Projects |

Selected project experience for Danielle Reich:

Oil Spill Risk/Impact Analysis

Project lead for an oil spill modeling study of hypothetical spills that could occur as a result of oil exploration activities, shipping, and cruise tourism in northern Greenland, the Canadian High Arctic Archipelago, and associated waters. Modeling included simulation of oil interactions with fixed landfast ice and moving sea ice. Various response methodologies were also evaluated, including subsea dispersant injection, surface dispersant application, mechanical removal, and in situ burning.
Provided expert review of oil spill modeling studies in support of pipeline spill response planning for a Native American tribe in the central U.S.
Provided technical support for an oil spill modeling study of potential impacts associated with construction and operation of a proposed marine terminal in Washington.
Modeled and analyzed surface and subsurface blowout oil spills in support of oil spill contingency planning for offshore oil and gas wells (Various projects). Has managed or conducted studies for more than 20 countries in Europe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
Provided technical editing services for oil spill trajectory modeling studies.
Co-managed the modeling and analysis of subsurface oil spills from more than 80 World War II-era shipwrecks to assess risks to ecological and socioeconomic resources of concern (client: NOAA). Areas modeled include the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, and U.S. Pacific Territories.
Project manager for an oil spill modeling study of potential future oil spills from a damaged platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Main objectives were to support the development of a response cost estimate and to estimate potential injuries/natural resource damages.
Assisted in the modeling of surface oil spills for the 26 U.S. Outer Continental Shelf planning areas, including the Gulf of Mexico and Arctic. The results are used as the basis for estimating oil spill-related costs in an Offshore Environmental Cost model used by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
Assisted in conducting oil spill modeling to estimate potential worst-case natural resource damages resulting from an oil spill in the Rouge and Detroit Rivers, Michigan.
Assisted in conducting oil spill modeling to estimate potential worst-case natural resource damages resulting from an oil spill in Brazil. Gathered life history data and compiled libraries for freshwater and estuarine fish and invertebrates occurring in the region.

Environmental Sensitivity Analysis and Marine Spatial Planning

Technical advisor for the development of an environmental sensitivity model to assess the potential impacts of offshore floating wind turbines on marine and coastal resources in California and Hawaii. The model incorporated species and habitat sensitivity, baseline environmental conditions, mitigation measures, and rates of large-scale natural disasters that could affect offshore facilities.
Project manager for an assessment of marine oil spill risk in Alaska (client: NOAA). Developed a new spatial model of environmental vulnerability that was combined with probability of oil spills by region to determine geographic areas of highest risk. Also managed the development of a software tool to calculate, view, and export risk results.
Co-managed the development of a conceptual framework and approach for cumulative environmental impact evaluation of offshore renewable energy development (client: BOEM). Included the development of a new software tool for marine spatial planning and siting evaluation.
Assisted in the application of a model to quantify relative environmental sensitivity of the marine habitats and ecosystems of the 26 U.S. Outer Continental Shelf planning areas (client: BOEM).

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Support/Environmental Permitting

