Newswave Fall 2019/Winter 2020

NEWSWAVE NEWS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR: OCEAN, GREAT LAKES, AND COASTS

Special Feature—Award-Winning Conservation Signage see p. 18 Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Ocean Agencies Meet to Conserving Discuss Critical Marine Leatherback Turtles Minerals By Claudia Lombard (USFWS) and Kelly Stewart (NOAA Affiliate) By Ann Tihansky (USGS) Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys BOEM-NOAA-USGS coriacea) are one of the largest rep- On July 30 and 31, 2019, the tiles on Earth. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) USCRTF co-chairs and members visit aboard the sustainable modified traditional model of One of the largest populations of nest- hosted representatives from the sailing vessel, Vaka Motu Oceanus, in Koror, ing leatherbacks in the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Palau. Left to right: Jim Reilly (USGS Director), uses the largest beach area (3.2 kilo- (BOEM), the National Oceanic and Doug Domenech (Assistant Secretary meters of continuous beach) in the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Insular and International Areas, DOI), Tommy Virgin Islands within the Sandy Point E. Remengesau, Jr. (President of Palau), at the USGS Pacific Coastal and National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Marine Science Center for an “Explor- RDML Tim Gallaudet (Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). atory Interagency Critical Marine NOAA-Deputy Administrator), and Michael The refuge land is greater than Minerals Discussion” in Santa Cruz, Stoker (EPA Regional Administrator, Region 400 acres in extent and was purchased CA. The informal face-to-face meet- 9). Photo credit: Ann Tihansky, USGS in 1984 to help conserve sea turtles. ing covered ongoing and anticipated Federal agency interest and plans U.S. Coral Reef Task related to critical marine minerals. It Force Holds 42nd was the first time that representatives from the three agencies met face-to- Meeting in Palau face to discuss their specific critical By Ann Tihansky (USGS) marine mineral plans and activities. Amid an active typhoon season in 2019, U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) members and supporting staff traveled to Palau, one of the Freely Associated State members of the USCRTF. Palau is the 13th smallest nation in the world, and was DOI Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech the host of the 42nd USCRTF Meet- (center in black shirt), joined staff from Office ing which was held in Koror, Palau, of Insular Affairs, USFWS, NPS, and student from September 9 to 13. It had been interns at Sandy Point NWR in St. Croix, USVI. Standing (left to right) Mike Evans, See Palau Task Force page 32 Dwayne Petersen, Deputy Director NPS Dan Smith, Buck Island Reef National Monument BSEE Safety Initiatives NPS Superintendent Gregory Camacho, Doug Domenech, Shreya Banerjee, Claudia Support Record Oil Lombard, and Ana Roman. Front row (left to Dark blue areas outline the EEZ of the United right): Angela Picknell, Dana DeSousa, Nina States and affiliated islands. The U.S. EEZ is Production Mauney, and Emma Dlutkowski. Photo credit: larger than its land area. Image credit: NOAA By BSEE USFWS

See Ocean Agencies Meet page 4 See BSEE Oil Production page 6 See Conserving Turtles page 3 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Connect to News and Multimedia via Social Media In This Edition LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook: Critical Minerals Meeting ...... 1 https://www.facebook.com/USInterioroceancoastsgreatlakes/ U.S. Coral Reef Task Force ...... 1 Record Oil Production ...... 1 Oceans of Trash Conserving Leatherback Turtles...... 1 Marine debris continues to enter the ocean Ocean Mapping ...... 6 each year, outpacing efforts to remove it. BSEE Underscores Safety ...... 6 What’s scarier still: The global problem BSEE Finalizes Regulations ...... 7 affects more than wildlife. Plastics have New Bridge at Katmai National Park ....8 entered the human food chain through the water we drink and the fish we eat. The Ocean Data Reports ...... 9 impact on human health is not yet fully Knauss Fellows Visit DOI ...... 10 known. But here’s the thing—If we rec- Restoring Brown Pelican Rookery ..... 11 ognize we’re part of the problem, we can Western Snowy Plovers Return ...... 12 take steps to stop it at the source. See related story, page 22. A Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) Wings of Hope in the Great Lakes ..... 13 skeleton on Midway Atoll reveals a belly full of Innovation at Kill Devil Hills, NC ...... 14 Read more: https://www.fws.gov/refuges/ plastic. Baby albatrosses born on Midway, more features/OceansOfTrash.html than 2,000 miles from other land, are fed the plastic Sand Restores Louisiana Coastline ... 15 by their parents. One study by the Monterey Bay Future OCS Sand Resource Needs ..... 16 https://www.fws.gov/refuges/features/ Aquarium found that 96% of chicks had plastic OceansOfTrash.html in their stomachs. See more photos here: https:// Explore Coastal Change at ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/seabirds/laysan-albatrosses- Fire Island, NY ...... 16 plastic-problem Photo credit: Chris Jordan (USFWS) Optimizing Seafloor Mapping ...... 17 SPECIAL FEATURE: Award Winning Oregon Coastal Conservation Thousands of pounds of marine debris Signage ...... 18 collect on the shores of Midway Atoll as Regional Partnership Meetings ...... 20 well as on other remote shores every year. Marine Debris is a Serious Issue ...... 22 Continual cleanup requires significant management and staff in these remote Fish Slam! ...... 24 areas. Photo by Holly Richards, USFWS The Black-Capped Petrel ...... 26 Great Lakes Habitat Improvement .... 26 NEWSWAVE is a quarterly newsletter from the Department of the Interior featuring ocean, South Bay San Francisco Conservation Great Lakes, and coastal activities across the Bureaus. Champion ...... 27 Visit us online: https://www.doi.gov/pmb/ocean/newswave Monitoring HABs in Editor: Ann Tihansky (USGS) New York Lakes ...... 30 Technical Editor: Rebekah Davis (USGS); Layout: Bethany Fuss (USGS) The Surfing Bison: Award-Winning Contributors: Nadine Leavitt Siak, USFWS NOAA Oregon Coastal Conservation BSEE Claudia Lombard, USFWS Mark Eakin, NOAA Signage ...... 32 BOEM Dawn Marsh, USFWS Kelly Stewart, NOAA affiliate Darryl Francois, BOEM Jon Myatt, USFWS Dan Schneider, White House Michael Plummer, BOEM Meagan Racey, USFWS Council on Environmental Contribute to NEWSWAVE! Christine Taylor, BOEM USGS Quality If you have any questions, Marjorie Weisskohl, BOEM Laura Brothers, USGS Edwards Sweeney, Santa comments or want to receive BLM Mary Brown, USGS Barbara Museum of Natural NEWSWAVE by email, contact: Jeff Fontana, BLM Jessica Fitzpatrick, USGS History Sea Center Ann Tihansky: [email protected] NPS Guy Foster, USGS Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Michael Bilecki, NPS Jennifer Graham, USGS Great Lakes Piping Plover For more information, contact: R. Jensen, NPS Kaitlin Kovacs, USGS Conservation Team Liza Johnson, Ocean, Great Lakes, J. Koster, NPS Erika Lentz, USGS Monmouth University and Coasts Coordinator, Office of Kathy Krause, NPS Jennifer Miselis, USGS The Ocean Conservancy the Assistant Secretary for Insular Eden Saunders, NPS Elizabeth Nystrom, USGS University of Wisconsin– and International Affairs M. Whalen, NPS Elizabeth Pendleton, USGS Green Bay USFWS Barry Rosen, USGS Amy Carrozzino-Lyon, UW– 1849 C Street, NW, Mail Stop 3117 Vince Cavalieri, USFWS Pamela Schofield, USGS Green Bay Washington, D.C. 20240 Carol Damberg, USFWS Heather Schreppel, USGS Kevin Doyle, photographer Telephone: 202–208–1378 Alicia Wilson, USFWS Richard Snell, USGS Cole Goco, illustrator [email protected] Chris Jordan, USFWS

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Conserving Turtles continued from page 1 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Leatherback Sea Turtle Facts (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Adult leatherback sea turtles are Threats to sea turtles in the marine Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highly migratory and believed to be environment include: fisheries work together to develop the most pelagic of all sea turtles. and implement recovery plans for • trawl, purse seine, hook and line, Habitat requirements for juvenile and gill net, pound net, longline, and sea turtles, in close coordination with posthatchling leatherbacks, however, trap fisheries; stakeholders. Recovery plans pro- are virtually unknown. Nesting • oil and gas exploration, develop- vide a blueprint for conservation of females prefer high-energy beaches ment, and transportation; the species and measurable criteria with deep, unobstructed access, to gauge progress toward recovery. which occur most frequently along • pollution; The highly migratory behavior of sea continental shorelines. Characteristics • underwater explosions; of these turtles: turtles makes them shared resources • dredging; among many nations, so conserva- • Females weigh on average 600– • offshore artificial lighting; tion efforts for sea turtle populations 800 pounds and have an average • power plant entrapment; in one country may be jeopardized by carapace length of 155 centimeters activities in another. This means that • Long distance migrations (St. Croix • entanglement in debris; protecting sea turtles on U.S. nesting to Nova Scotia) • ingestion of marine debris; beaches and in U.S. waters alone is • Deep divers • marina and dock development; not enough to ensure the continued • Leathery carapace • boat collisions; and existence of the species. • Feed on jellyfish (Scyphozoa spp.) • poaching. Major recovery actions for leather- • Nest March–August Threats to sea turtle nesting beaches back sea turtles include: • Individuals nest every 2–3 years include: • protecting turtles on nesting • Lay 80 eggs, every 10 days, up to • nesting beaches and nests lost to beaches, 10 times in a season beach erosion; • protecting nesting and foraging • armoring and adding new sand for habitats, beach nourishment; • reducing bycatch in commercial and • artificial lighting; beach cleaning; recreational fisheries, increased human presence; • reducing the effects of entanglement • recreational beach equipment; and ingestion of marine debris, • exotic dune and beach vegetation; • working with partners internation- and ally to protect turtles in all life- • poaching. stages in foreign waters, and • supporting research and conservation projects consistent with recov- Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech holds ery plan priorities. a newly hatched juvenile leatherback sea turtle that he released into the refuge Since 1997, schoolchildren and adults water. Photo credits: USFWS from the community have participated in an escorted night visit to the beach to see female leatherback sea for Insular and International Affairs, by NPS Deputy Director Dan Smith, turtles digging their nests and laying Mr. Doug Domenech, visited USVI and together they met with the volun- eggs. Later in the season, program to meet with the Governor and teer research assistants who work with participants watch hatchlings emerge Federal Emergency Management the leatherbacks and helped release from their nests and crawl to the sea. Agency (FEMA) representatives and the hatchlings that had emerged from This program is the premier wildlife to discuss hurricane recovery activi- a nest that afternoon on the south outreach program in the USVI and ties in St. Croix and St. John with shore of Sandy Point refuge. has provided the community with an the National Park Service (NPS) and The Leatherback Project is a critically opportunity to understand the impor- the USFWS. He visited Sandy Point important sea turtle research program tance of wildlife conservation! NWR to meet with refuge staff and that has operated for nearly 40 years In June 2019, Department of the learn more about leatherback conser- at Sandy Point NWR. Refuge interns vation efforts. Domenech was joined Interior’s (DOI’s) Assistant Secretary See Conserving Turtles page 4 3 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Conserving Turtles continued from page 3 who are research students from vari- Primary sea turtle conservation objectives for the USFWS ous places are involved in the project. They conduct turtle critical research Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge: that involves tracking, marking nests, • To provide habitat and protection tagging turtles, and collecting other for threatened and endangered related data. The results from the species, with specific emphasis on science being done at the refuge with the leatherback sea turtle; leatherback turtles informs manage- • To support the USFWS’ commitment decisions at the national level ment to implement and carry out while also shaping global management sea turtle recovery plans; decisions and designations. Since • To provide habitat for a natural 2008, important genetic research on diversity of plant and wildlife spe- this leatherback population has been cies; and done in a partnership among USFWS, • To foster a sense of public com- NOAA (Marine Turtle Genetics Pro- mitment and understanding for sea In 1979, NOAA fisheries and the USFWS gram), and The Ocean Foundation. turtles and the need for protection designated critical habitat (shown in orange) by providing opportunities for envi- for endangered leatherback turtles for coastal Visit the NWR virtually: https://www. ronmental education, interpretation, waters adjacent to Sandy Point, St. Croix, USVI. Map credit: NOAA fws.gov/refuge/sandy_point/ and compatible wildlife-oriented Read more about sea turtle conservation recreation. efforts: https://medium.com/@USFWS/ protecting-sea-turtles-coast-to-coast- e443518576f1

