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

NEWSWAVE—Winner of NAGC’s 2015 Blue Pencil Award Fall 2016/Winter 2017

DOI’s Blue Portfolio Expanding The Department of the Interior’s Papahānaumokuākea (DOI) blue portfolio and steward- Marine Monument ship responsibilities for ocean and coastal resources have recently By Randy Bowman (DOI) increased with President Obama On August 26, 2016, President Obama signing a proclamation expanding issued a proclamation under the author- the Papahānaumokuākea Marine ity of the Antiquities Act expanding the National Monument (see related Papahānaumokuākea Marine National story, page 1) and designating the Monument to include 582,578 square first marine national monument miles of land and sea. The designation in the Atlantic Ocean. While the more than quadruples the size of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National existing marine monument, includ- Monument is one of the largest marine ing all the waters and submerged protected area (MPA) on the planet, lands within the seaward limit of the the Northeast Canyons and Sea- U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone west DOI’s blue portfolio includes many diverse mounts Marine National Monument of 163° west longitude. Previously coastal and submarine resources. Photo is the first to protect 4,913 square the largest contiguous fully protected credit: Susan White, USFWS See Portfolio page 3 See Expansion page 4 First U.S. Marine National Monument in Atlantic See it as You’ve Never Seen it Before! By Ann Tihansky (USGS) and Erica Wales (DOI) On September 15, 2016, President Obama designated the first Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean on the first day of the 3rd “Our Ocean” Conference. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument will protect 4,913 square miles of fragile deep- sea ecosystems off the coast of Cape Cod National Seashore. By protecting this striking underwater landscape of mountains and canyons, critical This high-resolution terrain map of the seafloor shows the peaks and valleys of the new Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. See the plate from USGS ecosystems for deep-sea coral and Open-File Report 2012–1266: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1266/appendix_2.html. Image credit: See Northeast Monument page 3 Brian Andrews, USGS NEWSWAVE • Fall 2016/Winter 2017

Follow Us on Facebook! Science for Coastal Safety In This Edition https://www.facebook.com/USInterioroceanscoastsgreatlakes/ New National Monument...... 1 DOI’s Blue Portfolio...... 1 The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) President Expands Monument...... 1 responded to Hurricane Matthew Regional Ocean Plans...... 4 by forecasting coastal change and NPS Centennial Celebrations...... 5 monitoring it using "before and after" photos. Denali Commission Funding...... 6 Everglades Restoration...... 7 New low-altitude aerial photos of Southeastern U.S. beaches taken VA Beach Restoration...... 8 before and after Hurricane Matthew Adapting to Climate Change...... 8 show roads, dunes and structures Gas Hydrates...... 9 lost. At left, these "before and after" photos show a new inlet Dive Your Park...... 10 that formed between the Atlantic Benefits from Carbon Storage.....10 Ocean and the Matanzas River near NRDAR Settlement...... 11 St. Augustine, Florida, stripping New Carissa Oil Spill...... 12 away a 3.7 meter (12-foot) dune and carrying sand into the estuary. Read Historic Anchor...... 12 more at https://www.usgs.gov/news/ Hidden Ocean 2016...... 14 and-after-photos-se-beach-dunes- Arctic Fish Inventory...... 15 lost-hurricane-matthew Photo credits: Public domain Effects of Trawling...... 16 Help for Coastal Hazards...... 16 NEWSWAVE is a quarterly newsletter from the Department of the Interior River Herring Return...... 18 featuring ocean, Great Lakes and coastal activities across the Bureaus. Hughesville Dam Removal...... 18 Visit us online: http://www.doi.gov/pmb/ocean/newswave NPS Marine Education...... 19 Chesapeake Bay Science...... 20 Editors: Erica Wales (DOI) and Ann Tihansky (USGS) Technical Editor: Rebekah Davis (USGS); Layout: Suzanne Roberts (USGS) Restoring Wetlands...... 21 Cyanobacteria...... 21 Contributors: CNMI Agreement...... 22 Randy Bowman (DOI) Andrea Toran (USGS) Coral Reef Symposium...... 22 Cheryl Fossani (DOI) Amy West (USGS) Susan Goodwin (DOI) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency USCRTF Meeting...... 23 Tami A. Heilemann (DOI) Cathy Summa-Wolfe Photography Great Lakes Collaboratives...... 24 Liza Johnson (DOI) The Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi BOEM Ocean Science...... 25 Nanciann Regalado (DOI) Borderlands Ocean Protection...... 26 Samantha Spiece (DOI) Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Melanie Damour (BOEM) Technology NPS Economic Report...... 26 Robert LaBelle (BOEM) Oceaneering-Deep Sea Systems OGLC Workshop...... 27 Kate Segarra (BOEM) International Regional Contacts...... 27 Marjorie Weisskohl (BOEM) Our Coast, Our Future Lauren Wenzel (NOAA) Matt Rath (Chesapeake Bay Program) The Surfing Bison...... 28 Betsy Nicholson (NOAA) Pete Souza (Chief Official White House Gary Bremen (NPS) photographer, Obama Administration) Contribute to NEWSWAVE! Joel Garlich-Miller (USFWS) Stanley Tom (Newtok Traditional Council) If you have any questions, Jennifer Greiner (USFWS) Brad Wong (Office of Hawaiian Affairs) Cathy Marion (USFWS) Katrin Iken (University of Alaska Fairbanks) comments or want to receive Elizabeth Materna (USFWS) Trevor Boykin (University of Guam Sea Grant NEWSWAVE by email, contact: Mike Murray (USFWS) Program) Ann Tihansky: [email protected] Kristine Sowl (USFWS) Cole Goco (Illustrator) For more information, contact: Susan White (USFWS) Paul Brennan (Photographer) Liza Johnson, Ocean, Great Lakes Brian Andrews (USGS) Ferdinand Oberle (Photographer) and Coasts Coordinator Tim Collett (USGS) Holly Rindge (Photographer) Office of Policy Analysis, Alex Demas (USGS) Kekoa Rosehill (Photographer) Juliette Finzi Hart (USGS) Isobel Spence (Photographer) 1849 C Street, NW, Mail Stop 3530 Josh Miller (USGS) Mark Sullivan (Photographer) Washington, D.C. 20240 Barry H. Rosen (USGS) James Watt (Photographer) Telephone: 202–208–1378 Curt Storlazzi (USGS) [email protected]

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Portfolio continued from page 1 California Coastal National Monu- Northeast Monument continued from page 1 ment and DOI plays an important miles of fragile deep-sea ecosystems endangered whales and sea turtles are role in ensuring safe and responsible off the coast of Cape Cod National preserved. See related story, page 1. Seashore (see related story, page 1). energy development in our coastal areas and offshore waters. Three of the underwater canyons are As one of our Nation’s principal deeper than the Grand Canyon and stewards for our ocean, Great Lakes In addition, Interior Bureaus provide the underwater mountains, known as and coastal (OGLC) resources, DOI robust scientific programs that inform seamounts, provide habitat for inver- recognizes the vital connection decisions and reduce risk; ensure safe tebrates like sponges, corals, octo- between the health of our Nation’s and responsible development of natu- ral, mineral and energy resources; pro- pus, skates, crabs and bottom fish like natural resources and human health mote healthy and productive ecosys- flounder. Seamounts are some of the and economy. DOI’s responsibilities tems through informed management most biologically diverse habitats on continue to grow with expanding our and monitoring; protect native species Earth, and the New England sea- oldest Marine National Monument and their habitats; preserve rich cul- mounts are known to house many rare and adding our Nation’s newest Atlan- tural and recreational opportunities for and endemic species, several of which tic marine national monument. the public; and support Tribal, state, are new to science and are not known regional and local partnerships. DOI’s blue portfolio includes more to live anywhere else on Earth. The than 35,000 miles of coastline and In the past 2 years, the DOI invested canyons and seamounts also attract 34 million acres in 88 marine and more than $50 million from the larger open water marine species, such coastal National Parks, including Land and Water Conservation Fund as sea turtles, marine mammals, tuna, many of America’s favorite beaches to acquire and conserve nearly billfish, squid, and sharks. from Cape Cod and Cape Hat- 20,000 acres of critical coastal lands teras to the Golden Gate National for all Americans to enjoy. Bathymetric terrain models, showing Recreational Area and beyond to See related story about the DOIʼs measurements of water depth, were Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and coordinated ocean, Great Lakes and created with data collected by several 756,477,162 acres in marine national coastal team on page 27. agencies; these data were compiled monuments and national wildlife by the USGS Coastal and Marine Read more: https://www.doi.gov/blog/ refuges in the Pacific alone as of Sep- Geology Program and published as a tember 2016. We protect 180 marine our-ocean-one-future collaborative effort between USGS, and coastal national wildlife ref- Read more about the DOI’s role: uges, 1,100 miles of coastline of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric https://www.doi.gov/pmb/ocean/ Administration (NOAA), and Uni- versity of New Hampshire. Learn more about the USGS Atlantic Margin bathymetry at http://pubs.usgs.gov/ of/2012/1266/title_page.html Read the full Presidential Proclama- tion creating the Monument here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the- press-office/2016/09/15/presidential- proclamation-northeast-canyons-and- seamounts-marine Watch President Obama give his remarks at the 2016 Our Ocean Conference here: https://www. whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/ video/2016/09/15/president-obama- delivers-remarks-2016-our-ocean- conference

This map shows coastal lands and waters conserved by the Obama Administration since 2015. Photo credit: DOI

