U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 

OCS EIS/EA 

BOEM 2012-019 

Gulf of Mexico OCS 

Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012-2017 

Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248 

Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 

Volume III: Chapters 6-8, Keyword Index, Figures, Tables, 

and Appendices 

TEXAS TEXAS

MISSISSIPPI MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA ALABAMA

LOUISIANA LOUISIANA FLORIDA FLORIDA

Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico

Western Planning Area Central Planning Area Eastern Eastern

Planning Planning

Area Area
U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 

OCS EIS/EA 

BOEM 2012-019 

Gulf of Mexico OCS 

Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012-2017 

Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248 

Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 

Volume III: Chapters 6-8, Keyword Index, Figures, Tables, 

and Appendices 

TEXAS TEXAS

MISSISSIPPI MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA ALABAMA

LOUISIANA LOUISIANA FLORIDA FLORIDA

Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico

Western Planning Area Central Planning Area Eastern Eastern

Planning Planning

Area Area
U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 

OCS EIS/EA 

BOEM 2012-019 

Gulf of Mexico OCS 

Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012-2017 

Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248 

Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 

Volume III: Chapters 6-8, Keyword Index, Figures, Tables, 

and Appendices 

Author 

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 

Published by 

New Orleans

July 2012 

Table of Contents iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Volume I

Page

SUMMARY................................................................................................................................................vii

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................. xxxi

LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................................xxxvii

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................................................ xliii

CONVERSION CHART .......................................................................................................................... xlix 

1. THE PROPOSED ACTIONS .............................................................................................................. 1-3

1.1. Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Actions ....................................................................... 1-3

1.2. Description of the Proposed Actions ....................................................................................... 1-4

1.3. Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................ 1-5

1.3.1. Recent BOEM/BSEE Rule Changes......................................................................... 1-7

1.3.1.1. Rule Changes Resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Event.................. 1-7

1.3.1.2. Recent and Ongoing Regulatory Reform and GovernmentSponsored Research ............................................................................... 1-10

1.3.1.3. Recent and Ongoing Industry Reform and Research ............................. 1-15

1.3.2. Rule Changes for the Reorganization of Title 30 for the Bureau of Ocean 

Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental 

Enforcement ............................................................................................................ 1-18

1.4. Prelease Process..................................................................................................................... 1-19

1.5. Postlease Activities................................................................................................................ 1-22

1.6. Other OCS-Related Activities................................................................................................ 1-39

2. ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTIONS ........................................................ 2-3

2.1. Multisale NEPA Analysis........................................................................................................ 2-3

2.2. Alternatives, Mitigating Measures, and Issues ........................................................................ 2-4

2.2.1. Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 2-4

2.2.1.1. Alternatives for Proposed Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 

233, 238, 246, and 248............................................................................. 2-4

2.2.1.2. Alternatives for Proposed Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 

231, 235, 241, and 247........................................................................... 2-10

2.2.2. Mitigating Measures................................................................................................ 2-12

2.2.2.1. Proposed Mitigating Measures Analyzed .............................................. 2-12

2.2.2.2. Existing Mitigating Measures................................................................ 2-13

2.2.3. Issues....................................................................................................................... 2-13

2.2.3.1. Issues to be Analyzed............................................................................. 2-14

2.2.3.2. Issues Considered but Not Analyzed ..................................................... 2-15

2.3. Proposed Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248 ......................... 2-16

2.3.1. Alternative A—The Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative)................................ 2-16

2.3.1.1. Description............................................................................................. 2-16

2.3.1.2. Summary of Impacts.............................................................................. 2-17
iv Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

2.3.1.3. Mitigating Measures .............................................................................. 2-33

2.3.1.3.1. Topographic Features Stipulation ....................................... 2-33

2.3.1.3.2. Military Areas Stipulation................................................... 2-37

2.3.1.3.3. Protected Species Stipulation .............................................. 2-38

2.3.1.3.4. Law of the Sea Convention Royalty Payment 

Stipulation ........................................................................... 2-40

2.3.1.3.5. Transboundary Stipulation .................................................. 2-41

2.3.2. Alternative B—The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near 

the Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features.................................................... 2-42

2.3.2.1. Description............................................................................................. 2-42

2.3.2.2. Summary of Impacts.............................................................................. 2-42

2.3.3. Alternative C—No Action....................................................................................... 2-43

2.3.3.1. Description............................................................................................. 2-43

2.3.3.2. Summary of Impacts.............................................................................. 2-43

2.4. Proposed Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247........................... 2-43

2.4.1. Alternative A—The Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative)................................ 2-43

2.4.1.1. Description............................................................................................. 2-43

2.4.1.2. Summary of Impacts.............................................................................. 2-44

2.4.1.3. Mitigating Measures .............................................................................. 2-65

2.4.1.3.1. Topographic Features Stipulation ....................................... 2-65

2.4.1.3.2. Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) Stipulation .......................... 2-68

2.4.1.3.3. Military Areas Stipulation................................................... 2-70

2.4.1.3.4. Evacuation Stipulation ........................................................ 2-70

2.4.1.3.5. Coordination Stipulation ..................................................... 2-71

2.4.1.3.6. Blocks South of Baldwin County, Alabama, 

Stipulation ........................................................................... 2-72

2.4.1.3.7. Protected Species Stipulation .............................................. 2-72

2.4.1.3.8. Law of the Sea Convention Royalty Payment 

Stipulation ........................................................................... 2-72

2.4.1.3.9. Below Seabed Operations Stipulation................................. 2-73

2.4.1.3.10. Transboundary Stipulation .................................................. 2-73

2.4.2. Alternative B—The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near 

the Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features.................................................... 2-73

2.4.2.1. Description............................................................................................. 2-73

2.4.2.2. Summary of Impacts.............................................................................. 2-73

2.4.3. Alternative C—No Action....................................................................................... 2-74

2.4.3.1. Description............................................................................................. 2-74

2.4.3.2. Summary of Impacts.............................................................................. 2-74

0B3. IMPACT-PRODUCING FACTORS AND SCENARIO .................................................................... 3-3

1B3.1. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario—Routine Operations............................................... 3-3

4B3.1.1. Offshore Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario .................................................... 3-3

16B3.1.1.1. Resource Estimates and Timetables......................................................... 3-4

51B3.1.1.1.1. Proposed Actions................................................................... 3-4

52B3.1.1.1.2. OCS Program ........................................................................ 3-5

17B3.1.1.2. Exploration and Delineation .................................................................... 3-6

53B3.1.1.2.1. Seismic Surveying Operations.............................................. 3-6

54B3.1.1.2.2. Exploration and Delineation Plans and Drilling.................... 3-8
Table of Contents v

18B3.1.1.3. Development and Production................................................................. 3-10

5B3.1.1.3.1. Development and Production Drilling ................................ 3-10

56B3.1.1.3.2. Infrastructure Emplacement/Structure Installation and 

Commissioning Activities................................................... 3-12

14B3.1.1.3.2.1. Bottom Area Disturbance .............................. 3-14

15B3.1.1.3.2.2. Sediment Displacement ................................. 3-15

57B3.1.1.3.3. Infrastructure Presence ........................................................ 3-15

16B3.1.1.3.3.1. Anchoring ...................................................... 3-15

17B3.1.1.3.3.2. Offshore Production Systems ........................ 3-15

18B3.1.1.3.3.3. Space-Use Requirements............................... 3-16

19B3.1.1.3.3.4. Aesthetic Quality ........................................... 3-18

120B3.1.1.3.3.5. Workovers and Abandonments...................... 3-19

19B3.1.1.4. Operational Waste Discharged Offshore................................................ 3-19

58B3.1.1.4.1. Drilling Muds and Cuttings................................................. 3-20

59B3.1.1.4.2. Produced Waters ................................................................. 3-22

60B3.1.1.4.3. Well Treatment, Workover, and Completion Fluids........... 3-23

61B3.1.1.4.4. Production Solids and Equipment ....................................... 3-24

62B3.1.1.4.5. Bilge, Ballast, and Fire Water ............................................. 3-24

63B3.1.1.4.6. Cooling Water ..................................................................... 3-25

64B3.1.1.4.7. Deck Drainage..................................................................... 3-25

65B3.1.1.4.8. Treated Domestic and Sanitary Wastes............................... 3-25

6B3.1.1.4.9. Minor Discharges................................................................ 3-26

67B3.1.1.4.10. Vessel Operational Wastes.................................................. 3-26

68B3.1.1.4.11. Upcoming Waste and Discharge Issues .............................. 3-26

20B3.1.1.5. Air Emissions......................................................................................... 3-27

21B3.1.1.6. Noise ...................................................................................................... 3-27

2B3.1.1.7. Major Sources of Oil Inputs in the Gulf of Mexico ............................... 3-29

69B3.1.1.7.1. Natural Seepage................................................................... 3-30

70B3.1.1.7.2. Produced Water................................................................... 3-30

71B3.1.1.7.3. Land-Based Discharges....................................................... 3-30

72B3.1.1.7.4. Spills.................................................................................... 3-30

12B3.1.1.7.4.1. Trends in Reported Spill Volumes and 

Numbers......................................................... 3-31

12B3.1.1.7.4.2. Projections of Future Spill Events................. 3-32

123B3.1.1.7.4.3. OCS-Related Offshore Oil Spills................... 3-32

124B3.1.1.7.4.4. Non-OCS-Related Offshore Spills................. 3-33

125B3.1.1.7.4.5. OCS-Related Coastal Spills........................... 3-33

126B3.1.1.7.4.6. Non-OCS-Related Coastal Spills................... 3-34

127B3.1.1.7.4.7. Other Sources of Oil ...................................... 3-34

23B3.1.1.8. Offshore Transport................................................................................. 3-35

73B3.1.1.8.1. Pipelines.............................................................................. 3-35

74B3.1.1.8.2. Barges.................................................................................. 3-38

75B3.1.1.8.3. Oil Tankers.......................................................................... 3-39

76B3.1.1.8.4. Service Vessels.................................................................... 3-40

7B3.1.1.8.5. Helicopters .......................................................................... 3-41

24B3.1.1.9. Safety Issues........................................................................................... 3-42

78B3.1.1.9.1. Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfurous Petroleum........................ 3-42

79B3.1.1.9.2. Shallow Hazards.................................................................. 3-42

80B3.1.1.9.3. New and Unusual Technology ............................................ 3-43

25B3.1.1.10. Decommissioning and Removal Operations.......................................... 3-44
vi Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

5B3.1.2. Coastal Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario..................................................... 3-47

26B3.1.2.1. Coastal Infrastructure ............................................................................. 3-47

81B3.1.2.1.1. Service Bases....................................................................... 3-48

82B3.1.2.1.2. Helicopter Hubs................................................................... 3-49

83B3.1.2.1.3. Construction Facilities......................................................... 3-49

128B3.1.2.1.3.1. Platform Fabrication Yards............................ 3-49

129B3.1.2.1.3.2. Shipbuilding and Shipyards........................... 3-50

130B3.1.2.1.3.3. Pipecoating Facilities and Yards.................... 3-50

84B3.1.2.1.4. Processing Facilities............................................................ 3-51

13B3.1.2.1.4.1. Refineries....................................................... 3-51

132B3.1.2.1.4.2. Gas Processing Plants.................................... 3-51

13B3.1.2.1.4.3. Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities.................... 3-52

85B3.1.2.1.5. Terminals............................................................................. 3-52

134B3.1.2.1.5.1. Pipeline Shore Facilities ................................ 3-52

135B3.1.2.1.5.2. Barge Terminals............................................. 3-52

136B3.1.2.1.5.3. Tanker Port Areas.......................................... 3-52

86B3.1.2.1.6. Coastal Pipelines................................................................. 3-53

87B3.1.2.1.7. Coastal Barging................................................................... 3-53

8B3.1.2.1.8. Navigation Channels........................................................... 3-54

27B3.1.2.2. Discharges and Wastes........................................................................... 3-54

89B3.1.2.2.1. Disposal and Storage Facilities for Offshore 

Operational Wastes ............................................................. 3-54

90B3.1.2.2.2. Onshore Facility Discharges ............................................... 3-55

91B3.1.2.2.3. Coastal Service-Vessel Discharges..................................... 3-55

92B3.1.2.2.4. Offshore Wastes Disposed Onshore.................................... 3-55

93B3.1.2.2.5. Beach Trash and Debris ...................................................... 3-56

2B3.2. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario—Accidental Events............................................... 3-56

6B3.2.1. Oil Spills.................................................................................................................. 3-56

28B3.2.1.1. Spill Prevention...................................................................................... 3-56

29B3.2.1.2. Past OCS Spills...................................................................................... 3-57

94B3.2.1.2.1. Coastal Spills....................................................................... 3-57

95B3.2.1.2.2. Offshore Spills..................................................................... 3-57

30B3.2.1.3. Characteristics of OCS Oil..................................................................... 3-57

31B3.2.1.4. Overview of Spill Risk Analysis............................................................ 3-58

32B3.2.1.5. Risk Analysis for Offshore Spills ≥1,000 bbl ........................................ 3-59

96B3.2.1.5.1. Estimated Number of Offshore Spills ≥1,000 bbl and 

Probability of Occurrence ................................................... 3-59

97B3.2.1.5.2. Most Likely Source of Offshore Spills ≥1,000 bbl ............. 3-59

98B3.2.1.5.3. Most Likely Size of an Offshore Spill ≥1,000 bbl .............. 3-59

9B3.2.1.5.4. Fate of Offshore Spills ≥1,000 bbl ...................................... 3-60

10B3.2.1.5.5. Transport of Spills ≥1,000 bbl by Winds and Currents....... 3-61

10B3.2.1.5.6. Length of Coastline Affected by Offshore Spills 

≥1,000 bbl............................................................................ 3-62

102B3.2.1.5.7. Likelihood of an Offshore Spill ≥1,000 bbl Occurring 

and Contacting Modeled Locations of Environmental 

Resources ............................................................................ 3-62
Table of Contents vii

3B3.2.1.6. Risk Analysis for Offshore Spills <1,000 bbl ........................................ 3-63

103B3.2.1.6.1. Estimated Number of Offshore Spills <1,000 bbl and 

Total Volume of Oil Spilled................................................ 3-63

104B3.2.1.6.2. Most Likely Source and Type of Offshore Spills 

<1,000 bbl ........................................................................... 3-63

105B3.2.1.6.3. Most Likely Size of Offshore Spills <1,000 bbl ................. 3-63

