Offshore Environmental Research Offshore environmental research addresses information needs for DOI's Minerals Management Service. Studies target benthic biota, marine mammals, coastal environments, and commercial and sport fisheries. Investigations have also involved sublethal toxicity analyses, assessments of physical and chemical oceanographic regimes, and seabird distribution and abundance estimations. FY 1997 funding has been determined through the open-competitive procurement process. Limited opportunities will be advertised in the Commerce Business Daily in FY 1998.
States play key roles in both natural resource science and management.
The BRD State Partnership initiative seeks to enhance and strengthen working relationships between BRD and States. BRD also seeks to expand its ties to include States with which it does not have historic ties, and to develop relationships with a broader range of agencies than was historically the case. About half the funding will be provided to States, with the remainder being provided to BRD units for activities that complement State efforts. The MMS uses a number of vehicles to announce research opportunities. Competition may be open or restricted to a smaller field of researchers, such as small businesses.