Ecological Function and Recovery of Biological Communities within Sand Shoal Habitats within the Gulf of Mexico

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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) through the Marine Minerals Program (MMP) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to conduct research to serve the public interest in offshore sand resources, coastal restoration, coastal resiliency and to investigate the long-term recovery of benthic and fish communities following dredging of sand resources within Ship Shoal in the Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of this study are to examine the relationship of human disturbance to ecosystem services in offshore sand shoal habitats in the Ship Shoal borrow area and nearby control sites off Louisiana. Further, to determine if there are functional differences in control site and borrow sites (pre- and post-dredging) by examining species distribution, diversity, habitat use, population dynamics and rate of recovery of benthic habitats. If so, investigate if these differences correlate with biophysical differences (grain size, flow characteristics). Finally, determine if there are regional differences in recovery (Gulf of Mexico vs. Atlantic). Section 1346 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) mandates the conduct of environmental and socioeconomic studies needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by oil and gas or other mineral development. OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA, including sharing of information, joint utilization of available expertise, formation of joint monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer continental shelf operations both onshore and offshore. This is not an open solicitation for proposals. This Program Announcement describes the specific project that may be awarded to a qualified recipient within the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit network only (http://www.cesu.psu.edu/unit_portals/GUCO_portal.htm). The award is premised on receipt of an acceptable proposal.

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