Ocean Agencies Meet continued from page 1 Key meeting objectives were: Countries around the world need metals and minerals to satisfy burgeoning Identify key agency structure, groups, demands for technology and electronics, such as wind turbines and electric cars, or divisions within each organization which require large quantities of rare and expensive metals. Critical minerals are and points of contact also needed for everyday products such as cell phones, computers, and automo- • Discuss status and plans—includ- biles, as well as items vital to the Nation’s defense. Seafloor deposits in deep ing challenges—of intra-agency ocean settings, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, could be important sources of organizational/planning these metals and minerals. Yet many economic, technological, and environmental challenges to deep-ocean mining remain. • Outline latest Administration plans for formal interagency communica- Reliable information about deep-ocean minerals helps stakeholders make tion/coordination informed decisions on resource use, energy production, and environmen- • Review state of knowledge of and tal impacts. The USGS provides expertise in describing and analyzing these anticipated commercial interest in mineral deposits. BOEM is the only Federal agency with the authority to lease domestic sources of critical marine marine minerals from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). minerals The meeting was prompted by the June 2019 Department of Commerce (DOC) • Discuss critical marine mineral report, “A Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical information needs Minerals,” and is an important step toward advancing that strategy. • Outline ongoing/planned critical Prepared in response to Executive Order 13817, the report presents: marine mineral activities • Identify potential near-term (1–3 • 6 calls to action, year) opportunities to enhance • 24 goals, and data collection/product develop- • 61 recommendations that describe specific steps that the Federal Government ment to support multiagency objectives will take to achieve the report’s objectives. Although each agency is actively working to identify internal approaches and • Assess mechanisms for enhanced interagency communication/coor- strategies to support this Administration’s priority, meeting participants brought dination at decision-maker levels together a unique assembly of national capabilities and responsibilities to this issue. The meeting will benefit future interagency discussions and effec- Read the DOC report: https://www.commerce. gov/news/reports/2019/06/federal-strategy- tive interagency coordination and collaboration that is expected to expand and ensure-secure-and-reliable-supplies-critical- evolve. minerals See related story on page 6 4 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

DOI’s Roles and Responsibilities for Critical Marine Minerals According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020 report, minerals are fundamental to the U.S. economy, contributing to the real gross domestic product at several levels, including mining, processing, and manufacturing finished products. The United States relies on foreign sources for raw and processed mineral materials. In 2019, imports made up more than one-half of the U.S. apparent consumption for 46 nonfuel mineral commodities, and the United States was 100% net import reliant for 17 of those. Critical minerals comprised 14 of the 17 mineral commodities with 100% net import reliance and comprised 17 of the 29 remaining mineral commodities with imports greater than 50% of annual consumption. Read the USGS report: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2020/mcs2020.pdf

The USGS studies the seafloor and mineral resources BOEM is the only Federal agency with the authority to lease marine that occur within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone minerals from the OCS, including responding to commercial (EEZ) of Pacific coastal States, Pacific islands of requests for OCS minerals. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act U.S. affiliation, and areas globally beyond national (OCSLA) provides the authority to manage minerals on the OCS jurisdictions, seeking to understand how and and the requirement to provide environmental oversight. BOEM’s where mineral-rich deposits form in the ocean and Marine Minerals Program (BOEM–MMP) facilitates access to and investigating the potential environmental impacts manages the Nation’s OCS nonenergy marine minerals, particularly of seafloor mining. These findings can help the sand and gravel, through environmentally responsible stewardship Federal Government understand its ocean wealth, of resources, prudent assessments of exploration and leasing help industry determine which regions and deposits activities. BOEM also coordinates with governmental partners, might be worth exploring, and help stakeholders engagement of stakeholders, strategic planning, and mission- understand the effects of mining on the marine focused scientific research. environment. Learn more about the BOEM–MMP: https://www.boem.gov/marine- Read more: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pcmsc/ minerals science/global-ocean-mineral-resources?qt-science_ Read the OCSLA: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/ center_objects uploadedFiles/Section8koftheOCSLA9_5.pdf

Participants in the BOEM-NOAA-USGS discussion held at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, July 30–31, 2019. Photo credit: USGS

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President Accelerates and ocean technology will benefit our BSEE Underscores economy, build on national security Ocean Exploration and priorities, and ensure effective conser- Safety Mapping vation management,” said Dr. Kelvin By BSEE Droegemeier, Director of the OSTP. By Dan Schneider (White House Council on Bureau of Safety and Environmental Environmental Quality) The U.S. EEZ is larger than the com- Enforcement (BSEE) inspectors from bined land area of all 50 States, with On November 19, 2019, President all three BSEE regions met in Lafay- more than 13,000 miles of coastline Trump issued a Presidential Memo- ette, LA, to collaborate on updates to and 3.4 million square nautical miles randum, “Ocean Mapping of the BSEE’s inspection strategy and other of ocean within our territorial jurisdic- United States Exclusive Economic initiatives the BSEE is doing to drive tion. It contains a vast array of undis- Zone and the Shoreline and Near- safety performance and environmen- covered and underutilized natural shore of Alaska.” The memorandum tal stewardship improvements in the resources. directs Federal agencies to develop a OCS. national strategy to map the U.S. EEZ However, only about 40% of the “Everyone in this room plays a critical U.S. EEZ has been mapped. Even less and a strategy to map the Alaskan role in keeping offshore oil and gas of the natural resources and ocean coastline to advance our understand- operations safe and environmentally systems have been characterized ing of our oceans and coastlines and sustainable. You are doing more through identifying and evaluating, by to promote efficient permitting related inspections than ever before, you’re executive departments and agencies. to ocean exploration activities. These increasing physical inspection time Additional mapping and research will actions will benefit the U.S. economy, offshore, and you’re doing more national security, and our environ- improve our national understanding of our oceans, including identifying with less,” said BSEE Director Scott ment. Angelle in referencing BSEE’s nearly See related story on page 1. potential new sources of critical minerals, biopharmaceuticals, and energy, 30% reduction in helicopter expen- The memorandum was announced and finding areas with important ditures over the past two years and after the White House Summit on ecological resources. the increased use of onshore e-record Partnerships in Ocean Science and inspections in his welcoming remarks. Technology, which was hosted by Read the fact sheet: https://www. “As we move from being prescriptive the Office of Science and Technol- whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ to more performance based, initiatives ogy Policy (OSTP) and the Council uploads/2017/11/20191119-Final-FACT- Sheet-_Ocean-Mapping-PM.pdf like risk-based inspections positively on Environmental Quality (CEQ). impact the safety of offshore energy The summit brought together lead- Read the briefing statement:https://www. ers from academia, the private sector, whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/ production,” said Angelle. “As you philanthropy, and the Federal Govern- president-donald-j-trump-accelerating- perform these targeted inspections ment to identify opportunities to build ocean-exploration/ on high-risk activities, operators are partnerships that advance marine sci- Read the memorandum: https://www. driven to direct their attention to areas ence, promote new technologies, and whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ where BSEE has identified trends.” explore the unknown ocean. memorandum-ocean-mapping-united- Angelle said inspectors are the states-exclusive-economic-zone-shoreline- backbone of BSEE, and he believes “With today’s Presidential Memoran- nearshore-alaska/ dum, the United States will accelerate these collaborative meetings help ocean exploration and expand ensure standardization across BSEE’s our knowledge of the ocean,” regions. said Council on Environmen- “You travel offshore daily to ensure tal Quality Chairman Mary offshore oil and gas operations are B. Neumayr. “The knowledge safe and environmentally sustainable,” gained from mapping and Angelle said. “We are all grateful for exploring the U.S. Exclusive the work you do. America depends on Economic Zone will inform you.” policies and guide actions to Read more: https://www.bsee.gov/ promote conservation, man- newsroom/latest-news/statements-and- agement, and balanced use of releases/press-releases/bsee-director- our ocean.” underscores-safety-at?fbclid=IwAR3syM “This step forward through MLQD1qDELbIRWKT0Z3oRFzsIV9mG0z partnerships on innovation Photo credit: BSEE image ui5005MTIKVcPLMHZVPDACU

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Lessees, which set a path BSEE Finalizes for HP/HT projects in the Gulf of Mexico to gain Improved Blowout BSEE approval. Preventer and Well Shell’s Appomattox project, Control Regulations in the Gulf of Mexico about 80 miles south of New By BSEE Orleans, was the first high- BSEE released the “Blowout Pre- temperature project to gain venter Systems and Well Control” BSEE approval and begin regulations in May 2019. BSEE’s final production in May 2019. well control rule removes unnecessary BSEE Director Scott Angelle participates in an offshore The permitting work for the regulatory burdens to responsible off- inspection at a platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo credit: Appomattox project helped shore development while maintaining BSEE define and clarify the safety safety and environmental protection. BSEE Oil Production continued from page 1 requirements in BSEE’s recently The revised rule reflects the focus published HP/HT-related guidance on smarter regulations that provide BSEE announced on January 7, 2020, documents. regulatory certainty, signal American that for the first time in history, oil Chevron sanctioned the first ultra- competitiveness, advance energy secu- production from the Gulf of Mexico high-pressure project at Anchor in the rity, and sustain economic prosperity exceeded 2 million barrels per day Gulf of Mexico about 140 miles off while promoting safety. in August 2019. This record average the coast of Louisiana. The project daily production in the Gulf of Mex- “The final rule puts safety first, both represents the industry’s first deep- public and environmental safety, in a ico followed on the heels of a record- water, high-pressure development at setting 2018 for the entire OCS, when commonsense way,” said Secretary 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to Bernhardt. a total of more than 640 million bar- win a final investment decision. The rels were produced in Federal waters. BSEE strike team met with Chevron “BSEE’s review has been thorough, Additionally, several BSEE initiatives to discuss the guidance. careful, and tailored,” said BSEE that began in 2017 are driving offshore Director Scott Angelle. “Free of undue Chevron subsequently awarded Sch- safety performance and environmen- regulatory burden while ensuring that lumberger OneSubsea a contract to tal improvements. These efforts have operators conduct outer Continental provide the industry’s first fully inte- targeted all three of BSEE’s mission Shelf activities in a safe and environ- grated subsea production-rated system areas: safety, environmental sustain- mentally responsible manner, today’s ability, and resource conservation. to handle up to 20,000 psi. Chevron relied upon BSEE’s safety require- rule will fuel and sustain responsible “This is incredible news for the ments to incorporate the guidance into energy exploration and production of Nation,” said BSEE Director Scott its operations. Defining the processes, America’s outer Continental Shelf.” Angelle. “BSEE is stressing safety procedure, and standards has ensured The final revised rule leaves about and environmental sustainability while additional energy resources are not 80 percent unchanged. BSEE consid- at the same time promoting robust abandoned unnecessarily. ered all 424 recommendations arising energy production offshore, and it’s from 26 reports from 14 organiza- paying off.” BSEE also partnered with BOEM research on the health of energy pro- tions developed in the wake of and in The increase in production in 2019 led duction in the Gulf of Mexico Shallow response to the Deepwater Horizon to $2.34 billion more offshore royalty Water Province. oil spill and found that none of the revenue for the Federal Treasury and, revisions contravened any of these Read the report, “Gulf of Mexico Data according to a U.S. Energy Informa- recommendations. tion Administration report, U.S. Gulf and Analysis/ Leasing, Drilling and Production, Gulf of Mexico Shallow Read more: https://www.bsee.gov/ of Mexico oil production not only Water Potential Stranded Assets,” https:// newsroom/latest-news/statements- increased, but will continue to set www.bsee.gov/sites/bsee.gov/files/reports/ and-releases/press-releases/ records through 2020. shallow-water-report-01.pdf bsee-finalizes-improved-blowout BSEE formed a strike team to bet- Read the press release: https://www.bsee. ter manage high-pressure and high- gov/newsroom/latest-news/statements- temperature (HP/HT) operating and-releases/press-releases/bsee-safety- conditions. This led to clear directives initiatives-support-record?fbclid=IwAR11 being published in three 2019 guid- wKJfX11p6axWHl86_jXjMLnrkePU0Gvk ance documents, known as Notices to T4AKE2VPUslthXq1BRmDAM4

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The New Brooks River Bridge at Katmai National Park and Preserve By NPS Katmai National Park and Preserve (NP&P) opened a new elevated bridge across the lower Brooks River. Senator Murkowski’s representative Lucy Murfitt—who, with Annie Hoefler, had the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon—predicted that the “bear jams” that had once prevented visitors and staff from crossing the old floating bridge would now be a thing of the past.

