Abstract
ESS Group, Inc. (ESS) conducted a benthic habitat assessment survey in the vicinity of the proposed meteorological tower associated with the Site Assessment Plan (SAP) for the Maryland Wind Energy Area (MD WEA) leased by US Wind, Inc. (US Wind). Sampling was conducted in accordance with Guidelines for Providing Benthic Habitat Survey Information for Renewable Energy Development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Pursuant to 30 CFR Part 585 issued November 4, 2013 the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
The survey included photodocumentation of seafloor habitat in the SAP area as well as the collection and analysis of benthic grab samples. These data were used to supplement existing studies and generate a taxonomic classification of benthic habitat in the SAP area to the lowest practicable taxonomic level under the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) (FGDC 2012).