters (WECs) and tidal energy converters (TECs), in waters off of the U.S. West Coast and Hawai‘i.

This effort by the Udall Foundation’s John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution will work with interested West Coast Tribal Nations to develop cultural landscape assessments along the coast and offshore California, Oregon, and Washington near areas of potential offshore wind energy development. It will improve understanding about cultural and archaeological resources and places of importance, and assist in understanding potential impacts of offshore renewable energy development.

This study expanded knowledge of seafloor habitats of the U.S. West Coast to inform planning for offshore wind energy development. One part of the study, conducted by NOAA NCCOS, developed maps of the modeled spatial distributions of deep-sea corals, sponges, and benthic (seafloor) macrofauna (e.g., crustaceans, snails, worms, clams) to a depth of 4,000 feet. The maps identify areas where these organisms are more and less likely to occur. Another part of the study, conducted by OSU, (1) addressed how physical factors affect the distribution of macrofauna across the continental shelf and upper slope; and (2) classified sedimentary benthic habitats according to the macrofaunal organisms found in those habitats. BOEM is using this information to contribute to regional ocean planning efforts and assessments for offshore energy, ground fishing, conservation, and other activities potentially impacting benthic biota in deeper waters.

This study will process, analyze, and summarize long-term seabird colony abundance and distribution data collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and provide colony counts for Oregon seabird colonies from 1988 to the present and for Washington from the early 2000s and from 2010 to the present. The analysis and interpretation of the resulting dataset will assess the status and trends of breeding seabirds over the 26-year period. The draft final report was submitted to BOEM in December 2020 and is currently under review with an

expected publication date in 2024.

The general objectives of this study were to conduct a scoping-level analysis of relative risk to help to identify and prioritize areas of risk to species and habitat, as well as ecological resources at risk to renewable energy development. The Offshore Floating Wave Environmental Sensitivity Analysis (OFWESA) model was developed for this study to help assess the potential effects of the site assessment, construction, and operations and maintenance of OFW on the nation’s marine and coastal environmental resources.

This study sought to explored scenarios for offshore wind development along the California Central Coast. The report explores key findings from diverse studies on the region, including the evaluation of wind datasets along Central California, the analysis of spatiotemporal variability potential wind power in Central California, scenarios for power production in the two Central California Call Areas, potential environmental impacts of deepwater wind facilities, an assessment of catch and value from California’s commercial fisheries, and an overview of fishing effort across the entire U.S. West Coast. The results provide information that can guide detailed assessments of offshore wind development over the Central California Coast and offer a transferable framework for similar evaluations in other regions, including the U.S. West Coast.

The National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) conducted a dedicated acoustic survey for cetaceans throughout the California Current off the U.S. West Coast in August and September 2016. The survey, Passive Acoustics Survey of Cetacean Abundance Levels (PASCAL), was conducted from the NOAA R/V Bell M. Shimada. Focal study species were beaked whales (family Ziphiidae), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and dwarf and pygmy sperm whales (genus Kogia). The primary objective for PASCAL was to conduct a large scale acoustic survey to obtain improved data for estimating population size for these species throughout the California Current study area off the U.S. West Coast.

Floating offshore wind farms have been proposed in the deep waters off the U.S. west coast and Hawaii to provide renewable energy to coastal populations. Anchoring floating wind platforms to the seabed requires multiple mooring lines that pass through the water column from platforms at the surface to the sea floor. Electrical cables also will be draped in the water column between wind platforms. Concerns have been raised that large cetaceans might encounter lines from an offshore wind array, potentially causing harm, including entanglement, to the whales. There are few floating offshore wind arrays anywhere in the world where this encounter can be tested and no completely appropriate industrial analogues that can be applied. Understanding this potential risk to whales requires other means of visualizing the likelihood and mechanisms of encounter. An animation has been developed as a method for communicating this potential risk. This report provides the information used to create an animation of humpback whales encountering mooring lines and inter-array cables from a hypothetical floating offshore wind farm.