106B3.2.1.6.4. Persistence, Spreading, and Weathering of Offshore 

Oil Spills <1,000 bbl ........................................................... 3-63

107B3.2.1.6.5. Transport of Spills <1,000 bbl by Winds and Currents....... 3-64

108B3.2.1.6.6. Likelihood of an Offshore Spill <1,000 bbl Occurring 

and Contacting Modeled Locations of Environmental 

Resources ............................................................................ 3-64

34B3.2.1.7. Risk Analysis for Coastal Spills............................................................. 3-64

109B3.2.1.7.1. Estimated Number and Most Likely Sizes of Coastal 

Spills.................................................................................... 3-64

10B3.3.1.7.2. Likelihood of Coastal Spill Contact .................................... 3-65

35B3.2.1.8. Risk Analysis by Resource..................................................................... 3-65

36B3.2.1.9. Spill Response........................................................................................ 3-66

1B3.2.1.9.1. BOEM Spill-Response Requirements and Initiatives ......... 3-66

12B3.2.1.9.2. Offshore Response, Containment, and Cleanup 

Technology.......................................................................... 3-68

13B3.2.1.9.3. Onshore Response and Cleanup.......................................... 3-72

7B3.2.2. Losses of Well Control............................................................................................ 3-74

8B3.2.3. Pipeline Failures...................................................................................................... 3-81

9B3.2.4. Vessel Collisions..................................................................................................... 3-82

10B3.2.5. Chemical and Drilling-Fluid Spills ......................................................................... 3-83

3B3.3. Cumulative Activities Scenario ............................................................................................. 3-84

1B3.3.1. OCS Program .......................................................................................................... 3-84

12B3.3.2. State Oil and Gas Activity....................................................................................... 3-84

13B3.3.3. Other Major Factors Influencing Offshore Environments ...................................... 3-88

37B3.3.3.1. Dredged Material Disposal .................................................................... 3-88

38B3.3.3.2. OCS Sand Borrowing............................................................................. 3-89

39B3.3.3.3. Marine Transportation............................................................................ 3-90

40B3.3.3.4. Military Activities.................................................................................. 3-90

41B3.3.3.5. Artificial Reefs and Rigs-to-Reefs Development................................... 3-92

42B3.3.3.6. Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas Projects and Deepwater Ports............. 3-92

43B3.3.3.7. Development of Gas Hydrates............................................................... 3-93

4B3.3.3.8. Renewable Energy and Alternative Use................................................. 3-94

14B3.3.4. Other Major Factors Influencing Coastal Environments......................................... 3-96

45B3.3.4.1. Sea-Level Rise and Subsidence ............................................................. 3-96

46B3.3.4.2. Mississippi River Hydromodification.................................................... 3-98

47B3.3.4.3. Maintenance Dredging and Federal Channels ....................................... 3-99

48B3.3.4.4. Coastal Restoration Programs.............................................................. 3-101

15B3.3.5. Natural Events and Processes................................................................................ 3-103

49B3.3.5.1. Physical Oceanography........................................................................ 3-103

50B3.3.5.2. Hurricanes............................................................................................ 3-104
viii Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACT ANALYSIS ........................................ 4-3

4.1. Proposed Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248 ........................... 4-3

4.1.1. Alternative A—The Proposed Action ....................................................................... 4-9

4.1.1.1. Air Quality ............................................................................................... 4-9

4.1.1.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment ........................... 4-10

4.1.1.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events .................................................. 4-12

4.1.1.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events.............................................. 4-15

4.1.1.1.4. Cumulative Impacts............................................................. 4-18

4.1.1.2. Water Quality......................................................................................... 4-20

4.1.1.2.1. Coastal Waters..................................................................... 4-21

4.1.1.2.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment...... 4-21

4.1.1.2.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events............................. 4-24

4.1.1.2.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events........................ 4-25

4.1.1.2.1.4. Cumulative Impacts....................................... 4-28

4.1.1.2.2. Offshore Waters .................................................................. 4-29

4.1.1.2.2.1. Description of the Affected Environment...... 4-29

4.1.1.2.2.2. Impacts of Routine Events............................. 4-33

4.1.1.2.2.3. Impacts of Accidental Events........................ 4-35

4.1.1.2.2.4. Cumulative Impacts....................................... 4-39

4.1.1.3. Coastal Barrier Beaches and Associated Dunes..................................... 4-41

4.1.1.3.1. Description of the Affected Environment ........................... 4-42

4.1.1.3.2. Impacts of Routine Events .................................................. 4-46

4.1.1.3.3. Impacts of Accidental Events.............................................. 4-48

4.1.1.3.4. Cumulative Impacts............................................................. 4-51

4.1.1.4. Wetlands................................................................................................. 4-56

4.1.1.4.1. Description of the Affected Environment ........................... 4-57

4.1.1.4.2. Impacts of Routine Events .................................................. 4-60

4.1.1.4.3. Impacts of Accidental Events.............................................. 4-64

4.1.1.4.4. Cumulative Impacts............................................................. 4-68

4.1.1.5. Seagrass Communities........................................................................... 4-74

4.1.1.5.1. Description of the Affected Environment ........................... 4-74

4.1.1.5.2. Impacts of Routine Events .................................................. 4-76

4.1.1.5.3. Impacts of Accidental Events.............................................. 4-78

4.1.1.5.4. Cumulative Impacts............................................................. 4-80

4.1.1.6. Topographic Features............................................................................. 4-82

4.1.1.6.1. Description of the Affected Environment ........................... 4-82

4.1.1.6.2. Impacts of Routine Events .................................................. 4-91

4.1.1.6.3. Impacts of Accidental Events.............................................. 4-98

4.1.1.6.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-108

4.1.1.7. Sargassum Communities...................................................................... 4-112

4.1.1.7.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-112

4.1.1.7.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-115

4.1.1.7.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-116

4.1.1.7.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-118

4.1.1.8. Chemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities.............................. 4-120

4.1.1.8.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-121

4.1.1.8.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-130

4.1.1.8.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-133

4.1.1.8.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-136
Table of Contents ix

4.1.1.9. Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities........................ 4-140

4.1.1.9.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-140

4.1.1.9.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-142

4.1.1.9.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-146

4.1.1.9.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-148

4.1.1.10. Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities...................................................... 4-153

4.1.1.10.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-153

4.1.1.10.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-164

4.1.1.10.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-172

4.1.1.10.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-180

4.1.1.11. Marine Mammals................................................................................. 4-184

4.1.1.11.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-184

4.1.1.11.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-196

4.1.1.11.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-203

4.1.1.11.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-209

4.1.1.12. Sea Turtles............................................................................................ 4-215

4.1.1.12.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-215

4.1.1.12.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-230

4.1.1.12.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-235

4.1.1.12.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-242

4.1.1.13. Diamondback Terrapins....................................................................... 4-250

4.1.1.13.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-250

4.1.1.13.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-252

4.1.1.13.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-253

4.1.1.13.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-255

4.1.1.14. Coastal and Marine Birds..................................................................... 4-257

4.1.1.14.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-258

4.1.1.14.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-270

4.1.1.14.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-278

4.1.1.14.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-284

4.1.1.15. Fish Resources and Essential Fish Habitat........................................... 4-297

4.1.1.15.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-297

4.1.1.15.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-309

4.1.1.15.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-313

4.1.1.15.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-316

4.1.1.16. Commercial Fishing............................................................................. 4-322

4.1.1.16.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-322

4.1.1.16.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-324

4.1.1.16.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-328

4.1.1.16.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-332

4.1.1.17. Recreational Fishing............................................................................. 4-336

4.1.1.17.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-336

4.1.1.17.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-338

4.1.1.17.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-339

4.1.1.17.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-341

4.1.1.18. Recreational Resources........................................................................ 4-343

4.1.1.18.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-343

4.1.1.18.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-347

4.1.1.18.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-349

4.1.1.18.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-351
x Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4.1.1.19. Archaeological Resources.................................................................... 4-354

4.1.1.19.1. Historic .............................................................................. 4-354

4.1.1.19.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-354

4.1.1.19.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-356

4.1.1.19.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-358

4.1.1.19.1.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-359

4.1.1.19.2. Prehistoric.......................................................................... 4-362

4.1.1.19.2.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-362

4.1.1.19.2.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-364

4.1.1.19.2.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-365

4.1.1.19.2.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-366

4.1.1.20. Human Resources and Land Use ......................................................... 4-368

4.1.1.20.1. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure ................................. 4-368

4.1.1.20.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-368

4.1.1.20.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-391

4.1.1.20.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-394

4.1.1.20.1.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-396

4.1.1.20.2. Demographics.................................................................... 4-399

4.1.1.20.2.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-399

4.1.1.20.2.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-401

4.1.1.20.2.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-402

4.1.1.20.2.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-403

4.1.1.20.3. Economic Factors.............................................................. 4-404

4.1.1.20.3.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-404

4.1.1.20.3.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-408

4.1.1.20.3.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-409

4.1.1.20.3.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-411

4.1.1.20.4. Environmental Justice ....................................................... 4-412

4.1.1.20.4.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-413

4.1.1.20.4.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-416

4.1.1.20.4.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-419

4.1.1.20.4.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-425

4.1.1.21. Species Considered due to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Concerns .............. 4-431

4.1.2. Alternative B—The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near 

Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features........................................................ 4-433

4.1.3. Alternative C—No Action..................................................................................... 4-435
Table of Contents xi

Volume II 

Page

LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................. xvii

LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................................xxiii

4.2. Proposed Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247......................... 4-437

4.2.1. Alternative A—The Proposed Action ................................................................... 4-440

4.2.1.1. Air Quality ........................................................................................... 4-440

4.2.1.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-441

4.2.1.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-444

4.2.1.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-448

4.2.1.1.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-452

4.2.1.2. Water Quality....................................................................................... 4-454

4.2.1.2.1. Coastal Waters................................................................... 4-454

4.2.1.2.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-454

4.2.1.2.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-459

4.2.1.2.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-460

4.2.1.2.1.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-463

4.2.1.2.2. Offshore Waters ................................................................ 4-465

4.2.1.2.2.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-465

4.2.1.2.2.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-471

4.2.1.2.2.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-474

4.2.1.2.2.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-478

4.2.1.3. Coastal Barrier Beaches and Associated Dunes................................... 4-480

4.2.1.3.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-481

4.2.1.3.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-487

4.2.1.3.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-490

4.2.1.3.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-493

4.2.1.4. Wetlands............................................................................................... 4-499

4.2.1.4.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-500

4.2.1.4.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-507

4.2.1.4.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-512

4.2.1.4.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-516

4.2.1.5. Seagrass Communities......................................................................... 4-523

4.2.1.5.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-523

4.2.1.5.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-525

4.2.1.5.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-528

4.2.1.5.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-530

4.2.1.6. Live Bottoms........................................................................................ 4-532

4.2.1.6.1. Live Bottoms (Pinnacle Trend)......................................... 4-532

4.2.1.6.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-532

4.2.1.6.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-540

4.2.1.6.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-548

4.2.1.6.1.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-558
xii Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4.2.1.6.2. Live Bottoms (Low Relief) ............................................... 4-562

4.2.1.6.2.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-562

4.2.1.6.2.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-567

4.2.1.6.2.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-574

4.2.1.6.2.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-584

4.2.1.7. Topographic Features........................................................................... 4-588

4.2.1.7.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-589

4.2.1.7.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-597

4.2.1.7.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-604

4.2.1.7.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-614

4.2.1.8. Sargassum Communities...................................................................... 4-617

4.2.1.8.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-617

4.2.1.8.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-621

4.2.1.8.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-622

4.2.1.8.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-624

4.2.1.9. Chemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities.............................. 4-626

4.2.1.9.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-627

4.2.1.9.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-635

4.2.1.9.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-639

4.2.1.9.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-641

4.2.1.10. Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities........................ 4-645

4.2.1.10.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-645

4.2.1.10.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-647

4.2.1.10.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-651

4.2.1.10.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-654

4.2.1.11. Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities...................................................... 4-658

4.2.1.11.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-658

4.2.1.11.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-670

4.2.1.11.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-678

4.2.1.11.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-686

4.2.1.12. Marine Mammals................................................................................. 4-690

4.2.1.12.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-690

4.2.1.12.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-703

4.2.1.12.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-711

4.2.1.12.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-716

4.2.1.13. Sea Turtles............................................................................................ 4-722

4.2.1.13.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-722

4.2.1.13.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-736

4.2.1.13.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-742

4.2.1.13.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-749

4.2.1.14. Diamondback Terrapins....................................................................... 4-757

4.2.1.14.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-757

4.2.1.14.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-759

4.2.1.14.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-760

4.2.1.14.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-762

4.2.1.15. Alabama, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, and Perdido Key Beach 

Mice ..................................................................................................... 4-764

4.2.1.15.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-764

4.2.1.15.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-768
Table of Contents xiii

4.2.1.15.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-769

4.2.1.15.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-770

4.2.1.16. Coastal and Marine Birds..................................................................... 4-771

4.2.1.16.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-771

4.2.1.16.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-790

4.2.1.16.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-798

4.2.1.16.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-804

4.2.1.17. Gulf Sturgeon....................................................................................... 4-817

4.2.1.17.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-817

4.2.1.17.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-823

4.2.1.17.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-826

4.2.1.17.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-829

4.2.1.18. Fish Resources and Essential Fish Habitat........................................... 4-833

4.2.1.18.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-834

4.2.1.18.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-839

4.2.1.18.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-842

4.2.1.18.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-846

4.2.1.19. Commercial Fishing............................................................................. 4-851

4.2.1.19.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-851

4.2.1.19.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-858

4.2.1.19.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-861

4.2.1.19.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-863

4.2.1.20. Recreational Fishing............................................................................. 4-867

4.2.1.20.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-867

4.2.1.20.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-870

4.2.1.20.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-871

4.2.1.20.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-873

4.2.1.21. Recreational Resources........................................................................ 4-875

4.2.1.21.1. Description of the Affected Environment ......................... 4-875

4.2.1.21.2. Impacts of Routine Events ................................................ 4-880

4.2.1.21.3. Impacts of Accidental Events............................................ 4-882

4.2.1.21.4. Cumulative Impacts........................................................... 4-885

4.2.1.22. Archaeological Resources.................................................................... 4-887

4.2.1.22.1. Historic .............................................................................. 4-888

4.2.1.22.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-888

4.2.1.22.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-890

4.2.1.22.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-892

4.2.1.22.1.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-894

4.2.1.22.2. Prehistoric.......................................................................... 4-897

4.2.1.22.2.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-897

4.2.1.22.2.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-898

4.2.1.22.2.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-900

4.2.1.22.2.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-900

4.2.1.23. Human Resources and Land Use ......................................................... 4-902

4.2.1.23.1. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure ................................. 4-902

