ESP Process Flow 2/27/2012 Environmental Studies Program 1
Studies Management Process Timeline Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug SDP Guidance Stakeholder Input Due SDP Preparation Draft SDPs Due BOEM HQ Review of DPs Revised SDPs Due SDP Sent to SAC SAC Meeting SAC Comments FY Profiles Revised FY Study request Draft FY NSL Final NSL Discussions Proposed FY NSL Approved FY NSL Discrete Event Process
NSL Study Title Cost AK-06-01 AK-10-02 Bowhead Whale Feeding Variability in the Western Beaufort $8,187,320.00 AK-06-04 Beaufort Sea Marine Fish Monitoring $997,283.00 AK-07-01a Monitoring the Distribution of Arctic Whales (Aircraft) $1,524,995.00 AK-07-01b Monitoring the Distribution of Arctic Whales (Personnel) $1,845,000.00 AK-07-08 Pinniped Movements and Foraging: Bearded Seals $1,163,000.00 AK-07-x13 North Pacific Right Whales in the Southeastern Bering Sea $3,950,000.00 AK-08-02a COMIDA (Air Support) $1,200,000.00 AK-08-02b COMIDA (Personnel) $1,350,000.00 AK-08-08 Spatial and Temporal Mapping (North Aleutian Basin) $531,300.00 AK-09-02a Passive Acoustic Detection and Monitoring Endangered Whales $4,304,300.00 AK-09-02b Ecosystem Observations Chukchi Sea $2,068,928.00 AK-10-05 AK-10-05 COMIDA: Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals (Personnel) COMIDA: Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals (Aerial Surveys two year extension) $4,786,585.00 $2,600,000.00 AK-11-05 Marine Mammal/Physical Oceanography Synthesis $1,798,459.00 AK-11-08 Distribution of Fish, Crab and Lower Trophic Communities $1,200,000.00 AK-12-06 Distribution and Habitat Use of Fish in Nearshore Ecosystem $160,000.00 AK-12-07 Westward Extension of BOWFEST $4,500,000.00 TOTAL $42,167,170.00
Applications for Mapping Spilled Oil in Arctic Water Assess the effectiveness of HF Radar surface current mapping system and drogue drifters for providing near-surface current input data to oil spill models. Develop, test, and deploy instrumentation for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) that can be customized for use in the Arctic to detect the spatial and temporal locations of subsurface hydrocarbon plumes (Field tests to be conducted with non-toxic fluorescein dyes). Conduct at least two field tests of the dispersal and tracking of non-toxic fluorescein dye off the Chukchi coast. Track the dispersed dye plume by incorporating input from the AUVs and other real time data collection sensors in the Chukchi Sea (e.g., surface currents from HF Radar, drifters, real time WRF high resolution wind fields, data from meteorological buoys and other offshore instruments) to assess the fate and transport of the dye plume. Develop algorithms quantifying small scale transport processes based on measurable oceanographic and meteorological data (i.e., advection, Langmuir circulation, wind drift, vertical and horizontal dispersion coefficients, etc.).
Workshop-Interagency Protocols for Immediate On-Scene Arctic Oil Spill Impact Assemble a collection of relevant lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to improve environmental data collection in the event of a spill in arctic waters. Develop a protocol for sampling during the initial stages of an Alaska marine oil or gas spill. Develop interagency working agreements or other instruments necessary to implement immediate scientific sampling should an oil spill occur in marine waters.
Nearshore Fish Assemblages Inventory the distribution and diversity of nearshore fish, their habitat and prey along high priority sites in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Assess age and diet of fish important as prey species. Describe oceanographic features of areas with nearshore fish. Understand how habitat variables like temperature and salinity affect fish species distributions.
Field Evaluation of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for Studying Cetacean Distribution, Density, and Habitat Use In the Arctic Evaluate detection rates and ability to identify cetaceans in Arctic waters using available UAS technology. Compare cetacean encounter rates, detection probabilities, identification abilities, and group size estimates between a UAS and human observers during simultaneous field tests and surveys. Describe improvements needed in UAS technology (payloads, cameras, etc.). Provide recommendations for the types of monitoring or mitigation requirements that can likely be met by UASs.
Development of a Sonar System Evaluation and preliminary field testing of active sonar using targets, to focus on actual operation of sonar in suitable test environment, and gather data for analysis of system performance. Field testing of active sonar in arctic waters to detect species of concern while recording vocalizations using passive acoustic equipment to aid in avoiding or mitigating deleterious effects of industrial activities. Document the direction and speed of movement of detected marine mammals. Detect and record other environmental features (varying availability of prey species, preferred or avoided habitat features) of use in avoiding or mitigating deleterious effects of human activities.