The bridge will help Katmai achieve Bird’s-eye view of bridge span, elevated walkways, and three large and two small viewing balance in its double mission of pro- platforms. Photo credit: R. Jensen, NPS tecting resources while also facilitating the public’s enjoyment of them. Sara Wolman. Sheila Ring of Katmai “Projects like this take a lot of conver- Conservancy highlighted the Conser- sations and a lot of advocacy. Today vancy’s role in assisting the park with we can walk across the bridge on a fundraising for its ongoing projects, safe, elevated platform and ultimately including the well-known Bearcam the bears have freedom of movement partnership with explore.org and the that they didn’t used to have,” said Annenberg Foundation. Katmai NP&P Superintendent Mark Superintendent Sturm also highlighted Sturm, thanking partners present at the importance of Alaska Native com- the ceremony for their help in making munity input during the long course the bridge project possible. Partners “Welcome to Sugpiaq country,” proclaimed of the bridge construction project, Andria Agli (BBNC) and the Council of Katmai included the National Parks Conserva- “It is important to recognize that we Descendants, with NPS Alaska Region tion Association, represented by Erica are standing on sacred ground that Director Herbert Frost and Katmai NP&P Carrol, and the Alaska Department has literally been occupied for many Superintendent Mark Sturm. Photo credit: J. of Fish and Wildlife, represented by thousands of Koster, NPS years. And that this construction “A lot of folks come here to see the represents prog- bears, and we like to be able to share ress. And with our story as well. So, thank you for progress comes being here. As you partake in this change. Some- beautiful bridge, also marvel in the times the change beauty of this area and the history as is not always well,” said Andria Agli of Bristol Bay perceived as Native Corporation (BBNC) and the positive change Council of Katmai Descendants. She because when greeted the crowd and recalled the something does rich cultural heritage of the area, span- change, there’s ning thousands of years from tradi- something that’s tional migrations to present day. lost as well.” Read more: https://www.nps.gov/katm/ Visitors enjoy the elevated perspective on bear activity below. Watch learn/news/news063019.htm the live action via BearCam: https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/ river-watch-brown-bear-salmon-cams Photo credit: M. Whalen, NPS

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Ocean Reports—Delivering Ocean Data for Your Project in an Instant By Christine Taylor (BOEM) having easy access to this unprec- edented volume of ocean intelligence. Everyone will now be better informed and positioned to conserve marine resources and grow ocean commerce to new levels.” OceanReports is an example of strong Federal interagency coordination and cooperation on ocean policy, as put forward by the President’s Execu- tive Order 13840, signed June 19, 2018: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ presidential-actions/executive-order- The new tool, OceanReports, is available at https://marinecadastre.gov/oceanreports and regarding-ocean-policy-advance- provides users specialized ocean neighborhood analyses, including maps and graphics, by analyzing more than 100 authoritative ocean datasets instantaneously. Powered by over economic-security-environmental- 100 trusted datasets, you can create stunning customized reports in just seconds. Image credit: interests-united-states/. BOEM “Using maps and related data to determine the what, where, and how A new, web-based interactive tool for “The world’s largest collection of answers to many commonly asked ocean mapping and planning cre- ‘ocean intelligence’ can now be marine planning questions, on the ated by DOI’s BOEM and the DOC’s accessed to help sustain and grow fly, is something the MarineCadastre. NOAA will give everyone from one of the world’s largest blue econo- gov team has been wanting to do for ocean industries to coastal manag- mies,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., acting years” said Christine Taylor, BOEM ers, students, as well as the general NOAA administrator. “Whether it’s geographer and co-lead for the Marin- public, the opportunity to be an aquaculture siting, marine transporta- eCadastre.gov project. ocean explorer right from their own tion, or offshore energy, OceanReports computer. puts this data at our fingertips and The tool can answer basic and some- U.S. ocean waters comprise nearly gives us an edge as we continue to what complicated questions about four million square miles and are grow our national economy.” your area of interest (for example, depth ranges, existing leases, trans- one of the largest EEZs in the world. OceanReports builds on more than a portation corridors, infrastructure Now, when you outline any area in decade of data collection and trans- existence, oceanographic conditions, the U.S. EEZ using the OceanReports forms seemingly disparate ocean available ports, ocean laws, Federal app, you can get detailed information information into something useful to and State lawmakers for your area, about habitats and species, industries the Nation’s ocean and coastal indus- economic information, and so on). It at work, potential hazards such as tries, which consistently adds more has all the information you need to undersea cables or shipwrecks, eco- than $300 billion in gross domestic determine both the best conditions nomic value of ocean commerce, and product to the Nation’s economy for your potential plan along with the detailed oceanographic information. annually. And although OceanReports likely potential conflicts. “With such a diverse range of ocean provides a fountain of data for use by uses and stakeholders, the Ocean- industry and science, it is still easy If you don’t like your results for one Reports tool greatly increases one’s enough to use in the classroom to help area, just draw another one. Save all ability to understand and manage students studying biology, chemistry, your reports, share them with others, the resources in the complex ocean geography, and even other disciplines and select just the infographics you environment,” said BOEM Acting like economics. need for printing your report. Director Walter Cruickshank. “Our “OceanReports is a monumental If you need to dig deeper into the data, team worked diligently with NOAA advancement for all ocean industries,” everything is downloadable for use to create this tool, which benefits the said James Morris, NOAA marine in your own geographic information ocean community in addition to help- ecologist and member of the Ocean- system (GIS). Most of the data are ing BOEM carry out its mission—the Reports development team. “New already available in MarineCadastre. responsible development of ocean industries such as aquaculture and gov along with hundreds of other energy and marine mineral resources existing industries such as energy for the Nation.” and shipping will all benefit from See Ocean Reports page 10 9 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Knauss Fellows Get Interior's Blue Portfolio Briefing Plus Lunch with a Leader By Alicia Wilson (USFWS Coastal Program 2019 Knauss Fellow) More than 20 of the 2019 class of The new Knauss Fellow program NOAA’s Sea Grant Knauss Fel- “Lunch with a Leader” kicked off just lows participated in “DOI Day” in before the annual DOI Day. More Watch this short video demonstrating the November. DOI Day is a traditional than 10 participants met with Cyn- OceanReports tool: https://coast.noaa.gov/ professional development event where thia Martinez, Chief of the USFWS data/gallery/videos/oceanreports.mp4 Fellows from a range of Knauss Fel- National Wildlife Refuge System. In Ocean Reports continued from page 9 low host offices, such as from NOAA, a small, intimate setting over lunch, Marine Mammal Commission, Con- Fellows were able to listen as Cynthia gress, U.S. Navy, the Committee on shared her career path, successes, and geospatial data layers. Those data lay- Marine Transportation, and USFWS, struggles. They were also able to ask ers created specifically for OceanRe- are invited to learn more about DOI’s questions related to career advice, job ports will be transferred to MarineCa- Blue Portfolio from leadership across opportunities, and challenges facing dastre this year (2020). Many of these the DOI. It was hosted by Liza John- young professionals looking for Fed- layers and others are also available son, DOI’s Ocean, Great Lakes, and eral Government employment. from some of the regional ocean data Coastal Program Coordinator, at the portals. OceanReports is meant to be The Sea Grant John A. Knauss Fel- Main Department of Interior's build- lowship provides an exceptional a complement to these other valuable ing in Washington, DC. tools. opportunity for young professionals In its 7th year, DOI Day provides an to engage in policy related to ocean, In some cases, we’ve linked to opportunity for Fellows, many in coastal and Great Lakes resources and other reporting tools such as the organizations outside DOI, to learn issues. Fellows are matched with host Avian Knowledge Network (http:// about the oceans, Great Lakes, and offices in the legislative or executive avianknowledge.net/), and the Infor- coastal activities happening across branch of government for a one-year mation for Planning and Consultation DOI’s Bureaus. Liza Johnson, with the paid fellowship in the Washington, (IPAC; https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ Office of the Assistant Secretary for D.C., area. location/index) site. These are simi- Insular and International Affairs, gave lar tools where you can do thorough Learn more about the Knauss Fellowship: the opening remarks and overview https://seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss investigations of data related to birds for the DOI Blue Portfolio. A panel of and species listed under the Endan- Plan a visit to the DOI Museum: https:// seven professionals from the USFWS, www.doi.gov/interiormuseum/Plan-a-Visit. gered Species Act (ESA). You can USGS, NPS, and BOEM presented also find links to NOAA fisheries overviews of each Bureau’s ocean tools such as the ESA Threatened and and coastal work followed by ques- Endangered Species Directory: https:// tion and answer www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species- sessions in small directory/threatened-endangered. groups for more OceanReports will continue to link in-depth career to other valuable resources as they discussions and become known to the team. Linking networking. Fel- to and working with other authorita- lows and panel tive geospatial tool sources reduces members took a redundancy of work and spending and guided museum encourages partnerships. and mural tour The MarineCadastre.gov team would that finished love to hear what you think. Send with a visit to them your user story and they can the rooftop for a feature you in their user map. Or view of the D.C. tell them what you do and don’t skyline. The like—they can’t improve or change Fellows contin- without your feedback. Email: info@ ued networking marinecadastre.gov offsite. 2019 Knauss Fellows on the Main Interior Building's rooftop in Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Carol Damberg, USFWS

