The ocean covers about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, and life on this planet depends heavily on the ocean. We celebrate its vast being and presence each year on June 8. With CSS so heavily dedicated to Earth and environmental science, it makes sense that many CSS employee owners are deeply embedded in ocean science, from tidal ecosystems to deeper sea benthic communities. Below are a few projects our staff are involved in to assess ocean health and help make the ocean a healthier place for life on this planet. 

  • Restoring marsh ecosystems 
  • Assessing the ocean economy 
  • Conserving shallow coral communities affected by stony coral tissue loss disease 
  • Mapping, assessing, and restoring mesophotic and deep benthic communities  
  • Developing suitability models to inform BOEM’s selection of offshore wind energy areas 
  • Managing ocean data and tools to inform ocean planning and offshore renewable energy 
  • Forecasting, monitoring, and detecting harmful algal blooms 
  • Mapping and assessing seagrass and kelp and other coastal habitats 
  • Assessing ocean toxins and pollutants through shellfish sampling 

Through several contracts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CSS employee owners are dedicated to protecting our ocean, its ecosystems, and life that depends on it.

See More CSS Insights

Rapid Reporting of a Close Call Incident

CSS Safety Protocols During a routine collection of waste, a container of white powder disintegrated without warning, causing the powder to spill and be expelled into the air. Thanks to CSS’s safety protocols and quick response, our Center for Disease Control waste disposal staff was able to assess the situation and respond to the chemical…

Expanding a Popular Flood Exposure Tool

We recently assisted our client, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management, with updating one of their most popular tools, the Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper.

stream running through a wooded area

Developing a Stream Assessment Protocol 

CSS has been a significant contributor to the development and implementation of the Oregon Stream Function Assessment Method (SFAM) for more than 10 years. SFAM is a key component of the Oregon Stream Mitigation Program administered by the Oregon Department of State Lands.  The mitigation program is designed to address damage to aquatic resources caused…