OCS STUDY MMS 2007-057 Workshop to Identify Alternative Energy Environmental Information Needs Workshop Summary October 2007 Cover art from workshop handout OCS Report MMS 2007-057 Workshop to Identify Alternative Energy Environmental Information Needs Workshop Summary Authors Jacqueline Michel Research Planning, Inc. Elizabeth Burkhard Environmental Studies Branch, Minerals Management Service October 2007 Prepared under MMS Contract 1435-01-06-CT-39821 by Research Planning, Inc. 1121 Park Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Published by Disclaimer This report was prepared under contract between the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and Research Planning, Inc. (RPI). This report has been technically reviewed by the MMS, and it has been approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the MMS, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Citation Michel, J. and Burkhard, E. 2007. Workshop to Identify Alternative Energy Environmental Information Needs: Workshop Summary. U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Herndon, VA, MMS OCS Report 2007-057. 50 pp. + appendices. Acknowledgements MMS thanks all the participants at the Workshop to Identify Alternative Energy Environmental Information Needs, held on 26-28 June 2007 in Herndon, VA. We were pleased that there was such interest and discussion. A special note of thanks is extended to each of the presenters. The success of the breakout sessions was due to the efforts of the MMS leads Elizabeth Burkhard, Rodney Cluck, Maurice Hill, and Jeff Ji as well as the facilitators Sean M. Casey, Jacqueline Michel, John Poulin, and Scott Graves. The dedication of the note takers, Alexis Castrovinci, Erin Healy, Leslie Safier, and Samuel Edelstein, is gratefully acknowledged. Wendy Early of Research Planning, Inc. did an excellent job as the workshop coordinator. Table of Contents List of Abbreviations and Acronyms............................................................................................. iii 1.0 Introduction .........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose and Intent of the Workshop .......................................................................1 1.2 Workshop Format ...................................................................................................2 2.0 Technical Presentations ......................................................................................................3 3.0 Aquatic Resources Breakout Group ....................................................................................7 4.0 Flying Animals Breakout Group .......................................................................................19 5.0 Physical Oceanography and Air Quality Breakout Group ................................................29 6.0 Social Sciences and Economics ........................................................................................37 7.0 Final Plenary Session ........................................................................................................48 7.1 Geospatial Data and Tools.....................................................................................48 7.2 Geospatial Analytical Tools...................................................................................48 7.3 Evaluation of Mitigation Measure .........................................................................49 7.4 Development of Guidance Documents and Study Protocols for Impact Assessments ...........................................................................................................49 7.5 Overarching Messages and Conclusion.................................................................49 Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: List of Participants Appendix C: Presentation Slides for Each Speaker Appendix D: Biographies for Invited Speakers List of Tables 1 Summary of comments on information needs for EMF – attraction and avoidance effects on aquatic resources ........................................................................................10 2 Summary of comments on information needs for noise – human and animal effects on aquatic resources .........................................................................................11 3 Summary of comments on information needs for migratory issues (local, long distance, vertical) on aquatic resources.......................................................................................12 4 Summary of comments on information needs for aquatic threatened and endangered species..........................................................................................................................13 5 Summary of comments on information needs for collision, entanglement, and entrainment for aquatic resources ................................................................................14 6 Summary of comments on information needs for habitat changes for aquatic resources................................................................................................................15 7 Summary of comments on information needs for attraction and avoidance impacts for aquatic resources..........................................................................................................16 i 8 Summary of comments on information needs for impacts of contaminants on aquatic resources ......................................................................................................................16 9 Summary of comments on information needs for regional summaries of bird/bat abundance data for priority offshore areas...................................................................22 10 Summary of comments on information needs for regional baseline studies in priority areas to fill data gaps for birds/bats .............................................................................23 11 Summary of comments on information needs for synthesis of old and new flying animal data into GIS ................................................................................................................23 12 Summary of comments on information needs for site-specific study protocols and guidelines: Collision/mortality detection.....................................................................24 13 Summary of comments on information needs for site-specific study protocols and guidelines: Attraction/Avoidance ................................................................................25 14 Summary of comments on information needs for improved predictive models................25 15 Summary of comments on information needs for mitigation measures evaluation...........26 16 Summary of comments on information needs for a risk assessment framework to address key issues ........................................................................................................27 17 Summary of comments on information needs for geospatial data tools to support energy resource mapping and physical processes impact assessments .......................31 18 Summary of comments on information needs for developing a baseline of existing conditions in the nearfield............................................................................................32 19 Summary of comments on information needs for developing a baseline of existing conditions in the farfield ..............................................................................................32 20 Summary of comments on information needs for assessing the nearfield impacts of structures......................................................................................................................33 21 Summary of comments on information needs for assessing the farfield impacts of structures .....................................................................................................................34 22 Summary of comments on information needs for how to apply quantitative impacts data on physical processes ...........................................................................................34 23 Summary of comments on information needs for how to apply adaptive management principles to monitoring and mitigation requirements for alternative energy installations ..................................................................................................................40 24 Summary of comments on information needs for treatment of commercial versus experimental technologies ...........................................................................................41 25 Summary of comments on information needs for developing cost/benefit methodologies for alternative energy projects .....................................................................................42 26 Summary of comments on information needs for space-use conflicts and mapping ........44 27 Summary of comments on information needs for understanding stakeholders.................45 28 Summary of comments on information needs for regional and national issues ................46 29 Summary of comments on information needs for regulatory collaboration......................46 ii List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ADCP acoustic doppler current profiler BACI before after control impact CMACS Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Ltd. CODAR Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar COWRIE Collaborative Offshore