4.2.1.23.1.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-903

4.2.1.23.1.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-926

4.2.1.23.1.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-929

4.2.1.23.1.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-931
xiv Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4.2.1.23.2. Demographics.................................................................... 4-933

4.2.1.23.2.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-934

4.2.1.23.2.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-935

4.2.1.23.2.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-936

4.2.1.23.2.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-937

4.2.1.23.3. Economic Factors.............................................................. 4-938

4.2.1.23.3.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-938

4.2.1.23.3.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-942

4.2.1.23.3.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-943

4.2.1.23.3.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-944

4.2.1.23.4. Environmental Justice ....................................................... 4-945

4.2.1.23.4.1. Description of the Affected Environment.... 4-946

4.2.1.23.4.2. Impacts of Routine Events........................... 4-950

4.2.1.23.4.3. Impacts of Accidental Events...................... 4-953

4.2.1.23.4.4. Cumulative Impacts..................................... 4-959

4.2.1.24. Species Considered due to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Concerns .............. 4-965

4.2.2. Alternative B—The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near 

Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features........................................................ 4-969

4.2.3. Alternative C—No Action..................................................................................... 4-971

4.3. Unavoidable Adverse Impacts of the Proposed Actions...................................................... 4-972

4.4. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources.................................................... 4-974

4.5. Relationship between the Short-term Use of Man’s Environment and the Maintenance 

and Enhancement of Long-term Productivity...................................................................... 4-975

5. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ..................................................................................... 5-3

5.1. Development of the Proposed Actions..................................................................................... 5-3

5.2. Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS and Call for Information and Nominations....................... 5-3

5.3. Development of the Draft Multisale EIS ................................................................................. 5-3

5.3.1. Summary of Scoping Comments............................................................................... 5-4

5.3.2. Summary of Comments Received in Response to the Call for Information ............. 5-5

5.3.3. Additional Scoping Opportunities............................................................................. 5-5

5.3.4. Cooperating Agency.................................................................................................. 5-6

5.4. Distribution of the Draft Multisale EIS for Review and Comment ......................................... 5-6

5.5. Public Hearings........................................................................................................................ 5-9

5.6. Coastal Zone Management Act.............................................................................................. 5-10

5.7. Endangered Species Act......................................................................................................... 5-11

5.8. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act .......................................... 5-11

5.9. National Historic Preservation Act ........................................................................................ 5-12

5.10. Major Differences Between the Draft and Final Multisale EIS’s.......................................... 5-12

5.11. Letters of Comment on the Draft Multisale EIS and BOEM’s Responses............................ 5-12
Table of Contents xv

Volume III

Page

LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................. xvii

LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................................xxiii

6. REFERENCES CITED........................................................................................................................ 6-3

7. PREPARERS ....................................................................................................................................... 7-3

8. GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................................ 8-3

KEYWORD INDEX................................................................................................................... Keywords-3

FIGURES.........................................................................................................................................Figures-3

TABLES ........................................................................................................................................... Tables-3

APPENDICES

Appendix A. Physical and Environmental Settings....................................................................... A-3

Appendix B. Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis........................................................................... B-iii

Appendix C. BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run.............................................................................. C-3

Appendix D. Essential Fish Habitat Assessment........................................................................... D-3

Appendix E. Cooperating Agency................................................................................................. E-3

Appendix F. State Coastal Management Programs....................................................................... F-3

Appendix G. Five-Year Program EIS Considerations................................................................... G-3

Appendix H. Recent Publications of the Environmental Studies Program, Gulf of Mexico 

OCS Region, 2006–Present...................................................................................... H-3

List of Figures xvii

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1-1. Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas, Proposed Lease Sale Areas, and Locations 

of Major Cities...........................................................................................................Figures-3

Figure 1-2. Distance from the Macondo Well (location of the Deepwater Horizon event 

in Mississippi Canyon Block 252) to the WPA Boundary.........................................Figures-4

Figure 2-1. Location of Proposed Stipulations and Deferrals.......................................................Figures-5

Figure 2-2. Military Warning Areas and Eglin Water Test Areas in the Gulf of Mexico. ...........Figures-6

Figure 2-3. Climatology of Ocean Features in the Gulf of Mexico Using Satellite 

Remote-Sensing Data................................................................................................. Figures-7

Figure 3-1. Offshore Subareas in the Gulf of Mexico. ................................................................. Figures-8

Figure 3-2. General Well Schematic.............................................................................................Figures-9

Figure 3-3. Deepwater Development Systems............................................................................Figures-10

Figure 3-4. Water Quality Jurisdictional Boundaries for USEPA Regions 4 and 6. ..................Figures-11

Figure 3-5. Infrastructure and Transitioning Pipelines (from Federal OCS waters) in 

Texas and Louisiana.................................................................................................Figures-12

Figure 3-6. Locations of Major Helicopter Service Providers....................................................Figures-13

Figure 3-7. OCS-Related Ports and Waterways in the Gulf of Mexico......................................Figures-14

Figure 3-8. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days State Offshore Waters as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-15

Figure 3-9. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days the Shoreline (counties and parishes) as a Result of a WPA 

Proposed Action.......................................................................................................Figures-16

Figure 3-10. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days the Shoreline (counties and parishes) as a Result of a CPA 

Proposed Action.......................................................................................................Figures-17

Figure 3-11. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Beach Mice Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-18

Figure 3-12. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Seagrass and Sargassum Locations as a Result of a WPA or 

CPA Proposed Action. .............................................................................................Figures-19

Figure 3-13. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Manatee Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-20

Figure 3-14. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Piping Plover Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-21

Figure 3-15. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Raptor Bird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-22
xviii Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-16. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Gull and Tern Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.......................................................................................................Figures-23

Figure 3-17. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Shorebird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-24

Figure 3-18. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Diving Bird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-25

Figure 3-19. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Wading Bird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-26

Figure 3-20. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Waterfowl Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-27

Figure 3-21. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Passerine Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-28

Figure 3-22. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Gulf Sturgeon Critical Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.......................................................................................................Figures-29

Figure 3-23. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Sturgeon Known Areas of Occurrence as a Result of a WPA 

or CPA Proposed Action..........................................................................................Figures-30

Figure 3-24. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Essential Fish Habitat as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-31

Figure 3-25. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days the Surface Waters Overlying and Surrounding Offshore 

Environmental Features or Boundary Targets as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.......................................................................................................Figures-32

Figure 3-26. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Recreational Beaches as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed 

Action....................................................................................................................... Figures-33

Figure 3-27. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Recreational Dive Sites (in the western Gulf of Mexico) as a 

Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed Action..............................................................Figures-34

Figure 3-28. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 

and 30 Days Recreational Dive Sites (in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and 

eastern Florida shelf waters) as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed Action ........Figures-35

Figure 3-29. Oil-Spill Events (2008) in the Western Planning Area............................................Figures-36

Figure 3-30. Oil-Spill Events (2008) in the Central Planning Area .............................................Figures-37

Figure 4-1. Status of Ozone Nonattainment in the Coastal and Inland Counties and 

Parishes of the Western and Central Planning Areas...............................................Figures-38

Figure 4-2. Coastal and Offshore Waters of the Gulf of Mexico with Selected 

Waterbodies. ............................................................................................................ Figures-39

Figure 4-3. Occurrence of Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico ........................................................Figures-40
List of Figures xix

Figure 4-4. Seagrass Locations of the Northern Gulf of Mexico................................................Figures-41

Figure 4-5. Location of Topographic Features in the Gulf of Mexico. ......................................Figures-42

Figure 4-6. Color-Shaded Relief, Multibeam Bathymetric Images of the West and East 

Flower Garden Banks...............................................................................................Figures-43

Figure 4-7. Color-Shaded, Multibeam Bathymetric Topographic Image of Stetson Bank ........Figures-44

Figure 4-8. Known Chemosynthetic Communities in the Gulf of Mexico................................. Figures-45

Figure 4-9. Water-Bottom Anomalies Indicative of Possible Deepwater Live Bottoms............Figures-46

Figure 4-10. Summary of Sea Turtles Collected by Date Obtained from the Consolidated 

Numbers of Collected Fish and Wildlife That Have Been Reported to the 

Unified Area Command from the Fish and Wildlife Service, National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Incident Area Commands, 

Rehabilitation Centers, and Other Authorized Sources Operating within the 

Deepwater Horizon/BP Incident Impact Area through April 12, 2011. ..................Figures-47

Figure 4-11. Bird Conservation Regions of the United States, Not Including Hawaii or 

U.S. Territories in the Pacific or Caribbean Oceans................................................Figures-48

Figure 4-12. Map of the Coastal National Wildlife Refuges and Other Federal Lands in 

the Gulf of Mexico Region ......................................................................................Figures-49

Figure 4-13. Important Bird Areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast and in the Impact Area of 

the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill .............................................................................Figures-50

Figure 4-14. Map Indicating Position of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill as of June 

2010 and Globally Important Bird Areas Most at Risk ...........................................Figures-51

Figure 4-15. Dead Bird Recovery Locations................................................................................Figures-52

Figure 4-16. Live Bird Recovery Locations.................................................................................Figures-53

Figure 4-17. Summary of Avian Species Collected by Date Obtained from the Fish and

Wildlife Service as Part of the Deepwater Horizon Post-Spill Monitoring 

and Collection Process through May 12, 2011 ........................................................Figures-54

Figure 4-18. Diagram of Various Factors Influencing Population Viability for a 

Hypothetical Avian Species Breeding and/or Wintering in the Gulf of 

Mexico. .................................................................................................................... Figures-55

Figure 4-19. Life Cycle Model of the Fitness Components Associated with a 

Hypothetical Breeding Seabird Species Showing Reproductive Output 

from a Single Nest....................................................................................................Figures-56

Figure 4-20. Economic Impact Areas in the Gulf of Mexico. ......................................................Figures-57

Figure 4-21. Onshore Infrastructure Located in Texas................................................................. Figures-58

Figure 4-22. Onshore Infrastructure Located in Louisiana and Mississippi................................. Figures-59

Figure 4-23. Economic Land-Use Patterns...................................................................................Figures-60

Figure 4-24. OCS-Related Service Bases in the Gulf of Mexico .................................................Figures-61

Figure 4-25. Gas Supply Schematic for the Gulf of Mexico ........................................................Figures-62

Figure 4-26. Percentage of Minority Population by County in Texas and by Parish in 

Louisiana with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure..................................................Figures-63

Figure 4-27. Percentage of Minority Population by County in Mississippi, Alabama, and 

Florida with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure......................................................Figures-64
xx Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-28. Percentage of Poverty by County in Texas and by Parish in Louisiana with 

Distribution of OCS Infrastructure...........................................................................Figures-65

Figure 4-29. Percentage of Poverty by County in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida with 

Distribution of OCS Infrastructure...........................................................................Figures-66

Figure 4-30. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Texas with 

Distribution of OCS Infrastructure...........................................................................Figures-67

Figure 4-31. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Harris, Jefferson, 

and Galveston Counties in Texas with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure .............Figures-68

Figure 4-32. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Louisiana with 

Distribution of OCS Infrastructure...........................................................................Figures-69

Figure 4-33. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Jefferson, Orleans, 

and Lafourche Parishes in Louisiana and in Jackson County in Mississippi 

with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure ..................................................................Figures-70

Figure 4-34. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Alabama and Florida 

with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure ..................................................................Figures-71

Figure 4-35. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Hillsborough and 

Bay Counties in Florida and in Mobile County in Alabama with 

Distribution of OCS Infrastructure...........................................................................Figures-72

Figure 4-36. Location of Pinnacle Trend Blocks in the Central Planning Area. .......................... Figures-73

Figure 4-37. Perspective View of the Central Sector of the Mississippi-Alabama 

Continental Shelf Showing the General Distribution of Different Types of 

Topographic Features in the Depth Range of 60-120 m (197-394 ft)......................Figures-74

Figure 4-38. Perspective Sketch of the Submerged Landscape of a Pinnacle Province as 

Visualized from Side-Scan Sonar and Remotely Operated Vehicle 

Information .............................................................................................................. Figures-75

Figure 4-39. Sketch of a Submerged Ridge..................................................................................Figures-76

Figure 4-40. Location of the 36 Fathom Ridge within the Alabama Alps Formation 

(A and B) and Oblique View of the 36 Fathom Ridge within the Alabama 

Alps (C).................................................................................................................... Figures-77

Figure 4-41. Location of Roughtongue Reef (A and B) and Oblique View of 

Roughtongue Reef (C) .............................................................................................Figures-78

Figure 4-42. Location of Live-Bottom Features on the Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida 

Continental Shelf......................................................................................................Figures-79

Figure 4-43. Block-Like, Hard-Bottom Substrate North of the Head of the De Soto 

Canyon. .................................................................................................................... Figures-80

Figure 4-44. Areas Closed to Longline Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico........................................Figures-81

Figure 4-45. Total Commercial Fisheries (shellfish and finfish) from Louisiana, 

Mississippi, Alabama, and the West Coast of Florida, 2000-2010 ..........................Figures-82

Figure 4-46. Onshore Infrastructure Located in Alabama and Florida.........................................Figures-83

Figure A-1. Major Physiographic and Geologic Provinces of the Gulf of Mexico.............................. A-28

Figure A-2. Geologic Time Scale......................................................................................................... A-29

Figure A-3. Spatial Frequency (%) of the Watermass Associated with the Loop Current 

in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico based on Data for the Period 1976-2003. ......................... A-30

Figure A-4. Locations of Artificial Reef Planning Areas in the Gulf of Mexico. ................................ A-31
List of Figures xxi

Figure A-5. OCS Platform Distribution across the Gulf of Mexico..................................................... A-32

Figure A-6. Locations of Rigs-to-Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico............................................................ A-33

Figure C-1. Location of Five Hypothetical Oil-Spill Launch Points for OSRA within the 

Study Area. ......................................................................................................................... C-8

Figure C-2. Locations of Parishes, Counties, and Coastlines Examined in the Special 

OSRA Run Conducted in Order to Estimate the Impacts of a Possible 

Future Catastrophic Spill. ................................................................................................... C-8

