Regional-scale restoration is a tool of growing importance in environmental management, and the number, scope, and complexity of restoration programs is increasing. Although the importance of natural science to the success of such projects generally is recognized, the actual use of natural science in these programs rarely has been evaluated. We used techniques of program evaluation to examine the use of natural science in six American and three Western European regional-scale restoration programs. Our results suggest that ensuring the technical rigor and directed application of the science is important to program development and delivery. However, the influence of science may be constrained if strategies for its integration into the broader program are lacking. Consequently, the influence of natural science in restoration programs is greatest when formal mechanisms exist for incorporating science into programs, for example, via a framework for integration of science and policy. Our evaluation proposes a model that can be used to enhance the influence of natural science in regional-scale restoration programs in the United States and elsewhere.
The DOE-OBP Multi-year Program Plan (MYPP) biomass production targets are 44 million dry tons per year by 2012 and 155 million dry tons per year by 2017 (EERE Biomass Program, 2011). Macroalgae, more commonly known as seaweed, could be a significant biomass resource for the production of biofuels. The overall project objective is to conduct a strategic analysis to assess the state of macroalgae as a feedstock for biofuels production. To this end, this project provides an assessment of the potential for domestic macroalgae production and identifies the key technical issues associated with the feasibility of using macroalgae resources. Work began in FY10 as a screening analysis of the key questions related to the status of macroalgae as a feedstock resource. These efforts addressed the state of technology, types of fuels possible, a rough order-of-magnitude resource assessment, and preliminary high-level economic analysis, resulting in a Summary Report entitled Macroalgae as a Biomass Feedstock: A Preliminary Analysis (PNNL-19944).While considerable progress has been made in developing and applying GIS-based spatiotemporal models of high granularity to siting microalgal growth facilities in terrestrial landscapes in the continental U.S. (Wigmosta et al., 2011), parallel efforts to identify suitable sites for macroalgal cultivation in U.S. marine waters have yet to be reported. Such effort requires development of new analysis tools because those developed for land-based microalgal resources (Wigmosta et al., 2011) are not directly applicable to marine waters. Thus, the plan for subsequent years, starting in FY11, was to develop a multi-year systematic national assessment to evaluate the U.S. potential for macroalgae production using a GISbased assessment tool and biophysical growth model developed as part of these activities. The broad goal of this modeling effort is to develop a National Macroalgae Assessment Model for evaluating macroalgae production in marine waters within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Focus was placed on an assessment of kelp, a group of brown macroalgae considered suitable for conversion to biofuels based on biochemical composition and growth characteristics. Progress in FY11, which focused on model development and initial application of the models to demonstration areas in offshore waters, is described in this report.During FY11, a concept map describing spatial models to identify suitable sites for producing macroalgae biomass was developed as a framework for conducting a GIS-based national resource assessment within the U.S. EEZ. The spatial models included modeling macroalgae production potential, constrained by competing uses and legal, environmental, and infrastructure considerations at specified locations in the U.S. EEZ. A literature review of these constraints was conducted, and remotely-sensed data sources were identified, downloaded, and processed using 8-day composites from 2000 to 2011 to support site screening and macroalgae growth model development. Model demon...
SummaryIn this report we present an introduction to the Environmental Risk Evaluation System (ERES), a risk-informed analytical process for estimating the environmental risks associated with the construction and operation of marine and hydrokinetic energy generation projects. The process consists of two main phases of analysis. In the first phase, preliminary risk analyses will take the form of screening studies in which key environmental impacts and the uncertainties that create risk are identified, leading to a betterfocused characterization of the relevant environmental effects. Existence of critical data gaps will suggest areas in which specific modeling and/or data collection activities should take place. In the second phase, more detailed quantitative risk analyses will be conducted, with residual uncertainties providing the basis for recommending risk mitigation and monitoring activities.We also describe in detail the process used for selecting three cases for fiscal year 2010 risk screening analysis using the ERES. A case is defined as a specific technology deployed in a particular location involving certain environmental receptors specific to that location. The three cases selected satisfy a number of desirable criteria: 1) they correspond to real projects whose deployment is likely to take place in the foreseeable future; 2) the technology developers are willing to share technology and project-related data; 3) the projects represent a diversity of technology-site-receptor characteristics; 4) the projects are of national interest, and 5) environmental effects data may be available for the projects. iv Project OverviewEnergy generated from the world's oceans and rivers offers the potential to make substantial contributions to the domestic and global renewable energy supply. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Wind and Water Power Program supports the emerging marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy industry. As an emerging industry, MHK project developers face challenges with siting, permitting, construction, and operation of pilot-and commercial-scale facilities, as well as the need to develop robust technologies, secure financing, and gain public acceptance.In many cases, little is known about the potential effects of MHK energy generation on the aquatic environment from a small number of devices or a large-scale commercial array. Nor do we understand potential effects that may occur after years or decades of operation. This lack of knowledge affects the solvency of the industry, the actions of regulatory agencies, the opinions and concerns of stakeholder groups, and the commitment of energy project developers and investors.To unravel and address the complexity of environmental issues associated with MHK, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is developing a program of research and development that draws on the knowledge of the industry, regulators, and stakeholders and builds on investments made by the EERE Wind and Water Power Program. The P...
