The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) new committee on environmental science and assessment for offshore energy and mineral resources got a membership boost on Tuesday when 14 scientists were selected to serve on the panel.
The experts were selected by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and the committee was set up to provide independent information on issues relevant to BOEM’s environmental studies and assessment activities. It is not intended to make recommendations on policy or management decisions.
The committee members represent a broad range of expertise natural and social sciences, and relevant disciplines within those broad areas. They include ecology and habitat, sea ice, economics, noise, the application of science to policy and other topics. With their collective expertise in all four Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) regions, they bring a wealth of knowledge from their academic, industry, government and non-profit experience.
Members of the committee are:
- Chair: Dr. Gary B. Griggs—University of California, Santa Cruz
- Dr. Peter J. Auster—University of Connecticut
- Mr. Deerin Babb-Brott—SeaPlan
- Dr. Keith R. Criddle—University of Alaska, Fairbanks
- Dr. Hajo Eicken—University of Alaska, Fairbanks
- Dr. Paul G. Falkowski—Rutgers University
- Dr. Mary (Missy) H. Feeley—ExxonMobil (retired)
- Dr. Mardi C. Hastings—Georgia Institute of Technology (retired)
- Dr. Bonnie J. McCay—Rutgers University
- Dr. Richard McLaughlin—Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University
- Dr. Jacqueline Michel—Research Planning, Inc.
- Dr. Timothy J. Ragen—Marine Mammal Commission (retired)
- Dr. Mary Ruckelshaus—Stanford University
- Dr. William C. Webster—University of California, Berkeley (retired)
“BOEM is honored to have these extraordinary scientists provide their guidance to the bureau on scientific matters,” said BOEM director Abigail Ross Hopper. “We look forward to engaging with and learning from them as we continue to address complex offshore energy and marine mineral issues in an environmentally responsible manner.”
The committee has been appointed for one year, subject to renewal under a a three-year contract between BOEM and the Academies that was announced in June. The Academies’ Ocean Studies Board will oversee the committee in collaboration with the Board on Earth Sciences and Resources. Committee members will provide their expertise and advice without compensation and are not required to be members of the Academies.