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The Nation,s First Ocean Expansion continued from page 1 On September 1, 2016, the Presi- conservation area in the United States, dent visited Midway Atoll National Plans! the expanded boundaries make it one Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), within the By Robert LaBelle (BOEM; Mid-Atlantic of the largest MPAs on the planet that Monument, to mark the significance RPB Federal Co-Lead) and Betsy Nicholson is nearly the size of the Gulf of Mex- of the expansion and tour some of (NOAA; Northeast RPB Federal Co-Lead) ico. Read the full proclamation here: the Monument’s resources in person. On December 7, the National Ocean https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press- The President visited the memorial Council finalized the Nation’s first ocean office/2016/08/26/presidential-procla- to the Battle of Midway, met with island staff, toured wildlife and plant plans, taking an historic step toward mation-papahanaumokuakea-marine- restoration sites, and observed cor- fulfilling President Obama’s commit- national-monument als and other marine resources while ment to healthy ocean ecosystems and The expansion provides critical pro- snorkeling. Read President Obama’s a strong, sustainable marine economy. tections for more than 7,000 marine full remarks from Turtle Beach here: The two regional plans, the Northeast species and is also considered a sacred https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press- Ocean Plan and the Mid-Atlantic Ocean place for the Native Hawaiian commu- office/2016/09/01/remarks-president- Action Plan, promote the use of inte- nity. Important geological features of designation-papahanaumokuakea- grated ocean data and best practices for the expansion area include more than marine-national-monument informed and efficient management of 75 seamounts, as well as a nonvolcanic The Monument was originally created the Nation’s shared marine resources. ridge that extends southwest towards in 2006 by President George W. Bush After years of collaboration among Johnston Atoll. Together, these features and designated as a United Nations States, Tribes, Federal agencies, and form biodiversity hotspots in the open Educational, Scientific and Cultural Fishery Management Councils, with ocean that provide habitat for deep- Organization (UNESCO) World input from marine stakeholders, the sea species, including sponges, other Heritage Site in 2010. Since that time, Northeast Ocean Plan and the Mid- invertebrates, fish, and corals—some scientific exploration has revealed new Atlantic Ocean Action Plan build on of which are thousands of years old. species and deep-sea habitats in the the data provided in the Northeast and Albatrosses (Diomedea spp.) and Great expansion area, as well as important Mid-Atlantic Data Portals, which are Frigatebirds (Fregata minor) rely on ecological connections between the publicly accessible and provide new the expansion area while feeding their existing monument and the expansion maps and data products. The plans also chicks, when their foraging is focused area. In addition to marine areas, the describe best management practices to within 200 miles of the nesting colo- Monument includes (1) the Midway guide effective interagency coordina- nies on the Monument,s islands. The Atoll Refuge, (2) the eight atolls, reefs, tion and to ensure that agencies have expansion area is also a foraging and and islands of the Hawaiian Islands the data needed to inform planning and migration path for five species of pro- Refuge, and (3) Kure Atoll, which is environmental review of new activi- tected sea turtles. under the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaiʻi. ties. This approach is designed to work Additionally, there are sunken ves- across all levels of government and to sels (including the USS Yorktown) DOI Secretary Sally Jewell and Secre- advance economic, environmental, and and downed aircraft from the Battle of tary of Commerce Penny Pritzker also cultural priorities within each region. Midway in World War II, a battle that announced that the Departments will The plans are the result of extensive marked a major shift in the progress of soon sign an agreement with Hawaii’s participation from marine stakeholders the war in favor of the Allies, within Department of Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), representing fishing, recreation, energy, the expansion area. strengthening the coordination of man- transportation, telecommunications, and agement and adding OHA as the fourth many other interests. Once implementa- Monument co-trustee. tion begins, the plans will reinforce the commitment to healthy ocean ecosys- tems and a strong, sustainable marine economy. Read more: White House blog: https://www. whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/12/07/ nations-first-ocean-plans Northeast Ocean Portal: https://www. On September 1, 2016, President Obama visited Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge where northeastoceandata.org/ Refuge Manager Robert Peyton provided geographic reference information on the recent Mid-Atlantic Data Portal: http:// Marine National Monument expansion which was followed by a tour of Turtle Beach. Photo midatlanticocean.org/data-portal/ credits: Pete Souza, Chief Official White House photographer, Obama Administration

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Centennial Celebrations Mark the National Park Service’s 100th Birthday! By Erica Wales (DOI) August 25, 2016, marked the 100th birthday of the National Park Service (NPS). Back in 1916, NPS was created by the “Act to Establish a National Park Ser- vice (Organic Act), Happy 100th 1916,” giving NPS Glacier Bay National Park tribal house dedication. Photo credit: NPS birthday NPS! the duty to promote Photo credit: NPS and regulate parks hands-on, interactive presentations Land is Your Land: A Second Cen- and monuments in by staff, researchers, and interns; tury for America’s National Parks,” order “to conserve the scenery and the and a “Science in the Seashore which featured images, videos, and natural and historic objects and the Symposium” in the afternoon, artifacts from Florida parks and pre- wild life therein and to provide for the where the public heard lectures serves. Reenactors at Dry Tortugas enjoyment of the same in such man- from scientists on topics includ- National Park highlighted daily life ner and by such means as will leave ing seals, ticks and Lyme disease, at Fort Jefferson during the Civil them unimpaired for the enjoyment of landscape management, and climate War area, and guided tours were future generations.” change. given of the 110-foot Motor Vessel Fort Jefferson, the primary tender In honor of the momentous occa- vessel of the park. sion, national parks from around the country and in the Pacific celebrated • Cabrillo National Monument, Cali- the centennial in style and opened fornia—The national monument the parks for free admission August celebrated with an antique vehicle 25–28. Here are a few ways OGLC display, lighthouse postcard paint- parks marked the occasion: ing, guided park tours, NPS trivia, tours of the lighthouse tower, and • American Memorial Park, Saipan— other events to highlight the history The park held a Day of Service of the NPS and the New Point on Saturday, August 27, where Loma Lighthouse at Cabrillo. more than 300 volunteers from the American Red Cross, schools, • Glacier Bay National Park, AmeriCorps, and the public assisted Alaska—The park celebrated with with park projects. The volunteers a dedication of the Huna Tribal House (Xunaa Shuká Hít), which removed invasive vines, cleaned Touch tank at Cape Cod National Seashore debris, painted the parking lot and featured carvings, hand carved Centennial celebrations. Photo credit: Kekoa dugout canoes, traditional songs and amphitheater, and beautified the Rosehill regalia, Tlingit oratory, traditional memorials. ceremonies and dances, and the • Cape Cod National Seashore, • Everglades and Dry Tortugas rhythm of drums. Massachusetts—The seashore National Parks, Florida—The held a Seashore Science Day on Everglades National Park celebrated Read the full text of the Act that estab- August 25. The day included a by hosting Sing Across America lished the NPS here: https://www.nps. “Science Street Fair” in the morn- events to provide musical entertain- gov/parkhistory/online_books/anps/ ing, where visitors could engage in ment and hosted an exhibit, “This anps_1i.htm

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Climate Change Threatening Alaska Coastal Villages Denali Commission Approves Funding By Randy Bowman (DOI) During the first-ever Presidential visit to the U.S. Arctic last fall, President Obama designated the Denali Com- mission, a Federal Regional devel- opment agency, as the lead Federal contact for Alaska Native Villages threatened by erosion, flooding, and other issues resulting from climate change. This was in response to recommendations from the Arctic Executive Steering Committee, estab- lished by E.O. 13689 to coordinate Federal Arctic policy, to designate Flooding in the village of Newtok during the 2005 Fall Sea Storm. Photo credit: Stanley Tom, Newtok Traditional Council the Commission as the lead contact and similar previous recommenda- tions for a lead agency designation Federal Emergency Management The villages of Kivalina and Shis- from the Government Accountability Agency previously provided for the maref will each receive $520,000 to Office. village. be used as the local match for exist- ing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The funds will be used for preparation (USACE) funds for a site specific The Denali Commission is provid- of an overall National Environmental 100-year flood analysis and for design ing $6,650,000 in new funding. Policy Act document for the move; of an armor rock revetment to tempo- Most of this will go to the four most development of a final site plan; rarily protect the islands on which the immediately threatened villages— geotechnical investigation to supple- villages are located. Newtok, Kivalina, Shaktoolik, and ment existing information for efficient Shismaref—with slightly more than design of roads, building foundations At all four villages, the funds will $1.5 million held as a contingency and other infrastructure; develop- also be used to support the existing fund for unexpected developments. ment of the quarry to provide stone Community Relocation Coordinator; for construction; design of a bulk fuel prepare emergency response plans, The village of Newtok, located storage facility; preliminary design of conduct emergency drills, and as between the Ningliq River and the community power, water, sewer and matching/gap funds for other related Bering Sea, is eroding away and solid waste facilities; and to serve as activities identified by the community. unlikely to be a viable site within matching/gap funds for other related The Commission also allocated 4 to 5 years. The village is in the activities identified by the community. $490,000 for other to-be-determined process of relocating to a new site, The village of Shaktoolik will receive threatened communities and called Metarvik, about 9 miles away $1,020,000 to be used to support “soft $1,080,000 for a Statewide Disaster on higher ground. The Commission erosion” protection measures and Response Fund that can be used to approved $3,020,000 to assist this design of a consolidated fuel storage respond quickly, or to provide match- effort. These funds will be in addition facility above the 100-year flood level, ing funds to complement other funders to money from the State of Alaska, and serve as matching/gap funds for for disaster response and recovery and U.S. Department of Agriculture, other related activities identified by other statewide initiatives related to DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the community. the problem.

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Celebrating the Next Phase of Everglades Ecosystem Restoration On June 3, 2016, NPS and Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the construction of the 2.6-mile bridge and roadway project in South Florida on the Tamiami Trail with a contract awarded to the joint venture team of Condotte America Inc. and Stantec. This next phase of bridging will allow additional fresh- water flow in Everglades National Park, improving ecological conditions both in the park and in the central Everglades north of Tamiami Trail. The new trail will raise a 2.5-mile sec- tion of U.S. Highway 41 in the South Florida region and is the latest mile- Secretary Sally Jewell celebrated Earth Day with Florida DOT District Secretary Gus Pego by announcing the next phase of bridging on the Tamiami Trail in Everglades National Park. Photo stone in the Obama Administration’s credit: Tami A. Heilemann, DOI efforts to conserve the Everglades’ historic and iconic wildlife habitat and water flows. “This new bridge is part of the largest conservation effort ever Secretary Jewell visited Everglades undertaken by the National Park Service and will return water flows to National Park on Earth Day 2016 with more historic levels, favorably impacting key plant and animal species President Obama to highlight steps like the American crocodile and many native birds,” said Secretary the Administration has taken to act on Jewell, on Earth Day, April 22, 2016. climate change. “It’s a vital piece of this Administration’s efforts with our Florida partners to deliver increased the ecosystem sustainable, including The event followed Secretary Jew- flows of clean, fresh water to an area critical marsh lands, Florida Bay and ell’s conservation speech at National that desperately needs them to make aquifers important to South Floridaʼs Geographic on April 19, where she water supply. The Everglades is an outlined a major course correction internationally recognized ecologi- in how we approach conservation to cal treasure that we must restore and ensure a bright future for our public protect for future generations,” said lands and waters. Read the Secretary’s Jewell. speech here: https://medium.com/@ “The partnership between the NPS Interior/the-next-100-years-of-ameri- and Florida DOT has helped advance can-conservation-397c42b8f1f2 the Everglades restoration effort,” Read the press release: https://www. said Pedro Ramos, Superintendent of doi.gov/pressreleases/earth-day-sec- Everglades and Dry Tortugas National retary-jewell-celebrates-next-phase- Parks.” The completion of the 2.6 mile everglades-ecosystem-restoration bridging project is essential in estab- Read more about the project: https:// Secretary Jewell and Pedro Ramos visited lishing the natural flow of water to www.nps.gov/ever/learn/news/ever- seagrass beds in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park and Florida glades-national-park-and-fdot-award- These iconic wildlife habitats will benefit by Bay.” restoring historic water flows. Photo credit: contract-for-next-phase-of-tamiami- Tami A. Heilemann, DOI trail-enhancements.htm

