SARBO

South Atlantic Regional Biological Opinion (SARBO)

SARBO is the Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation completed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in Mach 2020. It documents the effects of coastal dredging and material placement conducted by the USACE and BOEM to ESA-listed species under NMFS jurisdiction.  The document outlines how work can be completed by adhering to “Project Design Criteria” to minimize effects on species and habitat.  SARBO allows for limited “take” of species meaning that some species may be unintentionally harmed or intentionally moved out of harm's way. Based on the PDCs and take covered, NMFS determined that the USACE and BOEM actions would not reduce the probability of these species populations to survive or recover.  

 

 

South Atlantic Regional Biological Opinion (SARBO)

Thanks to SARBO, USACE creates and restores habitat including marshes, bird islands, reefs, and more. USACE aims to use 70% of all material dredged beneficially by 2030. Learn more about how USACE continues to find innovative ways to restore habitat:
Did you know, thanks to SARBO, USACE maintains beaches. Next time you enjoy a day at the beach, remember USACE maintains a majority of beaches in the southeast to provide vital storm protection to people and infrastructure. It also provides important habitat for nesting sea turtles by assuring beaches are routinely renourished and available when sea turtles return to nest. Learn more here:
Did you know, thanks to SARBO, USACE helps Americans get the goods and services they need. Ports and harbors are important to everyone with approximately ~96% of the US GDP associated with our goods shipped through our ports. SARBO helps USASE maintain vital ports in the southeast including Wilmington, Morehead, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Port Everglades, and Miami. Navigation was the Corps of Engineers’ earliest Civil Works mission, dating to Federal laws in 1824 authorizing and funding the Corps to improve safety on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and several ports. The Corps provides safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems (channels, harbors, and waterways) for movement of commerce, national security needs, and recreation. Learn more here:
SARBO covers 25 threatened and endangered species and critical habitat designated to support them in an area spanning from the North Carolina coast to the Florida Keys and includes rivers along the way that support sturgeon plus the waters around the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Learn more about these sea turtles, fish, sharks, rays, sawfish, whales, and coral found here:
The South Atlantic Division's coastal portfolio addresses navigation, flood risk management and the dredging of coastline.
With less than an estimated 350 North Atlantic right whales remaining, research and conservation programs are key to saving this critically endangered species. USACE contributes over $2 Million annual toward right whale conservation and has spent decades co-funding EWS aerial surveys in Florida and Georgia as well as over 20 years contributing to the Marineland Right Whale Project in Florida. USACE is the sole funding source for the Carolina survey in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia south to Tybee Island.
Meet this year’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute’s (CMARI) South Carolina Right Whale aerial survey team! From left to right, Jess McCoppin, CMARI research scientist and South Carolina team lead, Alayna Roberston, CMARI research scientist and first-year observer, Theresa Ciraolo, CMARI research scientist and first-year observer, and Melanie White, CMARI project manager for the North Atlantic right whale conservation program.