BOEM FY 2016 Environmental Studies Program

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The Environmental Studies Program (ESP) of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to perform a net environment benefit (NEB) analysis of fish and invertebrate populations under two decommissioning scenarios in the BOEM Pacific Region, total removal versus partial removal. The mission of BOEM is to manage the exploration and development of the nations offshore resources in a way that appropriately balances economic development, energy independence and environmental protection through oil and gas leases, and renewable energy development. The decision-making behind the management of the nations offshore resources is supported through environmental reviews and associated studies. This study seeks to define NEB through consideration of possible positive and negative consequences for platform removal scenarios allowed under both federal and state law. The net environmental benefit of full removal and partial removal of each oil platform will also examine the contribution of the proposed structure to protection and productivity of fish and other marine life, as well as describing adverse impacts to biological resources that would be avoided by partial removal (as opposed to full removal). This Program Announcement describes the specific project "Net Environmental Benefit Analysis of Pacific Platform Decommissioning Scenarios" that may be awarded to University of California Santa Barbara. All awards are premised on receipt of an acceptable proposal. This is not an open solicitation for proposals.

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