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Restored Beach Project Coastal Parks Adapt to Supports Science Climate Change Education and Coastal Two new reports from NPS show Community at Virginia how coastal parks across the country Beach are devising innovative and unique solutions to adapt to climate change. By Marjorie Weisskohl (BOEM) “Coastal Adaptation Strategies: Case On July 26, 2016, Bureau of Ocean Studies” includes 24 park studies in a Energy Management (BOEM) Direc- variety of settings that describe how tor Abigail Ross Hopper toured the they are preparing and responding to Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science climate change impacts. A followup Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. report, “Coastal Adaptation Strate- Aquarium Executive Director, Lynn gies Handbook,” highlights the need Clements, and Director of Conser- to plan for climate change in how we manage America’s iconic natural, vation Programs, Mark Swingle, The Cockspur Lighthouse at Fort Pulaski briefed Hopper and her team on the National Monument needs to be stabilized historic, and cultural landscapes. It is Aquariumʼs in-depth science program, for expected sea-level rise impacts. Photo a summary of what scientists and park which covers everything from global credit: Paul Brennan managers know about climate adap- ecosystems to how the Chesapeake tation in coastal areas and includes Bay was formed, including informa- dunes that were restored with sand processes and tools that parks have tion about the oyster beds and other borrowed from the Outer Continental available to respond and recover from aquatic life living just off the back Shelf (OCS) through BOEM’s Marine tropical storms and hurricanes and deck in Owl Creek. Minerals Program. Officials from the offers strategies to address rising sea Virginia Beach Department of Public levels. Hopper joined students from the Works and the USACE, who had been The case study report highlights dif- Young Menʼs Christian Association involved in the project, joined her ferent ways NPS is mitigating these who were thrilled to be learning about for an informative discussion. Over coastal impacts such as increased ocean and coastal sciences and conser- the years, the Sandbridge project has stormy weather, sea-level rise, shore- vation through touching sting rays in helped reduce damage to roads and line erosion, melting sea ice and per- a touch tank, seeing giant sea turtles other infrastructure from storms and mafrost, ocean acidification, warming and tiny yellow striped frogs, and hurricanes, restored wildlife habitat, temperatures, groundwater inundation, seeing “Trash-Talking Turtles” made and enabled Americans to enjoy the precipitation, and drought. of marine debris from local beaches. great outdoors. Hopper then visited Sandbridge Beach, Adaptation efforts include preserving south of the city, to see the beach and For more information, visit: http://www.boem.gov/ historic structures, completing archae- Marine-Minerals-Program/ ological surveys, collecting baseline data, restoring habitat, engineering solutions, redesigning and relocating infrastructure, and developing broad management plans that consider cli- mate change. At Olympic National Park, Wash- ington, work is focused on preparing archeological sites and traditional cultural resources, whereas ancient Indian shell mound sites threatened by sea-level rise and erosion are of concern in Florida at the Canaveral National Seashore. At Fort Pulaski The beach and dunes of Sandbridge Beach, Director Hopper explores Virginia Aquarium’s restored with sand from the OCS through National Monument in Georgia, NPS touch tank. Photo credit: Marjorie Weisskohl, BOEM’s Marine Minerals Program. Photo BOEM credit: Marjorie Weisskohl, BOEM See Climate Change page 9

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International activities to assess the geologic occur- rence, regional context, and character- Partnership Discovers istics of gas hydrate deposits offshore Potentially Producible of India. Gas Hydrate in Indian Although it is possible to produce Ocean natural gas from gas hydrates, there are substantial technical challenges, By Alex Demas and Tim Collett (USGS) depending on the location and type of USGS has assisted the Government of formation. India in the discovery of large, highly “The results from this expedition enriched accumulations of natural gas mark a critical step forward to under- hydrate in the Bay of Bengal dur- standing the energy resource potential ing a research expedition, called the of gas hydrates,” said USGS Senior Indian National Gas Hydrate Program Scientist Tim Collett, who participated The deepwater vessel Chikyu as deployed Expedition 02. This is the second joint in the expedition. “The discovery of during the second joint Indian National Gas exploration for gas hydrate potential what we believe to be several of the Hydrate Program Expedition 02. The vessel in the Indian Ocean and is the first dis- largest and most concentrated gas was designed by the Japanese government covery of its kind in the Indian Ocean for international scientific drilling operations. hydrate accumulations yet found in that has the potential to be producible. the world will yield the geologic and Photo credit: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth The first expedition, also a partner- Science and Technology engineering data needed to better ship between scientists from India understand the geologic controls on and the United States, discovered gas the occurrence of gas hydrate in nature Climate Change continued from page 8 hydrate accumulations but in forma- and to assess the technologies needed is designing a lighthouse stabiliza- tions that are currently unlikely to be to safely produce gas hydrates.” producible. tion system to incorporate sea-level The international team of scientists rise. Gateway National Recreation Natural gas hydrates are a naturally was led by the Oil and Natural Gas Area, New York, is restoring Jamaica occurring, ice-like combination of Corporation Limited of India on Bay wetlands, and the National Park natural gas and water found in the behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum of American Samoa is learning to world’s oceans and polar regions. The and Natural Gas India, in cooperation recognize coral adaptations to envi- amount of gas within the world’s gas with USGS, the Japanese Drilling ronmental stressors. At Gulf Islands hydrate accumulations is estimated Company, and the Japan Agency for National Seashore, Massachusetts, to greatly exceed the volume of all Marine-Earth Science and Technol- large-scale restoration of barrier island known conventional gas resources. ogy. In addition, USGS is working systems and cultural resource protec- “Advances like the Bay of Ben- closely with the National Institute tion is being done through sediment gal discovery will help unlock the of Advanced Industrial Science and placement along the northern Gulf of global energy resource potential of Technology Japan on the analysis of Mexico shoreline. Along the mid- gas hydrates as well help define the pressure core samples collected from Atlantic shorelines of Maryland and technology needed to safely produce sand reservoirs with high gas hydrate Virginia, NPS is relocating visitor them,” said Walter Guidroz, USGS concentrations. USGS has a globally facilities that are threatened by ero- Energy Resources Program Coordi- recognized research program studying sion at the Assateague Island National nator. “The USGS is proud to have natural gas hydrates in deepwater and Seashore. In California, NPS is work- played a key role on this project in permafrost settings worldwide. USGS ing to develop a multiagency vision collaboration with our international researchers focus on the potential of for an urban coastline at the Golden partner, the Indian Government.” gas hydrates as an energy resource, Gate National Recreation Area. You the effect of climate change on gas This discovery is the result of the can read about more examples here: hydrates, and seafloor stability issues. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/climat- most comprehensive gas hydrate field echange/coastaladaptationstrategies. venture in the world to date, made up Read more about the study and other USGS energy research here: http:// htm of scientists from India, Japan, and the United States. The scientists com- woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/ NPS Coastal Adaptation Strategies pleted ocean drilling, conventional hydrates/ Handbook: https://www.nps.gov/sub- sediment coring, pressure coring, jects/climatechange/coastalhandbook. downhole logging, and analytical htm

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Dive Your Park! Understanding Benefits SCUBA is an Important Tool from Carbon Storage for Managing NPS Resources Partnering with the Nisqually Many NPS coastal parks are under- Indian Tribe water. For example, 95 percent of By Mike Murray (USFWS) Biscayne National Park in South Florida is underwater; therefore, park The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managers and scientists use SCUBA (USFWS) and Nisqually Indian diving to get firsthand understanding Tribe have restored 902 acres of tid- of these resources to effectively man- ally influenced coastal marsh in the age them. This is helpful for a variety Nisqually River Delta (NRD), making of missions, including natural and it the largest estuary-restoration proj- cultural resource condition assess- ect in the Pacific Northwest to date. ments, scientific studies, invasive spe- Marsh restoration increases the capac- cies management, restoration activi- ity of the estuary to support a diversity ties, maintenance projects, and law of wildlife species. Restoration also enforcement. During 2015, 20 park increases carbon production of marsh divers collectively logged 1,228 dives plant communities that support food completed in support of various park webs for wildlife and can help miti- missions. These dives account for gate climate change through long-term 39,473 minutes spent underwater; if carbon storage in marsh soils. all that work was done by one person, Messy work! Walking through the thick mud In order to better understand the can be exhausting. This researcher takes a that person would have spent almost benefits of carbon for wetland wild- break on some solid ground. Photo credit: an entire month underwater! life and storage in the NRD, in 2015 Mike Murray, USFWS Learn about NPS Submerged an interdisciplinary team of USGS Learn more about the USGS project: Resources Center: https://www.nps. researchers began scientific work http://www.werc.usgs.gov/Project- gov/subjects/underwater/index.htm to advance our ability to determine marsh ecosystem carbon balance and SubWebPage.aspx?SubWebPageID=1 Follow NPS Submerged Resources understand wildlife benefits and car- &ProjectID=277 Center on Facebook: https://www. bon storage from restored and natural Read Fact Sheet 2016–3042: http:// facebook.com/National-Park-Ser- coastal marshes in the NRD. dx.doi.org/10.3133/fs20163042 vice-Submerged-Resources-Cen- ter-106606389416924/

Walking across the wetland to get out to the study site. The mud came up to the researchers, hips in some parts of the muddy wetland, making it extremely difficult to get out. Plus, they SCUBA divers working at Biscayne National had to get through the mud carrying all the gear they would need for the day. Photo credit: Park. Photo credits: NPS Mike Murray, USFWS

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Historic NRDAR damages unknown at the time of Damage Assessment and Restoration the agreement, provide for adaptive Plan and Programmatic Environ- Settlement Reached for management, or both. mental Impact Statement” provides Deepwater Horizon Spill The settlement also provides an a framework for future restoration additional $5.5 billion in funding from strategies, plans, and projects. It iden- By Nanciann Regalado (DOI) Clean Water Act civil penalties. As tifies five restoration goals: restore On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater required by legislation adopted after and conserve habitat; restore water Horizon oil rig blew up and was con- the spill only 20 percent of those pen- quality; replenish and protect living sumed by fire. Eleven men died and alties will go directly to the Oil Spill coastal and marine resources; provide many others were injured. For 87 days Liability Trust Fund. In accordance and enhance recreational opportuni- the well spewed oil—a total of 134 with the Resources and Ecosystems ties; and provide for monitoring, adap- million gallons were released into the Sustainability, Tourist Opportuni- tive management, and administrative Gulf of Mexico. Ultimately, more than ties, and Revived Economies of the oversight to support restoration imple- 43,000 square miles of the Gulf and Gulf Coast States (RESTORE) Act, mentation. The programmatic plan its shoreline were oiled. The Deep- 80 percent or $4.4 billion will be also identifies 13 restoration types that water Horizon oil spill was the worst sent directly to a fund specifically will address the injury experienced by environmental disaster in our Nation’s established to support the environ- the Gulf’s natural resources: wetlands, history. See related story, page 12. mental and economic restoration of coastal, and nearshore habitats; habitat projects on federally managed lands; As the volume of oil released grew, the Gulf of Mexico. The remainder of nutrient reduction; water quality; fish and the inevitability of widespread the $20.8 billion total of the settle- and water column invertebrates; stur- injury and death of wildlife became ment includes claims under the False geon; submerged aquatic vegetation; apparent, many people worried Claims Act, royalties and reimburse- oysters; sea turtles; marine mammals; whether or not those responsible for ment of natural resource damage birds; mesophotic and benthic (low the spill would be held accountable. assessment costs, and other expenses light and ocean floor) communities; On April 4, 2016, District Judge Carl due to the incident. and provide and enhance recreational Barbier approved a settlement for The USFWS and NPS played a criti- opportunities. $20.8 billion and effectively ended cal role in assessing injuries to Federal almost 6 years of litigation over Brit- lands and other natural resources that The Deepwater Horizon oil spill set- ish Petroleum’s (BP) responsibility for were caused by the Deepwater Hori- tlement is bringing an unprecedented civil penalties and future litigation for zon oil spill. They not only assessed amount of restoration funding to the natural resource damages arising from injury to the Refuges and national Gulf of Mexico. For the NRDAR the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. parks all along the Gulf coast but also funds, the schedule for payment The settlement included provisions assessed injury to migratory birds, extends across more than 15 years. for the largest recovery of natural threatened and endangered species, There will be much work to do and resource damages ever approved for some jurisdictional fish, and natural much to learn over the next two injuries to natural resources. resource services, such as recreational decades. We look forward to sharing our successes and lessons learned. Under the settlement, BP will pay the use of Federal lands. Natural Resource Damage Assessment Other parts of the Deepwater Hori- Read more: https://www.doi.gov/ and Restoration (NRDAR) Trustees zon oil spill injury assessment were restoration/historic-nrdar-settlement- (five Gulf States and four Federal completed by our fellow Trustees; reached-deepwater-horizon-spill agencies) as much as $8.8 billion for for example, the NOAA assessed the restoration to address natural resource spill’s effects on the water column, injuries. The settlement includes the deep sea environment, and marine following: mammals. Together, the Trustees undertook an ecosystem-based • $1 billion already committed during approach to assessing and restoring early restoration. the natural resources injured by the • $7.1 billion for restoration over spill. 15+ years, beginning in April 2017. The injury assessment shaped the res- • As much as an additional $700 mil- toration plan approved by the Trustees lion to respond to natural resource in March 2016. The “Programmatic Illustration credit: Cole Goco