Figure C-3. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point One (LP 1) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 

Days in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. ........................................................................ C-9

Figure C-4. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Two (LP 2) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 

Days in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. ...................................................................... C-10

Figure C-5. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Three (LP 3) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 

Days in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. ...................................................................... C-11

Figure C-6. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Four (LP 4) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 

Days in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. ...................................................................... C-12

Figure C-7. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Five (LP 5) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 

Days in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. ...................................................................... C-13

Figure G-1. Cumulative Annual Oil Production in the Gulf of Mexico by Planning 

Area from 1947 to 2009.................................................................................................... G-10

Figure G-2. Cumulative Barrels of Oil Spilled by Facilities and Pipelines and by 

Over-Water Transportation............................................................................................... G-10

List of Tables xxiii

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1-1. Proposed WPA and CPA Gulf of Mexico OCS Lease Sale Schedule ........................ Tables-3

Table 1-2. Emergency 30 CFR 250 Subpart D Interim Final Rule Provisions ............................ Tables-4

Table 1-3. Overview of the Assignment of Regulations between the Bureau of Ocean 

Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental 

Enforcement................................................................................................................ Tables-9

Table 2-1. Alternatives Tracking................................................................................................ Tables-11

Table 2-2. Gulf of Mexico OCS Loss of Well Control Incidents by Water Depth, 

2006-2010 ................................................................................................................. Tables-12

Table 2-3. All OCS Blowout Incidents by Water Depth, 1971-1991, 1992-2006, and 

2007-2011 ................................................................................................................. Tables-13

Table 3-1. Projected Oil and Gas in the Gulf of Mexico OCS................................................... Tables-14

Table 3-2. Offshore Scenario Information Related to a Typical Lease Sale in the 

Western Planning Area ............................................................................................. Tables-15

Table 3-3. Offshore Scenario Information Related to a Typical Lease Sale in the 

Central Planning Area............................................................................................... Tables-16

Table 3-4. Offshore Scenario Information Related to OCS Program Activities in the 

Gulf of Mexico (WPA, CPA, and EPA) for 2012-2051 ........................................... Tables-17

Table 3-5. Offshore Scenario Information Related to OCS Program Activities in the 

Western Planning Area for 2012-2051 ..................................................................... Tables-18

Table 3-6. Offshore Scenario Information Related to OCS Program Activities in the 

Central Planning Area for 2012-2051....................................................................... Tables-19

Table 3-7. Annual Volume of Produced Water Discharged by Depth (millions of bbl)............ Tables-20

Table 3-8. Average Annual Inputs of Petroleum Hydrocarbons to Coastal Waters of 

the Gulf of Mexico, 1990-1999................................................................................. Tables-21

Table 3-9. Average Annual Inputs of Petroleum Hydrocarbons to Offshore Waters of 

the Gulf of Mexico, 1990-1999................................................................................. Tables-22

Table 3-10. Estimated Global Average Annual Inputs of Oil Entering the Marine 

Environment from Ships and Other Sea-Based Activities, 1988-1997..................... Tables-23

Table 3-11. Annual Summary of Number and Total Volume of Oil Spilled into the 

Gulf of Mexico, 2001-2009 ...................................................................................... Tables-23

Table 3-12. Mean Number and Sizes of Spills Estimated to Occur in OCS Offshore 

Waters from an Accident Related to Rig/Platform and Pipeline Activities 

Supporting a WPA or CPA Proposed Action Over a 40-Year Time Period............. Tables-24

Table 3-13. Existing Coastal Infrastructure Related to OCS Activities in the Gulf of 

Mexico ...................................................................................................................... Tables-25

Table 3-14. Waterway Depth, Traffic, and Number of Trips for 2009 ........................................ Tables-26

Table 3-15. OCS-Related Service Bases...................................................................................... Tables-27

Table 3-16. OCS Pipeline Landfalls Installed Since 1996 ........................................................... Tables-28

Table 3-17. Petroleum Spills ≥1,000 Barrels from United States OCS Platforms, 

1964-2010 ................................................................................................................. Tables-29
xxiv Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-18. Petroleum Spills ≥1,000 Barrels from United States OCS Pipelines, 

1964-2010 ................................................................................................................. Tables-31

Table 3-19. Oil-spill Occurrence Probability Estimates for Offshore Spills Greater Than 

or Equal to 1,000 barrels Resulting from the WPA and CPA Proposed 

Actions (2012-2017) and the Gulfwide Program (2012-2051)................................. Tables-33

Table 3-20. Oil-spill Occurrence Probability Estimates for Offshore Spills Greater Than 

or Equal to 10,000 barrels Resulting from the WPA and CPA Proposed 

Actions (2012-2017) and the Gulfwide Program (2012-2051)................................. Tables-34

Table 3-21. Probability (percent chance) of a Particular Number of Offshore Spills 

≥1,000 bbl Occurring as a Result of Either Facility or Pipeline Operations 

Related to a WPA Proposed Action.......................................................................... Tables-35

Table 3-22. Probability (percent chance) of a Particular Number of Offshore Spills 

≥1,000 bbl Occurring as a Result of Either Facility or Pipeline Operations 

Related to a CPA Proposed Action ........................................................................... Tables-35

Table 3-23. Spill Source, Location, and Characteristics of Maximum Spill for Coastal 

Waters and Offshore Waters, CG records, 1996-2009.............................................. Tables-36

Table 3-24. Primary Cleanup Options Used during the Deepwater Horizon Response............... Tables-40

Table 3-25. Pipelines Damaged after the 2004-2008 Hurricanes Passed through the 

WPA and CPA .......................................................................................................... Tables-41

Table 3-26. Causes of Hurricane-Related Pipeline Spills Greater Than 50 Barrels..................... Tables-41

Table 3-27 . Number and Volume of Chemical and Synthetic-Based Fluid Spills in the 

Gulf of Mexico during 2001-2009 ............................................................................ Tables-42

Table 3-28. Total Offshore Oil and Gas Production in the Offshore Areas of 12 

Contiguous Texas Coastal Counties in 2009 ............................................................ Tables-42

Table 3-29. Total Producing Wells, Total Oil, and Total Gas Production in the Nine 

Coastal Parishes of Louisiana in 2009 ...................................................................... Tables-43

Table 3-30. Designated Ocean Dredged-Material Disposal Sites in the Cumulative 

Impact Area............................................................................................................... Tables-44

Table 3-31. Quantities of Dredged Materials Disposed of in Ocean Dredged-Material 

Disposal Sites between 2000 and 2009..................................................................... Tables-46

Table 3-32. Projected OCS Sand Borrowing Needs for Planned Restoration Projects................ Tables-47

Table 3-33. Vessel Calls at U.S. Gulf Coast Ports in 2004 and 2009 .......................................... Tables-47

Table 3-34. Corps of Engineers’ Galveston District Maintenance Dredging Activity for 

Federal Navigation Channels in Texas, 2000-2008 .................................................. Tables-48

Table 3-35. Corps of Engineers’ New Orleans District Maintenance Dredging Activity 

for Federal Navigation Channels in Louisiana, 2000-2008 ...................................... Tables-49

Table 3-36. Corps of Engineers’ Mobile District Maintenance Dredging Activity for 

Federal Navigation Channels in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, 

2000-2008 ................................................................................................................. Tables-50

Table 3-37. Designated Louisiana Service Bases Identified in Applications for 

Pipelines, Exploration, and Development Plans between 2003 and 2008 and 

Miles of Navigation Canal Bordered by Saltwater, Brackish Water, and 

Freshwater Wetlands................................................................................................. Tables-51

Table 3-38. Hurricane Landfalls in the Northern Gulf of Mexico from 1995 through 

2010........................................................................................................................... Tables-52
List of Tables xxv

Table 3-39. Oil Spilled from Pipelines on the Federal OCS, 2002-2009..................................... Tables-52

Table 4-1. National Ambient Air Quality Standards.................................................................. Tables-53

Table 4-2. Projected Average Annual OCS Emissions Related to the Proposed Action 

in the WPA by Source (tons/year) ............................................................................ Tables-54

Table 4-3. Recommended Mitigation Techniques Used to Avoid or Reduce Adverse 

Impact to Wetlands by Pipelines, Canals, Dredging, and Dredged Material 

Placement.................................................................................................................. Tables-55

Table 4-4. Biotic Zones of Topographic Features with Bank Crest and Seafloor Depth 

in Meters ................................................................................................................... Tables-57

Table 4-5. Unusual Mortality Event Cetacean Data for the Northern Gulf of Mexico .............. Tables-58

Table 4-6. Sea Turtles Occurring in the Northern Gulf of Mexico ............................................ Tables-59

Table 4-7. Some Anthropogenic Sources of Avian Mortality.................................................... Tables-60

Table 4-8. Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

post-Deepwater Horizon Event in the Gulf of Mexico............................................. Tables-61

Table 4-9. Bird Conservation Region 27 (Southeastern Coastal Plain) from Birds 

of Conservation Concern 2008 List .......................................................................... Tables-68

Table 4-10. Bird Conservation Region 31 (Peninsular Florida) from Birds of 

Conservation Concern 2008 List............................................................................... Tables-71

Table 4-11. Bird Conservation Region 37 (Gulf Coast Prairie) from Birds of 

Conservation Concern 2008 List............................................................................... Tables-74

Table 4-12. Relative Oiling Ranks for Various Avian Species Groups Collected PostDeepwater Horizon Event in the Gulf of Mexico..................................................... Tables-76

Table 4-13. Demography and Recovery Potential for the 10 Most Commonly Collected 

Avian Species Post-Deepwater Horizon................................................................... Tables-77

Table 4-14. Federally Listed Avian Species Considered by State and Associated 

Planning Area in the Gulf of Mexico........................................................................ Tables-78

Table 4-15. Comparison of Oil Spills by Type, Location, Year, and Volume (in U.S. 

gallons) and Their Relative Impacts to Birds based on Surveys and 

Modeling................................................................................................................... Tables-79

Table 4-16. Managed Species in the Gulf of Mexico................................................................... Tables-80

Table 4-17. Economic Significance of Commercial Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.................... Tables-81

Table 4-18. Top Species Landed by Recreational Fishermen ...................................................... Tables-82

Table 4-19. Number of Angler Trips in 2010............................................................................... Tables-82

Table 4-20. Number of Angler Trips in 2009 and 2010............................................................... Tables-83

Table 4-21. Economic Impact of Recreational Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico in 2009 ............... Tables-83

Table 4-22. Top Species Landed by Recreational Fisherman in Texas – Seasonal ..................... Tables-84

Table 4-23. Employment in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry in Selected Geographic 

Regions ..................................................................................................................... Tables-85

Table 4-24. Total Wages Earned by Employees in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry in 

Selected Geographic Regions ................................................................................... Tables-86

Table 4-25. Total Tourism Spending in Gulf Coast States........................................................... Tables-87

Table 4-26. Coastal Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Estimates in 2004 .................................... Tables-87
xxvi Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-27. Categories of Tourism Spending in Texas................................................................ Tables-87

Table 4-28. Tourism in Gulf Coast Regions of Texas in 2009..................................................... Tables-88

Table 4-29. Number of Beaches and Annual Beach Participation in the Gulf Coast 

States......................................................................................................................... Tables-88

Table 4-30. Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Texas.......................................................... Tables-89

Table 4-31. Monthly Employment in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry During 2010.................. Tables-90

Table 4-32. Quarterly Wages in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry in 2009 and 2010................... Tables-91

Table 4-33. Shipwrecks in the Western Planning Area................................................................ Tables-92

Table 4-34. Classification of the Gulf Economic Impact Areas................................................... Tables-93

Table 4-35. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area TX-1 ................................................................................................................. Tables-95

Table 4-36. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area TX-2 ................................................................................................................. Tables-98

Table 4-37. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area TX-3 ............................................................................................................... Tables-101

Table 4-38. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area LA-1 ............................................................................................................... Tables-104

Table 4-39. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area LA-2 ............................................................................................................... Tables-107

Table 4-40. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area LA-3 ............................................................................................................... Tables-110

Table 4-41. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area LA-4 ............................................................................................................... Tables-113

Table 4-42. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area MS-1 ............................................................................................................... Tables-116

Table 4-43. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area AL-1 ............................................................................................................... Tables-119

Table 4-44. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area FL-1 ................................................................................................................ Tables-122

Table 4-45. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area FL-2 ................................................................................................................ Tables-125

Table 4-46. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area FL-3 ................................................................................................................ Tables-128

Table 4-47. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact 

Area FL-4 ................................................................................................................ Tables-131

Table 4-48. Baseline Population Projections (in thousands) by Economic Impact Area, 

2010-2051 ............................................................................................................... Tables-134

Table 4-49. Peak Population Projected from a WPA Proposed Action as a Percent of 

Total Population...................................................................................................... Tables-136

Table 4-50. Peak Employment Projected from Cumulative OCS Programs as a Percent 

of Total Employment .............................................................................................. Tables-137

Table 4-51. Baseline Employment Projections (in thousands) by Economic Impact Area ........ Tables-138

Table 4-52. Gulf Coast Monthly Unemployment Rates during 2010 ........................................ Tables-139
List of Tables xxvii

Table 4-53. Low-Case Employment Projections for a WPA Proposed Action by 

Economic Impact Area............................................................................................ Tables-140

Table 4-54. High-Case Employment Projections for a WPA Proposed Action by 

Economic Impact Area............................................................................................ Tables-141

Table 4-55. Peak Employment Projected from a WPA Proposed Action as a Percent of 

Total Employment................................................................................................... Tables-142

Table 4-56. Personnel, Vessels, Aircraft, and Containment Boom Deployed for 

Deepwater Horizon Spill Response Activity .......................................................... Tables-143

Table 4-57. Low Cumulative Case Employment Projections by Economic Impact Area ......... Tables-144

Table 4-58. High Cumulative Case Employment Projections by Economic Impact Area......... Tables-145

Table 4-59. Peak Population Projected from the Cumulative OCS Programs as a Percent 

of Total Population.................................................................................................. Tables-146

Table 4-60. Gulf of Mexico Counties and Parishes with Concentrated Levels of 

Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure ........................................................................ Tables-146

Table 4-61. Deepwater Horizon Waste Landfill Destination..................................................... Tables-147

Table 4-62. Gulf Coast Claims Facility — Deepwater Horizon Claimant Data by State .......... Tables-148

