The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)\u00a0is responsible for managing\u00a0the development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf\u00a0(OCS)\u00a0energy and mineral resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.\u00a0A critical component of BOEM\u2019s mission is protecting the environment while overseeing the development of OCS energy and marine mineral resources.<\/p>\n
BOEM\u2019s\u00a0Environmental\u00a0Studies Program<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(ESP)\u00a0develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research specifically to inform policy decisions on the development of energy and mineral resources on the OCS, as required by law. This environmental and socioeconomic research is designed to provide BOEM the necessary information to assess, predict, monitor and manage potential environmental impacts of the activities it authorizes.<\/p>\n As part of this effort, ESP staff prepare BOEM\u2019s annual Studies Development Plan to cover a two-year planning period. The plan includes brief study descriptions, or profiles, that describe proposed studies for the upcoming fiscal year and for one successive year. These studies are designed to collect the information necessary to meet the needs of BOEM scientists, rule writers, modelers, decision makers\u00a0and other users. Proposed studies are evaluated for program relevance, programmatic timeliness, and scientific merit.<\/p>\n BOEM is beginning to formulate its\u00a0Fiscal Year 2022-2023\u00a0Studies Development Plan\u00a0covering all BOEM energy and minerals activities.\u00a0We invite\u00a0you to\u00a0submit\u00a0study ideas for consideration\u00a0in Alaska, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific OCS areas.\u00a0Study ideas must be relevant to BOEM’s information requirements in the areas of biological, oceanographic (physical and chemical), traditional knowledge, and social sciences\u00a0(including economic and cultural research).<\/p>\n Please review\u00a0BOEM\u2019s\u00a0National Studies List for Fiscal Year 2021<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0which\u00a0identifies studies\u00a0BOEM\u00a0intends to procure\u00a0in FY21\u00a0(subject to funding availability). The current Studies Development Plan is online and the\u00a0Environmental Studies Program Information System<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(ESPIS) provides access\u202fto ongoing studies and completed reports.\u00a0Please carefully consider BOEM\u2019s\u202fESP Strategic Framework<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 particularly the criteria and questions \u2013\u00a0when formulating your study ideas. Also note that BOEM is keen to advance innovative technologies that may improve results and potentially reduce costs, such as use of unmanned vehicles in the sea and air, satellite imagery, and eDNA. Please comment\u00a0on\u00a0the potential use of such technologies when they may appropriately fit into the work you are suggesting.<\/p>\n Send your suggestions in a short paragraph\u00a0via email\u00a0to\u00a0ESP<\/strong><\/a>\u202f(BOEMEnviroStudies@BOEM.gov<\/a>) by\u00a0December\u00a07, 2020, including an\u00a0explanation of\u00a0why\u00a0BOEM should consider funding them\u00a0in light of points noted above.\u00a0Please note that all\u00a0submissions\u00a0become property of the federal government. While suggestions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, there is no guarantee they will be accepted. Some\u00a0ideas may\u00a0be combined with other suggestions. Acceptance of an idea does not imply that the submitter will receive funding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)\u00a0is responsible for managing\u00a0the development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf\u00a0(OCS)\u00a0energy and mineral resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.\u00a0A critical component of BOEM\u2019s mission is protecting the environment while overseeing the development of OCS energy and marine mineral resources. BOEM\u2019s\u00a0Environmental\u00a0Studies Program\u00a0(ESP)\u00a0develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research specifically…<\/p>\n