Abstract
In late 2011, representatives of the U.S. offshore wind industry approached the U.S. Department of Energy Wind and Waterpower Program staff to express concern that regulatory requirements to protect North Atlantic right whales (NARWs) are likely to impose stringent limitations on the process of offshore wind installation off the Atlantic Coast. This project was designed to evaluate the potential risk to NARWs from the installation and operation of offshore wind farms, developing a cost-effective marine mammal monitoring system that will help provide the operational flexibility needed to meet challenging environmental conditions and unexpected construction complications. For the industrial activities associated with offshore wind development including pile driving, cost-effective marine mammal monitoring can assist with operational flexibility to meet the changing environmental conditions at sea and unexpected construction complications. This knowledge will be used to anticipate regulatory barriers and design-specific monitoring and mitigation strategies that will inform permitting discussions with regulators, leading to a shortened siting and permitting time frame.