The National Park Service contracted GMI to conduct marine mammal and acoustic regulatory mitigation monitoring during demolition and reconstruction of a new pier in Bechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island. Working in coordination with NPS and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration experts, GMI designed and implemented monitoring protocols, and was responsible for the management, interpretation, validation, and analysis of all data.

In cooperation with NPS personnel and representatives of the construction crew, GMI marine scientists monitored for potential marine mammal presence in an identified acoustic exclusion zone before (baseline) and during, hydraulic vibratory pile extraction and pile drilling operations.

Real-time sound pressure levels, related to construction activities, were acquired using state-of-the-industry acoustic equipment. Utilizing sound propagation principles for the marine environment, SPLs at the noise source were calculated to determine exclusion zone boundaries (all regions where noise levels were or exceeded 160 dB re 1 µPa [rms]). Additionally, ambient noise data were collected of the project area and a noise map was created to allow for comparison of noise levels between pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases.

Marine mammal occurrence both within and outside the acoustically established exclusion zone was visually monitored during all pile extraction and drilling activity. Marine mammals sighted within the exclusion zone resulted in an immediate recommendation to shutdown extraction or drilling activities until the area was clear of marine mammals for a predetermined length of time.

GMI was contracted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to conduct an ecological baseline study in nearshore waters off New Jersey to determine the current distribution, abundance, and usage of this area by marine and avian resources. We conducted shipboard and aerial surveys for marine mammals, sea turtles, and birds; passive acoustic monitoring for marine mammals; and additional radar studies for avian resources. We modeled survey data to provide density/abundance estimates and predictive habitat spatial layers for these marine resources. We also conducted a literature review of all marine resources, habitat, and important areas within this region (e.g., oceanography, fishes, fisheries, shipping lanes, etc.). We used the digital spatial and temporal data on the various resources and habitat in this region to develop an environmental sensitivity index to visually summarize the overlapping resources and depict areas that may be more or less suitable for development. We also assessed the potential impacts associated with offshore wind development in this region. The data obtained during this study provide the baseline of resources which will be critical in the future development of environmental compliance documentation required for development of offshore renewable energy sites.

The final report of this study is available at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/ocean-wind/report.htm.

GMI was hired by the NOAA to provide oversight and scientific expertise in the study and evaluation of a perceived marine natural resource threat in northern New Jersey waters. The findings and analysis were compiled by GMI, in collaboration with scientists at a local university. The final report provided NOAA with sufficient evidence to mitigate the controversy stemming from an outpouring of public concern over the well-being of a group of local dolphins, by demonstrating that the species had not been at risk.

GMI has begun Year 2 of a multi-year program to provide spatial and temporal data analysis for various species in advance of the development of a windpark off Atlantic City, New Jersey. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is used to understand baseline ambient noise levels within four miles of the planned turbine site and to record the presence of vocalizing marine mammals within this area. Two Ecological Acoustic Recorders (EARs) were deployed around 1,000 m from the planned turbine construction location to provide a consistent data stream of ambient noise levels related to periods of construction and noise levels outside of construction activity. GMI’s acousticians are currently analyzing the acoustic data for ambient noise, anthropogenic noise, fish sounds, and marine mammal vocalizations. We plan to compare these baseline data to post construction data to estimate impacts of the windpark project on biological resources.

GMI is are currently conducting hydro‐acoustic monitoring during pile driving at Sumay Cove, Sumay Channel, and the mole pier areas in Apra Harbor to monitor underwater sound levels before and during waterfront improvement work in these areas. Our specific monitoring objectives are to verify the ambient noise level, measure the source level of sound generated by driving both steel sheet piles and concrete piles, and verify previous assumptions on in‐water sound attenuation in Apra Harbor that were used to develop preliminary safety zones (best management practices). We are using Song Meter 2 Marine units (SM2Ms) to document ambient noise SPL in Apra Harbor at each monitoring site over 72 hour sample periods. In addition we are using the Sound Technology’s mobile recorder and monitor unit (ST1400ENV) for real-time monitoring of SPL levels during construction.