Benthic Monitoring during Wind Turbine Installation and Operation at the Block Island Wind Farm, Rhode Island.

Lead/Team: J. King and M. LaFrance-Bartley.

This study gathered real-time data during the installation and initial operations of the Block Island wind turbine generators and provided benthic habitat information for U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management evaluation of environmental effects of future facilities, improvement of the accuracy of models and establishment of monitoring references and mitigations. A gradient of biofouling and reef effects have been observed at the Block Island Wind Farm. 2016 – Present.

Funder: HDR-U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.