Marin Environmental Consulting Firm, CSA International, Inc., Partners with SeaRobotics to Conduct Shallow Water Bathymetric Survey of the St. Lucie Estuary

13 October 2009
Posted in 2009

Marine environmental consultants, CSA International, Inc. is a leader in Marine Environmental Sciences and Services and has partnered with SeaRobotics Corporation to assist in the conduct of the shallow water bathymetric survey of the St. Lucie Estuary for the Martin County Oyster Reef Restoration project.

The Oyster Reef Restoration team, led by CSA International, Inc., employed a state-of-the-art marine remote sensing system, called an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), to collect 3D underwater depth information. Working closely with Florida-based SeaRobotics, which designs and builds these small, smart, USVs that are remotely or autonomously operated, CSA International, Inc. was able to utilize this advanced technology to produce survey data in shallow and hard to reach locations. Bathymetric data for the shallowest restoration sites, approximately 180,400 m², was compiled in about 3 hours using the SeaRobotics USV.  “Without this specialized technology, access to these areas would be limited to snorkeling or wading, taking longer to conduct the survey and yielding less information,” said Ben Harkanson, Project Scientist at CSA International, Inc.

The information obtained during the bathymetric survey will aid in the identification of existing oyster beds in shallow locations and the determination of ideal placement for oyster bars that will be built nearshore. These oyster bars will protect the oyster shell and plantings being placed along the shoreline as well as help reduce erosion. Armed with this information, the Oyster Reef Restoration project will continue the project that entails the placement of approximately 30 million pounds of cultch (fossilized shells, limestone rock, and recycled concrete rubble) within the St. Lucie Estuary and the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River to provide critically needed habitat so that oysters can repopulate the estuaries.

For more information about the Oyster Reef Restoration project, visit www.oysterrestoration.com.

CSA International, Inc., a Marine Environmental Consulting Firm, is Awarded 5-Year NEPA Contract by MMS

Posted in 2009

CSA International, Inc., a marine environmental consulting firm, is pleased to announce that is has been awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) to prepare NEPA Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, and other documentation for alternative energy projects.  The GSA Schedule-based contract vehicle has one base and four option years, with a total capacity of $23 M.  CSA International, Inc. has named Mr. Will Sloger as the Program Manager for the contract.  Mr. Sloger is particularly well suited for the role, as he served the U.S. Navy as Section Head for NEPA Compliance for NAVFAC Southeast prior to joining CSA International, Inc.

Some of the alternative energy issues and tasks that could be covered under this contract include wind, wave, and current energy facility construction, operation, and decommissioning; testing new types of technology; collecting site data; and alternate uses of existing oil and gas platforms after they stop pumping.  Because the U.S. alternative energy industry, particularly in the offshore environment, is in its infancy, many of the issues to be addressed may be technologically and scientifically precedent setting.

CSA International, Inc., a Marine Environmental Consulting Firm, Conducts Study to Evaluate Marine Productivity in the OCS Planning Areas

15 September 2009
Posted in 2009

Marine environmental consultant, CSA International, Inc., was recently awarded the project “Evaluation of Marine Productivity Study for the OCS Planning Areas” by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS). This study will update the marine productivity estimates for the MMS Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program that CSA initially developed in 1990. A comparative evaluation of current methods for estimating marine productivity will be conducted, including review of available models and identification of the advantages and disadvantages of each. The most appropriate modeling approach will be used to estimate marine productivity for each of the 26 OCS Planning Areas. These findings, along with an evaluation of the potential impacts of OCS activities and climate change on marine productivity and an identification of study limitations and uncertainties, will be presented in the final project report.

CSA International, Inc. specializes in consulting services for Federal, State, and private industry clients in multidisciplinary projects, integrating science and technology to evaluate environmental activities throughout the world. CSA International, Inc. offers a wide variety of services related to environmental management and community planning to support clients working in marine, estuarine, wetland, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout the United States and overseas.

CSA International, Inc., a Marine Environmental Consulting Firm, Winner of Green-to-Gold Governor’s Award

15 September 2009
Posted in 2009

Marine environmental consulting firm, CSA International, Inc., is pleased to announce that it has been named the winner of one of the prestigious 2009 Governor’s Business Diversification Awards. The Green-to-Gold Award, new to the Governor’s Business Diversification Awards this year, advocates the sustainable management of resources and the stewardship of the natural environment through product, practices, and or processes and is awarded to a Florida company, organization, or institution that best exemplifies “green” leadership.

Mr. Robert Mulcahy, Vice President of CSA International, Inc., accepted this honor on behalf of CSA International, Inc. during Florida’s Industry Appreciation Week in Tallahassee, Florida at an awards presentation luncheon that was coordinated by Enterprise Florida, the principal economic development organization for the State of Florida. “CSA is honored to be the first winner of this prestigious award. Our corporate culture and ecological restoration services exemplify “green business,” and as we move forward into the next decade, we hope to expand these services and products into other areas. With a corporate history of nearly 40 years, CSA is committed to developing these additional services that sustain and enhance our environment,” said Mr. Mulcahy.

CSA International, Inc. focuses on the preservation and restoration of Florida's marine resources with proper planning and management for development. The sustainability of these resources depends on government regulation, public participation, and the development of techniques and planning processes working with private industry to preserve and restore these natural assets. Our services are vital to the economic growth of Florida as the local economy and many coastal areas are based on tourism and retirement-based development. The natural draw to Florida includes favorable weather conditions, clean water, and an outdoor lifestyle, and CSA’s services help protect, preserve, and restore these attributes.