Oregon Marine Renewable Energy Environmental Science Conference

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2 Welcome and Workshop Objectives George Boehlert Hatfield Marine Science Center Oregon State University

3 Welcome and Workshop Objectives Origins of the Conference Steering Committee Building on background information Objectives of the Conference Structuring the Conference Agenda Design to Meet Goals

4 Origin of the Conference BOEM Oregon OCS Renewable Energy Task Force Membership includes: Seven federal agencies USDI, NOAA, DOD, DOE, EPA, FERC, DHS, Nine State agencies Three County Governments Four Tribal Governments January, 2012: Letter from Patty Snow, DLCD, requests science conference to address needed environmental studies April, 2012: BOEM announces Conference at 3rd Task Force Meeting

5 Conference Steering Committee Organization and Structure George Boehlert, Oregon State University Caren Braby, Oregon Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Ann Bull, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Mary Elaine Helix, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Sarah Henkel, Oregon State University Paul Klarin, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Donna Schroeder, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

6 Building on Past Efforts

7 Conference Objectives Assemble scientific expertise, key regulatory agency staff, and stakeholders and promote information exchange. Identify existing and planned scientific research that addresses environmental concerns associated with the development of marine renewable energy; Identify data gaps related to evaluation of environmental effects and the scientific approaches needed to address these data gaps; Improve communication among all stakeholders in marine renewable energy development off Oregon; Develop workshop products (website, proceedings document) that will make this information broadly available to all Oregon marine renewable energy stakeholders.

8 Conference s Three Major Goals 1. Identify and review wave and offshore wind MRErelated environmental research underway or completed since the reviews of the past 3-5 years. 2. Synthesize new research and existing information with a focus on products that agencies and resource managers can use to carry out their planning and management duties. What are key studies to meet NEPA requirements? 3. Identify gaps in our understanding that can be used for scientists, managers and funders to determine where to focus limited funds for future research efforts.

9 Planning the Agenda to Meet Goals Day 1: Conference Sessions How federal and state agencies use environmental information Review papers summarizing recently completed studies Featured environmental studies Gap analysis: what environmental studies are we missing? Document available, comments requested on conference draft Poster session and lightning round Opportunity to showcase broader research

10 Planning the Agenda to Meet Goals Day 2: Experts Workshop Subset of expert participants convene Facilitated breakout sessions refine gaps Baseline, impacts, and monitoring groups Translate from traditional stressor-receptor format to NEPA context Set priorities for gaps Address key questions to help efficiently manage scientific objectives

11 A few acknowledgements Oregon OCS Renewable Energy Task Force Stimulus for convening workshop BOEM: Financial support for workshop Steering Committee Hard work and more meetings than they wanted Oregon Wave Energy Trust Supporting evening reception OSU Conference Services Conference Participants for all their contributions

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