Information Transfer Meeting 2022

BOEM’s Gulf Virtual Information Transfer Meeting

Background and Purpose

BOEM held the 28th Information Transfer Meeting (ITM) on September 12–14, 2022.

The Gulf of Mexico Region’s ITM began in 1980 as an annual meeting to foster sharing results, methodologies, and ideas related to environmental studies. Scientists in these meetings present, discuss, and share their findings in support of the BOEM Gulf of Mexico OCS oil and natural gas, renewable energy, and marine minerals programs.  

There were six sessions and an opening plenary session covering a range of topics including program updates, emerging programs, and the future of carbon sequestration in the Gulf of Mexico. Please see the agenda for more information. 

Meeting Materials

Date/Time Session/Materials Videos
Monday, September 12
8:30 am - 11:30 pm
Plenary
Session Agenda

Plenary Session Part 1

  • Michael Celata, BOEM – Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Overview 
  • Tershara Matthews, BOEM – Gulf of Mexico Renewable Energy and Marine Minerals Program Overview
  • Carlos Alonso, BOEM – Introduction to Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS, in the Gulf of Mexico
  • Rodney Cluck, BOEM – BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program: 50 Years of Science for Informed Decisions

Continue Panel Discussion followed by Q&A

Monday, September 12
1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m

Emerging Programs

Session 1 Agenda

Abstract 1 | Abstract 2 | Abstract 3 | Abstract 4 | Abstract 5 | Abstract 6

Welcome and Introduction Ana Rice BOEM  

ShoalMATE: Shoal Map Assessment Tool for EFH Speaker: Deena Hansen BOEM  

Discerning Behavioral Patterns of Sea Turtles in the Gulf of Mexico to Inform Management Decisions Speaker: Kristen Hart U.S. Geological Survey  

Ecological Function and Recovery of Biological Communities within Sand Shoal Habitats within the Gulf of Mexico Speaker: James Nelson University of Louisiana at Lafayette 

Benthic Response to Nonlinear Sedimentation Events in a filled Dredge Area Speaker: Jillian Tupitza Louisiana State University  

Offshore Environmental-Resource Exploration for Critical and Hard Offshore Minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf Speaker: Paul Knorr BOEM  

Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Speaker: Walter Musial National Renewable Energy Laboratory  

Final Questions and Wrap-up Ana Rice BOEM 

Monday, September 12
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Social Science

Session 2 Agenda

Abstract 1 | Abstract 2 | Abstract 3 | Abstract 4 | Abstract 5 | Abstract 6 | Abstract 7| Abstract 8 | Abstract 9 | Abstract 10 | Abstract 11 | Abstract 12 | Abstract 13 | Abstract 14

Welcome and Introduction Sindey Chaky BOEM  

Working Together: Providing Social Context in Support of Natural Resource Management – Two Cooperative Studies Speaker: John Primo BOEM  

Reasons and Hope for the Study Speaker: Harry Luton Independent Researcher  

Creating a Qualitative Database Speaker: Shana Walton Nicholls State University  

The Process of Establishing Codes for Qualitative Data Speaker: Don Callaway Independent Researcher  

Discussion and Questions Sindey Chaky BOEM  

Center for Bayou Studies at Nicholls as a Successful Research Partner Speaker: Gary LaFleur Nicholls State University  

Sampling the Digital Curation Gumbo: Academic and Community Collaborators’ Research and Perspectives  

  • Characterizing Incident Reports Associated with Grand Bois Waste Facility Speaker: Taylor Thibodeaux Nicholls State University  
  • The 1980s Oil Glut and the Bayou Region Speaker: Gabi Evans Nicholls State University  
  • Impacts of Natural Disasters on Children Speaker: Gabby Levine Tulane University  
  • Developing a Coastal Community Database and Analysis of Coastal Versus Adjacent Inland Parishes Speaker: Kaitlyn Dalferes Nicholls State University  
  • Voices from the Southwest Coast Speaker: Jamie Digilormo Louisiana State University  
  • Connections to the United Houma Nation Speaker: Kathleen Bergeron United Houma Nation  

Environmental Justice: Analyzing the Impacts of Offshore Development on Vulnerable Populations Speaker: Don Callaway Independent Researcher  

Discussion and Questions Sindey Chaky BOEM 

Overview of Goals and Findings for Pilot Study of Subsistence in Coastal Louisiana Speaker: Helen A. Regis Louisiana State University  

The Power of Qualitative Research Speaker: Mike Saunders Bayou Culture Collaborative  

4:15 – 4:30 pm CT Final Questions and Wrap-up Sindey Chaky BOEM

Tuesday, September 13 
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Archaeology