This study will provide up-to-date information on species composition, distribution, abundance, and seasonal variation of seabirds from the southern limit of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition, data will be opportunistically collected on marine mammals that are observed during the surveys. This study will repeat and refine the methodology used in earlier studies to provide up-to-date information and establish a more robust longitudinal data set from which to draw on for environmental analyses. The final project report is expected in 2024.

This study by the U.S. Geological Survey was a partnership with BOEM, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Together they completed eight cruises collecting geophysical, geotechnical, and video data offshore central California in water depths of 400 to 1500 meters. Surveys looked at pockmarks, microdepressions, Santa Lucia Bank, and multiple sand channels. The results include regional geohazards interpretations, habitat classifications, and the first regional characterization of benthic biological communities at these depths. Findings will inform decisions about potential wind turbine siting and future site-specific geohazard and biological analyses in the region.

The Pacific Marine Assessment Partnership for Protected Species (PacMAPPS) was a four-year multi-agency partnership to collect data and carry out density analyses necessary to support the regulatory and management missions of BOEM, NOAA, and the U.S. Navy. PacMAPPS comprised two components—the California Current Ecosystem Survey (CCES) and the Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS). CCES was a line transect survey for coastal pelagic (open sea) fisheries stocks, marine mammals (cetaceans), seabirds, and ecosystem data that spanned the entire continental shelf and slope off the U.S West Coast. HICEAS included summer-fall cetacean and seabird surveys in 2017, and a winter cetacean and seabird survey in 2020. BOEM will use the data generated from PacMAPPS to inform decisions pertaining to renewable energy development in the Pacific region. (NMFS Southwest and Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Centers)

Marine birds are vulnerable to collision with and displacement by offshore wind energy infrastructure (OWEI). Using life history, flight heights, and avoidance behavior for 62 seabird and 19 marine water bird species that occur in the U.S. Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (POCS), we present and apply equations to calculate Collision Vulnerability and Displacement Vulnerability to OWEI for each species. Species groups with the greatest Collision Vulnerability included jaegers/skuas, pelicans, terns and gulls that spend significant amounts of time flying at rotor sweep zone height and don't show macro-avoidance behavior (avoidance of entire OWEI area). Species groups with the greatest Displacement Vulnerability show high macro-avoidance behavior and low habitat flexibility and included loons, grebes, sea ducks, and alcids. Our vulnerability assessment helps understand and minimize potential impacts of OWEI infrastructure on marine birds in the POCS and could inform management decisions.

Advance WT-Bird system to also detect collisions and smaller birds/bats during day and night from vibration sensors mounted within the blades and camera sensors at base. Integrate machine learning (computer vision) to identify guild/species impacted by collision from imagery. Provide a statistical solution for accurately estimating bird and bat mortality rates. Testing complete in lab, at a 1.5 MW turbine at NREL to test blade sensors, and at a 2.5 MW land-based turbine in Minnesota concurrent with fatality searching. Offshore trial planned for 2024.

Identifying critical habitats is challenging for a relatively rare species like green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris), which spends most of its life at sea. We used a fixed array and an autonomous underwater vehicle (Slocum glider) as monitoring platforms to detect acoustically tagged green sturgeon in the coastal ocean. (NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center)

At the direction of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory are jointly leading a multi-year collaborative effort to facilitate knowledge transfer for offshore wind research around the world. The U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research (SEER) effort aims to synthesize key issues and disseminate existing knowledge about environmental effects, inform applicability to U.S. waters, and prioritize future research needs. For the Pacific, SEER's products have included research briefs, webinars, workshops, and databases.

It is necessary to ensure that Wind energy projects are developed in a responsible manner. This means avoiding and minimizing adverse impacts on wildlife and offset impacts that cannot be avoided or minimized. It also means keeping in place strict laws and regulations that protect wildlife. like wind The energy becomes a major source of electricity in the United States, it is important that, as with all energies development, environmental impacts are assessed and boarded.