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The New Carissa Oil Historic Anchor Spill—Restored from Discovered During the Environmental Disaster Decommissioning of an By Elizabeth Materna (USFWS) Oil and Gas Platform By Christopher Horrell (BSEE) During a major winter storm in 1999, the freighter New Carissa ran aground The trawl vessel was dragging the sea- on a beach near Coos Bay, Oregon. floor during the final stages of decom- The vessel spilled 140,000 gallons of missioning an oil and gas platform in the heavy fuel oil and created one of the New Carissa oil spill. Photo credit: USFWS Gulf of Mexico. It was a routine mission worst ecological disasters in Ore- in 70 feet of water depth about 40 nauti- gon’s history—killing an estimated cal miles off the coast of Louisiana— 2,875 seabirds and 40 different types part of a comprehensive effort to fulfill of shorebirds, including 262 threat- the platform operator’s legal requirement ened marbled murrelets (Brachyr- to bring the leased parcel of seafloor amphus marmoratus) and several back to prelease conditions. Dragging threatened western snowy plovers the bottom usually results in the retrieval (Charadrius alexandrinus). of sections of pipe, bumper tires, and random pieces of metal, but during one Although the oil spill was a natural of the net pulls, something unusual was resource disaster, it created a legacy spotted: an historic anchor from the age of restoration in its wake. Working An oiled murre killed by the New Carissa oil of sail. closely with the other Federal and spill. Photo credit: USFWS The next step should have been to cease State agencies and two tribes, USFWS • Purchasing predator-proof trash operations and notify the DOI’s Bureau developed a suite of projects to restore cans to help control predators near of Safety and Environmental Enforce- species and habitats affected by the seabird colonies along with signage ment (BSEE). Specifically, the Federal spill. See related story, page 11. to inform people that leaving trash regulation instructs those who “discover can lead to increased mortality of The largest project involves the pur- any archaeological resource while chicks. chase and management of 4,300 acres conducting operations in the lease or of coastal forest for nesting marbled • Creating a smartphone app to teach right-of-way area” to “immediately halt murrelets. Other projects include: Oregon coast beachgoers about operations within the area of the discov- nesting seabirds. ery and report the discovery to the BSEE • Monitoring colonies of nesting sea- Regional Director.” Instead, the anchor • Producing 60 interpretive panels to birds for predators in order to trap was brought to Port Fourchon, Loui- be placed at State parks and way- and remove problem individuals. siana, where the operator’s company sides along the Oregon coast to representative contacted his supervisor, teach people about seabird biology, who then claimed the anchor for his conservation, and the need to leave private collection, displaying it beside nesting colonies undisturbed. his backyard pool. • Restoring 400 acres of tidal marsh Time had definitely left its mark on the at Bandon Marsh Refuge. anchor, although it was pretty well intact • Restoring 30 acres of coastal dune after many years beneath the water’s habitat for nesting Western Snowy surface. What the boss may not have Plovers. known, however, is that iron submerged Thanks to this multiagency effort in seawater will come to a stable equi- led by USFWS, devastating effects librium over time. Once anything iron is from the New Carissa oil spill have removed from the marine environment been lessened by a suite of projects and begins to dry out, the chlorides from designed to restore habitat, protect the seawater that have permeated the nesting seabirds, and educate the pub- iron structure will start to expand. At that Shorebirds return to the Ni-les’tun unit in lic about marine resources along the Oregon. Photo credit: USFWS Oregon coast. See Historic Anchor page 13

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Historic Anchor continued from page 12 A B point rapid deterioration begins. For this reason, archaeologists typically keep metal artifacts such as anchors sub- merged in seawater tanks until conserva- tion efforts can begin. In compliance with U.S. regulations, the platform operator filed a report listing the variety of items retrieved by the trawler, including the anchor. BSEE’s Historic Preservation Program within C D the Office of Environmental Compli- ance was called, and an archaeologist at BSEE asked for a photo of the anchor and its current location. The photo confirmed an unusual find, possibly from the 19th century, but it would have been very unlikely that a ship of that era would have laid anchor 40 miles offshore in 70 feet of water. It was more likely to be evidence of a dire situation at Conservation of the historic anchor should have begun with its discovery during sea more than 200 years ago, possibly a decommissioning operations. (A) and (B) The anchor was inappropriately transported to a private residence and began to deteriorate. (C ) Dr. John Bratten and his students from UWF shipwreck. The anchor appeared to be an worked to conserve the anchor. (D) Through conservation, the name R. Flinn and a number early 19th century Admiralty Anchor. appear on the crown and shaft of the anchor. Photo credits: John Bratten (Univ. of West Florida) By listing the anchor, the operator and Christopher Horrell (BSEE) avoided a variety of more serious viola- tions, but the find was not handled in Historic Preservation Program worked survey. BSEE archeologist and scien- accordance with Federal regulations. The with the operator and the University tists, who are members of the Seafloor platform operator responded immedi- of West Florida’s (UWF) Archaeology Compliance Monitoring Assessment ately once the violations were pointed Institute. The anchor, it was decided, Program and the BSEE Scientific Diving out. An Incident of Noncompliance— should become the permanent property Program, mobilized to investigate the BSEE’s version of a citation—was of UWF, where it would receive proper targets. Nothing of interest was located, issued along with a Corrective Action treatment and be used as a teaching tool so BSEE determined that the anchor was Order. The order required the operator to for students. an isolated find and that a shipwreck was provide funds for the transportation, con- During the conservation process, as not present in the area where the trawling servation, and long-term curation of the decades of fouling were carefully activities had occurred. anchor. Additionally, the operator was removed, the name R. Flinn was discov- While the anchor tells the story of con- ordered to complete a high-resolution ered on the crown of the anchor. After tinued human use of the sea and connects remote sensing survey using a magne- completing historical research, UWF us across the centuries, the story of the tometer, side-scan sound navigation and maritime archaeologist Dr. John Bratten Flinn anchor also has raised awareness ranging (sonar), and subbottom profiler and his students discovered that Robert about preserving marine artifacts because to identify any other remains of a poten- Flinn manufactured chains and anchors other anchors have been reported since tial shipwreck at the site. in England up until 1826. We now knew that event. It seems like offshore industry Time was the enemy; deterioration had the anchor was well over a century- is now more aware of their responsibility begun. and-a-half old, dating to a time that was to stop working when they encounter a somewhere around the War of 1812. See marine artifact. That’s good news. BSEE needed to find the best organiza- related story, page 16. tion to restore and preserve the anchor. What to do if you find historic maritime The operator, in coordination with In addition, several promising targets of a artifacts: https://www.bsee.gov/sites/bsee. BSEE, put together a conservation and potential shipwreck were identified dur- gov/files/research-guidance-manuals-or- curation plan for the anchor. BSEE’s ing the high-resolution remote sensing best-practices/fact-sheet/guidance.pdf

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Hidden Ocean 2016—Arctic Science Discovery

Above: Kate Segarra, an oceanographer for BOEM, was aboard the Healy in the Arctic Ocean for 40 days this summer. The view of the ice-covered Chukchi from the deck of the Healy. Photo credits: Kate Segarra, BOEM At right: This map displays all 13 stations visited and sampled in the Chukchi methods (such as nets, CTD pack- weeks leading up to the cruise, data Borderlands during the Hidden Ocean age, and box cores) and a remotely suggested that 2016 was on track to 2016 expedition. Image credit: Katrin Iken, operated vehicle (ROV) equipped set the record for the lowest Arctic sea UAF, and The Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi with ultrahigh-resolution video ice extent. Now that the melt season Borderlands camera, known as 4K, the science is over, 2012 still holds that title; party explored the pelagic and benthic 2016 tied for second with 2007 since By Kate Segarra (BOEM) biodiversity of the Chukchi Border- records began in 1979. Itʼs a depress- This summer, I had the opportunity lands. The study subjects ranged from ing statistic, especially when one sees to sail aboard the U.S. Coast Guard the microbial communities within sea how critical sea ice is to these ecosys- Cutter Healy as part of the Hidden ice to the polar bears that hunt upon tems; however, low sea ice does not Ocean 2016, a NOAA-led expedition it. The science party also included mean no sea ice. Although there was from Seward, Alaska, north into the a seabird surveyor from USFWS, a great deal of open water during our Chukchi Sea. In the Chukchi Border- Elizabeth Labunski. As expedition expedition, there were also plenty of lands, water masses from the Pacific, coordinator for the cruise, I served patches of thick ice in the Chukchi. Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans converge as a liaison for NOAA’s Office of One ice floe was so thick (more than over an area of complex bathymetry. Ocean Exploration and Research 4 meters in some places) that it took The primary focus of the Hidden during the expedition. I worked very the Healy almost 4 days to break its Ocean 2016 was to explore this rap- closely with the science party to track way out of it. idly changing and poorly understood mission progress and communicate While I was detailed on assignment ecosystem. The science party was led detailed updates to our colleagues with the NOAA for this cruise, the by chief scientists, Dr. Russ Hopcroft back on shore. Healy experience will certainly and Dr. Katrin Iken, of the Univer- The Arctic is warming at a rate enhance my work as an oceanogra- sity of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). around twice that of the global aver- pher for the BOEM. I have a new Using both traditional oceanographic age (see related story, page 6). In the perspective on the Arctic research