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Interagency Relations Streamline Process to Restore Brown Pelican Rookery By Nadine Leavitt Siak (USFWS) “Good Queen Bess” (a.k.a. Queen Elizabeth) is credited with putting an end to a period of instability in mid- 16th century England. Unfortunately, the tiny scrap of land in Louisiana that bears her name, Queen Bess Island, has been anything but stable. The island, about 2.5 miles north of Grand Isle in Barataria Bay, has been sinking and eroding into the Gulf of Mexico. This is a matter of grave concern because Queen Bess Island supports the third largest brown pelican (Pele- canus occidentalis) rookery in Louisi- ana and provides the only colony for the birds in Barataria Bay. Queen Bess Island is the third largest nesting colony in Louisiana and the only one for brown Less than 5 acres of suitable nesting pelicans in Barataria Bay, LA. Photo credit: USFWS and brood-rearing bird habitat remain on Queen Bess Island, so immediate oil spill, a restoration effort adding Restoration activities can’t take action is needed to stop the erosion 37 acres of prime nesting habitat was place on Queen Bess Island while and rebuild what has been lost. A planned for October 2019. If not for birds are nesting, which leaves only regulatory process and the issuance a remarkable regulatory feat, project a six-month window to get work of a permit by the USACE must be managers would have had to wait done. “This is a reason why a speedy completed before a project can be another year to start the project. The compliance review was so important. implemented on the ground. USFWS streamlined the environmen- If the restoration work is not started Using $18.7 million of Deepwater tal compliance process, including tak- before nesting begins, we would have Horizon Natural Resource Damage ing on some of the compliance review, to wait and we’d lose more of the Assessment (DWH NRDA) settlement to enable the U.S. Army Corps of island—and without restoration, we funds from the Deepwater Horizon Engineers (USACE) to issue a permit will lose that nesting colony within for the project in only two days. the next decade,” said John Tirpak, “This greatly simplified the process USFWS wildlife biologist. for them. It reduced their workload, “We need to make sure to have brown led to a faster permit authorization,” pelicans in all locations where they Erin Chandler, an environmental were historically,” Tirpak says. “So, if, compliance coordinator for USFWS’s God forbid, a hurricane knocked out a Deepwater Horizon Gulf Restora- colony, there would still be others.” tion Office (DWH GRO) says. “We “The speed with which the Queen effectively front-loaded regulatory Bess Island compliance and permit- compliance and made it easier for the ting process were completed was USACE to conduct their permit appli- made possible by USFWS’s strong cation review.” relationships with other DWH NRDA Together the agencies “were able to implementing agencies. Maintaining identify where our processes over- these cooperative relationships with lapped, developed a plan, and exe- our restoration partners is paramount cuted it accordingly. For the USACE, to protecting and restoring the Gulf it saved man-hours—not days, but ecosystem,” said Chandler. months—and for [USFWS] it resulted Read more: https://www.doi.gov/ An adult brown pelican watches over two in a timely permit decision,” said restoration/environmental-compliance- pelican chicks on Queen Bess Island, LA. Brad LaBorde, USACE New Orleans efficiencies-speed-restoration-important- Photo credit: USFWS District Regulatory Branch brown-pelican-rookery

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Western Snowy Plovers Help Protect Shorebirds Return to Humboldt Let ‘em Rest, Let ‘em Nest Bay South Spit, CA A trip to the beach can be relaxing for By Jeff Fontana (BLM) humans, but may disturb shorebirds. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Share the shore: Humboldt State University’s wildlife • Leave no trace—Do not litter or feed department and Dr. Mark Colwell, wildlife. Ph.D., and Humboldt Bay NWR have • Give shorebirds plenty of space—300 been critical partners in restoring criti- feet is ideal! If birds run or fly away cal habitat. from you, then you are too close. “If you build it, they will come, and • Leash dogs—Birds see dogs as preda- we are happy to be realizing that spirit tors, and when dogs chase birds, it can of optimism,” said Molly Brown, result in stress, injury, or even death. manager of the BLM Arcata Field Never allow dogs to chase birds. • Avoid flying kites near posted nesting Office. For more ways to help: https:// areas—Shorebirds often mistake kites But there is a backstory—For nearly ny.audubon.org/10-ways-help-beach- for predatory birds, causing them to nesting-birds. Photo credit: USFWS two decades, BLM staff in Arcata stop feeding. have been grooming beach habitat to encourage nesting by western snowy • Respect closures for wildlife—Do not enter areas that have been roped off for nesting or resting birds. Obey all posted signs. plovers (Charadrius nivosus nivosus), small shorebirds that are listed as a • Keep dogs and vehicles out of restricted areas—Take your furry companion threatened species. For much of that to another section of beach. That includes your wheels, too—do not drive or time, BLM staff were disappointed ride beyond the high tide line. when the birds ignored the new nest- • Share the knowledge—Help others to appreciate shorebirds and politely let ing areas. them know how their actions may be negatively affecting the wildlife. It is likely that they are unaware of the consequences of their actions. If you sus- That all began to change in 2016, pect someone is intentionally harassing or harming wildlife, please contact when increasing numbers of fluffy, your local wildlife managers or USFWS office. spotted plover chicks began appearing on the restored habitat beaches of the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South outside of breed- Spit, Humboldt Bay. The staff were ing season using thrilled at the end of this year’s record heavy equipment setting nesting season when 37 chicks such as bulldozers fledged on BLM’s South Spit habitat. and agricultural tractors with “The South Spit fledglings represented discs to remove more than 50 percent of the chicks invasive Euro- fledged during the 2019 breeding sea- pean beach grass son in a snowy plover recovery area and add oyster that includes beaches in Del Norte, shells to the beach Humboldt, and Mendocino counties. A surface. The Mike total of 58 chicks fledged in the entire Thompson Wild- recovery area, up from 48 a year ago,” life Area, South said Brown. Spit, Humboldt The BLM Arcata Field Office man- Bay offers miles Western snowy plover chicks on a section of restored beach habitat. Photo credit: BLM ages 51 acres of breeding habitat for of nearly deserted western snowy plovers that prefer to beaches about 15 miles southwest Learn more: https://www.blm. lay their eggs on wide-open expanses of Eureka, CA. Although access is gov/press-release/snowy-plovers- of beaches, where they can easily see restricted within snowy plover areas returning-restored-habitat-humboldt- and ward off predators. To improve during nesting season, the spit pro- bay-south-spit nesting habitat, BLM crews work vides Pacific Ocean beach access.

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Follow the Great Wings of Hope in the Great Lakes Lakes Piping Plover Long-Term Dedication for Restoration Projects Pays off for Conservation Team: https://www. Threatened and Endangered Shorebirds greatlakespipingplover. By Dawn Marsh (USFWS) org/ This story was adapted from “Wings of Hope: of Natural Resources and USGS, 2018 is the first year in many decades A Restoration Connection,” https://www.fws. improving the beach habitat around that piping plovers nested on all five gov/home/fwn/pdf/Summer-News19_final.pdf the lake by grading the slope and of the Great Lakes. removing vegetation, creating habi- Waugoshance Point extends west, Researchers from the University tat more suited for the piping plover. pointing into northern Lake Michigan, of Minnesota carefully put colored With some of that work located within is close to Wisconsin’s northeastern leg bands on Waugoshance Point’s Michigan’s Wilderness State Park, shore, and is in the middle of the newly hatched chicks that summer. staff returned each year to moni- Great Lakes. More than 200 miles The bands help biologists track the tor and maintain the sandy, sparsely from any major city, it was once a birds and use that information for vegetated habitat and finally, in 2016, Great Lakes piping plover (Cha- management strategies, providing their efforts were rewarded with nest- radrius melodus) stronghold that critical information on each bird as it ing plovers. In 2018, there were three served as one of the last nesting migrates from the Great Lakes to the nests. The beginnings of an amazing locations when the plover popula- southeastern United States every July recovery were taking shape. tion was at its low point. Yet even as or August staying until April or early the plovers began to rebound in the Conservation work by a wide variety May. Piping plovers face numerous 1990s and 2000s, the habitat on Wau- of Federal, Tribal, State and pri- threats throughout their range, espe- goshance Point was deteriorating and vate partners has already paid huge cially habitat loss from development the birds did not want to nest there. dividends, helping a nearly extinct and human presence. After extended periods of low lake population (12 breeding pairs in 1990) One of the chicks hatched at Wau- levels, the beaches became crowded rise to 68 pairs in 2018. In recent goshance Point, a female, was found with vegetation. years, the Great Lakes piping plover in Cumberland Island National Sea- population has also begun to expand In 2013 and 2014, the USFWS’s shore, an important protected coastal geographically to the range they once Coastal Program began working with area with limited development along covered. The exciting news is that partners at the Michigan Department the Georgia coast. She found herself in good company—at least 18 other plovers identified from the Great Lakes population were also spending their winters on the island or on nearby beaches. After surviving the hurricane season on Cumberland Island, this tenacious little bird returned to the Great Lakes ready to take advantage of the hard work the USFWS and its partners had put into re-creating breeding habitat for a variety of bird species there. Discovered in another restored area, the Cat Island Chain, the plover found the local community was invested in her survival too. The nearby Titletown Brewing Company crafted a beer named the “Piping Plover Reserve” and designed commemorative pint glasses to raise awareness and funds for the project. Historically, an estimated 500–800 pairs of piping plovers nested throughout the Great Lakes. This conservation success story is By the mid-1980s the population had declined to 11–14 pairs, limited to Michigan. Population possible due to dedicated volunteers, dropped to 67 in 2018. Although the breeding population is now expanding, the plover is still extremely vulnerable. Image credit: Great Lakes Piping Plover Conservation Team See Wings of Hope page 27 13 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Wings of Hope continued from page 26 Innovation and New Technology Still Rules at Kill partner organizations, Tribes, universi- Devil Hills, Outer Banks, NC ties, and agencies that come together By NPS to restore key habitats and to conduct research and monitoring of this endan- The new visitor center at the National From 1900 to 1903, Wilbur and gered shorebird. The story is still far Historic Landmark—the Wright Orville Wright used a group of sand from over. Much work remains as new Brothers National Memorial— dunes known as the Kill Devil Hills and old threats continue to put pres- recently was certified “LEED Gold” in Kitty Hawk, on the Outer Banks sure on the birds and the population is by the Leadership in Energy and of North Carolina, to conduct many still only about halfway to the 150- Environmental Design (LEED). Along of their flying experiments. Although pair recovery goal needed to leave the with new upgraded exhibit space, it these historical achievements defined “List of Endangered and Threatened now features new “green” energy- early advancements in American avia- Wildlife.” saving aspects, including optimized tion history, the spirit of advancing Learn more: https://www.fws.gov/ energy performance, reduced carbon new technology is still present in the midwest/endangered/pipingplover/ dioxide emissions, and increased Outer Banks. The Cat Island Chain Restoration water efficiency. Plan your visit: https://www.nps.gov/ Project—Over the next 20 to 30 years, The U.S. Green Building Council wrbr/planyourvisit/index.htm one goal of this project is to boost developed an internationally recog- Great Lakes piping plover population nized green building certification sys- numbers. With ingenuity and commu- tem. “The LEED certification process nity support, the project has already is rigorous and takes a lot of people doubled the number of breeding sites working in a lot of different directions in Wisconsin. Although only two to achieve certification,” said David North American shorebird species, the Hallac, Superintendent, National piping plover and red knot (Calidris Parks of Eastern North Carolina. canutus), are protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, almost all shorebird species are of conservation concern due to the ongoing threat of habitat loss. Read more: Above, the Wright Brothers National https://www.doi.gov/restoration/ Memorial Visitor Center restoring-cat-island-chain-green-bay- in 1962. Photo credit: wisconsin NPS. Left, the new Read this USFWS article: https://medium. Wright Flyer at the com/usfishandwildlifeservicenortheast/ newly renovated visitor plovers-and-people-an-essential-union- center. At bottom the cf84cf66761f new LEED certified version, which was reopened in October 2018. Photo credits: Eden Saunders, NPS

Leg bands on this female piping plover give scientists the ability to gather information on migration, mortality rates, and range expansion. Photo credit: Vince Cavalieri, USFWS 14 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

