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NOTE: The layers presented here only represent asmall sample of the spatial information compiled during this assessment. The entire data package is publicly avaialble for download on NOAA's NCEI's website: https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/access/index.html. For more information, please see: Costa, B.M., M.S. Kendall and G. Sanders. 2016. Chapter 1: Introduction. pp. 1-12. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp.
The state of Hawai‘i is working to develop local renewable energy sources to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Most of the State’s potential renewable energy resources (notably, wind) are located in federal waters from 3 to 200 nm offshore. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regulates the leasing, construction and operation of most renewable energy projects in federal waters. This regulatory responsibility requires BOEM to assess potential impacts of renewable energy development on the human, marine and coastal environments. BOEM funded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to characterize the marine biogeography around the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). This assessment describes the physical and biological environment and the spatial distributions of benthic communities, fishes, turtles, mammals and seabirds around the islands. The report and products generated during this assessment were designed to help BOEM evaluate future offshore renewable energy proposals. Chapter one sets the stage for this assessment by describing the reasons for conducting this work, introducing the biogeographic assessment process, describing its implementation in the MHI and outlining the contents of this report. |