BOEM Invites Ideas for Environmental Studies, Fiscal Year 2017

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for ensuring that the effects on the natural and human environment are taken into consideration during the leasing and development of oil, natural gas, renewable energy and marine mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

Pacific waves: Image: BOEM

To help inform management decisions affecting the OCS, BOEM develops, oversees and funds the collection of environmental information as directed by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act through its Environmental Studies Program (ESP). The ESP focuses on applied science, including baseline information about the environment and the effects from activities that result from the leasing and development processes under our authority. The goals of the ESP are to establish the information needed to assess, predict, monitor and manage environmental impacts on marine biota and the human, marine and coastal environments. BOEM is beginning to formulate its FY2017 Environmental Studies Development Plan covering all BOEM energy and minerals activities.

BOEM invites your input in identifying potential study ideas for consideration on Alaska, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific OCS areas. BOEM’s ESP is particularly interested in study ideas that include hypothesis testing, and the opportunity to include a citizen-science component. Please note that ideas submitted must be relevant to BOEM's information requirements in the areas of biological, oceanographic, social, economic and cultural research.

Please provide your suggestions in short paragraph form for your geographic or program area of interest by emailing it to the contact identified below by November 20, 2015. Be sure to include why this is an important area of research for BOEM to consider. This will ensure you are providing the relevant information we need to consider your ideas. All submitted ideas become property of the government. While suggestions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, there is no guarantee that all ideas will be accepted. In some cases, ideas might be combined with other suggestions. Acceptance of a study idea does not imply that the submitter will receive funding. You may visit the Environmental Studies Program website for a listing of ongoing and completed studies and to view previous study plans. We appreciate your participation in this process and look forward to your suggestions.