Survey Guidelines for Renewable Energy Development

    Before BOEM will approve the siting of a facility, structure, or cable proposed for a renewable energy project on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), an applicant must submit with its Site Assessment Plan (SAP), Construction and Operations Plan (COP), or General Activities Plan(GAP), and as applicable, the results of its site characterization surveys and supporting data to BOEM.

    BOEM will use the data from these surveys to evaluate the impact of construction, installation, and operation of meteorological towers, buoys, cables, wind turbines, and supporting structures on physical, biological, and socioeconomic resources, as well as the seafloor and sub-seafloor conditions. The information will be used by BOEM, other Federal agencies, and potentially affected states in the preparation of NEPA documents, for consultations and other regulatory requirements.

    • Spatial Data for Site Characterization Surveys (Atlantic OCS). These guidelines provide a general framework for the submission of spatial data from the site characterization surveys. In an effort to minimize the submission of duplicative and redundant data collected during survey activities, BOEM prefers to receive one standardized dataset. (published Feb. 2013)
    • Avian Information (Atlantic OCS). These guidelines provide recommendations for avian survey information required under BOEM’s renewable energy regulations outlined within 30 CFR Part 585 Subpart F. (revised Nov. 2013). BOEM funded the development of an App for survey data collection. The free app may be downloaded from:
    • Archaeological and Historic Property Information. Previous versions of this document included combined guidance for geophysical and geological, hazard, and archaeological surveys. The current version includes guidance specific to archaeology and historic property identification surveys. Guidelines related to geophysical, geological, and hazard surveys are now presented in the document Guidelines for Providing Geophysical, Geotechnical, and Geohazard Information Pursuant to 30 CFR Part 585 (provided below). These documents are intended to be used in tandem to inform the survey work an applicant conducts to gather the information required in a plan. (revised July 2015)
    • Geophysical, Geotechnical, and Geohazard Information. Previous versions of this document included combined guidance for geophysical and geological, hazard, and archaeological surveys. The current version includes guidance specific to geophysical, geotechnical, and geohazard surveys only. Guidelines related to archaeological and historic property surveys are now presented in the document Guidelines for Providing Archaeological and Historic Property Information Pursuant to 30 CFR Part 585 (provided above). These documents are intended to be used in tandem to inform the survey work an applicant conducts to gather the information required in a plan. (revised July 2015)
    • Fisheries Information (Atlantic OCS). These guidelines provide recommendations for providing information regarding fisheries in a potential project area. (published Aug. 2013)
    • Benthic Habitat Information (Atlantic OCS). These guidelines provide recommendations for providing information for benthic habitats. (revised Nov. 2013)
    • Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Information (Atlantic OCS). These guidelines provide recommendations for providing marine mammal and sea turtle information to characterize impacts of offshore renewable energy projects on these species. (published July 2013)