BOEM Sand Restores Louisiana’s Gulf Coast Building a National By Michael Plummer (BOEM) Offshore Sand Inventory In June 2019, BOEM and the State effort will provide and improve habi- Erosion along the Nation’s of Louisiana’s Coastal Protection tats for marine and estuarine fisheries shorelines is a serious issue that and Restoration Authority (CPRA) resources and their forage species, affects coastal communities, signed two agreements to aide in for sea turtle nesting, as well as for estuarine ecosystems, energy restoring Louisiana’s Gulf coast. With a wide variety of avian communities production, defense, and public a combined volume of about 10 mil- including shorebirds, wading birds, infrastructure, as well as tourism. lion cubic yards of sand from Federal colonial nesting birds, and migratory BOEM supports the restoration waters, the project will restore the songbirds. and protection of our coasts to provide long-term resilience to beach, dune, and marsh habitat along “BOEM has been a great partner in Trinity-East Island, Timbalier Island, these coastal communities and supplying CPRA with material to to support the local, State, and and West Belle Barrier Headland. restore and protect Louisiana’s coastal national economies. “In addition to facilitating recovery perimeter,” said CPRA Executive OCS sand and gravel resources are of Gulf wildlife from the oil spill, this Director Bren Haase. “Using sedi- vital sources of material for the project will also make great strides to ment mined from federal waters like construction of coastal protection supplement the deficit in the coastal BOEM’s Ship Shoal—along with and restoration projects, including sand budget for this portion of the other sources—CPRA has restored efforts to protect coastal Louisiana coast,” said BOEM Gulf and nourished more than 60 miles of communities, national defense of Mexico Regional Director Mike barrier islands, berms and shorelines facilities, and Federal and State Celata. “This project will directly using approximately 57 million cubic infrastructure. The demand for OCS sediment continues to grow restore the function of the Terrebonne yards of dredged material. BOEM’s as both planned projects and Basin Barrier Islands and West Belle contribution to our efforts has been emergency response activities Barrier Headland, increasing their invaluable.” use these resources to restore resiliency against damage from future The overall project is one of several damaged areas. storms.” that the State of Louisiana’s CPRA is Since 1995, BOEM has issued Nearly seven miles of shoreline and developing to address the impacts of 58 leases to convey over 1,400 acres of beach, dune, supra- the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and 162 million cubic yards of OCS tidal, and marsh habitats will be work toward the long-term recovery sand for projects to restore about restored using sand from the OCS on of the coast. This restoration effort is 346 miles of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts. About 63 million cubic Trinity-East Island, Timbalier Island, funded through the Gulf Environmen- yards of OCS sand have been and West Belle Barrier Headland. tal Benefit Fund, which is adminis- leased to restore Louisiana’s coast. In addition, the project will create a tered through the National Fish and Learn more: https://www.boem. 68-acre feeder beach for West Belle Wildlife Foundation. gov/marine-minerals/building- Barrier Headland. The restoration Learn more: http://coastal.la.gov/ national-offshore-sand-inventory Read about BOEM’s Marine Minerals Program: https://www.boem.gov/ Marine-Minerals-Program/

Coastal erosion along Florida's Panhandle OCS sand was used to restore the Caillou Lake Headland in offshore Louisiana. Photo credit: after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Photo credit: Great Lakes Dredge and Dock USGS

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Projecting Future OCS Interactive Web Product storm response and recovery), tools that coastal researchers use to measure Sand Resource Needs Explores Decades of these changes, and how models help By Marjorie Weisskohl (BOEM) Coastal Change at Fire scientists and managers better understand and predict the type and timing The BOEM–MMP is receiving Island, NY of changes, and where they are likely increasing requests for OCS sediment By Erika Lentz (USGS), Jennifer Miselis to occur in the future. used in coastal restoration projects. (USGS), Richard Snell (USGS), Heather Increases are driven primarily by Schreppel (USGS), Kathy Krause (NPS), and The Story Behind the Story diminishing resources in State waters, Michael Bilecki (NPS) Map combined with the frequency and magnitude of coastal storms and need More than 20 years of USGS The collaborative approach to devel- for new infrastructure. research illustrates key concepts oping the story map was built on about the dynamic nature of coastal partnerships that have grown from the To help prepare for and meet future environments. sustained research presence the USGS sand resource needs, the MMP has had on Fire Island for more than funded the study, “Projected OCS The USGS released “Coastal Change at Fire Island” a geonarrative (also 20 years. USGS personnel met with Sand Resource Needs and Effort.” NPS decision makers and support and published in 2018 a report that called a “Story Map”) putting coastal change concepts into an easily staff to discuss information needs, summarizes a forecast of activities the intended audience, and potential that could require OCS sand resources accessed format using mobile devices and tablets. USGS and NPS staff at platforms for the web product. A through 2028. The report outlines geonarrative format was selected to several possible scenarios to help Fire Island National Seashore collabo- rated to present the science of coastal deliver a straightforward, interactive estimate future need and the research and compelling resource to enliven required to meet the demand with change along Fire Island beaches that can be used as a learning resource for science concepts. The team focused on three major conclusions: more States ensuring the science and illustrations will turn to OCS sediment resources educators, students and the general public and to train staff and interns. were accurate and useful to informal as in-State resources become scarcer, educators. the volumes requested will be larger The interpretive staff at Fire Island to support increasing coastal resilience National Seashore plan to use this tool To create the geonarrative, NPS staff measures. for their professional development shared insights on the experiences efforts and share it with onsite and and mediums they have been most The study compiled coastal project virtual park visitors. effective in their interactions with data from different sources; publicly The geonarrative covers a range of the public. They also had specific available databases, project reports, needs for additional information and and online permits. BOEM recognizes topics, including the processes that shape the dynamic barrier island envi- visualization concepts they wanted there are data gaps to be filled through the educational product to include. future coordination at the local level, ronment, coastal change over short- and long-term periods (including Preliminary exchanges between USGS and there is inherent uncertainty and NPS staff as part of the content when projecting where future major storms will hit and cause an increase in demand. Potential followup studies would attempt to close many of these data gaps and refine the forecast to improve its usefulness to coastal managers and could help with avoid- ing conflicts with other activities on the seafloor, such as oil and gas pipe- line access and offshore wind energy planning. See related stories, pages 1 and 15

This report supports BOEM’s development of a National Offshore Sand Inventory: https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/notes- stakeholders/new-boem-report-projects- The geonarrative uses illustrations to describe coastal change concepts. Image credit: USGS future-ocs-sand-resource-needs See Explore Fire Island page 14 16 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Optimizing Continental Fire Island, NY Shelf Seafloor Mapping Fire Island is the largest island within the coastal barrier island system offshore of the southern coast of Long Island, NY, and is separated by the Great South USGS and NOAA Merge Bay. Located about 60 miles east of New York City, it is home to 17 communities Collections and is a popular summer vacation destination. A large part of the island is managed by the NPS as National Seashore and Federal wilderness areas By Elizabeth Pendleton (USGS), Laura Broth- accessible to the public. ers (USGS), and Edwards Sweeney (Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea The island is about 30 miles long, with its width varying from 500 to 1,300 feet, Center) and continually changes dimensions over time in response to storms, sediment availability, and long-term sea-level rise. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy breached The USGS and NOAA have collected Fire Island in three places. Two of the breaches were filled, but the third has seafloor mapping data on the Atlantic remained an inlet and is evolving naturally under NPS management. The USGS continental shelf between Delaware and NPS have worked together to better understand natural coastal processes and Virginia over the past 15 years. to preserve and manage the coastal system and associated natural habitat and Although originally acquired for dif- resources effectively. ferent objectives, the comprehensive Learn more about the park: https://www.nps.gov/fiis/index.htm coverage and variety of data (bathym- Read about USGS research in the park: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/ etry, backscatter, imagery, and physi- science/coastal-system-change-fire-island-new-york?qt-science_center_ cal samples) present an opportunity objects=0#qt-science_center_objects to merge collections and create new high-resolution, broad-scale geologic maps of the seafloor using machine learning. These new geologic data products can be used to identify sediment sources, inform resource management, link seafloor environments to sediment texture, improve our understanding of the seafloor structure and sediment pathways, and demonstrate how ocean mapping resources can be useful beyond their original intent to maximize the footprint and scientific Fire Island and vicinity with NPS areas delineated. Image credit: USGS impact of a study. Read more: https://www.usgs.gov/center- Explore Fire Island continued from page 15 is, why it is used, how it incorporates news/usgs-and-noaa-merge-collections- observational data, and how it is used create-new-high-resolution-broad- design phase helped prioritize ele- to evaluate coastal change. The NPS scale-geologic-maps?qt-news_science_ ments to highlight and enhanced the is currently exploring options for shar- products=1#qt-news_science_products ability for scientists to design and ing, including the potential for access deliver the information in the most Read the full article in GeoSciences: through tablets at park visitors centers https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/9/5/231 preferred and useful formats for NPS and posted QR codes in strategic loca- officials to use. tions throughout the park. Scrollable animations illustrate coastal Take a peek of some images highlight- change concepts, interactive shoreline ing content from selected navigational This compilation of data change maps, and highlight the tools tabs. Each page is scrollable and has repurposes hydrographic data, and methods used to collect coastal multiple embedded sections that are expands the area of geologic change data. There are also step-by- designed to engage users, encourage step narratives that help users see how investigation, highlights the exploration, and improve scientific versatility of mapping data, data are plotted and interpreted. These literacy on coastal change concepts. guide the user—whether a park inter- and creates new geologic preter or natural resource intern, Earth View the geonarrative: https://wim. products that would not have Science educator, or park visitor—to usgs.gov/geonarrative/ficc/ been independently possible. understand what scientific modeling

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Award Winning Oregon Coastal Conservation Signage by USFWS Along the Oregon Coast, plenty of beauty catches your eye. The ocean, rocky cliffs, beaches, offshore rocks, magnificent seabirds, seals, sea lions, and even an occasional whale sighting are all available to wit- ness—and, now, 66 award-winning interpretive panels at 24 sites along 320 miles of Oregon coastline describe the incredible wildlife of the area. The panels designed by Interpretive Graph- ics from Salt Lake City, in close coordination with Oregon State Parks and Oregon Islands NWRs, earned first place in the Outdoor Exhibits category of the National Association for Interpretation’s 2019 Interpretive Media Awards. You can see them all online and download them as well. The stunning panels came about because of a disaster. In Febru- ary 1999, the 640-foot freighter New Carissa ran aground north of Coos Bay during a major winter storm, releasing an estimated 140,000 gallons of fuel into the marine environment. The USFWS and five other resource trustees (Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Confeder- ated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Confederated Tribes of Coos, and Lower Umpqua and Sius- law Indians), reached a $28 million settlement with the ship’s

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owner and the U.S. Coast Guard for restoring species harmed by the spill. The bulk of the money, $19 million, went to pay for the removal of the wreck near Coos Bay, but because of the impact the oil spill had on wildlife, in particular, seabirds, a substantial amount of money was spent on coastal seabird programs and educational efforts. “We had a project that put these interpretive panels near major seabird colonies and other places where people tend to congregate,” said Dawn Harris, visitor services manager with the USFWS, “so we could get the message out about the biology of seabirds, why they’re important, and what people can do to protect them.” Read the Story: https://usfwspacific.tumblr.com/post/188262197190/ educational-displays-on-oregon-coast-win-national Find the Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/ albums/72157711278895493 See Surfing Bison, page 32