Energy generated from the world's oceans and rivers offers the potential to make substantial contributions to the domestic and global renewable energy supply. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Wind and Water Power Program supports the emerging marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy industry. As part of an emerging industry, MHK project developers face challenges related to siting, permitting, construction, and operation of pilotand commercial-scale facilities, as well as the need to develop robust technologies, secure financing, and gain public acceptance. In many cases, little is known about the potential effects of MHK energy generation on the aquatic environment from a small number of devices or a large-scale commercial array. Nor do we understand potential effects that may occur after years or decades of operation. This lack of knowledge affects the solvency of the industry, the actions of regulatory agencies, the opinions and concerns of stakeholder groups, and the commitment of energy project developers and investors. To unravel and address the complexity of environmental issues associated with MHK energy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is developing a program of research and development that draws on the knowledge of the industry, regulators, and stakeholders and builds on investments made by the EERE Wind and Water Power Program. The PNNL program of research and development-together with complementary efforts of other national laboratories, national marine renewable energy centers, universities, and industry-supports DOE's market acceleration activities through focused research and development on environmental effects and siting issues. Research areas addressed include Categorizing and evaluating effects of stressors-Information on the environmental risks from MHK devices, including data obtained from in situ testing and laboratory experiments (see other tasks below) will be compiled in a knowledge management system known as Tethys to facilitate the creation, annotation, and exchange of information on environmental effects of MHK technologies. Tethys will support the Environmental Risk Evaluation System (ERES) that can be used by developers, regulators, and other stakeholders to assess relative risks associated with MHK technologies, site characteristics, waterbody characteristics, and receptors (i.e., habitat, marine mammals, and fish). Development of Tethys and the ERES will require focused input from various stakeholders to ensure accuracy and alignment with other needs. Effects on physical systems-Computational numerical modeling will be used to understand the effects of energy removal on water bodies from the short-and long-term operation of MHK devices and arrays. Initially, PNNL's three-dimensional coastal circulation and transport model of Puget Sound will be adapted to test and optimize simulated tidal technologies that resemble those currently in proposal, laboratory trial, or pilot study test stages. This task includes assess...
Improve certainty associated with environmental permitting processes and requirements, and ensure appropriate application of regulations. The current federal permitting process includes two NEPA reviews for a commercial lease competitively awarded. Developers are finding the EIS required for the Site Assessment Plan (the first of two EIS) problematic because it requires site data that have not yet been collected at this stage in the project development process. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) should explore options to achieve sufficient environmental review with only one Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Elimination of one EIS could shorten the permitting process by 1.5 years. Reduce uncertainty in the project permitting process by establishing and adhering to document review deadlines and providing clear and consistent instructions to developers. Interagency coordination on requirements and standards is critical for providing clear and consistent instructions. Reducing uncertainty associated with permitting will reduce overall project costs and time to permitting. Review permitting requirements and streamline permitting requirements if appropriate. Specifically, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should evaluate whether a Clean Air Act permit should be required to erect a meteorological tower, as it is not required to install a buoy to collect meteorological data. Guarantee development rights to developers if site investments are made (i.e. geotechnical or biological studies). 2. Develop a process and implement collection of environmental data to meet national needs. Baseline environmental knowledge gaps should be addressed in a strategic, coordinated fashion. Federal agencies should play a significant role in collecting or overseeing the v collection of baseline environmental data of national interest. Collection of baseline environmental data is costly and time consuming to project developers; pre-existing data serve as a significant incentive to developers during site selection. Utilize Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) to integrate environmental considerations and data for particular uses/programs (e.g., marine renewable) into policies at a regional or national level. SEA have been used in Europe (e.g., SEA for marine renewable in Scotland) and Canada (e.g., SEA for development of tidal test facilities in the Bay of Fundy) to facilitate the siting and development of pilot and commercial-scale marine energy projects. In the U.S., the SEA process is analogous to combining a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and project-specific EIS into a single effort. 3. Ensure offshore wind energy interests are represented in CMSP In order to engage meaningfully in CMSP, ocean energy proponents need to articulate their needs, limitations, and priority areas for consideration with other ocean uses. One reason this has not yet been done is because needs are diverse, especially if other forms of ocean energy (i.e. tidal, wave, or Ocean Thermal Energ...
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