Table 4-63. WPA Federally Listed Species to be Considered by State from the Fish and 

Wildlife Service ...................................................................................................... Tables-150

Table 4-64. Projected Average Annual OCS Emissions Related to the CPA Proposed 

Action by Source (tons/year) .................................................................................. Tables-151

Table 4-65. Navigation Canals and Service Bases Associated with the OCS Activities........... Tables-152

Table 4-66. Mississippi Department of Marine Resources: Summary of Fish Kills 

Observed along the Gulf Coast ............................................................................... Tables-152

Table 4-67. Top Species Caught by Recreational Fishers in the Gulf Coast States................... Tables-153

Table 4-68. Percentage of Species Landings that are Ocean Based........................................... Tables-154

Table 4-69. Recreational Fishing Participation .......................................................................... Tables-155

Table 4-70. Angler Trips in the Gulf of Mexico by Location and Mode in 2009...................... Tables-156

Table 4-71. Angler Trips in the Gulf of Mexico in 2009 and 2010............................................ Tables-157

Table 4-72. Fish Species Caught by Recreational Anglers during Certain Months of 

2009 and 2010......................................................................................................... Tables-158

Table 4-73. Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Florida...................................................... Tables-160

Table 4-74. Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Mississippi ............................................... Tables-161

Table 4-75. Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Louisiana.................................................. Tables-162

Table 4-76. Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Alabama................................................... Tables-163

Table 4-77. Shipwrecks in the Central Planning Area ............................................................... Tables-164

Table 4-78. Peak Population Projected from a CPA Proposed Action as a Percent of 

Total Population...................................................................................................... Tables-165

Table 4-79. Low-Case Employment Projections for a CPA Proposed Action by 

Economic Impact Area............................................................................................ Tables-166

Table 4-80. High-Case Employment Projections for a CPA Proposed Action by 

Economic Impact Area............................................................................................ Tables-167
xxviii Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-81. Peak Employment Projected from a CPA Proposed Action as a Percent of 

Total Employment................................................................................................... Tables-168

Table 4-82. CPA Federally Listed Species to be Considered by State from the Fish and 

Wildlife Service ...................................................................................................... Tables-169

Table A-1 Watermasses in the Gulf of Mexico.................................................................................. A-34

Table A-2. Climatological Data for Selected Gulf Coast Locations................................................... A-34

Table A-3. Rigs-to-Reefs Donations and Methods of Removal and Reefing by State as 

of September 2011 ............................................................................................................ A-35

Table A-4. Active Leases, Approved Applications to Drill, and Active Platforms by 

Water Depth ...................................................................................................................... A-35

Table A-5. Summary of Approvals for Permits to Drill by Water Depth ........................................... A-36

Table A-6. Number of Active Platforms by Structure Type and Water Depth ................................... A-37

Table C-1. Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill 

Starting at Launch Point One Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or 

Coastline within 120 Days................................................................................................ C-14

Table C-2. Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill 

Starting at Launch Point Two Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or 

Coastline within 120 Days................................................................................................ C-15

Table C-3. Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill 

Starting at Launch Point Three Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or 

Coastline within 120 Days................................................................................................ C-16

Table C-4. Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill 

Starting at Launch Point Four Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or 

Coastline within 120 Days................................................................................................ C-17

Table C-5. Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill 

Starting at Launch Point Five Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or 

Coastline within 120 Days................................................................................................ C-18

Table D-1. Managed Species in the Gulf of Mexico........................................................................... D-27

Table D-2. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of 

Mexico .............................................................................................................................. D-29

Table D-3. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Coastal Migratory Species..................... D-35

Table D-4. Described Essential Fish Habitat and Spawning Locations for Shrimp in the 

Gulf of Mexico.................................................................................................................. D-36

Table D-5. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Highly Migratory Species in 

the Gulf of Mexico............................................................................................................ D-37

Table D-6. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Shark Species......................................... D-38

Table G-1. BOEM’s Best Estimate for the Results of the Programmatic No Action 

Alternative for the Entire Five-Year Program .................................................................. G-11
CHAPTER 6 

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CHAPTER 7 

PREPARERS

Preparers 7-3 

7. PREPARERS

Gary D. Goeke, Chief, Regional Assessment Section

Lissa Lyncker, Unit Supervisor, Environmental Scientist

Tershara Matthews, Unit Supervisor, Environmental Scientist

Bruce Baird, NEPA Coordinator, Senior Environmental Scientist

Poojan Tripathi, Headquarters’ Coordinator, Environmental Specialist

Pat Adkins, Information Management Specialist

Tom Bjerstedt, Senior Physical Scientist

Perry Boudreaux, Biologist

Darice K. Breeding, Environmental Protection Specialist

Brian Cameron, Environmental Scientist

Sindey Chaky, Environmental Protection Specialist

Dennis Chew, Marine Biologist

Thierry DeCort, Chief, Geological and Geophysical Section

Deborah Epperson, Protected Species Biologist

Jeff S. Gleason, Biologist

Donald (Tre) W. Glenn III, Protected Species Biologist

Mike Gravois, Geographer

Rebecca Green, Oceanographer

Larry M. Hartzog, Environmental Scientist

Chin Hua Huang, Meteorologist

Mark Jensen, Economist

Jack Irion, Unit Supervisor, Marine Archaeologist

Agatha Kaller, Marine Biologist

Nancy M. Kornrumpf, Program Analyst

Carla Langley, Geographer

Daniel (Herb) Leedy, Biologist

Lisa Leonard, Environmental Scientist

Harry Luton, Social Scientist

Stacie Merritt, Physical Scientist

Margaret Metcalf, Unit Supervisor, Physical Scientist

Deborah H. Miller, Technical Editor

David P. Moran, Biologist

Maureen M. Mulino, Marine Biologist

Michelle Nannen, Marine Biologist

S. Erin O’Reilly, Physical Scientist

Barry Obiol, Senior Environmental Scientist

Catherine A. Rosa, Environmental Assessment Program Specialist

James Sinclair, Marine Biologist

Michelle Uli, Petroleum Engineer

CHAPTER 8 

GLOSSARY

Glossary 8-3 

8. GLOSSARY

Acute—Sudden, short term, severe, critical, 

crucial, intense, but usually of short duration.

Anaerobic—Capable of growing in the absence of 

molecular oxygen.

Annular preventer—A component of the 

pressure control system in the BOP that forms 

a seal in the annular space around any object 

in the wellbore or upon itself, enabling well 

control operations to commence.

Anthropogenic—Coming from human sources, 

relating to the effect of humankind on nature.

API gravity—A standard adopted by the 

American Petroleum Institute for expressing 

the specific weight of oil.

Aromatic—Class of organic compounds 

containing benzene rings or benzenoid 

structures.

Attainment area—An area that is shown by 

monitored data or by air-quality modeling 

calculations to be in compliance with primary 

and secondary ambient air quality standards 

established by the USEPA.

Barrel (bbl)—A volumetric unit used in the 

petroleum industry; equivalent to 42 U.S. 

gallons or 158.99 liters.

Benthic—On or in the bottom of the sea.

Biological Opinion—The FWS or NMFS 

evaluation of the impact of a proposed action 

on endangered and threatened species, in 

response to formal consultation under 

Section 7 or the Endangered Species Act.

Block—A geographical area portrayed on official 

BOEM protraction diagrams or leasing maps 

that contains approximately 2,331 ha (9 mi2

). 

Blowout—An uncontrolled flow of fluids below 

the mudline from appurtenances on a wellhead 

or from a wellbore.

Blowout preventer (BOP)—One of several 

valves installed at the wellhead to prevent the 

escape of pressure either in the annular space 

between the casing and drill pipe or in open 

hole (i.e., hole with no drill pipe) during 

drilling completion operations. Blowout 

preventers on jackup or platform rigs are 

located at the water’s surface; on floating 

offshore rigs, BOP’s are located on the 

seafloor.

Bottom kill—A wild well-control procedure 

involving the intersection of an uncontrolled 

well with a relief well for the purpose of 

pumping heavy mud or cement into the wild 

well to stanch the flow of oil or gas (the well 

control strategy for the Macondo spill 

deployed in mid-July 2010 that resulted in the 

successful capping of the well. 

Cetacean—Aquatic mammal of the order Cetacea, 

such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Chemosynthetic—Organisms that obtain their 

energy from the oxidation of various inorganic 

compounds rather than from light 

(photosynthetic).

Cofferdam containment dome—A vertically 

elongated box structure designed to fit loosely 

over the Macondo lower marine riser package 

to capture escaping oil at the surface (an early 

containment strategy for the Macondo spill 

deployed in May 2010). 

Coastal waters—Waters within the geographical 

areas defined by each State’s Coastal Zone 

Management Program.

Coastal wetlands—forested and nonforested 

habitats, mangroves, and marsh islands 

exposed to tidal activity. These areas directly 

contribute to the high biological productivity 

of coastal waters by input of detritus and 

nutrients, by providing nursery and feeding 

areas for shellfish and finfish, and by serving 

as habitat for birds and other animals.

Coastal zone—The coastal waters (including the 

lands therein and thereunder) and the adjacent 

shorelands (including the waters therein and 

thereunder) strongly influenced by each other 

and in proximity to the shorelines of the 

several coastal states; the zone includes 

islands, transitional and intertidal areas, salt 

marshes, wetlands, and beaches and extends 

seaward to the outer limit of the United States 

territorial sea. The zone extends inland from 

the shorelines only to the extent necessary to 

control shorelands, the uses of which have a 

direct and significant impact on the coastal 

waters. Excluded from the coastal zone are 

lands the use of which is by law subject to the 

discretion of or which is held in trust by the 

Federal Government, its officers, or agents. 

See also State coastal zone boundaries.
8-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Completion—Conversion of a development well 

or an exploratory well into a production well.

Condensate—Liquid hydrocarbons produced with 

natural gas; they are separated from the gas by 

cooling and various other means. Condensates 

generally have an API gravity of 50o

-120o. 

Continental margin—The ocean floor that lies 

between the shoreline and the abyssal ocean 

floor, includes the continental shelf, 

continental slope, and continental rise.

Continental shelf—General term used by 

geologist to refer to the continental margin 

province that lies between the shoreline and 

the abrupt change in slope called the shelf 

edge, which generally occurs in the Gulf of 

Mexico at about the 200-m (656-ft) water 

depth. The continental shelf is characterized 

by a gentle slope (about 0.1o

). This is 

different from the juridical term used in 

Article 76 of the Convention on the Law of the 

Sea (see the definition of Outer Continental 

Shelf). 

Continental slope—The continental margin 

province that lies between the continental 

shelf and continental rise, characterized by a 

steep slope (about 3o

-6o). 

Critical habitat—Specific areas essential to the 

conservation of a protected species and that 

may require special management 

considerations or protection.

Crude oil—Petroleum in its natural state as it 

emerges from a well, or after it passes through 

a gas-oil separator but before refining or 

distillation. An oily, flammable, bituminous 

liquid that is essentially a complex mixture of 

hydrocarbons of different types with small 

amounts of other substances.

Deferral—Action taken by the Secretary of the 

Interior at the time of the Area Identification 

to remove certain areas/blocks from the 

proposed sale.

Delineation well—A well that is drilled for the 

purpose of determining the size and/or volume 

of an oil or gas reservoir.

Demersal—Living at or near the bottom of the 

sea.

Deepwater Horizon (DWH) event—All actions 

stemming from the April 20, 2010, explosion 

and subsequent sinking of the Transocean 

drillship Deepwater Horizon, up to and 

including the Macondo well kill declaration on 

September 19, 2010.

Development—Activities that take place 

following discovery of economically

recoverable mineral resources, including 

geophysical surveying, drilling, platform 

construction, operation of onshore support 

facilities, and other activities that are for the 

purpose of ultimately producing the resources.

Development Operations Coordination 

Document (DOCD)—A document that must 

be prepared by the operator and submitted to 

BOEM for approval before any development 

or production activities are conducted on a 

lease in the western Gulf.

Development well—A well drilled to a known 

producing formation to extract oil or gas; a 

production well; distinguished from a wildcat 

or exploratory well and from an offset well.

Direct employment—Consists of those workers 

involved the primary industries of oil and gas 

exploration, development, and production 

operations (Standard Industrial Classification 

Code 13—Oil and Gas Extraction).

Discharge—Something that is emitted; flow rate 

of a fluid at a given instant expressed as 

volume per unit of time.

Dispersant—A suite of chemicals and solvents 

used to break up an oil slick into small 

droplets, which increases the surface area of 

the oil and hastens the processes of weathering 

and microbial degradation.

Dispersion—A suspension of finely divided 

particles in a medium.

Drilling mud—A mixture of clay, water or 

refined oil, and chemical additives pumped 

continuously downhole through the drill pipe 

and drill bit, and back up the annulus between 

the pipe and the walls of the borehole to a 

surface pit or tank. The mud lubricates and 

cools the drill bit, lubricates the drill pipe as it 

turns in the wellbore, carries rock cuttings to 

the surface, serves to keep the hole from 

crumbling or collapsing, and provides the 

weight or hydrostatic head to prevent 

extraneous fluids from entering the well bore 

and to downhole pressures; also called drilling 

fluid.

Economically recoverable resources—An 

assessment of hydrocarbon potential that takes 

into account the physical and technological 
Glossary 8-5 

constraints on production and the influence of 

costs of exploration and development and 

market price on industry investment in OCS 

exploration and production.

Effluent—The liquid waste of sewage and 

industrial processing.

Effluent limitations—Any restriction established 

by a State or the USEPA on quantities, rates, 

and concentrations of chemical, physical, 

biological, and other constituents discharged 

from point sources into U.S. waters, including 

schedules of compliance.

Epifaunal—Animals living on the surface of hard 

substrate.

Essential habitat—Specific areas crucial to the 

conservation of a species and that may 

necessitate special considerations.

Estuary—Coastal semienclosed body of water 

that has a free connection with the open sea 

and where freshwater meets and mixes with 

seawater.

Eutrophication—Enrichment of nutrients in the 

water column by natural or artificial methods 

accompanied by an increase of respiration, 

which may create an oxygen deficiency.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—The maritime 

region extending 200 nmi (239 mi; 

370 km)from the baseline of the territorial sea, 

in which the United States has exclusive rights 

and jurisdiction over living and nonliving 

natural resources.

Exploration Plan (EP)—A plan that must be 

prepared by the operator and submitted to 

BOEM for approval before any exploration or 

delineation drilling is conducted on a lease in 

the western Gulf.