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Mid-Atlantic and The east coast has two ROPs: The inaugural Mid-Atlantic Ocean Northeast Regional The Northeast Regional Ocean Coun- Forum was held in March 2019 at cil (NROC), which established an Monmouth University in New Jer- Ocean Partnerships— Ocean Policy Committee (OPC); sey; links to the agenda, videos of the sessions, and presentations are posted Bringing Stakeholders The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council here: https://www.midatlanticocean. Together on the Ocean (MARCO), which estab- org/mid-atlantic-ocean-forum- lished the Mid-Atlantic Committee on By Darryl Francois (BOEM) advancing-intergovernmental- the Ocean (MACO). collaboration-ocean-planning/ Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs) The NROC OPC is supported by were recognized as the primary On February 27, 2020, MACO held a members from tribes, states, federal public webinar to provide an update mechanism for ocean-planning agencies and the Northeast Fishery activities under the new ocean policy, on its work and accomplishments in Management Council, and co-chaired ocean and coastal mapping, marine issued through Executive Order 13840 by New Hampshire and the U.S. Envi- in June 2018. debris, non-consumptive recreation, ronmental Protection Agency (EPA); maritime commerce and navigation The Bureau of Ocean Energy Man- the National Oceanic and Atmospheric safety, and ocean and coastal acidifica- agement (BOEM) continues to be Administration (NOAA) assumed the tion. The webinar included a summary actively engaged in ocean planning federal co-chair role in April 2020. of stakeholders’ input on regional efforts through its participation in the MACO is led by a Steering Commit- ocean issues and ideas for the May Northeast and Mid-Atlantic ROPs. tee chaired by a member from New 19, 2020 Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum, The ROPs work to increase communi- Jersey, with committee members from which was originally planned to be cation and collaboration among States, New York, Virginia, NOAA, U.S. held in New York City, but due to Federal agencies, the Fishery Manage- Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), COVID-19 restrictions, it will be held ment Councils, and federally recog- BOEM, the Shinnecock Indian via webinar, and stakeholders will be nized tribes, and to engage stakehold- Nation, and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery encouraged to provide input virtually. ers. Through the ROPs, BOEM works Management Council. MACO is planning the Mid-Atlantic closely with these intergovernmental Both regions are interested in offshore colleagues to collaborate on items of Ocean Forum for regional information wind energy, and their respective sharing, collaboration, and to enhance mutual interest, including data shar- public meetings included relevant ing. Stakeholder engagement is a key the region’s ability to leverage exist- discussion topics with presentations ing efforts and information across component of regional ocean planning by BOEM and other ROP entities. efforts. See Ocean Partnerships page 21

Linking the Delmarva Peninsula’s Geologic Framework to Coastal Vulnerability The Delmarva Peninsula is a 220-kilometer-long headland, spit, and barrier island complex that was substantially affected by Hurricane Sandy. To better constrain controls on coastal vulnerability and evolution, the region’s sediment sources, transport pathways, and sediment sinks must be identified. This project defines the geologic framework of the Delmarva coastal system through geophysical mapping of the inner continental shelf. Such information can then be related to the physical processes that govern coastal system evolution at storm and longer timescales. Similar efforts conducted in Fire Island, NY, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Massachusetts have proven crucial to the assessment of coastal hazards, as well as to habitat characterization and identification of cultural resources in those regions. Defining the geologic framework of the Delmarva coastal system through geophysical mapping of the inner continental shelf provides the scientific foundation for effective management of this dynamic coastal system as it responds to storms, sea-level rise, and anthropogenic activities. Read more: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/whcmsc/science/hurricane-sandy-response- linking-delmarva-peninsulas-geologic-framework?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt- Location of the Delmarva Peninsula with a hillslope shaded-relief map science_center_objects of the study area. Map credit: Elizabeth Pendleton, USGS

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Ocean Partnerships continued from page 20 Federal and State governments, federally recognized tribes, nongovernmental entities, and other stakeholders. Discussions during the forum will inform MACO and participants about potential future actions, generate a deeper understanding and awareness of member priorities and policies that may affect regional planning (e.g. funding, data, research, projects, and best prac- tices identified in other regions), and identify areas for additional coordination Read more: https://www. midatlanticocean.org/ mid-atlantic-ocean-forum/ Meeting participants discuss the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal and regional data priorities during the March 2019 Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum. Photo credit: Monmouth University In the northeast, NROC manages its ROP activities by providing a forum for States, wind development within the region. Ocean Data Portals: https://www. organizations, and Federal partners to Meeting materials are available here: northeastoceandata.org/ and https:// coordinate and collaborate on regional https://neoceanplanning.org/news/ portal.midatlanticocean.org/, respec- approaches that support balanced nroc-ocean-planning-committee- tively. They partnered with the uses and conservation of ocean and webinar-april-2-2020/ Responsible Offshore Development coastal resources. The NROC OPC NROC and MACO both rely on their Alliance (RODA) to get input on met in June 2019 at NOAA’s office in respective Northeast Ocean Plan and current and potential development of Gloucester, MA; presentations from Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action maps and data products that show the the meeting are available on this link: Plan that were developed through use of ocean space by the commercial https://neoceanplanning.org/news/ extensive coordination with stakehold- fishing industry. NROC, MARCO, presentations-from-the-june-4-nroc- ers, because those documents contain and RODA hosted a kickoff webi- ocean-planning-committee-meeting/ relevant information for ongoing nar on February 3, 2020, to discuss the project, understand current data The April 1, 2020 Spring NROC regional ocean management priorities and activities. development activities from organiza- meeting and the April 2, 2020 NROC tions in both regions, and gather input Ocean Planning Committee meeting Northeast Ocean Plan: https:// that will guide the project, which runs were originally planned to be held neoceanplanning.org/plan/ through September 2020. in Portsmouth, NH; however, due to Mid Atlantic Ocean Action Plan: COVID-19 restrictions, both meetings https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/ were instead held via webinars. The files/environmental-stewardship/Mid- Darryl Francios is BOEM’s Renewable NROC OPC agenda included updates Atlantic-Regional-Planning-Body/ Energy Engineering and Technical and stakeholder input on the Ocean Mid-Atlantic-Regional-Ocean-Action- Review Branch Chief. He serves on Planning Committee’s projects and Plan.pdf the steering committee of the Mid- activities. BOEM actively participated In addition, NROC and MARCO Atlantic Committee on the Ocean in the discussions, which covered (MACO) and is a member of the are working together on fisher- current offshore planning issues, Northeast Regional Ocean Council including a follow-up from the June ies data efforts that can be posted and MACO. 2019 meeting that focused on offshore on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

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Marine Debris is a Serious Issue Below are excerpts of written testimony of now retired USFWS Deputy Director Jim Kurth focused on the USFWS’s role in addressing the threat of marine debris to our ocean and coastal areas and its impacts on wildlife. Watch the archived webcast of the May 2019 Congressio- nal briefing testimony online:“Marine Debris and Wildlife: Impacts, Sources, and Solutions” https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/ hearings?ID=39FD807A-6BBA-4E83-8E9E-5A5DFF81C66B Marine Debris Overview Marine debris is one of the most pervasive and pernicious global threats to the health of the world’s coastal areas, oceans, and waterways. It is an issue of growing local, regional, national, and international concern. Marine debris can injure or kill marine and coastal wildlife; damage and degrade habitats; interfere with navigational safety; cause economic loss to fishing and maritime industries, degrade the quality of life in coastal communities; and threaten human health and safety. The USFWS works collaboratively with Federal and nonfederal partners to address this growing problem and its impacts on wildlife. Marine debris is defined as “any persistent solid material that is manufac- tured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or Great Lakes” (33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq., as amended by Title VI of Public Law 112–213). Anything man-made—such as fishing gear, plastic bags, beverage bottles, balloons, food wrappers, and even vessels—can become marine debris through dumping, improper waste management, litter that is blown or washed out to sea through storm drains, and extreme natural events, which can transport both small and large items into the ocean. Major marine debris events caused by natural disas- ters, such as the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and Hurricane Sandy, Some common forms of marine debris. Image credit: Ocean Conservancy which hit the East Coast of the United States in 2012, have brought national and international attention to the marine debris issue. Although these singular events have focused the public’s attention, people are recognizing that marine debris is a persistent, everyday problem. Three main types of marine debris impact wildlife: plastics, derelict fishing gear, and abandoned and derelict vessels. Each is dis- cussed briefly below. • Plastics Plastics are one of the most extensive types of marine debris. They are commonly used in many items; as society has developed new uses for them, the variety and quantity of plastic items found in the marine environment has increased dramatically. Plastics are a very visible part of the marine debris problem, but many of the impacts of plastic on the marine environment are only now starting to be understood. Plastic and other debris such as fishing line, packing bands, balloons, rubber bands, six-pack rings, and mesh bags can lead to entanglement. Research has revealed that most commonly used plastics do not completely degrade into organic and inor- ganic molecules but instead break into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics. These microplastics and their associated toxic chemical components contribute to human and wildlife health risks as the toxic microplastics are ingested and move through the marine food web. Plastics and other debris such as bottle caps, balloons, and lighters are also ingested directly by wildlife, such as sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Debris may be mistaken for food and ingested, an animal’s natural food (e.g. fish eggs) may be attached to the debris, or is Each year the USFWS, the State of Hawaii, and NOAA staff and volunteers collect tons of marine debris from the atolls and ingested accidentally with other food leading to loss of nutrition, throughout Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and death. credit: NOAA

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• Derelict Fishing Gear A second highly visible and impactful form of marine debris is derelict fishing gear (DFG). DFG has many impacts on the environment, including damaging marine habitats, entangling marine species, creating hazards to navigation, and ghost fishing resulting in lost catch opportunities and economic losses for fishermen. Wildlife entanglement in derelict nets, ropes, line, or other fishing gear leads to injury, illness, suffocation, starvation, and death. • Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) are a third highly visible type of marine debris littering our Nation’s coastal waters. ADVs in oceans, coasts, and waterways obstruct navigational channels, cause harm to the environment, and diminish commercial and recreational activities. ADVs may pose an immediate or future threat to wildlife and wildlife habitat from the release of hazardous substances to surrounding areas. The USFWS recently removed nearly one million pounds of shipwrecks to protect some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world at the Palmyra Atoll and Kingman Reef NWRs. The iron from the shipwrecks on these remote atolls was fueling the growth of invasive organisms that smothered a large amount of once- healthy, diverse coral. By removing these ADVs, the healthy reefs will be able to recover from this damage.

A sea The Interagency Marine turtle Marine Debris Challenges at Debris Coordinating trapped by abandoned fishing National Wildlife Refuges Committee (IMDCC) net. Photo credit: NOAA The USFWS NWR System manages the Despite the scope of the problem, world’s premier network of public marine debris is preventable lands devoted solely to the conservation of wildlife and habi- through increased public tat. There are over 500 million acres of land and water in awareness, changing individuals’ the Refuge System with 180 refuges, from above the Arctic behaviors, and improvements to Circle to south of the Equator, that protect ocean, coastal, waste infrastructure. Marine debris and Great Lakes habitats. The Refuge System is responsi- can be addressed by ensuring a ble for an incredible diversity of marine and comprehensive approach that is coastal ecosystems including salt marshes, local in scale and global in scope, rocky shorelines, tide pools, sandy directed primarily at source beaches, kelp forests, mangroves, prevention and education. seagrass meadows, barrier islands, estuaries, lagoons, tidal creeks, tropi- The IMDCC is a multi-agency cal coral atolls, as well as open ocean. group tasked with ensuring Each of them are increasingly impacted this comprehensive approach is by marine debris. implemented. It was established by Congress under the Marine Black footed albatross entangled in plastic. USFWS Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 and was re-established under the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1956). The IMDCC consists of a variety of Federal agencies: NOAA, the EPA, the Department of Defense (DOD), the USACE, the U.S. Navy, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of State, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the DOI (USFWS, BSEE, and NPS), and the Marine Mammal Thousands of pounds of marine debris collect on the shores of Midway Atoll as well as on other remote shores every year. Continual cleanup requires significant management and staff in Commission. these remote areas. Photo by Holly Richards, USFWS