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New Arctic Fish Species Inventory USGS and BOEM recently released a report describing 109 marine fish species from the Chukchi and Beau- fort Seas. Twenty of the fish species are newly confirmed, and the inven- tory includes 104 new descriptions that include distribution maps and life This is one of several (less than 10) polar cycles. bears observed during the expedition. Photo credit: Kate Segarra, BOEM The report summarizes the natural his- tory of the species and discusses adap- A juvenile walrus swims up for a closer tations and limitations of fish popula- look at the Healy. Photo credit: Kate tions in the Arctic. The information Segarra, BOEM in the report will be used by BOEM, who requested the research carried completed through our Environmen- out by USGS and the University of tal Studies Program; for example, California, Santa Barbara, to evalu- Hanna Shoal is an ecologically This is an undescribed ctenophore ate potential environmental effects important region on the Chukchi photographed in the water column of oil and gas development offshore. Plateau and described as a “walrus by the ROV. Photo credit: The Hidden Natural resource managers can also hotspot” in many environmental Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands assessment documents. As we came and Oceaneering-Deep Sea Systems use the research to identify high-pri- upon Hanna Shoal in the faint light International ority marine fish species to help guide of the midnight sun, I saw what I future research, management, conser- thought were patches of dirty ice on strange creatures are still floating vation, and environmental policy. out there, waiting to be announced the horizon. As we came closer, I Keeping in mind the native and indig- realized those patches were walrus. to the rest of the world. These and enous peoples of the Arctic, the report There were at least 100 walrus in other discoveries from this cruise this one small area where they forage will greatly improve the understand- includes Inupiat names for the marine on the bountiful clam beds below. ing of this underexplored region. The fish species. Salmon, whitefish, and There were many similar examples Hidden Ocean 2016 will also serve char are used for subsistence and are of sightings and experiences, which as a comparison for past and future key species for food security of Native brought life to textbooks and policy surveys of the region to allow scien- Alaskan communities. papers I’d previously read. tists to examine how the ecosystem is changing over time, and whether Read the report, “Alaska Arc- I understand now how, after the or not climate change is a predomi- tic Marine Fish Ecology Catalog: failure of the Endurance expedition nant factor. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas,” here: and more than 1 year stuck in the ice, https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ We left the last of the Chukchi Shackleton returned to Antarctica sir20165038 for more. Not only is there a rhyth- Sea ice behind around 01:00 on mic zen to ship life, but the sense August 4. Forty days on a ship of discovery and adventure of this seemed like a long time before we cruise was intoxicating. In just a few left Seward in early July. But, as short weeks, the expedition collected we transited back south at the end at least six jellyfish and ctenophores of the cruise and I watched the last that may represent new species. Of few lone pieces of sea ice floating in course “new” is a bit of a misno- the twilight, I wished we could turn mer—these graceful animals were around and do it all over again. I around long before human exis- guess I’ll have to wait until the next tence. The correct taxonomic term Arctic adventure. is “undescribed.” It will take mem- To learn more about the Hidden The report study area in the U.S. Chukchi and bers of the science party months to Ocean 2016 Expedition, please Beaufort Seas. The U.S. Exclusive Economic years to write the species description visit: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ Zone is in red, and areas of interest for oil and papers. Itʼs funny to think how these explorations/16arctic/welcome.html gas are in yellow. Image credit: USGS

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USGS Researchers environment, especially the effects on Helping Communities corals, sponges, fishes, and other ani- Study the Effects of mals; however, little research has been Understand Future Trawling on Sediment done on the effects of bottom trawling Coastal Hazards Resuspension on the seabed itself. See related story, page 12. By Juliette Finzi Hart (USGS) The fishing industry commonly uses With the stunning beauty of our coast- While the seabed had been previously line throughout the United States and trawling, a practice where large nets labeled as “trawled” or “untrawled” with metal doors and chains are its territories, it’s no surprise that many in studies, USGS researchers have people want to live along the coast. dragged over the seafloor to catch fish. developed a new method for calculat- Because the equipment comes into This coastal living, however, comes ing bottom-trawling-induced sedi- with vulnerability to impacts from direct contact with the seafloor, great ment resuspension, which allows for environmental damage can be done a range of classifications according to (including removing seafloor dwelling how often the seafloor was disturbed marine life and resuspending sedi- by bottom trawling. This new method ment). Sediment in the water column of calculation provides a new tool for can change the chemistry of the water seafloor management and can help (including nutrient levels), reduce assess effects from bottom trawl- light levels, and lower photosynthesis ing. The researchers calculated how in plants. The resuspended sediment much sediment from the seafloor was can be washed away by ocean cur- resuspended during bottom trawling rents, either deposited elsewhere on and determined the amount was about the shelf or in deeper waters and lost the same as the amount of sediment to the local environment. Removing rivers deposit on the continental shelf sediment and changing the seafloor (almost 22 gigatons). to rock removes habitat and lowers the diversity of life located within the Read the full article here: http://www. seabed. Scientists have studied how sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ bottom trawling can hurt the marine S0924796315002328

Examples of projections from the OCOF viewer for Stinson Beach in San Francisco for daily conditions for a day in October 2016 (top), daily conditions plus 50 centimeters of sea level rise-expected by about mid- century (center), and a 100-year (or 1 percent) storm with 50 centimeters of sea-level rise (bottom). These projections demonstrate how neglecting to plan for storm impacts could lead to a substantial underestimation of risk along the coast. Image credits: OCOF, Conceptual drawing of bottom trawling from a fishing boat, showing a net and metal plate CoSMoS Model Results Product Suite being dragged along the seafloor behind a boat on the water’s surface. Image credit: Ferdinand Oberle See Help for Coastal Hazards page 17

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Help for Coastal Hazards continued from page 16 natural hazards, such as hurricanes, winter storms, tsunamis, and erosion of beaches and coastal cliffs. Climate change will intensify these hazards. Even today, many coastal communities along the east coast are experiencing increased nuisance flooding—also referred to as sunny-day flooding—in which streets and infrastructure flood Patrick Barnard (right) discusses some of the initial projections for Venice and Marina del Rey with City of Los Angeles planning officials at a recent AdaptLA meeting, cosponsored by the simply because of high tides or windy City of Santa Monica and USC Sea Grant Program. Photo credit: Holly Rindge days. This flooding has been exacer- bated in recent decades by sea-level been working with a diverse group of researchers at University of California, rise. U.S. coastal communities look partners and stakeholders to support Berkeley and other local universities to to expertise from USGS to provide the development of climate change identify vulnerability at finer scales for cutting-edge projections of natural haz- impact plans through the Our Coast, use by planners, emergency personnel, ard impacts today and into the future. Our Future (OCOF) program (http:// and natural-resource managers. On the west coast of the United States, ourcoastourfuture.org). The OCOF Earlier this year, the CoSMoS team the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine is a partnership among USGS, Point was honored with the 2016 Point Blue Science Center’s Coastal Processes Blue Conservation Science, Greater Outstanding Partner Award. Accept- Team, led by Patrick Barnard and Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, ing on behalf of the CoSMoS team, a group of 10 modelers, geologists, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Manage- Barnard noted, “Working with Point engineers, and oceanographers, has ment, National Estuarine Research Blue and all of our partners throughout developed the Coastal Storm Model- Reserve System, Bay Area Ecosystems the S.F. Bay Area has helped our group ing System (CoSMoS, http://walrus. Climate Change Consortium, NPS, and better understand what kind of infor- wr.usgs.gov/coastal_processes/cos- Ecosystem-Based Management Tools mation coastal communities need to mos/) to help the 20 million residents Network. By working closely with prepare for natural hazards today and of California coastal communities Point Blue Conservation Science to with climate change. We are honored to understand their vulnerabilities from develop the OCOF website and flood have received this tremendous acco- storms and sea-level rise. CoSMoS map, USGS is delivering tools and lade from Point Blue Conservation is a state-of-the-art modeling system information that can inform California Science.” that models all the relevant physics coastal communities about managing of a coastal storm (for example, tides, coastal flooding risks across the Cali- In 2014, the CoSMoS team began waves, and storm surge), which are fornia coast. The OCOF web resources developing projections for southern then scaled down to local flood projec- provide a user-friendly format in which California, from Santa Barbara to the tions. Rather than relying on historic coastal professionals and stakeholders United States/Mexico border. Results storm records, CoSMoS uses wind and are able to access and use information from this modeling will be released pressure from global climate models to from the CoSMoS model for short- and in fall 2016. Following the OCOF project coastal storms under changing long-term climate change planning. example from northern California, the CoSMoS team has established partners climatic conditions. Projections of mul- To date, OCOF has directly served tiple storm scenarios (daily conditions, throughout southern California, such as 14 San Francisco Bay Area communi- the University of Southern California’s annual storm, 20-year and 100-year ties/counties by supporting climate return intervals) are provided under a (USC) Sea Grant Program, AdaptLA, adaptation planning projects. Both and San Diego Regional Climate Col- suite of sea-level rise scenarios ranging CoSMoS and OCOF are recognized as from 0 to 2 meters, along with a cata- laborative, to engage coastal communi- leading tools and sources of informa- ties and fine-tune model projections strophic 5-meter scenario. This allows tion for short- and long-term planning users to manage and meet their own and products to meet their needs. New by California State agencies, such as work along the central coast of Cali- planning horizons and specify degrees the California State Coastal Conser- of risk tolerance. fornia will begin in winter 2017, which vancy, California Coastal Commis- will lead to methodologically consis- To ensure that the modeling results sion, California DOT, and California’s tent coverage of nearly all the Califor- meet the needs of the coastal com- Office of Emergency Services. The nia coastline. munities it serves, the USGS has CoSMoS results are also being used by

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River Herring Return to around the barriers by building fish Hughesville Dam ladders. Settlement funds from the Saugatucket River 1996 North Cape oil spill off South Removal—Improving By Samantha Spiece (DOI) Kingstown combined with financ- the Environment and For the first time in decades, during ing through a host of Federal, State, Human Safety and private partnerships provided the 2016 spring migration, tens of By Cathy Marion (USFWS) thousands of river herring were able $772,000 to improve fish passage at to migrate up Rhode Island’s Sau- the three barriers. USFWS staff from On September 8, 2016, DOI Secretary gatucket River without the help of Fish and Aquatic Conservation (Bryan Sally Jewell joined Federal, State, and humans lifting them over a dam. Sojkowski), Wildlife and Sport Fish local partners to celebrate the $1.5 mil- Restoration (Colleen Sculley), and lion Hughesville Dam removal project River herring are born in freshwater Ecological Services (Molly Sperduto) on the Musconetcong River in Warren ponds and lakes and then swim out to collaborated to provide technical and Hunterdon Counties, New Jersey. sea where they spend years growing assistance and funding for the effort. Located 3.5 miles upstream from the to adulthood before returning to their The new fish ladders make it easier confluence with the Delaware River, birthplace to spawn. Unfortunately, for the river herring to navigate their the Hughesville Dam—18 feet tall and for many years, river herring migra- way from the ocean to these important 150 feet wide—was built in 1889 to tion routes have been blocked along inland breeding areas. generate hydropower for local paper the Saugatucket River, where dams For more information: http://ripr.org/ production but has not been in opera- and mills stop the natural follow of tion since 1999. water, serving as barriers between post/fishways-improved-along-sau- river herring and the freshwater lakes gatucket-river-wakefield Secretary Jewell’s visit was organized to highlight efforts by the Obama they need to reproduce. Over time, http://www.providencejournal.com/ administration to work with local disruptions in migration have drasti- news/20160520/south-kingstown-fish- governments and private dam owners cally reduced river herring popula- ladder-helps-herring-return-to-spawn- to remove obsolete dams. Function- tions. This is unfortunate for other ing-grounds species, such as otters, ospreys, and ing dams are intended to store and striped bass that rely on river herring https://www.fws.gov/ecological-ser- divert water, processes that can provide as a primary food source. vices/highlights/06132016.html humans with benefits, such as drink- ing water, hydropower, irrigation, One way to restore the food chain and http://www.dem.ri.gov/news/2016/ and flood control. However, the vast bring back the fish is to help fish get pr/0516161.htm majority of dams in the United States are aging and obsolete, no longer serv- ing the purpose that they were built to provide decades or centuries ago. The cost of repairing and maintaining obsolete dams can be substantial and is often more expensive than removal. Additionally, the environmental costs of dams are high. Dams fundamentally alter rivers by blocking and slowing the flow of water, and they degrade water quality by increasing water tem- perature, increasing nutrients and algal blooms, and retaining sediments and environmental contaminants. Many fish and other aquatic species are sensitive to the habitat changes caused by dams. As a result, we often see decreases in resident fishes in dammed rivers and decreases in migratory fishes that are physically blocked from their historic This educational sign at the Main Street fish ladder in Wakefield, Rhode Island, illustrates how spawning and rearing grounds. The fish ladders work to connect fish habitats that are bisected by dam structures. Photo credit: NOAA See Hughesville Dam Removal page 19