This study, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, has developed morphologically and behaviorally accurate 3-D computer models of protected whale species (fin and humpback) and leatherback sea turtles. Two offshore floating wind mooring systems are currently under digital development. The whale and mooring system models will be integrated into simulations to visualize various potential interaction scenarios, including with associated derelict fishing gear. These simulations will assist BOEM in assessing the risk and potential severity of entanglement, and potentially identify mitigation measures to reduce any risk.

The overall objective of this study is to test hypotheses on biological connectivity among artificial and natural habitats using genetic markers. The team is sampling non-indigenous species and native species on (a) oil and gas platforms, (b) harbors, (c) shipwrecks, and (d) nearby natural reefs for the genetic analysis; estimating biological connectivity among anthropogenic structures and natural reefs using the data; and developing an early detection and rapid-response monitoring plan.

This study is a partnership between BOEM, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Geological Survey to map geologic features and characterize seafloor habitats offshore California and Oregon. It will enhance understanding about the location and nature of biologically sensitive communities, including in potential lease areas for wind energy development and areas where conventional energy is being developed. Cal DIG II participants are actively working on the final report.

This long-term and continuing study by BOEM and a network of partners provides for the monitoring of rocky intertidal habitats and communities at 32 coastal sites adjacent to existing and potential Outer Continental Shelf energy development in California and Oregon. Site-specific data about the diversity and abundance of invertebrates are housed in a publicly available database that can be used to monitor intertidal communities

The Offshore Renewable Wind Energy Gateway assembles geospatial information on ocean wind resources, ecological and natural resources, ocean commercial and recreational uses and community values. This information will help identify areas off of California that are potentially suitable for wind energy generation.

The overall goals of this project were to determine potential changes in California’s coastal upwelling caused by offshore wind turbines in a variety of environmental conditions, turbine characteristics, and wind farm configurations. Specific objectives included running state-of-theart models that represent atmosphere and ocean circulation; calculating metrics of the strength of upwelling; and evaluating the sensitivity of upwelling effects to turbine type, geographic regions of deployment, and climate change. An atmosphere-ocean circulation model evaluated changes to coastal and curldriven upwelling following introduction of simulated offshore full-wind-energy facilities offshore of Humboldt, Morro Bay, and Diablo Canyon.

The primary goal for this proposed project is to take the experience gained from applications of fiber optic sensing (FOS) in civil engineering and large-scale infrastructure projects, to measure and monitor strains, loads and other parameters in real time based on analysis of three-dimensional strain, vibration and temperature. The team plan to evaluate the technical feasibility of FOS to monitor gearboxes and towers for offshore wind turbines and evaluate the technical feasibility to monitor marine animal life activities near offshore wind support subsea structures.

This project is developing a 3D seabird spatial distribution and power generation model to assess tradeoffs between wind farm performance and bird mortality risk. The model will account for flight height at various wind speeds, which will fill a knowledge gap in existing seabird models. The team has developed wind energy scenarios for several test sites with different turbine parameters and configurations. While completing the 3D seabird model, the team is designing a method to conduct the tradeoff analysis between seabird risk and wind performance.

This study by the U.S. Geological Survey will increase BOEM’s understanding of the temporal and spatial distribution of Black Brant offshore of the Pacific coast to evaluate potential effects of offshore wind energy development on them. BOEM’s objective is to collect data on trans-oceanic and coastal migration routes for Black Brant along the Pacific coast of North America to identify their spatial location, timing, and flight altitudes. The results will help determine if the routes overlap with proposed Call Areas for wind energy development off the Pacific coast.

This study by Wild Me was conducted in two phases. The first phase tested the feasibility of using machine learning algorithms to match lateral ridges of individual gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), and has been completed. The second phase is focusing on increasing the accuracy of these algorithms to match laterally photographed gray whales. Complementing existing efforts funded by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center, this study aims to use artificial intelligence to better understand the distribution, status, and sensitivities of this species. Products will be incorporated into an open-source distributed database.