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Fish Slam! Bringing Experts Together to Monitor Non-Native Fish Populations By Kaitlin Kovacs, Pamela Schofield, and Mary Brown (USGS) In South Florida, a scientific scav- enger hunt for non-native freshwater fishes led by USGS scientists helps monitor new introductions and document range expansions of non-native fishes. South Florida is no stranger to non- native and invasive species. Although Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) A bounty of non-native fishes collected from South Florida freshwater bodies. Photo credit: and Argentinean tegus get much of the Kaitlin Kovacs, USGS attention, freshwater fishes like the Mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma uroph- fish populations by out-competing or institutions collected or observed thalma) and Oscar (Astronotus ocel- preying on them. The extensive canal 23 species of non-native fishes, latus) have also become major prob- system in South Florida serves as a including Asian swamp eel and bulls- lems in the region. Dozens of species conduit for these problematic fish spe- eye snakehead. Although no new non- of non-native fishes are present in the cies, potentially granting them access native species or range expansions freshwaters of Florida, and new spe- to biologically sensitive areas, like the were detected, a large common carp cies are discovered each year. Once Everglades. (Cyprinus carpio) was collected. This a breeding population is established, Bring in the Fish Slam species is widespread throughout most non-native fishes can reduce native of the United States but rare in the The bio-blitz-like Fish Slam event waters of South Florida. Read more: involves bringing fish https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland- experts from around the and-aquatic-research-center-warc/ State together to sample science/fish-slam-november-2018?qt- freshwater bodies in science_center_objects=0#qt-science_ areas of interest, like Big center_objects Cypress National Pre- In 2019, Fish Slam targeted Indian serve. Using a variety of River and St. Lucie counties in March techniques, including hook and Seminole and Orange counties and line, cast nets, min- in June. The March event collected now traps, and electrofish- two species of platyfish (Xiphophorus ing, the teams collect fish spp.), which have not been recorded species not native to the in the area since the 1970s. In June, area. Read more: https:// www.usgs.gov/news/ usgs-and-partners-team- track-down-nonnative- and-invasive-fishes-south- florida In November 2018, the Fish Slam visited 22 freshwater sites in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami- Dade counties. Thirty-two USGS researcher Pam Schofield checks non-native fish fishery biologists from caught by NPS Invasive Species Program Manager Bryan Common carp caught during Fish Slam 2018. Falk. Photo credit: Kaitlin Kovacs, USGS 12 agencies and academic Photo credit: Kaitlin Kovacs, USGS

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Florida Non-Native Fish Action Alliance In 2012, the USGS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized the difficulty for a single organization or agency to keep track of new introductions and the spread of non-natives, so they formed the Florida Non- Native Fish Action Alliance. The alliance brings together Federal and State agencies, universities, Native American tribes, and nongovernmental organizations to address the non-native fish problem in Florida. Maintaining current information on the geographic ranges of all non-native fishes is a daunting task. Coordinating sampling, research, and management across multiple jurisdictions is necessary, as is providing up-to-date geographic distribution information to publicly accessible databases. Together, the Alliance partners are tackling the enormous task of documenting and managing non-native fishes in Florida. Objectives of the alliance include: • Sample water bodies (such as ponds and canals) not normally sampled to document the non-native fishes, look for new species, or changes in distributions. • Address unconfirmed reports of the introduction of a new non-native species. • Conduct research on best eradications techniques, if feasible, to have minimal impact on native fauna. • Conduct surveys and provide up-to-date distribution information to natural-resource managers. • Provide distribution information to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database (NAS). • Provide specimens to the natural history museum, which serves as “libraries of fishes” for study by academics in perpetuity. Make fishes data collections publicly available online. • Provide specimens to academic researchers. • Coordinate with and update the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area committee. Learn more: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/science/ florida-non-native-fish-action-alliance?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

African jewelfish (Hemichromis letourneuxi) were collected, which represents the northernmost collection of the species in Florida. Read more: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland- and-aquatic-research-center-warc/ science/treasure-coast-and-central- florida-fish?qt-science_center_ objects=0#qt-science_center_objects Data for all non-native fish species captured and observed during Fish Slam were submitted to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. This database tracks sightings on non-native aquatic plants and animals through the United States and is publicly available: https://nas.er.usgs.gov/ What started as a small-scale, single- day fish survey in and around Loxa- hatchee NWR is now an expansive effort targeting multiple areas throughout South Florida. The USGS-led Fish Slam is now a two-day event that occurs a few times throughout the year, and the list of participating Rob Robins (Florida Museum), Dr. Jon Moore (FAU/Yale Peabody), and Dr. Eric Hilton (VIMS) organizations grows each year. preparing specimens collected during Fish Slam 2018. Photo credit: Kaitlin Kovacs, USGS

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What Do You Know Great Lakes Habitat About the Black- Improvement Capped Petrel? The Annual 2019 Green Bay The black-capped petrel (Pterodroma RiceFest! hasitata) is a rare species among a By Amy Carrozzino-Lyon (UW–Green Bay) suite of Atlantic seabirds that have impressive movement patterns—often Multiple partners and community traversing across multiple political members came together in November boundaries and ecological areas in 2019 to reseed wild rice on the west A black-capped petrel at sea. Photo credit: shore of Green Bay, Lake Michi- less than a week. The petrels travel USFWS from nesting areas in the Caribbean up gan. The restoration project started and across the western North Atlantic in 2017, focusing on seven priority that hold the tags in place can eventu- as they forage in the eddies, currents, coastal wetlands in Green Bay. ally wear out or the solar panels that and gyres of the open ocean environ- The USFWS Coastal Program biolo- charge the tags can become obscured ment. But based on the remote areas gists, with the help of many partners, by feathers. Researchers at the USGS and great distances these rare birds volunteers, and children, work to summarized and analyzed the track- travel, there are extensive data gaps reseed wild rice, a native emergent ing data, and Jodice reported on the that prevent good understanding of wetland plant that creates important “First successful capture and satellite what these birds are doing and where. fish and wildlife habitat and provides tagging of Blackcapped Petrels at sea Evidence indicates that their numbers an important food source for wildlife. and subsequent movement patterns” at are threatened, like many other shore Wild rice also holds important cultural the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Water- and seabird species. value for Native American tribes in bird Society in Princess Anne, MD, in the region. “These seabirds spend most of their November 2019. lives at sea, flying over the open It’s a very simple planting process— Read about how to catch a bird at sea: ocean in search of food,” says Patrick participants take a handful of the seed https://abcbirds.org/article/historic- Jodice, South Carolina Cooperative and throw it into the air—letting the first-for-mysterious-seabird-achieved- Fish and Wildlife Research Unit of the wind take it up, break it apart a bit, with-net-launcher-perseverance-and- USGS. “These tags will tell us which ideally settling in areas with shal- chum/ parts of the ocean these birds use, low water depths and soft sediment! which in turn will help us understand Learn more about the black-capped These new seeds will start growing the threats they face while at sea. We petrel: https://www.fws.gov/southeast/ in spring 2020 as days get longer and hope that the petrels might lead us wildlife/birds/black-capped-petrel/ waters warm. University of Wisconsin to undiscovered nesting sites on new (UW)–Green Bay will continue to islands.” monitor the seeding sites to gauge suc- A team of researchers including the cess and inform future management. American Bird Conservancy, USGS Some quick numbers from the South Carolina Cooperative Fish and November 2019 RiceFest: Wildlife Research Unit, the New Zea- • 65 people (20 middle school stu- land Seabird Trust, and other partners dents) successfully captured and 10 black- • 48 bags of wild rice (2,000+ lbs, or capped petrels at sea offshore North >1 ton) Carolina, tagging them with small transmitters that will temporarily help • 40 acres of wetlands the scientists track these birds. The • 7 sites on the Green Bay west shore hope that is that they will help locate • 5 days of wild rice seeding new nesting colonies for this rare spe- Conservation partners and volunteers gather to prepare for wild rice seeding on Lower • 3 ice breaking days cies, where more extensive research Green Bay on November 5, 2019. Tribal can be done. By late September 2019, members of the Mole Lake Band of Lake • 2 transport trips to pick up rice seed most tags ceased transmissions. The Superior Chippewa harvested some of the from harvesters lifespan of these tags is challenging rice seed and participated in the seeding • 1 site seeded by canoe (Sensiba to predict—for example, the sutures effort. Photo credit: UW–Green Bay Wildlife Area)

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South Bay San From their treasured picnicking spot along the Francisco Conservation edge of San Francisco Bay Champion in 1951, the LaRivieres noticed that the city was By Meagan Racey (USFWS) “scooping out a bucket of This story was adapted from “South Bay Icon” mud from the bottom of https://www.fws.gov/cno/newsroom/ featured/2019/south_bay_icon/ the bay, swinging the arm Florence LaRiviere is an environmen- around and dropping all tal advocate who was shy but says, “if that mud on live, beautiful you get fussed enough, you will stand tidal marsh” to maintain the up and say something.” harbor, she said. “And we knew something was wrong LaRiviere and her husband spent half Florence and daughter Ginny display one of the original there. That was the begin- Safeway bags from the 1980s “Save the Bay” campaign that a century ensuring future genera- ning of a long, long journey Florence and her team of organizers began. Credit: Jon tions could play in the pickleweed at that persists to this day.” Myatt, USFWS the end of the road. That—and more. Indeed, in extension of their efforts, In 1965, she read the local newspa- From there grew a grassroots com- most of the bay south of the San per, The Mercury News. In it was an mittee that met with garden clubs, Mateo Bridge is in public ownership. invitation, she recalled, “If you’re environmental groups, agencies, At the center of that labor of love, still worried about what’s happening to women’s clubs, and fraternal clubs today, is LaRiviere. the shores of the San Francisco Bay, with San Jose State University profes- come to my office in the morning at “I will tell you there is nothing so sors speaking about the value of the 10 o’clock.” She, and a couple dozen marshes to the surrounding com- lovely, no place so charming, as others, showed up at the office of the marsh in the evening. The tide munities. Their success, according to Santa Clara County Planner Art Ogil- LaRiviere, would rely on knowledge changes and moves the cordgrass. vie. He wanted Congress to establish It bends back and forth…the only and attitude. It worked. Three years a national wildlife refuge in the bay. later, the committee approached U.S. sound—it can be very quiet—is the “Then we will have the Federal Gov- birds jumping into the air and crying Representative Don Edwards with the ernment to preserve our precious wild- request to establish the national wild- as they fly,” said Florence LaRiviere, life and our marshes,” said LaRiviere, who is now 95. life refuge. In 1972, his bill passed quoting Ogilvie. and was signed by President Richard Nixon. The San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge, later renamed to honor the Congressman, would stretch 180,000 acres from Dumbarton Bridge south to Alviso. “With the kind of government we have, you can be effective,” LaRiviere said. In 1985, when Florence LaRiviere discovered that wetlands species were still being lost in South Bay, she formed a new organization at her kitchen table, the Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge. The all- volunteer organization meets monthly to this day. Their near-term goal was to expand the refuge boundary, but they remain in pursuit of restoring and protecting every open acre of bay Sitting at the table where it all began in her Palo Alto home, 95-year-old Florence LaRiviere shoreline and salt pond. recalls her memories of conserving San Francisco Bay marshlands in the 1960s. It was this kitchen table, where she read The Mercury News. Credit: Jon Myatt, USFWS