Exploration well—A well drilled in unproven or 

semi-proven territory to determining whether 

economic quantities of oil or natural gas 

deposit are present; exploratory well.

False crawls—Refers to when a female sea turtle 

crawls up on the beach to nest (perhaps) but 

does not and returns to the sea without laying 

eggs.

Field—An accumulation, pool, or group of pools 

of hydrocarbons in the subsurface. A 

hydrocarbon field consists of a reservoir in a 

shape that will trap hydrocarbons and that is 

covered by an impermeable, sealing rock.

Floating production, storage, and offloading 

(FPSO) system—A tank vessel used as a 

production and storage base; produced oil is 

stored in the hull and periodically offloaded to 

a shuttle tanker for transport to shore.

Gathering lines—A pipeline system used to bring 

oil or gas production from a number of 

separate wells or production facilities to a 

central trunk pipeline, storage facility, or 

processing terminal.

Geochemical—Of or relating to the science 

dealing with the chemical composition of and 

the actual or possible chemical changes in the 

crust of the earth.

Geophysical survey—A method of exploration in 

which geophysical properties and relationships 

are measured remotely by one or more 

geophysical methods.

Habitat—A specific type of environment that is 

occupied by an organism, a population, or a 

community.

Hermatypic coral—Reef-building corals that 

produce hard, calcium carbonate skeletons and 

that possess symbiotic, unicellular algae 

within their tissues.

Harassment—An intentional or negligent act or 

omission that creates the likelihood of injury 

to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as 

to significantly disrupt normal behavior 

patterns that include, but are not limited to, 

feeding or sheltering.

Hydrocarbons—Any of a large class of organic 

compounds containing primarily carbon and 

hydrogen. Hydrocarbon compounds are 

divided into two broad classes: aromatic and 

aliphatics. They occur primarily in petroleum, 

natural gas, coal, and bitumens.

Hypoxia—Depressed levels of dissolved oxygen 

in water, usually resulting in decreased 

metabolism.

Incidental take—Takings that result from, but are 

not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise 

lawful activity (e.g., fishing) conducted by a 

Federal agency or applicant (see Taking).

Indirect employment—Secondary or supporting 

oil- and gas-related industries, such as the 

processing of crude oil and gas in refineries, 

natural gas plants, and petrochemical plants.

Induced employment—Tertiary industries that 

are created or supported by the expenditures of 
8-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

employees in the primary or secondary 

industries (direct and indirect employment), 

including consumer goods and services such 

as food, clothing, housing, and entertainment.

Infrastructure—The facilities associated with oil 

and gas development, e.g., refineries, gas 

processing plants, etc.

Jack-up rig—A barge-like, floating platform with 

legs at each corner that can be lowered to the 

sea bottom to raise the platform above the 

water.

Junk shot—A wild well-control procedure 

accompanying a top kill that introduces 

foreign objects into the drilling fluid (such as 

shredded rope, rubber, or golf balls) and that is

designed to clog the openings or partial 

openings in a nonfunctioning blowout 

preventer (an early well control strategy for 

the Macondo spill in May 2010). 

Kick—A deviation or imbalance, typically sudden 

or unexpected, between the downward 

pressure exerted by the drilling fluid and the 

upward pressure of in situ formation fluids or 

gases.

Landfall—The site where a marine pipeline 

comes to shore.

Lease—Authorization that is issued under 

Section 8 or maintained under Section 6 of the 

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and that 

authorizes exploration for, and development 

and production of, minerals.

Lease sale—The competitive auction of leases 

granting companies or individuals the right to 

explore for and develop certain minerals under 

specified conditions and periods of time.

Lease term—The initial period for oil and gas 

leases, usually a period of 5, 8, or 10 years 

depending on water depth or potentially 

adverse conditions.

Lessee—A party authorized by a lease, or an 

approved assignment thereof, to explore for 

and develop and produce the leased deposits in 

accordance with regulations at 30 CFR 250.

Lower marine riser package—The head 

assembly of a subsurface well at the point 

where the riser connects to a blowout 

preventer.

Macondo—Prospect name given by BP to the 

Mississippi Canyon Block 252 exploration 

well that the Deepwater Horizon rig was 

drilling when a blowout occurred on April 20, 

2010.

Macondo spill—The name given to the oil spill 

that resulted from the explosion and sinking of 

the Deepwater Horizon rig from the period 

between April 24, 2010, when search and 

recovery vessels on site reported oil at the sea 

surface until uncontrolled flow from the 

Macondo well was capped. 

Marshes—Persistent, emergent, nonforested 

wetlands characterized by predominantly 

cordgrasses, rushes, and cattails.

Military warning area—An area established by 

the Department of Defense within which

military activities take place.

Minerals—As used in this document, minerals 

include oil, gas, sulphur, and associated 

resources, and all other minerals authorized by 

an Act of Congress to be produced from 

public lands as defined in Section 103 of the 

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 

1976.

Naturally occurring radioactive materials 

(NORM)—naturally occurring material that 

emits low levels of radioactivity, originating 

from processes not associated with the 

recovery of radioactive material. The 

radionuclides of concern in NORM are 

Radium-226, Radium-228, and other isotopes 

in the radioactive decay chains of uranium and 

thorium.

Nepheloid—A layer of water near the bottom that 

contains significant amounts of suspended 

sediment.

Nonattainment area—An area that is shown by 

monitoring data or by air-quality modeling 

calculations to exceed primary or secondary 

ambient air quality standards established by 

the USEPA.

Nonhazardous oil-field wastes (NOW)—Wastes 

generated by exploration, development, or 

production of crude oil or natural gas that are 

exempt from hazardous waste regulation under 

the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 

(Regulatory Determination for Oil and Gas 

and Geothermal Exploration, Development 

and Production Wastes, dated June 29, 1988, 

53 FR 25446; July 6, 1988). These wastes 

may contain hazardous substances.

Offloading—Unloading liquid cargo, crude oil, or 

refined petroleum products.
Glossary 8-7 

Operational discharge—Any incidental 

pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or 

dumping of wastes generated during routine 

offshore drilling and production activities.

Operator—An individual, partnership, firm, or 

corporation having control or management of 

operations on a leased area or portion thereof. 

The operator may be a lessee, designated 

agent of the lessee, or holder of operating 

rights under an approved operating agreement.

Organic matter—Material derived from living 

plants or animals.

Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)—All submerged 

lands that comprise the continental margin 

adjacent to the United States and seaward of 

State offshore lands.

Pelagic—Of or pertaining to the open sea; 

associated with open water beyond the direct 

influence of coastal systems.

Penaeids—Chiefly warm water and tropical 

prawns belonging to the family Penaeidae.

Plankton—Passively floating or weakly motile 

aquatic plants (phytoplankton) and animals 

(zooplankton).

Platform—A steel or concrete structure from 

which offshore development wells are drilled.

Play—A prospective subsurface area for 

hydrocarbon accumulation that is 

characterized by a particular structural style or 

depositional relationship.

Primary production—Organic material produced 

by photosynthetic or chemosynthetic 

organisms.

Produced water—Total water discharged from 

the oil and gas extraction process; production 

water or production brine.

Production—Activities that take place after the 

successful completion of any means for the 

extraction of resources, including bringing the 

resource to the surface, transferring the 

produced resource to shore, monitoring 

operations, and drilling additional wells or 

workovers.

Province—A spatial entity with common geologic 

attributes. A province may include a single 

dominant structural element such as a basin or 

a fold belt, or a number of contiguous related 

elements.

Ram—The main component of a blowout 

preventer designed to shear casing and tools in 

a wellbore or to seal an empty wellbore. A 

blind shear ram accomplishes the former and a 

blind ram the latter.

Recoverable reserves—The portion of the 

identified hydrocarbon or mineral resource 

that can be economically extracted under 

current technological constraints.

Recoverable resource estimate—An assessment 

of hydrocarbon or mineral resources that takes 

into account the fact that physical and 

technological constraints dictate that only a 

portion of resources can be brought to the 

surface.

Recreational beaches—Frequently visited, sandy 

areas along the Gulf of Mexico shorefront that 

support multiple recreational activities at the 

land-water interface. Included are National 

Seashores, State Park and Recreational Areas, 

county and local parks, urban beachfronts, and 

private resorts.

Refining—Fractional distillation of petroleum, 

usually followed by other processing (for 

example, cracking).

Relief—The difference in elevation between the 

high and low points of a surface.

Reserves—Proved oil or gas resources.

Rig—A structure used for drilling an oil or gas 

well.

Riser insertion tube tool—A “straw” and gasket 

assembly improvised during the Macondo spill 

response that was designed to siphon oil and 

gas from the broken riser of the Deepwater 

Horizon lying on the sea bottom (an early 

recovery strategy for the Macondo spill in 

May 2010). 

Royalty—A share of the minerals produced from 

a lease paid in either money or “in-kind” to the 

landowner by the lessee. 

Saltwater intrusion—Saltwater invading a body 

of freshwater.

Sciaenids—Fishes belonging to the croaker family 

(Sciaenidae).

Seagrass beds—More or less continuous mats of 

submerged, rooted, marine, flowering vascular 

plants occurring in shallow tropical and 

temperate waters. Seagrass beds provide 

habitat, including breeding and feeding 

grounds, for adults and/or juveniles of many 
8-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

of the economically important shellfish and 

finfish. 

Sediment—Material that has been transported and 

deposited by water, wind, glacier, 

precipitation, or gravity; a mass of deposited 

material.

Seeps (hydrocarbon)—Gas or oil that reaches the 

surface along bedding planes, fractures, 

unconformities, or fault planes.

Sensitive area—An area containing species, 

populations, communities, or assemblages of 

living resources, that is susceptible to damage 

from normal OCS-related activities. Damage 

includes interference with established 

ecological relationships.

Shear ram—The component in a BOP that cuts, 

or shears, through the drill pipe and forms a 

seal against well pressure. Shear rams are 

used in floating offshore drilling operations to 

provide a quick method of moving the rig 

away from the hole when there is no time to 

trip the drill stem out of the hole.

Shunting—A method used in offshore oil and gas 

drilling and production activities where 

expended cuttings and fluids are discharged 

through a downpipe, which terminates no 

more than 10 m from the ocean floor, rather 

than discharged at the ocean surface.

Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Team—The

on-the-scene responders for post-spill 

shoreline protection who established priorities, 

standardized procedures and establish 

terminology. 

Spill of National Significance—Designation by 

the USEPA Administrator under 40 CFR 

300.323 for discharges occurring in the inland 

zone and the Commandant of the CG for 

discharges occurring in the coastal zone, 

authorizing the appointment of a National 

Incident Commander for spill-response 

activity.

State coastal zone boundary—The State coastal 

zone boundaries for each CZMA-affected 

State are defined at http://

coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/mystate/docs/

StateCZBoundaries.pdf. 

Structure—Any OCS facility that extends from 

the seafloor to above the waterline; in 

petroleum geology, any arrangement of rocks 

that may hold an accumulation of oil or gas.

Subarea—A discrete analysis area.

Subsea isolation device—An emergency 

disconnection and reconnection assembly for 

the riser at the seafloor. 

Supply vessel—A boat that ferries food, water, 

fuel, and drilling supplies and equipment to an 

offshore rig or platform and returns to land 

with refuse that cannot be disposed of at sea.

Taking—To harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, 

wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any 

endangered or threatened species, or to 

attempt to engage in any such conduct 

(including actions that induce stress, adversely 

impact critical habitat, or result in adverse 

secondary or cumulative impacts). 

Harassments are the most common form of 

taking associated with OCS Program 

activities.

Tension-leg platform (TLP)—A production 

structure that consists of a buoyant platform 

tethered to concrete pilings on the seafloor 

with flexible cable.

Top hat—A short cylindrical sleeve with a

tapered apex designed to fit atop of the lower 

marine riser package and to capture oil and 

gas from the flowing Macondo well (a 

functional subsurface recovery strategy for the 

Macondo spill in June and July, before the 

well was capped on July 15, 2010). 

Top kill—A wild well-control procedure 

involving the pump-down under pressure of 

heavy drilling fluid to equalize pressure and to 

stop the flow of gas and oil exiting a blowout

(an early well control strategy for the 

Macondo spill deployed in May 2010). 

Total dissolved solids—The total amount of 

solids that are dissolved in water.

Total suspended particulate matter—The total 

amount of suspended solids in water.

Total suspended solids—The total amount of 

suspended solids in water.

Trunkline—A large-diameter pipeline receiving 

oil or gas from many smaller tributary 

gathering lines that serve a large area; 

common-carrier line; main line.

Turbidity—Reduced water clarity due to the 

presence of suspended matter.

Unified Area Command—A system of satellite 

work, coordination, and remediation stations 

administered by the Unified Incident 
Glossary 8-9 

Commander Incident Commander during a 

spill of national significance.

Unified Incident Command—Command and 

coordination center for the National Incident 

Commander

Volatile organic compound (VOC)—Any 

organic compound that is emitted to the 

atmosphere as a vapor.

Water test areas—Areas within the Eastern Gulf 

where Department of Defense research, 

development, and testing of military planes, 

ships, and weaponry take place.

Weathering (of oil)—The aging of oil due to its 

exposure to the atmosphere, causing marked 

alterations in its physical and chemical 

makeup.

