CSA has conducted seagrass surveys associated with repair of three marine power distribution cables in south Florida

CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), a marine environmental consulting firm, has recently performed pre- and post-construction seagrass surveys associated with the repair of three marine power distribution cables in West Palm Beach, Miami Beach, and Bay Harbor Islands. The repair of the cables, owned by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), is considered essential work.

CSA is currently subcontracted by Underwater Engineering Services Inc. to perform seagrass and other sensitive benthic resources surveys prior to and following repair of marine power distribution cables throughout Florida on an on-call basis and within 24 hours of notification. The recent field surveys were among the first conducted under CSA’s recently implemented COVID-19 Mitigation Plan, which includes health and safety protocols specific to keeping CSA employees and partners safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Kevin Peterson, CSA’s Chief Executive Officer commented “The safety of our employees, customers, and partners is an absolute priority. Our ability to safely perform work in the field is facilitated by an aggressive set of protocols developed early in this process. With input from our own scientists and operational experts, as well as external HSSE and medical Subject Matter Experts, we have developed comprehensive protocols that are constantly updated as we gain additional knowledge and experience.”

Seagrasses were found at two of the three project locations, including turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) and paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), which required post-construction surveys to be conducted following repairs. The pre- and post-construction survey results were provided to UESI and FPL.

To learn more about how CSA is conducting operations during the COVID19 pandemic please click here.