Bird, Marine Mammal Data Part of Offshore Wind Survey
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has completed the first three years of data collection on birds and marine mammals via aerial surveys over a 16,000-square-mile area. The data is a step toward the development of offshore wind farms in keeping with the state’s Clean Energy Standard, which requires that 50 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has set a goal of 2.4 gigawatts of energy from offshore wind.
The information gathered on seasonal wildlife distribution, abundance, and movement over the 16,000-square-mile area is to aid in responsible offshore wind site assessment and project development. NYSERDA and other state agencies are developing a New York Offshore Wind Master Plan, due by the end of the year.
The survey is gathering the highest resolution images ever for a project of this scale. With each pixel corresponding to 1.5 centimeters on the ocean surface, the images provide sufficient detail to allow taxonomists to identify the species of a high percentage of the birds and marine animals.
Bird species identified include shearwaters, double-crested cormorants, petrels, gulls, and terns, though more than 90 percent of the images show no birds or marine animals at or near the water surface. As the survey progresses, distribution of wildlife will be evaluated to aid in identification of areas of lower activity where offshore wind development may be feasible.
The aerial surveys are being conducted in coordination with other research, including visual surveys by the State Department of Environmental Conservation and federal agencies. Some of the wildlife that has been observed can be seen at remote.normandeau.com/nys_overview.php.
Normandeau Associates and APEM Ltd. are conducting the study for NYSERDA. It is one of more than 20 studies undertaken to provide current information about potential environmental and social sensitivities, economic and practical considerations, and regulatory requirements associated with offshore wind energy.