KEYWORD INDEX

Keyword Index Keywords-3 

KEYWORD INDEX

Air Quality, xi, 1-22, 1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 1-34, 1-35, 1-40, 2-13, 2-15, 2-17, 2-44, 2-45, 3-18, 3-27, 4-6, 4-9, 

4-10, 4-11, 4-12, 4-13, 4-14, 4-15, 4-16, 4-17, 4-18, 4-19, 4-20, 4-242, 4-274, 4-275, 4-286, 4-422, 

4-434, 4-439, 4-440, 4-441, 4-442, 4-443, 4-444, 4-445, 4-446, 4-447, 4-448, 4-449, 4-450, 4-451, 

4-452, 4-453, 4-749, 4-793, 4-795, 4-805, 4-806, 4-969, 4-973

Alternative Energy, 5-4, 5-5, 5-10

Annular Preventer, 1-32, 3-77

Archaeological Resources, xi, xv, 1-23, 1-25, 1-26, 1-30, 1-35, 2-13, 2-15, 2-30, 2-31, 2-62, 2-63, 3-6, 

3-7, 3-10, 3-46, 4-9, 4-48, 4-354, 4-356, 4-357, 4-358, 4-359, 4-360, 4-361, 4-364, 4-365, 4-366, 4-367, 

4-434, 4-440, 4-490, 4-887, 4-888, 4-889, 4-890, 4-891, 4-892, 4-893, 4-894, 4-895, 4-896, 4-898, 

4-899, 4-900, 4-901, 4-902, 4-969, 4-974

Artificial Reefs, xiv, 1-22, 1-39, 2-13, 2-27, 2-29, 2-60, 2-61, 3-17, 3-88, 3-92, 4-96, 4-168, 4-171, 4-172, 

4-179, 4-231, 4-307, 4-309, 4-310, 4-311, 4-313, 4-321, 4-325, 4-328, 4-335, 4-336, 4-338, 4-339, 

4-341, 4-342, 4-345, 4-347, 4-348, 4-361, 4-543, 4-546, 4-564, 4-570, 4-573, 4-602, 4-674, 4-677, 

4-678, 4-684, 4-738, 4-839, 4-840, 4-842, 4-850, 4-858, 4-866, 4-867, 4-870, 4-871, 4-873, 4-874, 

4-880, 4-881, 4-895, 4-896, 4-976

Beach Mice, xi, xiii, 2-15, 2-56, 2-57, 2-65, 3-66, 4-439, 4-764, 4-765, 4-766, 4-767, 4-768, 4-769, 4-770, 

4-771, 4-965, 4-969

Blowout Preventer, 1-7, 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 1-12, 1-13, 1-14, 1-15, 1-16, 1-17, 1-28, 1-32, 1-33, 3-9, 3-14, 

3-19, 3-26, 3-44, 3-67, 3-68, 3-75, 3-76, 3-77, 3-78, 3-79, 3-80, 3-81, 4-98, 4-173, 4-196, 4-549, 4-575, 

4-605, 4-679, 4-703

Blowouts, vii, viii, xiv, xv, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 1-12, 1-14, 1-16, 1-17, 1-24, 1-28, 1-30, 1-32, 1-33, 

1-34, 1-41, 2-5, 2-6, 2-14, 2-17, 2-18, 2-21, 2-22, 2-23, 2-24, 2-25, 2-28, 2-29, 2-32, 2-33, 2-36, 2-37, 

2-44, 2-45, 2-49, 2-50, 2-51, 2-52, 2-53, 2-54, 2-55, 2-56, 2-60, 2-61, 2-64, 2-65, 2-67, 2-68, 2-69, 3-9, 

3-14, 3-16, 3-19, 3-26, 3-43, 3-44, 3-60, 3-61, 3-67, 3-68, 3-69, 3-74, 3-75, 3-76, 3-77, 3-78, 3-80, 

3-81, 3-104, 4-15, 4-18, 4-21, 4-25, 4-27, 4-35, 4-36, 4-39, 4-65, 4-91, 4-97, 4-98, 4-105, 4-106, 4-107, 

4-108, 4-109, 4-110, 4-111, 4-116, 4-117, 4-118, 4-133, 4-134, 4-135, 4-137, 4-138, 4-139, 4-146, 

4-147, 4-148, 4-149, 4-150, 4-151, 4-152, 4-156, 4-157, 4-162, 4-163, 4-173, 4-178, 4-179, 4-180, 

4-183, 4-184, 4-196, 4-203, 4-206, 4-208, 4-233, 4-235, 4-238, 4-241, 4-253, 4-254, 4-297, 4-313, 

4-314, 4-315, 4-316, 4-317, 4-318, 4-319, 4-322, 4-325, 4-328, 4-330, 4-331, 4-332, 4-333, 4-334, 

4-335, 4-341, 4-354, 4-365, 4-368, 4-394, 4-399, 4-402, 4-403, 4-419, 4-433, 4-434, 4-445, 4-449, 

4-452, 4-460, 4-462, 4-470, 4-474, 4-475, 4-477, 4-478, 4-491, 4-540, 4-548, 4-549, 4-552, 4-554, 

4-555, 4-556, 4-557, 4-558, 4-559, 4-560, 4-561, 4-562, 4-567, 4-574, 4-575, 4-578, 4-580, 4-581, 

4-583, 4-584, 4-585, 4-586, 4-587, 4-588, 4-596, 4-597, 4-603, 4-604, 4-605, 4-611, 4-612, 4-613, 

4-614, 4-615, 4-616, 4-617, 4-622, 4-623, 4-624, 4-639, 4-640, 4-641, 4-642, 4-643, 4-644, 4-645, 

4-651, 4-652, 4-653, 4-654, 4-655, 4-656, 4-657, 4-668, 4-679, 4-684, 4-685, 4-686, 4-688, 4-690, 

4-703, 4-711, 4-713, 4-715, 4-740, 4-742, 4-744, 4-745, 4-748, 4-760, 4-776, 4-834, 4-836, 4-842, 

4-843, 4-844, 4-845, 4-846, 4-848, 4-851, 4-861, 4-863, 4-865, 4-873, 4-887, 4-900, 4-903, 4-929, 

4-934, 4-937, 4-953, 4-968, 4-970, 4-972, 4-973

Chemosynthetic Communities, xiii, 1-22, 1-23, 2-10, 2-13, 2-22, 2-23, 2-52, 2-53, 2-54, 3-14, 3-43, 4-5, 

4-6, 4-120, 4-121, 4-122, 4-123, 4-125, 4-126, 4-127, 4-129, 4-130, 4-131, 4-132, 4-133, 4-134, 4-135, 

4-136, 4-137, 4-138, 4-139, 4-140, 4-141, 4-146, 4-148, 4-149, 4-151, 4-152, 4-308, 4-439, 4-626, 

4-627, 4-629, 4-630, 4-631, 4-633, 4-635, 4-636, 4-637, 4-638, 4-639, 4-640, 4-641, 4-642, 4-643, 

4-644, 4-645, 4-646, 4-651, 4-653, 4-654, 4-656, 4-657

Chemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities, 2-22, 2-52, 4-120, 4-130, 4-305, 4-313, 4-626, 4-838, 

4-842

Coastal And Marine Birds, xi, xiv, 2-15, 2-26, 2-27, 2-57, 2-58, 4-3, 4-5, 4-7, 4-257, 4-258, 4-259, 4-267, 

4-269, 4-270, 4-271, 4-276, 4-277, 4-278, 4-279, 4-282, 4-283, 4-284, 4-285, 4-286, 4-287, 4-288, 
Keywords-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4-289, 4-290, 4-292, 4-295, 4-434, 4-438, 4-440, 4-771, 4-772, 4-773, 4-785, 4-787, 4-789, 4-790, 

4-791, 4-796, 4-797, 4-798, 4-799, 4-802, 4-803, 4-804, 4-805, 4-806, 4-807, 4-808, 4-809, 4-811, 

4-812, 4-813, 4-816, 4-969, 4-973

Coastal Barrier Beaches, xi, xii, 2-15, 2-18, 2-46, 4-41, 4-46, 4-47, 4-48, 4-52, 4-53, 4-56, 4-242, 4-392, 

4-434, 4-439, 4-480, 4-487, 4-488, 4-489, 4-490, 4-492, 4-494, 4-496, 4-499, 4-749, 4-927, 4-969

Coastal Zone Management, xi, 1-5, 1-30, 1-36, 4-20, 4-326, 4-454, 4-498, 5-7, 5-10

Collisions, vii, xv, 1-41, 2-18, 2-19, 2-25, 2-26, 2-27, 2-31, 2-32, 2-39, 2-45, 2-46, 2-56, 2-57, 2-58, 2-63, 

2-64, 3-81, 3-82, 3-83, 4-25, 4-27, 4-35, 4-38, 4-39, 4-49, 4-51, 4-54, 4-64, 4-71, 4-73, 4-78, 4-136, 

4-149, 4-190, 4-197, 4-198, 4-202, 4-206, 4-212, 4-221, 4-223, 4-230, 4-231, 4-233, 4-234, 4-235, 

4-244, 4-249, 4-250, 4-252, 4-275, 4-277, 4-278, 4-285, 4-287, 4-288, 4-292, 4-293, 4-296, 4-368, 

4-394, 4-395, 4-396, 4-399, 4-402, 4-403, 4-419, 4-420, 4-424, 4-460, 4-462, 4-474, 4-477, 4-478, 

4-491, 4-493, 4-515, 4-522, 4-528, 4-642, 4-654, 4-696, 4-704, 4-705, 4-709, 4-713, 4-719, 4-728, 

4-730, 4-736, 4-737, 4-740, 4-741, 4-742, 4-751, 4-756, 4-757, 4-759, 4-795, 4-797, 4-798, 4-805, 

4-807, 4-808, 4-813, 4-816, 4-817, 4-829, 4-903, 4-929, 4-930, 4-934, 4-937, 4-953, 4-954, 4-958, 

4-972, 4-973

Commercial Fishing, x, xiii, xiv, 1-22, 1-31, 2-13, 2-15, 2-28, 2-60, 3-16, 3-17, 4-4, 4-21, 4-109, 4-181, 

4-184, 4-209, 4-212, 4-213, 4-242, 4-249, 4-250, 4-320, 4-322, 4-324, 4-325, 4-326, 4-327, 4-328, 

4-332, 4-333, 4-334, 4-338, 4-339, 4-340, 4-341, 4-347, 4-352, 4-359, 4-361, 4-372, 4-402, 4-409, 

4-410, 4-415, 4-434, 4-438, 4-442, 4-455, 4-558, 4-561, 4-584, 4-587, 4-614, 4-689, 4-716, 4-719, 

4-720, 4-723, 4-749, 4-756, 4-757, 4-832, 4-833, 4-849, 4-851, 4-853, 4-857, 4-858, 4-860, 4-861, 

4-862, 4-863, 4-864, 4-866, 4-867, 4-870, 4-871, 4-872, 4-873, 4-880, 4-885, 4-894, 4-895, 4-904, 

4-907, 4-937, 4-943, 4-944, 4-948, 4-969, 4-974, 4-975

Consultation and Coordination, viii, 1-5, 1-6, 1-40, 3-56, 4-412, 4-946

Cumulative Activities, vii, xiv, 2-9, 3-84, 3-85, 3-86, 3-88, 3-89, 3-90, 3-91, 3-92, 3-93, 3-94, 3-95, 3-98, 

3-100, 3-102, 4-3, 4-74, 4-242, 4-255, 4-257, 4-288, 4-289, 4-290, 4-361, 4-399, 4-403, 4-404, 4-437, 

4-523, 4-749, 4-762, 4-763, 4-764, 4-771, 4-808, 4-809, 4-810, 4-895, 4-934, 4-938

Cumulative Impacts, vii, xi, xii, xiv, 2-17, 2-45, 3-84, 3-93, 3-94, 3-99, 4-4, 4-9, 4-18, 4-20, 4-21, 4-28, 

4-29, 4-39, 4-40, 4-41, 4-51, 4-56, 4-68, 4-70, 4-73, 4-74, 4-80, 4-82, 4-108, 4-118, 4-120, 4-136, 

4-137, 4-139, 4-148, 4-150, 4-151, 4-152, 4-153, 4-180, 4-182, 4-184, 4-209, 4-214, 4-215, 4-242, 

4-249, 4-250, 4-255, 4-256, 4-257, 4-260, 4-267, 4-269, 4-275, 4-284, 4-289, 4-290, 4-295, 4-296, 

4-297, 4-316, 4-317, 4-318, 4-321, 4-322, 4-332, 4-335, 4-341, 4-343, 4-351, 4-353, 4-354, 4-359, 

4-366, 4-367, 4-368, 4-396, 4-398, 4-399, 4-403, 4-411, 4-412, 4-425, 4-426, 4-427, 4-430, 4-435, 

4-438, 4-440, 4-452, 4-453, 4-454, 4-463, 4-464, 4-478, 4-479, 4-480, 4-493, 4-499, 4-500, 4-516, 

4-523, 4-530, 4-532, 4-558, 4-584, 4-589, 4-614, 4-624, 4-626, 4-641, 4-642, 4-644, 4-645, 4-654, 

4-655, 4-656, 4-657, 4-658, 4-686, 4-687, 4-690, 4-716, 4-721, 4-723, 4-749, 4-756, 4-757, 4-762, 

4-763, 4-764, 4-770, 4-771, 4-775, 4-785, 4-787, 4-795, 4-804, 4-810, 4-811, 4-815, 4-816, 4-829, 

4-833, 4-834, 4-846, 4-847, 4-850, 4-851, 4-863, 4-873, 4-875, 4-885, 4-887, 4-894, 4-900, 4-902, 

4-903, 4-931, 4-933, 4-937, 4-944, 4-945, 4-959, 4-961, 4-964, 4-965, 4-970, 4-975, 5-4 

Deepwater, xi, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 1-14, 1-15, 1-16, 1-17, 1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 1-34, 1-40, 1-41, 2-5, 

2-6, 2-7, 2-10, 2-11, 2-14, 2-15, 2-23, 2-27, 2-53, 2-54, 2-59, 3-9, 3-11, 3-12, 3-16, 3-17, 3-21, 3-23, 

3-28, 3-35, 3-36, 3-37, 3-38, 3-39, 3-41, 3-42, 3-43, 3-49, 3-50, 3-51, 3-54, 3-61, 3-64, 3-68, 3-71, 

3-75, 3-76, 3-78, 3-79, 3-80, 3-82, 3-83, 3-84, 3-87, 3-92, 3-93, 3-100, 3-103, 4-5, 4-12, 4-31, 4-34, 

4-36, 4-37, 4-45, 4-61, 4-62, 4-76, 4-85, 4-87, 4-90, 4-91, 4-100, 4-101, 4-120, 4-121, 4-124, 4-125, 

4-126, 4-127, 4-129, 4-130, 4-131, 4-132, 4-133, 4-134, 4-136, 4-137, 4-138, 4-139, 4-140, 4-141, 

4-142, 4-143, 4-144, 4-145, 4-146, 4-147, 4-148, 4-149, 4-150, 4-151, 4-152, 4-153, 4-154, 4-156, 

4-158, 4-161, 4-164, 4-166, 4-183, 4-186, 4-188, 4-192, 4-194, 4-205, 4-209, 4-212, 4-227, 4-248, 

4-251, 4-269, 4-299, 4-300, 4-308, 4-310, 4-312, 4-313, 4-315, 4-317, 4-318, 4-327, 4-333, 4-337, 

