SLIDE 1 An Overview of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Marine Minerals Program
Jeff Waldner, P.G. BOEM- Marine Minerals Program Herndon, VA
OCS Sand Management Working Group Meeting September 11, 2013
SLIDE 2 What is the OCS?
Lands Act of 1953 (OCSLA)
- Grants authority to BOEM to
lease and regulate oil, gas, sulfur, and all other minerals
Shelf (OCS), including sand and gravel
from 3 nautical miles from shore (or 3 leagues offshore Texas)
Background
SLIDE 3 Marine Minerals Program
- Identifies and makes available OCS material to local, state, and
Federal agencies for nourishment, coastal restoration, wetlands protection projects and the protection of parks, refuges, and
- ther Federal/State/Local public assets and projects
- Provides policy direction for the development of marine
mineral resources on the OCS
- Collects and provides geologic and environmental information,
developed through partnerships with coastal States.
Background
SLIDE 4 BOEM Marine Minerals Program
- Geological Investigations
- Environmental Studies
- Project Collaboration
- Environmental Review
- Resource Leasing
- Project Monitoring
- Emergency Response
Background
SLIDE 5 Geologic Investigations
The BOEM Marine Minerals Cooperative Agreement Program collaborates with the coastal states to conduct data acquisition. Data collection typically consist of
- seismic reconnaissance work to
identify areas for subsequent in- depth research,
- sub-bottom profiling, and
- geologic sampling of sediment
The information collected is used to determine if the sediment is suitable and compatible with placement beach
- sediment. Based on these investigations, a borrow area can
be delineated.
Geological Investigations
SLIDE 6 Environmental Studies
Since 1990, BOEM has invested over $14 million in marine mineral environmental studies. Studies have focused on biological resources, wave modeling, and programmatic dredging impacts. Study results are used by BOEM to:
- Inform environmental assessment and leasing decisions
- Identify and address environmental concerns
- Predict, assess, and manage environmental impacts from
proposed dredging operations, and
- Develop mitigation to minimize or avoid such impacts.
Environmental Studies
SLIDE 7 Program Partners and Stakeholders
Project Collaboration
BOEM works extensively on collaboration efforts at all levels of government, industry and the public, some examples include:
– USACE, USGS, DOD, USFWS, NPS, NASA, FEMA, NOAA, EPA, and USDA – State Governors – State Environmental Agencies – Geological Surveys – Coastal State Geologists – County Governments – Dredge Industry Leaders – Higher Institutes of Learning – Youth and Educational Programs
SLIDE 8
Marine Mineral Use Agreements
BOEM Operates Under Two Frameworks
Negotiated Noncompetitive Agreements Grant authorization through leases and memorandum of agreements for use of Federal sand, gravel, or shell resources for use in shore protection or other public works projects Competitive Sales Similar to Oil & Gas Sale with bonus bids, royalties, etc.
Resource Leasing
SLIDE 9 Qualifying Projects
BOEM defines coastal restoration as the rebuilding of eroding shoreline segments, such as beaches and dunes, barrier islands, and wetlands, to forestall further erosion and/or to provide protection from hurricanes, storms, and normal coastal erosion for sensitive landward wetlands areas.
Resource Leasing
Assateague Island, BOEM supported nourishment completed in 2003. Sandbridge Beach, VA coastal restoration took place in 1998, 2002 and 2007
SLIDE 10
Environmental Review
Required Environmental Review includes: – National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – Endangered Species Act, Section 7 – Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Section 305 – Coastal Zone Management Act – National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 – Tribal Consultation – Marine Mammal Protection Act, Section 101 or 104
Environmental Review
SLIDE 11
Agreements & Stipulations
After the environmental review is completed:
– A Noncompetitive Agreement is negotiated – Mitigation measures and other stipulations, from the Environmental Review, are included in the agreement – These stipulations often include the following: dredging window constraints, location constraints, lighting requirements, equipment requirements, and buffers surrounding cultural resources and hard-bottom habitat.
Project Monitoring
SLIDE 12 Hurricane Sandy
- Participated in FEMA’s National Disaster
Recovery Framework
- BOEM received $11.7 Million dedicated to
coastal resiliency efforts – OCS Sand Resource Data Acquisition – State Cooperative Agreements – Stakeholder Engagement – Environmental Monitoring – Environmental Assessments
Emergency Response
SLIDE 13 Conclusions
- Geological Investigations
- Environmental Studies
- Project Collaboration
- Environmental Review
- Resource Leasing
- Project Monitoring
- Emergency Response
Marine Minerals Program
SLIDE 14
Questions?
Contact: Jeffrey.Waldner@boem.gov 703-787-1779 office 703-206-8867 cell Visit our website at: http://www.boem.gov/marinemineralsprogram
Contact Information
