Coastwide Reference
Monitoring System
Strategic environmental monitoring and data acquisition for the long-term protection and restoration of the Louisiana coastal ecosystem.
This is a massive sensor network covering almost the entire Louisiana coastline.
The project lasts for 3 years, with options for extensions based on performance.
Data must be high-quality enough to be used in international scientific studies.
Mission Critical Infrastructure
Management of the state’s multi-billion dollar coastal restoration master plan requires high-fidelity data acquisition and analysis. This RFP seeks a specialized partner to fulfill these requirements.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) is essentially a high-stakes job posting. The government explains exactly what they need, and companies "bid" by explaining how they are the most qualified and what it will cost.
Since its inception in 2003, the CRMS network has evolved into a global benchmark for coastal habitat monitoring. It serves as the primary empirical foundation for environmental modeling and project feasibility assessments.
Primary Objectives
-
Quantifying project effectiveness via robust coastwide site assessment.
Note: Proving that our coastal projects actually work.
-
Empirical characterization of habitat variance across diverse coastal zones.
Note: Tracking how different marshes change over time.
Core Service Verticals
Hydrologic Integrity
Continuous hourly monitoring of salinity, temperature, and vertical water levels across 389 automated telemetry stations.
Electronic sensors in the water that beam data back to the office via satellite/radio.
Vegetative Dynamics
Systematic sampling of species utilizing standardized Braun-Blanquet protocols for habitat health assessment.
A universal "ruler" scientists use to estimate how much of a patch of land is covered by specific plants.
Soil Morphometry
Vertical accretion and surface elevation change analysis via Rod Surface Elevation Tables (RSET).
Special rods driven deep into the earth to measure if the marsh surface is "sinking" or "rising" by millimeters.
Aerial Intelligence
Acquisition and processing of high-resolution digital imagery to facilitate land/water ratio analysis.
Using satellite and plane photos to see if Louisiana is gaining or losing land to the sea.
Data Custodianship
Advanced Quality Assurance (QA/QC) management and integration into the CIMS system.
Double-checking every single data point to ensure there weren't any "typos" or sensor malfunctions.
Response Readiness
Rapid mobilization for post-event environmental damage assessments following tropical weather systems.
Being ready to go out immediately after a hurricane to see how much the marsh was damaged.