Technical advisor for the development of a Construction and Operations Plan for a windfarm located offshore of Rhode Island and associated export cables with potential landfalls on Long Island, New York. Authored impact assessments for Essential Fish Habitat, marine protected species, finfish resources, commercial and recreational fisheries, and benthic habitats.
Technical advisor for the development of a Construction and Operations Plan for a wind farm offshore of Rhode Island and associated export cables into Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Lead author for Essential Fish Habitat technical report and impact assessments related to Essential Fish Habitat, marine protected species, commercial and recreational fisheries, and benthic habitats.
As a federal third-party representative, authoring Environmental Impact Statement sections related to wildlife, aquatic resources, Essential Fish Habitat, and protected species for a proposed coastal LNG terminal in Louisiana.
As a federal third-party representative, authored Environmental Impact Statement sections related to wildlife, aquatic resources, Essential Fish Habitat, and protected species sections for a subsea pipeline in the New York Bight.
As a federal third-party representative, led the revision of a Biological Assessment and supported formal consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for an offshore LNG terminal and associated subsea pipeline in the Caribbean.
Technical Adviser for the development of a Biological Evaluation for the relocation of an existing marine aquaculture net pen in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Included evaluation of potential effects on protected species and Essential Fish Habitat.
As a subcontractor to the federal third-party representative, supported the development of an EIS for a proposed offshore LNG terminal in the Caribbean. Managed RPS ASA staff and authored marine-science related sections.
As a subcontractor to the federal third-party representative, supported an EIS for a proposed natural gas pipeline lateral in the New York Bight. Managed RPS ASA staff.
As a subcontractor to the federal third-party representative, authored Essential Fish Habitat section of an EIS for a proposed offshore LNG terminal in the New York Bight. Managed RPS ASA staff.
Environmental Adviser for a proposed offshore facility south of Long Island and an associated offshore/onshore pipeline into the New Jersey/New York City area. Work included a multi-year siting assessment to identify environmental resources, regulatory requirements, issues and schedules, and survey requirements. The study also included a characterization of existing resources that would be affected by or influence pipeline siting. Project responsibilities included resource evaluations, development of offshore and onshore biological survey plans, hiring and management of subcontractors, and coordination with state and federal resource agencies. Also managed several studies relating to fisheries resources and stakeholders.
As a federal third-party representative, conducted stakeholder outreach at pre-filing open house and public scoping meetings and authored land use and Essential Fish Habitat EIS sections for a natural gas pipeline and associated facilities in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Project team member responsible for assisting with state protected species consultations and Native American tribal consultations for a compressor station in Michigan.
Project team member responsible for assisting with federal and state agency consultations regarding threatened and endangered species for a 50-mile-long pipeline through Connecticut, Long Island Sound, and New York.
Project team member supporting the permitting for the installation of three permanent coastal erosion control devices in Delaware. Specific project responsibilities included conducting wetland delineations, conducting protected species and Essential Fish Habitat consultations, and preparing state and federal permit applications.
Designed and managed a field program for surveying boat traffic patterns for a proposed offshore LNG terminal in Massachusetts. Analyzed survey data and prepared reports.
As a federal third-party representative, authored marine mammal and sea turtle impact sections of a Biological Assessment for a proposed onshore LNG terminal in the Columbia River, Oregon.
As a federal third-party representative, authored water resources and fisheries sections of an Environmental Assessment for a 129-mile-long natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The project included a pipeline crossing of a national wildlife refuge.

Marine Fisheries Science/Marine Biology

Project manager for a modeling study of sea turtle hatchling dispersion in eastern Africa.
Assisted in teaching fish stock assessment to resource managers from 13 developing countries during the 2010 Leadership for Fisheries Management Course, hosted by the University of Rhode Island Fisheries Center and Coastal Resources Center.
Assisted with a study of cetacean interactions with midwater trawl fishing gear, with the goal of reducing bycatch. Involved working collaboratively with mid-Atlantic fishermen, both during workshops and time at sea on commercial fishing vessels.
Worked as a field research assistant for a behavioral study of breeding ground humpback whales on the remote island of Isla Socorro, Mexico. Monitored whales via photographic mark and release, collected tissue samples via biopsy, conducted acoustic sampling with boat-based and submerged hydrophones, and installed and retrieved underwater sensors via SCUBA.
Provided diving and technical support to a marine aquaculture facility and breeding program being implemented by the Sustainable Development Research Foundation on Ko Yao Yai Island, Thailand.
As a scientific research diver, assisted in various aspects of marine epidemiology research on a species of reef fish near Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. Mapped substrate distribution, conducted predator surveys, and carried out behavioral observations. Captured fish for tagging, along with other underwater tasks.
During a summer study abroad program in Baja California Sur, Mexico, assisted with laying the groundwork for the establishment of a marine protected area in critical sea turtle habitat. Conducted turtle ecology research, habitat assessments, and public surveys, and developed environmental education programs for local schools.