Session 3  Agenda

Abstract 1 | Abstract 2 | Abstract 3 | Abstract 4 | Abstract 5 | Abstract 6

Welcome and Introduction Doug Jones BOEM  

An Update on the Alabama Underwater Forest: A Time Capsule from the Last Ice Age Speaker: Kelli Moran Louisiana State University  

In Situ 3D Acoustic Imaging of Baldcypress Tree Stumps, Northern Gulf of Mexico Speaker: Dr. Mark Vardy SAND Geophysics  

CT Snapshots of Late Pleistocene Climatic and Ecological Variability: A Multiproxy Assessment of Northern Gulf of Mexico Sediment Cores. Speaker: Kendall Brome Louisiana State University  

Manasota Key Offshore: Submerged Inundated Landscapes and the Underwater Archaeology of the Gulf of Mexico Speaker: Dr. Ryan Duggins Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research  

Of National Significance: The Gulf’s 19th Century Shipwrecks Speaker: Dr. Mike Brennan SEARCH  

Characterizing Shipwrecks and Biological Communities in the Mesophotic Zone, Gulf of Mexico Speaker: Dr. Rod Mather University of Rhode Island  

Final Questions and Wrap-up Doug Jones, BOEM 

Tuesday, September 13 
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Air Quality & Physical Sciences

Session 4 Agenda

Abstract 1 | Abstract 2 | Abstract 3 | Abstract 4 | Abstract 5 | Abstract 6 | Abstract 7

Welcome and Introduction Jose Hernandez and Cholena Ren BOEM  

Overwater Platform Integration & Shoreline Fumigation Scoping Study Speaker: Michelle Snyder Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.  

Outer Continental Shelf Air Quality System (OCS AQS) Program Overview and 2021 Emissions Inventory Speakers: Jesse L. Thé and Michael Johnson Lakes Environmental Software  

Outer Continental Shelf Air Quality System (OCS AQS) Integrated Air Dispersion Modeling Capabilities Speakers: Jesse L. Thé and Michael Johnson Lakes Environmental Software  

A Pilot Study for Coastal Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico Region: Progress Update Speakers: Mark Phelps and Anthony Pacheco Ambilabs LLC  

Development of A High-Resolution Simulation of the Gulf of Mexico Suitable for Climate Change Studies Speakers: John Fasullo1 and Sergio deRada2 National Center for Atmospheric Research1 and U.S. Naval Research Laboratory2  

Upgrading Air Quality Regulatory Models Using Wind Tunnel Experiments Speaker: Ron Petersen Petersen Research and Consulting, LLC  

Gulf of Mexico Air Quality Near Oil and Gas Operations: Past Results and Preparations for New Geostationary Satellite Measurements Speaker: Ryan Stauffer NASA/GSFC  

Final Questions and Wrap-up Jose Hernandez and Cholena Ren BOEM 

Wednesday, September 14
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Biology

Session 5 Agenda

Abstract 1 | Abstract 2 | Abstract 3 | Abstract 4

Welcome and Introduction Michelle Bromschwig  

Gulf of Mexico Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (GoMMAPPS): Marine Mammal Fieldwork and Data Analysis Speaker: Lance Garrison National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center  

Gulf of Mexico Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (GoMMAPPS): Seabird Surveys in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Speaker: Jeffrey Gleason U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gulf Restoration Office  

Gulf of Mexico Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species: Sea Turtles Speaker: Margaret Lamont U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Reports Speaker: Mary Jo Barkaszi CSA Ocean Sciences  

Final Questions and Wrap-up Michelle Bromschwig BOEM 

Wednesday, September 14
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Fish Habitats

Session 6 Agenda

Abstract 1 | Abstract 2 | Abstract 3 | Abstract 4 | Abstract 5

Welcome and Introduction Allen Brooks BOEM 

Data Gap: Characterizing the Biological Communities on Shipwrecks and Hard-bottom Reefs in the Mesophotic Zone Speaker: Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

Identifying Sensitive, Hardbottom Habitat in the Shallow, Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Speaker: Eddie Hughes CSA Ocean Sciences, Inc.  

Multibeam Survey of "No Activity Zones" and Small Topographic Features Speaker: Marissa F. Nuttall CPC Inc. contractor assigned to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary  

Long-Term Coral Reef Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks, 1989-present Speaker: Michelle A. Johnston Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary  

Passive Acoustic Monitoring Program for the Northern Gulf of Mexico Speakers: Anwar Khan; Adam Frankel HDR EOC; Marine Acoustics, Inc.  

Final Questions and Wrap-up Allen Brooks BOEM