AN INTEGRATED PROGRAM FOR SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT MAPPING

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) national sensitive environment mapping program is to publish a comprehensive series of standard maps and databases for coastal areas that provide the basis for sensitive environment plans. Sensitive environment maps have been an integral component of oil spill contingency planning and response since 1979, when the first maps were prepared in advance of oil arriving from the Ixtoc I well blowout. Since then, NOAA has undertaken a nationwide sensitive environment mapping effort that covers most U.S. coastlines, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the Great Lakes. As part of cooperative efforts with federal agencies, states, and industry, NOAA is now undertaking a program to achieve three goals: map new areas and update existing maps, provide means for broadly distributing sensitive environment data in paper and electronic forms, and extend sensitivity mapping methods to new environments. In 1994, sensitive environment maps were jointly produced with the states of Texas, California, and Alaska. The Great Lakes materials were completed as part of a cooperative project between the U.S. Coast Guard and Environment Canada. With cooperation from the Marine Spill Response Corporation, NOAA is embarking on a program to format sensitive environment maps for computer-based information systems that help implement requirements of the 1990 Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90). NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Office of Pipeline Safety are cooperating to extend sensitive environment mapping approaches to inland waters and terrestrial habitats.