CSA Ocean Sciences has been granted a non-exclusive General Offshore Geophysical Survey Permit by the California State Lands Commission (CSLC), allowing the company to conduct in-depth research on potential offshore wind project sites. This permit covers a three-mile zone from the mean high tide line along California's coast, providing CSA with the necessary permissions for low-energy marine surveys.
The General Offshore Geophysical Survey Permit authorizes CSA to deliver extensive support for intricate offshore energy development plans through marine data acquisition and marine environmental consultancy services. This aligns with California's commitment to sustainable ocean management.
In a statement, Kevin Peterson, CSA's chief executive, expressed the company's dedication to environmentally responsible practices: “As true to the day we opened our doors for business in 1970, we remain fully committed to environmentally responsible data acquisition and marine survey practices. We look forward to working closely with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to ensure all related activities are conducted with the utmost care and consideration for the long-term health of our ocean.”
In the immediate future, CSA aims to assist regional offshore planners with survey teams, technologies, and subject matter expertise for multidisciplinary surveys. These surveys are designed to determine the least environmentally impactful installation and monitoring procedures for critical floating offshore wind infrastructures.
Specifically, the permit enables CSA to conduct coastal and seafloor characterization studies, inspect both new and existing subsea structures, identify faults or geophysical hazards that could impact installation or maintenance plans, and map local sea life for informed mitigation plans.
CSLC's General Permit Program mandates strict adherence to environmental protection measures, ensuring that surveys conducted by CSA follow stringent protocols to minimize potential impacts on marine life and the environment.