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Palau Task Force continued from page 1 Protecting Palau: World's First Conservation Pledge 14 years (November 2005) since Palau is in the western Pacific Ocean, 800 miles southwest of Guam, in a region the group met in the remote island known as Oceania. The island country is a U.S. freely associated state and country. includes about 340 islands and together, with parts of the Federated States of Micronesia, forms the western chain of the Caroline Islands, sharing maritime The Honorable Tommy E. Remenge- boundaries with the Philippines, Indonesia, and Micronesia. sau Jr., President of the Republic of Palau welcomed the meeting attendees Palau’s economy is based mainly on tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing, with a substantial part of the gross national product (GNP) derived from and the Task Force co-chairs Douglas foreign aid. Being so dependent on tourism and healthy sustainable natural Domenech, DOI–Assistant Secretary resources, in 2017, Palau became the first country to update its immigration for Insular and International Affairs policy and landing procedures to implement legislation with the goal of and RDML Timothy Gallaudet, DOC– preserving Palau’s culture and natural resources for future generations. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for All travelers entering the country watch an in-flight movie, called “The Giant,” Oceans and Atmosphere. and are then required to sign the Palau Pledge, the first mandatory eco-pledge Over the course of the meeting Presi- of its kind. dent Remengesau, Domenech and Gallaudet met with other Task Force members, Federal, State, and nongovernmental organization leadership to discuss priorities, concerns and challenges for maintaining the economic driver of tourism while also sustain- ably managing effective coral reef and fishery resources across the U.S. jurisdictions. During the meeting, the USCRTF members welcomed the FEMA as the newest Federal agency USCRTF member, recognizing the value corals bring to coastal island communities by reducing coastal hazards and associated impacts to population, infrastructure, and ecosystems. FEMA joins other Federal USCRTF members: DOI, NOAA, EPA, National Aeronautics and Space Administra- A screen grab from the award-winning short film, “The Giant,” used to show how the children of Palau value environmentally conscious visitors. Watch the film and learn tion, U.S. Department of Agriculture, more: https://palaupledge.com/ Image credit: Host/Havas DOD, DOJ, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Transportation, The Palau Pledge is stamped in passports with visitors signing a declaration to National Science Foundation, U.S. protect Palau’s environment and culture for the next generation; the promise is Agency for International Develop- made directly to the children of Palau to preserve this country, their home. The ment, as well as State and territorial Palau Pledge film created out of Host/Havas, “The Giant,” won three Grand Prix members American Samoa, Com- on the final night of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. First Lady Debbie Remengesau received the Crans Montana Forum’s 2018 Prix de la monwealth of the Northern Mariana Foundation Award, for her leadership in conservation. Read more: https://www. Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, pristineparadisepalau.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/press-release-re.-first- Puerto Rico, and USVI, and the three lady-receives-the-prix-de-fondation-2018-award_15apr2018_final.pdf Freely Associated States of Palau, Along with other Pacific Islands, Palau was made a part of the United States- Marshall Islands, and Federated States governed Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947. In 1979, Palau voted of Micronesia. against joining the Federated States of Micronesia, and gained full sovereignty Joanna Walczak (Florida Department in 1994 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Today, of Environmental Protection) and Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States. Yimnag Golbuu (Palau International See Palau Task Force page 29

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Palau Task Force continued from page 28 Bola Majekobaje, Palau Conserva- tion Society Coral Reef Center) provided the U.S. Palau education, culture, and outreach All Islands Coral Reef Committee were common underlying themes Chair’s Report. Liza Johnson (DOI) throughout the meeting. In addition to and Jennifer Koss (NOAA) presented traditional dance performances, tours the USCRTF Steering Committee of traditional sailing vessels, and visits update. Experts and other team mem- with fishing villages, the Palau Min- bers shared information and updates istry of Education shared information for the USCRTF members on a wide on the Palua science curriculum and range of topics including: the Palau Community College Envi- • Stony coral tissue loss disease in ronmental/Marine Science Program Florida and the Caribbean and included a visit to the innovative • Coral bleaching Large colonies of lettuce coral (Agaricia sp.); outdoor classroom Ebiil Skill Building one of the largest colonies on Earth is in camp with Ann Singeo and staff of the • Ballast water and coral disease Ulong Channel in Palau. Photo credit: Mark Ebiil Society. • Coral mitigation banking in Hawaii Eakin, NOAA As part of the public Business Meet- • Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of As the meeting host, Palau showcased ing, held on September 12, 2019, at 2019 their world class coral reefs and other the Ngarachamayong Cultural Cen- natural and cultural treasures with the • The Micronesia Challenge: An Inno- ter, in Koror, USGS Director Jim vative Commitment for Conservation visiting USCRTF members through a Reilly presented, “Understanding Our range of site visits. Palau representa- • Coral Reef Fisheries and Manage- Coral Reefs: USGS Science Today tives took USCRTF members to visit ment and Tomorrow,” which highlighted island watersheds, archaeological and • Coral reef hazards risk reduction; the diverse work that USGS brings historic sites, iconic rock island eco- USGS report to coral science and marine coastal systems, fishing communities, coral • Caribbean Coral Reef Partnership communities ranging from assessing reefs, and areas of high tourism where coastal hazard risk reduction provided new management techniques are being by coral reef structure to understand- evaluated for whether they effectively ing watershed changes, invasive spe- reduce impacts to natural resources. cies, disease, and other related ecosys- Palau representatives shared informa- tem impacts. tion about specific programs being The full business meeting agenda is implemented in country: available at: https://www.coralreef.gov/ • “Enhancing State Capacity to meeting42/pdfs/uscrtf_business_meeting_ Improve Planning” by Mary Fran- agenda_42nd.pdf ces Remengesau, Governor of Learn more: https://www.coralreef.gov/ Ngaremlengui State, Palau meeting42/ • “Protected Areas as a Strategy to The Spring meeting in DC was cancelled Protect Biodiversity and Improve due to the coronavirus; but USCRFT Livelihoods: Palau’s Protected members and Working Groups continue Areas Network and National Marine working through online meetings. Sanctuary” by F. Umiich Senge- bau, Palau Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Tour- ism; and Elbuchel Sadang Palau Ministry of Finance • “Enhancing Geographic Informa- The DOI team attending the meeting in tion Systems (GIS) Capabilities Palau included: (top row, left to right) Guy in the Republic of Palau” by Peter Gelfenbaum and Curt Storlazzi (USGS); and Peshut, Palau Environmental Qual- (bottom row-left to right) Anna Toline (NPS), ity Protection Board Doug Domenech (DOI), Ann Tihansky (USGS/ DOI), Liza Johnson (DOI), and Jim Reilly • “The Role of NGOs in Supporting The iconic rock island landscape of Palau. (USGS). Photo credit: DOI Sustainable Land Management” by Photo credit: Anna Toline, NPS.

29 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Monitoring HABs in New York Lakes Coral Reef Management Fellows USGS Supports State’s Initiative to Combat Potentially Toxic Blooms National Coral Reef Management By Jessica Fitzpatrick and Guy Foster (USGS) Fellowship Program 2018–20 USGS scientists, with support from HABs, their growth and severity. In The National Coral Reef the New York State Department of addition, new monitoring techniques Management Fellowship Program Environmental Conservation (DEC), are providing near instantaneous is a partnership between Nova installed technologically advanced detection of when the public could be Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute, NOAA’s Coral monitoring systems to study water- exposed to a potentially harmful algal Reef Conservation Program, the quality conditions and harmful algal bloom.” This collaborative effort, DOI Office of Insular Affairs, and blooms (HABs) in Owasco, Seneca, funded by the DEC and the USGS, the U.S. All Islands Coral Reef and Skaneateles Lakes in New York. supports the State’s $65 million Committee. The three selected Finger Lakes were recently The program recruits Coral Reef Management Fellows affected by HABs and for the seven U.S. coral reef represent a range of jurisdictions (American Samoa, the nutrient and water-quality Commonwealth of the Northern conditions. The New Mariana Islands, Florida, Guam, York State’s DEC has Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the USVI) a website that lists the to address current capacity gaps location and duration of and to build longer-term capacity HABs reported at any in these locations. This is done by given time in New York. placing highly qualified individuals whose education and work This monitoring effort experience meet each jurisdiction’s will provide a better specific coral reef management understanding of HAB needs. The program’s goal is to growth and severity and USGS advanced monitoring platform on Owasco Lake in develop a thriving collaborative allow for near-instan- New York. This is part of an effort to study water-quality fellowship program that builds taneous detection of conditions and HABs in Owasco, Seneca, and Skaneateles excellent next-generation leaders changing water-quality Lakes in New York. This collaborative effort, funded by the and capacity for effective local conditions that might New York State Department of Environmental Conservation coral reef ecosystem management. and the USGS, is in support of the State’s $65 million be indicative of HAB initiative to aggressively combat HABs in waterbodies across Learn more: https://cnso.nova.edu/ development. This will New York. Photo credit: Elizabeth Nystrom, USGS fellows/index.html enable State officials, water-resource managers, drinking-water utilities, the public, and others to make more informed decisions on how to deal with HABs and to develop mitigation strategies. Guy Foster, USGS New York HAB project lead said, “USGS research Coral Management Fellows 2016-2018, at capabilities are being fellowship training in Kona, Hawai'i. From deployed to figure out the left: Kelly Montenero (Florida), Malcolm environmental condi- Microscopic image of the potentially toxic cyanobacteria, Johnson (CNMI), Whitney Hoot (Guam), tions and processes that Hilary Lohmann (USVI), Mariana Leon Perez Microcystis aeruginosa. This is one type of toxin that can (Puerto Rico), and Sabrina Woofter (American result in the formation of potentially lead to HABs. Photo credit: Barry Rosen, USGS Samoa). Photo credit: Kevin Doyle. See Monitoring HABs page 31 30 NEWSWAVE • Fall 2019/Winter 2020

Learn About HABs and Algal Toxins Algal toxins are natural toxins that have reported hazards associated with exposure. Every year, access to water for recreation and drinking is limited or prohibited because of HABs. For example, the discovery in 2014 that the city of Toledo, OH, water supply was contaminated by algal toxins resulted in a “do not drink advisory” for nearly three days and drew national attention to the potential vulnerabilities of our water resources to toxins. Likewise, Florida State of Emergency declarations were made in 2016 and 2018 because of HABs in Lake Okeechobee waterway, and “red tides” (dinoflagellate [Pyrrophycophyta spp.] blooms) in the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s Gulf Coast resulted in beach closings. The actual risks to humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife from sublethal doses of cyanotoxins associated with HAB exposure are not currently well understood. Consequently, resource managers and public health officials apply precautionary approaches and limit access to water resources when HABs are present, even in the absence of toxin occurrence or quantifiable health risk. Limiting access can result in economic challenges. Read the special issue of the GeoHEALTH-USGS newsletter focused on HABs: https://www2.usgs.gov/envirohealth/geohealth/pdfs/ geohealth_vol15_no3.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1SeSrXpKolzit_-_iFzBzs8Bm8td RiEuKoNeTzIK8p5ZoXszRqhRmkKPs Learn about USGS HAB science capabilities: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/ publication/ofr20161174 USGS HAB science team: https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/ environmental-health/science/toxins-and-harmful-algal-blooms- science-team?fbclid=IwAR3Oaqt6DzZrwG0wkAqDYMydwlmR PlS_A1kFDLFr2ALPs8Dq-jf3jBrsSKs&qt-science_center_objects=0#qt- HABs and their toxins can kill wildlife and also pose health science_center_objects risks for humans. Photo credit: Jennifer Graham, USGS New York State’s DEC HABs notifications page: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html

Monitoring HABs continued from page 30 initiative to aggressively combat HABs in waterbodies across New York.” This work grows from more than a decade of USGS science on HABs, bringing together scientists from many different disciplines in its HAB research efforts across the Nation. Read more: https://www.usgs. gov/news/usgs-kicks-innovative- project-study-harmful-algal- blooms-new-york?fbclid=IwAR0H_ Jpe2tBnJaohBvkzFI29K_ GC6OII86UvBRLdeXZ3_ tEByIAtNwZ96OY View data from the USGS water- quality monitoring sites in New York: https://ny.water.usgs.gov/maps/habs/ USGS scientists prepare a water-quality monitor for deployment on Owasco Lake in New York. Photo credit: Elizabeth Nystrom, USGS

31 The Surfing Bison Award-Winning Oregon Coastal Conservation Signage See Special Feature on page 18

Read the Story: https://usfwspacific.tumblr.com/post/188262197190/educational-displays-on- oregon-coast-win-national Find the Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/albums/72157711278895493