The $6.1 million contract will
support nautical charting needs as well as tourism, fishing, and
marine commerce in the region.
TANGIER SOUND, Md.,
July 26,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration has tasked Woolpert with performing
hydrographic survey and collecting bathymetric data in Tangier
Sound, Md., under a $6.1 million
contract.
The data will update National Ocean Service nautical charting
products, which are used for improving the safety of maritime
traffic and commerce, and will support commercial fishing, shipping
channels, coastal resilience, scientific research, and Seabed
2030.
Seabed 2030 is a collaborative effort between the Nippon
Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans that
aims to integrate and share all available bathymetric data to
produce a definitive map of the world's ocean floor by 2030. Last
year, NOAA tasked Woolpert with collecting data in the Chesapeake
Bay Watershed, which included portions of the Potomac, Rappahannock, James, and York Rivers.
Under this contract in Maryland, Woolpert will collect data over 116
square nautical miles in Tangier Sound located in the Chesapeake
Bay, the largest estuary in North
America. The 64,000-square-mile watershed is heavily
trafficked by commercial and recreational vessels used for tourism,
fishing, and marine commerce.
"The hydrographic survey data collected under this contract
adjoins bathymetric lidar data previously acquired by Woolpert in
Tangier Sound," Woolpert Project Manager Ryan Cross said. "This modern, high-resolution
bathymetry will help improve the safety of vessel navigation within
Tangier Sound, including the Nanticoke and Wicomico Rivers. We are pleased
to be providing these surveys for the NOAA Office of Coast Survey
throughout this important and interesting survey area."
Cross said the high-resolution multibeam and side-scan sonar
data also will be used to detect and map seabed features and
archaeological sites beneficial for fisheries and cultural resource
management.
"The data will benefit the USACE Oyster Habitat Preservation and
Restoration working group as well as contribute to ongoing
underwater archaeological exploration and investigation," Cross
said.
The contract is underway and is expected to conclude in
November 2024.
About Woolpert
Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial
(AEG), and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one
of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across
markets to effectively serve public, private, and government
clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company,
a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm, has earned seven Great Place to
Work certifications, and actively nurtures a culture of growth,
inclusion, diversity, and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's
fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,500
employees and more than 60 offices on five continents. For more,
visit woolpert.com.
Media Contact
Lynn Rossi, Woolpert,
312-837-2017, lynn.rossi@woolpert.com, www.woolpert.com
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SOURCE Woolpert