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Hughesville Dam Removal continued from page 18 National Parks for Marine Science Education By Gary Bremen (NPS) One of Biscayne National Park’s main goals for celebrating the Centennial of the NPS was to more fully integrate the agency’s resources into marine science classrooms nationwide. Park staff worked to increase the agency’s presence at the National Marine Edu- cators Association’s annual conference Secretary Jewell visited the Hughesville Dam where some 500 teachers, aquarium removal site in September 2016. Photo credit: staffs, and informal educators from NPS Park Rangers told compelling stories and Tami A. Heilemann, DOI parks and nature centers gather each even played live music on the theme of “why summer. The effort started at 2015’s parks matter” as part of the annual Stegner Hughesville Dam removal will perma- conference in Newport, Rhode Island, Lecture. Photo credit: Gary Bremen, NPS nently open up 9 river miles of habitat with a small sponsorship and grew for migratory fish species, such as considerably when NPS became a American eel, American shad, and river major sponsor of the 2016 conference herring, and will generally improve in Orlando with financial support from water quality and habitat conditions for the NPS’s Water Resources Division numerous resident fish species. and logistical support from the Ocean In addition to ecological benefits, the and Coastal Resources Branch. Hughesville Dam removal will help ensure the safety and well-being of Staff from four national parks people living in nearby communities attended the conference and presented by reducing the risk of flooding. It is on topics like climate change, invasive projected that the Hughesville Dam species, citizen science light monitor- removal has the potential to reduce ing in sea turtle nesting areas, and sex local flood events by 1 to nearly underwater. Park volunteers staffed a 10 feet. Furthermore, the removal will booth sharing information about the improve water quality for humans and 88 ocean, Great Lakes and coastal wildlife; reduce drowning risks associ- parks. A conference highlight was the ated with low-head dam hydraulics; keynote Stegner Lecture, which annu- Biscayne National Park volunteers staffed and improve fishing, boating, and other ally features an inspirational closing a booth to share information about recreational activities. to 3 days of concurrent sessions. This opportunities in the 88 ocean, Great Lakes, and coastal parks. Photo credit: NPS The Hughesville Dam will be the fifth year’s lecture used storytelling and dam removed on the Musconetcong music to highlight some of the many one with elementary schools, uni- River. The removals are part of a reasons national parks matter—not versities, and national parks in larger partner-based effort to restore simply for protecting wildlife, scen- Florida and the Netherlands to release the 42-mile Musconetcong River— ery, and history, but also for building data-gathering miniboats that cir- designated as a “Wild and Scenic bonds of connection among families cumnavigate the Atlantic Ocean, River”—to a free-flowing state. and friends. A nighttime field trip to and participation in the 2016 Youth Funding for the Hughesville Dam Canaveral National Seashore was removal comes from settlement funds almost rained out, but those who went Ocean Conservation Summit (held under the Natural Resources Damage got to witness five turtles coming on December 10, 2016, http://youth- Assessment and Restoration Program ashore to nest. oceanconservationsummit.weebly. for the Combe Fill South Landfill The centennial is nearly over, but the com/2016-summit.html) included not Superfund Site and Federal funds groundwork for future participation only the summit itself but also follow- from the Hurricane Sandy Disaster is set. Other projects generated at the up field trips to Biscayne National Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. conference are in the works, including Park in the spring of 2017.

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Chesapeake Bay Science USGS Chesapeake Bay science activi- Science Seminar on Nutrients ties are grouped under four major and Suspended Sediment Loads The Chesapeake Bay is our Nation’s topics: largest estuary with an enormous USGS scientist Doug Moyer delivered watershed extending from New York • Land and Climate Change— the seminar, “Nitrogen, Phosphorus to Virginia. The continued restora- Forecast and assess impacts of and Suspended Sediment Loads and tion and protection of this national climate and land-use change. Trends Measured at the Chesapeake resource is a priority for designated • Water Quality—Assess and explain Bay Non-Tidal Network Stations,” as Federal and State agencies and non- water-quality conditions and part of the University of Maryland’s governmental stakeholders through change. Center for Environmental Science the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP). • Fish, Wildlife, and Habitats— Integration and Application Network Given the ecologic and economic Document the status and change of (IAN) Seminar Series. importance of the Chesapeake Bay, the health of fish, wildlife, and criti- You can tune into the University of in 2009, President Obama issued an cal habitats. Maryland’s Center for Environmen- Executive Order for increased Federal • Decision Support—Promote tal Science IAN Seminar Series and leadership to restore and protect the adaptive management and decision find Doug Moyer’s presentation here: Bay and its watershed. support to enhance ecosystem http://ian.umces.edu/seminarseries/ management. seminar/117/usgs_watershed_moni- toring_results_2016-02-25/ Intersex Fish Characteristics The goal of the IAN Seminar Series is to provide con- are Linked to Water Quality cise, thought-provoking ideas related to Chesapeake Bay science and management. Short presentations USGS fish biologist, Vicki Blazer, (less than 15 minutes) are immediately followed by brought her team to the Shenandoah a lunchtime discussion of the presentation. Each River in Front Royal, Virginia, to discussion is summarized and posted along with a PDF version of the seminar slides. The seminars also collect and study smallmouth bass are captured on video and posted under a Creative (Micropterus dolomieu), a species in Commons license so they can be freely shared. which intersex characteristics have been linked to chemical contaminants Learn more about Chesapeake Bay in the Chesapeake Bay region. science: Intersex conditions occur when http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/ exposure to chemicals disrupts the http://www.chesapeakebay.net/ hormonal systems of an animal, lead- https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press- ing to the presence of both male and office/executive-order-chesapeake- female characteristics in an animal bay-protection-and-restoration that should exhibit the characteristics of just one sex in its lifetime. In the case of smallmouth bass, male inter- sex fish are found with immature eggs The Chesapeake Bay watershed spans six States and the District of Columbia. Image in their testes, which indicates expo- credit: EPA sure to estrogenic and antiandrogenic chemicals. DOI is an important partner in this “The sources of estrogenic chemicals effort, with USGS and USFWS pro- are most likely complex mixtures viding resource science and manage- from both agricultural sources, such ment guidance. The USGS has the as animal wastes, pesticides and critical role of providing scientific herbicides, and human sources from information for improved under- wastewater treatment plant effluent standing and management of the Bay and other sewage discharges,” says ecosystem and working with Federal, Blazer, who first discovered intersex State, and academic science partners characteristics in fish while studying The Choptank River flows past Dover Bridge in Easton, Maryland, on June 18, 2010. This to provide research, assessment, fish kills in the South Branch of the aerial view shows a large stretch of the river monitoring, and modeling. See related Potomac River and the Shenandoah lined by trees, wetlands, and farms. Photo story, page 21. River. credit: Matt Rath, CBP

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Watch the Video—Bay 101: Intersex Fish Microscopic Organisms of the Everglades Watch here: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/videos/clip/bay_101_intersex_fish. By Barry H. Rosen (USGS) A new report, “Catalog of Micro- scopic Organisms of the Everglades Part 1: The Cyanobacteria,” is part 1 in a series that describes microscopic organisms identified in the shallow wetland areas of the Everglades. The first report describes the cyanobacteria and includes a suite of images with the most current taxonomic treatment of each taxon. Most of the images are of live organisms, allowing their true color to be represented. A number of newly discovered species are illus- Video credit: Chesapeake Bay Program trated that have not been described before. Restoring Wetlands tidal and nontidal wetlands by 2025. The resource will be helpful to other on Agricultural Lands This goal is based on the wetland researchers looking at these organisms restoration targets outlined in the in subtropical wetlands worldwide. It within the Chesapeake Watershed Implementation Plans that is anticipated that these images will Watershed will help jurisdictions meet the goals facilitate current and future ecologi- of the Bay’s “pollution diet,” or total By Jennifer Greiner (USFWS) cal studies on the Everglades, such as maximum daily load. Under this tar- understanding food-web dynamics, Healthy wetlands are vital to a healthy get, 83,000 acres of tidal and nontidal sediment formation and accumula- Chesapeake Bay. Located where land wetlands should be created or rees- tion, the effects of nutrients and flow, meets water, wetlands trap polluted tablished on agricultural lands. So far, and climate change—all of which are runoff and slow the flow of nutrients, just more than 7 percent of the goal needed to effectively manage water sediment, and chemical contaminants has been achieved for the wetlands on resources in the region. See related into rivers, streams and the Bay. By agricultural lands. See related story, story, page 7. soaking up storm water and damp- page 20. Read the report: http://dx.doi. ening storm surges, wetlands slow Read more: http://www.chesa- org/10.3133/ofr20161114 the erosion of shorelines and protect peakebay.net/indicators/indicator/ properties from floods. Wetlands also restoring_wetlands provide critical habitat for fish, birds, mammals, and invertebrates, and sup- port recreational fishing and hunting across the watershed. Land purchases and conservation easements can protect wetland habitat. The removal of invasive species—like phragmites, purple loosestrife, or nutria—can help rehabilitate degraded wetlands. Between 2010 and 2014, 6,191 acres of wetlands were established, reha- bilitated, or reestablished on agricul- At left: Microphotograph of Schizothrix from Water Conservation Area 3A/B in the Everglades, tural lands in the Chesapeake Bay Florida. The living cells are illuminated with ultraviolet epifluorescence microscopy; pigments watershed. in the cells glow pinkish lavender, and the mucilaginous sheath material is blue, indicating In 2014, the CBP adopted a goal to the presence of calcium carbonate. At right: Calcium-rich sediments (marls) are illuminated using ultraviolet epifluorescence microscopy in this microphotograph of a sample from Water create or reestablish 85,000 acres of Conservation Area 3A/B in the Everglades, Florida. Photo credits: Barry H. Rosen, USGS

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Transfer of Submerged Lands to CNMI By Randy Bowman (DOI)

