Ongoing Environmental Studies by Region

    Applied Science for Informed Decision Making

    Alaska Natives Walking In SnowAlaska Studies
    Ongoing studies in Alaska focus on protected and endangered species; physical oceanography; wildlife biology; subsistence and traditional knowledge stud/Alaska-Studies/ies; and economic modeling. Current interest in offshore oil and gas exploration and development focuses on the Beaufort Sea and the Chukchi Sea. With the increased attention given to climate change and Arctic science, the ESP looks for opportunities to collaborate with other federally funded and privately funded Arctic science programs.

    Gulf of Mexico - FishGulf of Mexico Studies
    Ongoing studies in the Gulf of Mexico focus on archeological, biological, chemosynthetic communities, deepwater corals and Loop Current research. Also, the ESP pioneers social and economic research on the complex network of interrelationships among the energy industry and the GOM region. The cooperative relationship with Louisiana State University in the CMI program celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2012.

    Pacific Rigs and BoatPacific Studies
    The ESP has pioneered ocean research along the entire Pacific Coast of the United States. The current program includes platform biology studies, a long-standing highly acclaimed multi-agency intertidal monitoring program and recently initiated studies to support renewable energy development. In many cases, the results of the ESP represent the only research ever conducted in the ocean along the coast.

    Wind FarmAtlantic Studies
    In support of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, ESP is collecting information to be used in assessing the environment in support of Renewable Energy development. A suite of studies are addressing the distribution of birds and bats on the Outer Continental Shelf. The socioeconomic consequences of offshore wind development are also being evaluated including space use conflicts, visual impacts, and associated economic effects.

    Smithsonian Sample ArchivingESP Headquarters Studies
    Located in Sterling, VA and works at a programmatic level within the Bureau and in coordination with the Regional offices to development, manage and disseminate the scientific information needs of BOEM. Studies managed by Headquarters include Archiving of OCS Invertebrates by the Smithsonian, Renewable Energy Space-Use Conflicts, Marine Mammal research and support of the Oil Spill Modeling Program.