U.S. Department of the Interior
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM’s) Environmental Studies Program (ESP) develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research specifically to inform policy decisions on the development of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). BOEM uses remote sensing to inform its research covering physical oceanography, atmospheric sciences, biology, protected species, social sciences and economics, submerged cultural resources, and environmental fates and effects. Mandated by Section 20 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the ESP is an indispensable requirement informing BOEM’s decisions on offshore oil and gas, offshore renewable energy, and the marine minerals program for coastal restoration. Through its ESP, BOEM has provided over $1 billion for research to this end since its inception in 1973.
Monitoring whales and seals is of broad interest to BOEM, academic institutions, commercial operations and other Federal entities. Advancements in very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) have tremendous potential for developing an operational system to detect marine mammals worldwide.
BOEM is required to analyze the air quality impacts from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas activities as mandated by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Remotely sensed data and derived information contribute significantly to mission-critical work across the Department of the Interior (DOI). This report from the DOI Remote Sensing Working Group (DOIRSWG) highlights a sample of DOI remote sensing applications and illustrates the many types of technology, platforms, and specialized sensors employed.* DOI personnel use remote sensing technology to evaluate and monitor changing land-surface and natural resource conditions over the vast areas for which DOI has responsibility.
BOEM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey are collaborating to foster research on deep learning methods that automate remote sensing data for wildlife population surveys. The Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS), in its third phase, is developing automated ways to rapidly filter and subset digital aerial imagery of marine birds, cetaceans, and sea turtles.
BOEM is required to analyze the air quality impacts from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas activities to the States as mandated by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
Remotely sensed data and derived information contribute significantly to mission-critical work across the Department of the Interior (DOI). This report from the DOI Remote Sensing Working Group (DOIRSWG) highlights a sample of DOI remote sensing applications and illustrates the many types of technology, platforms, and specialized sensors employed.* DOI personnel use remote sensing technology to evaluate and monitor changing land-surface and natural resource conditions over the vast areas for which DOI has responsibility.
BOEM is working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory at Goddard Space Flight Center to measure and monitor offshore sea level concentrations of pollutants that are used in
BOEM is required to evaluate the air quality impacts from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas activities to the States as mandated by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
The Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) II is the continuation of a study to assess the abundance, distribution, ecology, and behavior of marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds throughout the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Remotely sensed data and derived information contribute significantly to mission-critical work across the Department of the Interior (DOI). This report from the DOI Remote Sensing Working Group (DOIRSWG) highlights a sample of DOI remote sensing applications and illustrates the many types of technology, platforms, and specialized sensors employed.* DOI personnel use remote sensing technology to evaluate and monitor changing land-surface and natural resource conditions over the vast areas for which DOI has responsibility.
