OCS Study BOEM 2012-083 Identification of Outer Continental Shelf Renewable Energy Space-Use Conflicts and Analysis of Potential Mitigation Measures U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management OCS Study BOEM 2012-083 Identification of Outer Continental Shelf Renewable Energy Space-Use Conflicts and Analysis of Potential Mitigation Measures Principal Authors (alphabetical) Flaxen Conway, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University Madeleine Hall-Arber, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant College Program Michael Harte, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University Daniel Hudgens, Industrial Economics, Incorporated Thomas Murray, Virginia Institute of Marine Science Carrie Pomeroy, University of California, Santa Cruz Institute of Marine Sciences John Weiss, Industrial Economics, Incorporated Jack Wiggin, Urban Harbors Institute, University of Massachusetts, Boston Dawn Wright, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University Prepared under BOEM Contract M09PC00037 by Industrial Economics, Incorporated 2067 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management September 2012 DISCLAIMER This report was prepared under contract between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Industrial Economics, Incorporated. This report has been technically reviewed by BOEM staff and has been approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the view and policies of BOEM, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. It is, however, exempt from review and in compliance with BOEM editorial standards. REPORT AVAILABILITY This report may be downloaded from the BOEM website through the Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS) by referencing Study Number BOEM 2012-083. You will also be able to obtain this report in the near future from BOEM or from the National Technical Information Service at the following addresses. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management National Technical Information Service Division of Environmental Sciences, MS3115 5301 Shawnee Road 381 Elden Street Alexandria, VA 22312 Herndon, VA 20170-4817 [email protected] www.boem.gov CITATION Industrial Economics, Inc. 2012. Identification of Outer Continental Shelf renewable energy space-use conflicts and analysis of potential mitigation measures. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Herndon, VA. OCS Study BOEM 2012-083. 414 pp. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge the many people who contributed tirelessly to the completion of this study. Industrial Economics, Incorporated: Neal Etre, Kate Doiron, Kelley Kugel, Alex Oberg, Tripp Burwell, and John McKenzie MIT and MIT Sea Grant: Gayle Sherman, Joann Lin, Doug Christel Urban Harbors Institute: Dan Hellin, Kristin Uiterwyk, and Allison Novelly Oregon State University: Janet Webster, Colleen Sullivan, Kunipo Walsh, and Mike Friberg Eureka (CA) Sea Grant Extension Program: Debbie Marshall, Vivian Helliwell, and Susan Schlosser Research Planning, Incorporated: Zach Nixon, Jeff Dahlin, and Jacqui Michel Earen Peterson, Selina Faircrest and Trish Kauker (transcription services) The authors would also like to acknowledge and thank all of the people who volunteered their time to share valuable knowledge and insight about their uses of ocean resources. ii Table of Contents Page LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ...................................................................................... xi 1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Study Purpose ............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Study Scope .................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Study Elements ............................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Guide to the Report ....................................................................................................... 3 2.0 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Literature Review.......................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Development of the Geospatial Database ..................................................................... 8 2.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................ 8 2.2.2 Sources of information ................................................................................... 9 2.2.3 Collection and data creation methods .......................................................... 12 2.2.4 Database organization .................................................................................. 13 2.3 Ethnographic Research ............................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 General methods .......................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Atlantic coast ethnographic research ........................................................... 15 2.3.2.1 Atlantic coast commercial fishing ............................................. 15 2.3.2.2 Atlantic coast commercial vessels ............................................. 19 2.3.2.3 Atlantic coast non-commercial and other uses .......................... 22 2.3.2.4 Atlantic coast stakeholder meetings ........................................... 23 2.3.3 Pacific coast ethnographic research ............................................................. 23 2.3.3.1 Washington/Oregon ethnographic research ............................... 24 2.3.3.2 Northern California ethnographic research ................................ 27 2.3.3.3 Pacific coast stakeholder meetings ............................................ 31 3.0 FINDINGS: NORTHEAST ATLANTIC ......................................................................... 33 3.1 Regional Characterization ........................................................................................... 33 3.2 Commercial fishing ..................................................................................................... 45 3.2.1 Characteristics and use of space .................................................................. 45 3.2.2 Compatible and conflicting uses .................................................................. 47 3.2.3 Avoidance and mitigation strategies ............................................................ 49 3.2.4 Communication and process ........................................................................ 51 3.3 Commercial Vessels.................................................................................................... 54 3.3.1 Characteristics and use of space .................................................................. 54 3.3.2 Compatible and conflicting uses .................................................................. 55 3.3.3 Avoidance and mitigation strategies ............................................................ 57 3.3.4 Communication and process ........................................................................ 57 iii 3.4 Noncommercial uses ................................................................................................... 58 3.4.1 Characteristics and use of space .................................................................. 58 3.4.2 Compatible and conflicting uses .................................................................. 60 3.4.3 Avoidance and mitigation strategies ............................................................ 64 3.4.4 Communication and process ........................................................................ 64 4.0 FINDINGS: MID-ATLANTIC .......................................................................................... 67 4.1 Regional Characterization ........................................................................................... 67 4.2 Commercial fishing ..................................................................................................... 75 4.2.1 Characteristics and use of space .................................................................. 75 4.2.2 Compatible and conflicting uses .................................................................. 76 4.2.3 Avoidance and mitigation strategies ............................................................ 76 4.2.4 Communication and process ........................................................................ 77 4.3 Commercial Vessels.................................................................................................... 77 4.3.1 Characteristics and use of space .................................................................. 77 4.3.2 Compatible and conflicting uses .................................................................. 78 4.3.3 Avoidance and mitigation strategies