CSA, founded in 1970 as a marine environmental consulting firm, specializes in providing consulting and marine operations expertise associated with the assessment of the impacts of offshore energy projects and marine uses. CSA's core environmental consulting services specific to the offshore wind industry include:
Desktop Siting and Routing;
Survey and Study Plans;
BOEM Sampling and Analysis Plans and COPs;
Biological Surveys (marine mammals, sea turtles, benthic communities/habitats, and fisheries);
Geophysical and Oceanographic Surveys;
Marine Acoustics Studies, Surveys, and Assessments;
Marine Mammal Incidental Take Authorizations;
Protected Species Observation and Passive Acoustic Monitoring;
Data Management and Geospatial Services;
Mitigation and Monitoring Plans; and
NEPA EISs, Environmental Assessments (EAs), and Permitting.
CSA have provided surveys, environmental consulting, and permitting support for multiple offshore wind developments along the Atlantic coast of the United States, from Massachusetts to Virginia. These assignments have required cooperation with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and other cooperating federal and state agencies. Staff have been involved in all phases of offshore wind development, from surveys and development of permit plans, to preparation of detailed Construction and Operations Plans (COPs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). CSA has also worked with BOEM conducting research studies and preparing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental documents and compliance services for offshore energy and mineral resource related projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) since the 1980s.