Benthic Habitat Mapping and Effect Minimization: East Coast Lessons For The West Coast

Presentation Description: After a decade of offshore windfarm development on the east coast of the United States, BOEM and NMFS guidance for the mapping of benthic habitats has evolved to incorporate both geophysical data as well as directed benthic sampling. The recommendations for geophysical data for habitat mapping are higher than may be anticipated for surveys focused solely on engineering and design. In addition, habitats and geohazards on the deep waters of the United States west coast have different considerations than the shallower waters of the east coast, necessitating different sampling strategies to effectively identify the extent and character of benthic habitats. Failure to adopt novel sampling strategies may result in extensive, and costly, post-construction mitigation and monitoring requirements for developers. The unique approaches we have employed for benthic habitat mapping on both coasts are show here, with differences highlighted in both survey design and habitat characterization.