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Offshore Wind Environmental
Monitoring Guidance

Building a Collaborative Roadmap for Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring in California

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Motivation

The Monitoring Guidance is being developed in response to a collective need identified by California state agencies for clear, practical guidance on assessing potential environmental impacts from floating offshore wind (FOSW) development. Rooted in principles of neutrality, transparency, collaboration, and science-based decision-making, this guidance serves as a scientific reference rather than a regulatory document. It provides a structured framework that explores environmental monitoring options and considerations informed by expert insights, supporting responsible OSW development in California.

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Scope

The environmental monitoring guidance will be developed by leveraging existing information and building on subject matter expert insights to:​

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  • Identify most relevant environmental impact questions

  • Suggest and evaluate monitoring methods and approaches to address potential impacts from floating offshore wind

  • Raise considerations in regards to specific taxa, habitats and monitoring technology. 

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Products 

As part of the Environmental Monitoring Guidance, we developed products aimed at supporting data-informed decision making around floating offshore wind impact monitoring. Access products by clicking on links below:

 

  1. Literature database: relevant scientific and grey literature about potential environmental impacts of floating offshore wind. 

  2. California Monitoring Efforts Map: collection of monitoring initiatives across California. 

    

Working Groups

We gathered specialized working groups that bring together subject matter experts with diverse expertise to collaboratively address key environmental issues, implement best monitoring practices, and contribute insights on environmental science issues.

 

Our five scientific working groups are:

 

  1. Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles

  2. Birds and Bats

  3. Data, Technology and Innovation

  4. Habitats and Ecosystems

  5. Fish and Invertebrate Ecology​

A dynamic working group roster can be found here.

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Project Contacts

Rikki Eriksen, Ph.D.

rikki@californiamsf.org

Julia Dombroski, Ph.D.

julia@californiamsf.org

Coordination Team

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