During a scientific field trip associated with the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium, tour participants used SCUBA to explore the north side of Molokini Crater near Maui, HI to observe the area where a large coral bleaching event occurred during the El Niño event of 2015–16. Photo credit: Curt Storlazzi, USGS USCRTF co-chairs Lori Faeth (DOI), left, and Eileen Sobeck (NOAA), far right, with Governor Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torres (CNMI) after the signing of the agreement on September 22, 2016, in CNMI. Photo credit: Erica Wales, DOI participants included scientists, profes- After the business meeting of the USCRTF in Saipan on September 22, 2016, sors and students. co-chairs Lori Faeth (DOI) and Eileen Sobeck (NOAA) signed on behalf of their agencies an agreement with Governor Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torres of They visited Olowalu, a place the the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for the coordi- USGS determined to be a vital source nation of resource management on submerged lands within the Islands Unit of coral larvae for West Maui and of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, the next-to-last step in adjacent islands in Hawaiʻi. Locals the process of transferring those submerged lands to CNMI’s jurisdiction. See used USGS science to protect this related story, page 22. important reef from a large proposed development project. Then the group Read the press release: https://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/us-to-convey- dove in one of Hawaiʻi’s oldest marine title-for-submerged-lands-to-commonwealth-of-the-northern-mariana-islands protected areas at Molokini to witness the effect of 2015–16 coral bleach- DOI Experts Join manage their coastal areas, to the ing, which hit Olowalu as well. The International Coral threats from bleaching, viruses, and tour also visited coral researchers pollution. at the island’s aquarium: the Maui Reefs Community in Ocean Center. The final visit to two Hawaiʻi USGS scientist Curt Storlazzi sites that have been areas of concern explained that the meeting “twenty By Amy West (USGS) for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force years ago was all science,” and now (USCRTF)—Honolua Bay and Kahek- For a coral reef symposium that hap- it includes policy, management, and ili, both now State of Hawaiʻi marine pens just once every 4 years, Oahu, even social media. “There was clearly protected areas—focused on the delete- Hawaiʻi, is also the site for a variety of a shift,” said USGS scientist Christina rious effects on corals from detrimental research done by USGS and other DOI Kellogg, who noticed the difference land-use activities. partners. from the ICRS meeting held in Florida Members of DOI played a prominent The 13th International Coral Reef just 8 years ago. For instance, “micro- biology was a minor component of it in role in this coral reef meeting. USGS Symposium (ICRS), which has been scientists chaired several meeting held in the United States only three 2008,” said Kellogg. “But this meeting was crammed with microbiology!” sessions; scientists from other DOI times during its four decades of bureaus, such as NPS and USFWS, existence, drew the largest attendance Several scientific field trips associated also participated by giving talks of any previous symposium—nearly with the conference allowed attendees or chairing science sessions. As it 2,500 attendees representing 90 coun- the chance to dive into some “science was also the 10th anniversary of the tries. Participants included a mix of in action.” Storlazzi, along with col- Papahānaumokuākea Marine National coral reef scientists, resource manag- leagues from Hawaiʻi’s Department of Monument (http://www.papahanau- ers, policy personnel, and even makeup Aquatic Resources, the University of mokuakea.gov/), managed by both manufacturers and heads of island Hawaiʻi, and NOAA, co-led a 3-day, USFWS and NOAA, the meeting nations. Topics of talks and posters 4-night field trip titled, “Managing helped highlight the threats to these ranged from potential damage to reefs Mauiʼs MPAʼs from Watersheds to Co- coral ecosystems and benefits in pro- by sunscreens, to how communities Management” along West Maui. The tecting them. See related story, page 1.

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Hafa Adai! from the Mariana Islands News from the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

By Cheryl Fossani (DOI) In September 2016, the USCRTF held its 36th meeting in the Mariana Islands. This meeting brought together stakeholders and partners to address diverse issues affecting the health Members of the USCRTF at the business meeting in Guam. Photo credit: Trevor Boykin, of coral reefs in several watersheds University of Guam Sea Grant Program in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and the communities that rely This year’s USCRTF meeting on them. Governor Torres of the Com- included several site visits and work- monwealth of the Northern Mariana shops to address coral reef conserva- Islands opened the meeting with tion issues specific to the northern remarks welcoming the USCRTF to Pacific Islands. The USCRTF Water- Saipan and expressing the importance shed Working Group convened a of the partnerships formed and accom- workshop that highlighted issues and plishments made through the efforts management practices associated with of the USCRTF. USCRTF Co-Chairs sedimentation and stormwater runoff. Lori Faeth, DOI’s Deputy Assistant Coral reefs ecosystems in the Pacific Secretary for Policy and International Islands are heavily impacted by sedi- Affairs, and Eileen Sobeck, Assistant mentation from many sources, includ- Administrator for NOAA National ing unpaved roads, unstable stream Marine Fisheries Service, also pro- banks, and large areas of bare ground. vided remarks about 2016 being a During the Watershed Workshop, Bamboo is an invasive species in Guam and benchmark year for ocean and coral experts shared presentations and led causes problems for watersheds, including discussions that focused on successful reef conservation. flooding when the clumps of bamboo fall sediment control strategies and how With more than 200 registered par- and dam the river. Watershed workshop participants visited the Manell-Geus they can be used locally to help sta- ticipants, this year’s USCRTF meet- watershed and saw firsthand the issue of bilize sediments along stream banks ing was a great success! During the invasive bamboo and how Guam is working and already entrained in stream chan- business meeting, the USCRTF heard to find solutions to remove the invasive nels. After the workshop, participants several presentations that highlighted species. Photo credit: Erica Wales, DOI visited the Manell-Geus watershed to regional watershed management and witness the challenges contributing to coral reef conservation and restoration sedimentation and the mitigation proj- efforts, as well as coral reef challenges ects currently underway. See related that pose threats on a global scale. story, page 22. Dr. David Burdick, from the Guam Coral Reef Monitoring Program, While visiting, Lori Faeth met with Dr. Peter Houk, from the University of National Park Superintendents, Guam, and Mr. Marlowe Sabater, from USFWS Refuge Managers, and staff, the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries and toured the War in the Pacific Management Council, informed the National Historical Park and the USCRTF of the status of coral reefs in Guam Wildlife Refuge. This visit the region; and Dr. Charles Birkeland, offered an opportunity to discuss the from the University of Hawaiʻi, gave a local issues affecting coral reef health presentation about the future that coral U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Co-chairs Lori and how these conservation sites are Faeth (DOI) and Eileen Sobeck (NOAA) are reefs face with climate change and working to manage and mitigate those accompanied by staff during a visit to the War issues. changes in ocean chemistry. in the Pacific National Historical Park. Photo credit: Erica Wales, DOI Learn more: http://www.coralreef.gov/

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Collaboratives in the governmental agencies, academic Great Lakes Basin— institutions, and private landowners. This fall, the collaborative started the Joining Forces for a Phragmites Adaptive Management Collective Impact Framework, which will connect land managers and scientists across the By Josh Miller (USGS) basin, to facilitate a shift in manage- The Great Lakes ecosystem is divided ment strategy that will, over time, by an international boundary, eight refine and improve best management State boundaries, Tribal and First- practices for controlling invasive Nations lands and jurisdictions, and Phragmites australis in a suite of site countless local government boundar- conditions throughout the Great Lakes ies. Though still a productive and basin. Watch a video on the Phrag- stunningly beautiful ecosystem, mites Adaptive Management Frame- the region has undergone dramatic work available on YouTube: https:// changes in the past 200 years as youtu.be/UCHpKGaZN_M Dr. Mary Anne Evans, USGS limnologist and a result of an industrial economy, A second large-scale, complex societal urbanization, invasive species, and algal ecologist, studies the ecology of HABs in the shallow, western basin of Lake Erie issue in the region is the reemergence commercial fishing. The complexity and other Great Lakes bays. These HABs of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in of jurisdictions, provision of substan- have gained increasing attention across some nearshore areas and bays in tial ecosystem services to innumerable the basin in recent years. The issue requires the Great Lakes basin. These HABs, stakeholders (such as the $7 billion collaboration across vast areas because which can be toxic to wildlife, pets, it spans from farm fields and urbanized fishery), and history of environmental and humans, are increasingly affecting change have made for an extremely landscapes to coastal and open-water ecosystems. Photo credit: Josh Miller, USGS coastal communities and their econo- challenging system for coastal, near- mies by fouling beaches, inhibiting shore, and offshore natural resource to address highly complex, natural recreational uses, and threatening managers. resource management issues. USGS scientists in the Great Lakes One of the issues in the region is the region help managers address large- management and prevention of the scale, challenging issues by providing spread of invasive Phragmites aus- Federal leadership in drawing partners tralis, or common reed, in coastal and together across jurisdictions and con- inland wetlands. In partnership with necting science to management. The the Great Lakes Commission (a bina- USGS Great Lakes Science Center has tional and inter-State organization that done this in recent years by establish- is the crucial backbone-support role ing formal “collaboratives” that bring for all the Great Lakes collaborations), together scientists and managers from the USGS established the Great Lakes public, private, and academic sectors Phragmites Collaborative (http:// on both sides of the international bor- greatlakesphragmites.net/), which der. These collaboratives rest upon the draws together land managers from key elements of “collective impact” across the Great Lakes basin who are as identified by John Kania and Mark combating the invasive plant. The Kramer in 2011. The collective impact goal is to generate more coordinated, approach emerged as a method for efficient, and strategic approaches to addressing complex societal prob- research, management, and restora- lems like childhood obesity, educa- tion across the numerous boundaries Dr. Kurt Kowalski, a USGS plant ecologist, within the Great Lakes basin. The studies the biology, ecology, and approaches tion reform, and restoration of urban to management of invasive Phragmites watersheds in contrast to “isolated binational collaborative serves as a australis. The invasive plant can reach impact,” where one actor seeks to communication conduit to facilitate high densities and enormous heights, solve a complex problem alone or in access to information and resources, substantially affecting the value of wetlands competition with others. The Great encourage technology transfer, and and shoreline property. Collaboration among build networks among land managers, land owners and managers is critical. Photo Lakes collaboratives have been built credit: USGS See Great Lakes page 29

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Great Lakes continued from page 28 Agreement, and has grown into a vast BOEM’s Marine public safety. In August 2014, an HAB group of Federal, State, local, Tribal, Archaeology Role in Lake Erie’s western basin caused provincial, First Nations, private, non- local officials to issue a temporary “do profit, and academic stakeholders with The 50th Anniversary not drink the water” advisory for the a shared vision statement and common of the National Historic municipal water supply to more than agenda, restoring a major, bi-national Preservation Act 400,000 residents of Toledo, Ohio. connecting channel and world-class river. The collaborative and collective By Melanie Damour (BOEM) That same year, USGS helped to form impact approach is beginning to work BOEM celebrates the 50th anniver- the Great Lakes HABs Collaboratory. its way from the Great Lakes region sary of the National Historic Preser- The collaboratory seeks to create a across the Nation among USGS and vation Act (NHPA) in October and collective laboratory (“co-laboratory”) partner agencies and organizations, highlights its Historic Preservation that enables science-based information connecting science to management program in the July/August/September sharing among scientists and between to address complex issues related to 2016 issue of their quarterly journal, scientists and decisions makers work- natural resources. “BOEM Ocean Science.” ing on HABs in the Great Lakes. The Learn more online: collaboratory also provides a network BOEM, as a regulatory agency with for developing a mutual understanding The USGS Great Lakes Science Cen- jurisdiction in Federal waters of the of current science and science needs, ter Web site: http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/ U.S. OCS, is responsible for oversight of conventional and renewable energy strategies for transferring technology, St. Clair-Detroit River Sys- development and marine minerals and opportunities for receiving feed- tem: http://scdrs.org/wp-content/ extraction while complying with back from managers. uploads/2016/01/SCDRS-FactSheet- Federal laws enacted to protect the Final-1.6.16.pdf The collaborative approach has proven environment. to be an effective means of drawing Great Lakes Commission: http://glc. together scientists and managers at org/ Part of BOEM’s responsibility, as mandated by the NHPA, is to prop- multiple scales to address complex Great Lakes HABs Collaboratory: coastal, nearshore, and offshore issues erly consider the potential impacts of http://glc.org/projects/water-quality/ BOEM-permitted activities on cultural that cross jurisdictions and compro- habs/ mise the resilience of coastal com- resources, including historic ship- munities. In 2014, Secretary Sally Learn more about collective impact: wrecks, submerged indigenous archae- Jewell awarded the St. Clair-Detroit http://ssir.org/articles/entry/ ological sites, and Traditional Cultural River System Initiative the presti- collective_impact Properties. BOEM’s Environmental gious Partners in Conservation award. Read more: https://www.usgs.gov/ Studies Program (ESP), initiated in This initiative began as the Huron- news/huron-erie-corridor-initiative- 1973 under Section 20 of the OCS Erie Corridor Initiative, working partners-receive-prestigious-secre- Lands Act (1953), acquires the sci- to address fish habitat impairments tary-interior-honor entific information needed to inform under the Great Lakes Water Quality BOEM’s decision making. Through the ESP, BOEM has funded more than $14 million toward cultural resource- related studies across all its OCS regions (Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Alaska). Regional inven- tory studies completed in the 1970s and 1980s formed the cornerstone of BOEM’s Historic Preservation Program. Recent and ongoing stud- ies continue to inform the program’s best management practices for cultural resource management on the OCS. Several of these key cultural resources studies are highlighted in the new In 2014, Secretary Sally Jewell (center) presented the prestigious Partners in Conservation issue of “BOEM Ocean Science.” award to the partners of the Huron-Erie Corridor Initiative (subsequently renamed the St. Clair- http://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Science/ Detroit River System Initiative). Photo credit: DOI

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“Monumental” Changes emphasize that MPAs should be Our Valuable Ocean and organized into well-managed, ecologi- in Ocean Protection cally connected networks. Networks Coastal Parks By Lauren Wenzel (NOAA) allow for marine species to move In June 2016, NPS published the In August 2016, just before the through different habitats they need annual Economic Report for 2015. In world’s conservation leaders met at different life stages. They can also 2015, park visitors spent an estimated in Hawaiʻi for the World Conserva- increase the “spillover” of young and $16.9 billion in local gateway regions tion Congress (WCC), President adults of fished species into adjacent while visiting NPS lands across the Obama announced the increase of areas where fishermen can benefit. But country. These expenditures supported the Papahānaumokuākea Marine ecological networks are still a fairly a total of 295,300 jobs, $11.1 billion National Monument. The expansion new idea in the United States, best in labor income, $18.4 billion in value was motivated by a desire to increase seen in California’s statewide network added, and $32 billion in economic the resilience of marine life to cli- of MPAs. Second, MPA networks output in the national economy. Learn mate impacts, as was the creation must be well managed to achieve more about park visitor spending of the new Northeast Canyons and their goals, including having manage- effects: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ Seamounts Monument off the Atlan- ment plans and consistent resources to socialscience/vse.htm tic coast in September. See related implement them. Many MPA pro- For our 88 OGLC parks, this benefit stories, page 1. grams are increasingly partnering with translates to: outside organizations to help bring The United States now has 26 percent • Visitor spending: $5,026,054 additional resources to support activi- of its waters (from 0 to 200 nautical ties, such as education, monitoring, • Jobs: 72,237 miles) protected through MPAs. These and research. include not only special places far • Visits: 89,212,379 offshore like Papahānamokuākea, but The Marine Protected Areas Federal also the many national parks, ref- Advisory Committee is currently uges, marine sanctuaries, and similar working on two sets of recommen- State-managed programs that protect dations to address these issues. One marine life across the country. Join- report will focus on how MPA manag- ing many other coastal countries, the ers can apply tools and guidelines to $16.9 Billion in visitor spending United States has pledged to protect incorporate spatial ecological con- nectivity when managing existing for all NPS 10 percent of its oceans (including units coastal waters and the Great Lakes) in MPAs and when designing new MPA MPAs to conserve marine biodiversity. networks. The second report outlines Although the spatial part of this target options for tapping into external has been met, challenges remain. sources of funding for MPA manage- ment, including grants, corporate First, many scientists believe that the donations, and other sources. Both Directly affected sectors 10 percent target is not enough to pro- sets of recommendations were com- Camping tect biodiversity, leading to a resolu- pleted in December 2016. Gas tion at the WCC calling for protection Groceries of 30 percent of the world’s ocean. Read about the Papahānaumokuākea Hotels Also, science-based global targets expansion: http://www.papahanau- mokuakea.gov/news/expansion_ Recreation industries announcement.html Restaurants Read about the status of MPAs: http:// Retail marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/about- Transportation mpas/status-of-usa-mpas-2016.html NPS visitor spending in 2015. WCC resolution: https://portals.iucn. Image credit: NPS org/congress/motion/053 California’s MPA network: https:// www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/ marine/mpas/network The Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee: http://marine- Illustration credit: Cole Goco protectedareas.noaa.gov/fac/ Illustration credit: Cole Goco

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Enhancing Exchange across the Ocean, Great Lakes and Coastal Team By Liza Johnson (DOI) In June 2016, after nearly 6 years working together to implement the National Ocean Policy, representa- tives from DOI’s OGLC offices and bureaus met in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, for a strategic plan- ning workshop. The group welcomed new team members from across DOI and included people from almost all It takes a large group to coordinate the diverse ocean, Great Lakes and coastal (OGLC) regions and with different types of activities across the DOI. These are most of the participants from the workshop who expertise, ranging from managers represent many more across the nation contributing to DOI’s blue portfolio. Photo credit: and policy experts to scientists and Susan Goodwin, DOI communicators. They gathered to Regional Contacts Mid-Atlantic celebrate accomplishments, talk about Bob LaBelle (BOEM) coordinating priorities and activities, DOI leadership supports State-led Leann Bullin (BOEM) and begin developing a strategy for regional ocean partnerships (ROPs), (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, as well as Federal-State-Tribal OGLC work going forward into the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia) marine planning partnerships called RPB: http://www.boem.gov/Mid- next 5 years. DOI’s previous Princi- regional planning bodies (RPBs). pal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kris Atlantic-Regional-Planning-Body/ Five geographic regions now have ROP: http://midatlanticocean.org Sarri, gave opening remarks and operational RPBs: Northeast, Mid- underscored the importance of devel- Atlantic, Caribbean, the Pacific Islands Northeast oping a strategy for a coordinated and the West Coast. Bob LaBelle (BOEM) Leann Bullin (BOEM) effort to implement OGLC actions Alaska/Arctic (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, through internal and external partner- Jim Kendall (BOEM) ships. Retreat participants left with a Massachusetts, Rhode Island, (Alaska) Connecticut) renewed sense of vision, commitment, Caribbean RPB: http://neoceanplanning.org/ a refreshed network, and great infor- ROP: http://northeastoceancouncil.org/ mation they will use going forward. Sherri Fields (NPS) (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands) Pacific Islands The team looks forward to shar- ROP: http://caribbean-mp.org/en/ ing this progress in future issues of Matt Brown (USFWS) Great Lakes (American Samoa, Commonwealth of NEWSWAVE. the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Phyllis Ellin (NPS) Charlie Wooley (USFWS) Hawaiʻi) OCEAN SCIENCE (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, RPB: http://www.PacificIslandsRPB.org THE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL OF THE BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Atlantic VOLUME 13 ISSUE 2 • JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 Wisconsin) Eric Strom (USGS) Great Lakes Research Initiative: (North Carolina, South Carolina, Preserving the Past http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/glri/ Georgia, Florida) for Our Future ROP: http://www.cglg.org/ ROP: http://southatlanticalliance.org/ Gulf of Maine West Coast BOEM's Historic Preservation Walter Barnhardt (USGS) Program: Why is Historic Preservation Important? (Maine, New Hampshire, Joan Barminski (BOEM) Atlantic Region Preservation Massachusetts, New Brunswick, Nova (California, Washington, Oregon) and Partnerships Scotia) RPB: http://www. Historic Preservation in the Pacific Region ROP: http://www.gulfofmaine.org/2/ westcoastmarineplanning.org Archaeological Preservation ROP: http://www.westcoastoceans.org in the Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico Cultural and Archaeological Resources in the Alaska Linda Walker (USFWS) Region (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas) BOEM’s July/August/September 2016 issue. ROP: http://www.gulfofmexicoalliance. See related stories, pages 12 and 25. org Illustration credit: Cole Goco

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The Surfing Bison Protecting Marine Mammals— A Quick Reference Guide https://www.fws.gov/international/animals/marine-mammals.html

“Marine Mammal Policy” Fact Sheet: https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/factsheet-marine-mammal-policy-2013.pdf

By Erica Wales (DOI) the ESA as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or col- Marine mammals (whales, dolphins, lect, or to attempt to engage in any such porpoises, seals, sea lions, walrus, polar conduct”), import, export, sell or offer to bears, sea and marine otters, dugongs, and sell, and possess or transport listed species. manatees) may vary in taxa, habitat, and Like the MMPA, NMFS has jurisdic- behavior, but they all share one thing in tion over whales, dolphins, porpoises, common—dependency on the ocean for seals, and sea lions, whereas USFWS has survival. These mammals are a balancing jurisdiction over walrus, polar bears, sea factor in marine ecosystems, helping to and marine otters, dugongs, and manatees. steady the food chain and control prey pop- https://www.fws.gov/international/laws- ulations. Because of habitat loss, by-catch, treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/ and exploitation, many of these species are endangered-species-act.html in danger of survival and are legally pro- tected under various U.S. and international Convention on International Trade in laws to aid in their survival. DOIʼs USFWS Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Flora (CITES)—The CITES treaty came Service (NMFS) share responsibility in the into effect in 1975 and has the purpose protection, conservation, and management of ensuring the survival of plants and of marine mammals. Below are descrip- animals is not threatened by international tions and links to learn more. trade. USFWS is responsible for carrying out the provisions Marine Mammal Protection Act of this convention for (MMPA)—The MMPA was enacted in all marine mammals 1972 and prohibits, with a few exceptions, protected under the “taking” of marine mammals in U.S. CITES (which waters and by U.S. citizens on the high includes whales, seas, as well as the importation of marine dolphins, por- mammals or products. A “take” is defined poises, mana- as "to harass, hunt, capture, collect, or kill, tees, dugongs, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, collect, seals, otters, or kill any marine mammal.” NMFS has walrus, and polar jurisdiction over whales, dolphins, por- bears). https:// poises, seals and sea lions, whereas the www.fws.gov/inter- USFWS has jurisdiction over walrus, polar national/cites/index. bears, sea and marine otters, dugongs, and html manatees. https://www.fws.gov/interna- tional/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conser- Photos from top to bottom: vation-laws/marine-mammal-protection- Polar bear cubs. Photo credit: act.html USGS• An endangered Hawaiian monk Endangered Species Act (ESA)—The seal• in Papahānaumokuākea Marine ESA of 1973 protects domestic and inter- National Monument. Photo credit: national species, and provides a framework Mark Sullivan to conserve and protect endangered and Walrus on ice. Photo credit: Joel Garlich- threatened species and the habitats upon Miller,• USFWS which those species depend. Under the • Sea otters. Photo credit: Kristine Sowl, ESA, it is illegal to take (defined under USFWS

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