4-342, 4-346, 4-353, 4-355, 4-356, 4-361, 4-369, 4-371, 4-372, 4-373, 4-374, 4-375, 4-380, 4-381, 

4-382, 4-385, 4-386, 4-390, 4-392, 4-395, 4-397, 4-398, 4-406, 4-407, 4-413, 4-414, 4-415, 4-417, 

4-419, 4-420, 4-425, 4-429, 4-434, 4-439, 4-444, 4-449, 4-457, 4-467, 4-468, 4-470, 4-472, 4-475, 

4-476, 4-482, 4-486, 4-506, 4-509, 4-526, 4-537, 4-538, 4-539, 4-552, 4-560, 4-565, 4-566, 4-578, 

4-586, 4-591, 4-595, 4-596, 4-598, 4-607, 4-626, 4-627, 4-628, 4-631, 4-633, 4-634, 4-635, 4-636, 
Keyword Index Keywords-5 

4-637, 4-638, 4-639, 4-640, 4-641, 4-642, 4-643, 4-644, 4-645, 4-646, 4-647, 4-648, 4-649, 4-650, 

4-651, 4-652, 4-653, 4-654, 4-655, 4-656, 4-657, 4-658, 4-662, 4-664, 4-666, 4-671, 4-688, 4-692, 

4-694, 4-698, 4-700, 4-712, 4-716, 4-718, 4-734, 4-755, 4-758, 4-778, 4-787, 4-819, 4-829, 4-830, 

4-839, 4-842, 4-844, 4-846, 4-847, 4-859, 4-864, 4-867, 4-868, 4-874, 4-878, 4-887, 4-888, 4-889, 

4-890, 4-891, 4-892, 4-895, 4-903, 4-904, 4-905, 4-906, 4-908, 4-909, 4-910, 4-915, 4-916, 4-919, 

4-921, 4-925, 4-926, 4-929, 4-930, 4-932, 4-940, 4-941, 4-946, 4-948, 4-949, 4-951, 4-954, 4-960, 

4-963, 4-970, 4-976, 5-5 

Deepwater Horizon Event, xii, xv, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10, 1-11, 1-12, 1-13, 1-15, 1-17, 1-28, 1-31, 1-33, 2-3, 2-5, 

2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, 2-12, 2-14, 2-19, 2-20, 2-25, 2-28, 2-29, 2-31, 2-32, 2-33, 2-44, 2-46, 2-47, 

2-48, 2-55, 2-56, 2-60, 2-61, 2-63, 2-64, 2-65, 3-30, 3-31, 3-32, 3-44, 3-47, 3-50, 3-54, 3-56, 3-58, 

3-61, 3-66, 3-67, 3-68, 3-70, 3-71, 3-73, 3-75, 3-77, 3-79, 3-80, 3-81, 3-90, 3-103, 3-104, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 

4-6, 4-7, 4-8, 4-9, 4-10, 4-15, 4-16, 4-17, 4-19, 4-20, 4-23, 4-26, 4-27, 4-32, 4-36, 4-39, 4-42, 4-46, 

4-48, 4-49, 4-51, 4-54, 4-56, 4-60, 4-63, 4-65, 4-67, 4-76, 4-79, 4-81, 4-82, 4-90, 4-91, 4-103, 4-110, 

4-114, 4-119, 4-120, 4-124, 4-125, 4-129, 4-130, 4-134, 4-138, 4-141, 4-142, 4-147, 4-151, 4-156, 

4-157, 4-159, 4-160, 4-161, 4-162, 4-163, 4-164, 4-183, 4-190, 4-194, 4-195, 4-196, 4-203, 4-205, 

4-206, 4-208, 4-211, 4-213, 4-214, 4-215, 4-227, 4-228, 4-229, 4-230, 4-241, 4-248, 4-249, 4-251, 

4-252, 4-253, 4-254, 4-256, 4-257, 4-258, 4-263, 4-264, 4-266, 4-267, 4-269, 4-270, 4-278, 4-279, 

4-281, 4-283, 4-284, 4-296, 4-302, 4-303, 4-306, 4-314, 4-315, 4-316, 4-319, 4-322, 4-323, 4-324, 

4-330, 4-331, 4-333, 4-334, 4-335, 4-336, 4-337, 4-338, 4-340, 4-341, 4-342, 4-343, 4-344, 4-346, 

4-347, 4-348, 4-349, 4-350, 4-351, 4-353, 4-358, 4-359, 4-365, 4-368, 4-390, 4-391, 4-393, 4-394, 

4-395, 4-396, 4-397, 4-398, 4-399, 4-400, 4-401, 4-404, 4-405, 4-406, 4-407, 4-408, 4-410, 4-413, 

4-414, 4-415, 4-419, 4-420, 4-421, 4-422, 4-423, 4-424, 4-425, 4-428, 4-429, 4-430, 4-431, 4-432, 

4-437, 4-439, 4-441, 4-442, 4-443, 4-444, 4-448, 4-450, 4-451, 4-453, 4-456, 4-457, 4-458, 4-462, 

4-467, 4-468, 4-469, 4-470, 4-475, 4-476, 4-478, 4-482, 4-483, 4-484, 4-486, 4-487, 4-488, 4-489, 

4-490, 4-491, 4-492, 4-493, 4-494, 4-495, 4-496, 4-497, 4-499, 4-500, 4-502, 4-503, 4-504, 4-505, 

4-506, 4-507, 4-508, 4-509, 4-512, 4-513, 4-514, 4-515, 4-517, 4-520, 4-522, 4-524, 4-525, 4-527, 

4-529, 4-530, 4-532, 4-537, 4-538, 4-539, 4-560, 4-565, 4-566, 4-567, 4-586, 4-589, 4-595, 4-596, 

4-597, 4-603, 4-607, 4-609, 4-615, 4-620, 4-625, 4-626, 4-633, 4-634, 4-635, 4-640, 4-643, 4-646, 

4-647, 4-652, 4-656, 4-662, 4-663, 4-665, 4-666, 4-667, 4-668, 4-669, 4-688, 4-696, 4-699, 4-700, 

4-701, 4-702, 4-703, 4-711, 4-712, 4-715, 4-718, 4-720, 4-721, 4-734, 4-735, 4-736, 4-742, 4-747, 

4-748, 4-756, 4-758, 4-759, 4-760, 4-761, 4-762, 4-763, 4-767, 4-768, 4-771, 4-772, 4-773, 4-774, 

4-775, 4-776, 4-777, 4-778, 4-779, 4-780, 4-781, 4-782, 4-783, 4-784, 4-785, 4-787, 4-788, 4-789, 

4-790, 4-798, 4-799, 4-801, 4-803, 4-804, 4-816, 4-817, 4-819, 4-820, 4-823, 4-827, 4-828, 4-829, 

4-830, 4-832, 4-833, 4-835, 4-836, 4-837, 4-838, 4-843, 4-844, 4-845, 4-848, 4-851, 4-853, 4-854, 

4-855, 4-856, 4-857, 4-858, 4-860, 4-861, 4-862, 4-864, 4-865, 4-866, 4-867, 4-868, 4-869, 4-872, 

4-873, 4-874, 4-875, 4-876, 4-877, 4-878, 4-879, 4-880, 4-882, 4-883, 4-884, 4-885, 4-887, 4-890, 

4-893, 4-898, 4-900, 4-903, 4-925, 4-926, 4-928, 4-929, 4-930, 4-931, 4-932, 4-933, 4-934, 4-935, 

4-938, 4-939, 4-940, 4-941, 4-942, 4-943, 4-944, 4-946, 4-948, 4-949, 4-952, 4-953, 4-954, 4-955, 

4-956, 4-957, 4-958, 4-959, 4-962, 4-963, 4-964, 4-965, 4-968, 5-10, 5-11, 5-12

Demographics, xv, 2-15, 2-32, 2-63, 4-9, 4-399, 4-401, 4-403, 4-933, 4-937

Diamondback Terrapins, xi, xiii, 2-26, 2-56, 4-250, 4-251, 4-252, 4-253, 4-254, 4-255, 4-256, 4-257, 

4-757, 4-758, 4-759, 4-760, 4-761, 4-762, 4-763

Discharges, xi, xii, xiv, 1-12, 1-32, 2-14, 2-15, 2-18, 2-21, 2-22, 2-23, 2-25, 2-33, 2-34, 2-35, 2-36, 2-37, 

2-45, 2-49, 2-50, 2-51, 2-52, 2-53, 2-55, 2-58, 2-61, 2-65, 2-66, 2-67, 2-68, 2-69, 3-19, 3-20, 3-21, 

3-24, 3-25, 3-26, 3-27, 3-29, 3-30, 3-31, 3-32, 3-46, 3-54, 3-55, 4-20, 4-21, 4-24, 4-25, 4-28, 4-29, 

4-30, 4-33, 4-35, 4-37, 4-38, 4-39, 4-40, 4-41, 4-91, 4-92, 4-94, 4-95, 4-97, 4-98, 4-109, 4-111, 4-115, 

4-116, 4-117, 4-118, 4-120, 4-127, 4-130, 4-131, 4-132, 4-133, 4-137, 4-138, 4-139, 4-142, 4-143, 

4-144, 4-145, 4-146, 4-149, 4-150, 4-151, 4-152, 4-153, 4-164, 4-165, 4-166, 4-167, 4-169, 4-170, 

4-171, 4-172, 4-173, 4-180, 4-182, 4-184, 4-196, 4-202, 4-208, 4-211, 4-230, 4-233, 4-235, 4-236, 

4-241, 4-243, 4-245, 4-267, 4-276, 4-286, 4-290, 4-296, 4-297, 4-308, 4-309, 4-310, 4-311, 4-312, 

4-317, 4-318, 4-320, 4-321, 4-325, 4-326, 4-332, 4-334, 4-335, 4-341, 4-347, 4-348, 4-354, 4-378, 

4-420, 4-422, 4-433, 4-434, 4-454, 4-459, 4-460, 4-463, 4-464, 4-466, 4-470, 4-471, 4-473, 4-475, 

4-477, 4-478, 4-479, 4-480, 4-540, 4-541, 4-542, 4-543, 4-544, 4-545, 4-547, 4-548, 4-549, 4-558, 

4-561, 4-562, 4-567, 4-568, 4-570, 4-571, 4-574, 4-575, 4-584, 4-585, 4-588, 4-597, 4-598, 4-600, 
Keywords-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4-601, 4-603, 4-604, 4-605, 4-615, 4-616, 4-617, 4-621, 4-622, 4-624, 4-626, 4-631, 4-635, 4-637, 

4-638, 4-639, 4-642, 4-644, 4-645, 4-647, 4-649, 4-650, 4-651, 4-654, 4-655, 4-656, 4-657, 4-658, 

4-670, 4-672, 4-673, 4-675, 4-676, 4-677, 4-679, 4-686, 4-687, 4-690, 4-703, 4-709, 4-715, 4-718, 

4-736, 4-737, 4-739, 4-742, 4-743, 4-748, 4-749, 4-751, 4-752, 4-768, 4-785, 4-796, 4-806, 4-811, 

4-816, 4-819, 4-823, 4-824, 4-826, 4-833, 4-839, 4-840, 4-841, 4-846, 4-847, 4-848, 4-849, 4-850, 

4-859, 4-860, 4-863, 4-865, 4-866, 4-873, 4-880, 4-882, 4-887, 4-913, 4-955, 4-956, 4-968, 4-972, 

4-973, 5-6 

Dispersants, xiv, 1-14, 1-15, 1-17, 1-18, 1-33, 2-6, 2-17, 2-18, 2-19, 2-22, 2-23, 2-24, 2-25, 2-44, 2-45, 

2-46, 2-53, 2-54, 2-55, 2-58, 2-59, 3-60, 3-61, 3-67, 3-68, 3-69, 3-71, 3-72, 3-81, 4-6, 4-17, 4-19, 4-23, 

4-25, 4-26, 4-27, 4-29, 4-32, 4-35, 4-36, 4-37, 4-39, 4-41, 4-46, 4-48, 4-51, 4-65, 4-67, 4-71, 4-79, 

4-91, 4-99, 4-101, 4-102, 4-103, 4-104, 4-108, 4-117, 4-124, 4-125, 4-133, 4-134, 4-135, 4-138, 4-139, 

4-141, 4-146, 4-147, 4-148, 4-151, 4-152, 4-157, 4-158, 4-159, 4-160, 4-161, 4-163, 4-173, 4-174, 

4-175, 4-194, 4-205, 4-206, 4-208, 4-211, 4-227, 4-238, 4-241, 4-254, 4-280, 4-314, 4-330, 4-358, 

4-359, 4-419, 4-420, 4-422, 4-423, 4-429, 4-443, 4-450, 4-451, 4-456, 4-457, 4-458, 4-460, 4-461, 

4-462, 4-464, 4-467, 4-468, 4-469, 4-470, 4-474, 4-475, 4-476, 4-478, 4-480, 4-488, 4-491, 4-493, 

4-496, 4-507, 4-508, 4-512, 4-514, 4-515, 4-517, 4-528, 4-538, 4-539, 4-549, 4-550, 4-551, 4-552, 

4-553, 4-556, 4-557, 4-560, 4-566, 4-567, 4-575, 4-576, 4-578, 4-579, 4-583, 4-586, 4-596, 4-605, 

4-606, 4-607, 4-608, 4-609, 4-610, 4-612, 4-613, 4-614, 4-620, 4-623, 4-624, 4-634, 4-635, 4-639, 

4-640, 4-641, 4-643, 4-644, 4-645, 4-646, 4-651, 4-652, 4-653, 4-656, 4-657, 4-663, 4-664, 4-665, 

4-666, 4-667, 4-668, 4-679, 4-680, 4-681, 4-700, 4-712, 4-713, 4-715, 4-718, 4-734, 4-745, 4-747, 

4-761, 4-789, 4-800, 4-820, 4-828, 4-829, 4-833, 4-836, 4-843, 4-862, 4-892, 4-893, 4-953, 4-954, 

4-956, 4-957, 4-964, 4-972, 4-973, 5-5 

Dunes, xi, xii, 2-15, 2-18, 2-19, 2-46, 4-41, 4-42, 4-43, 4-44, 4-45, 4-46, 4-47, 4-48, 4-49, 4-50, 4-51, 

4-52, 4-53, 4-54, 4-55, 4-56, 4-57, 4-59, 4-71, 4-72, 4-73, 4-242, 4-250, 4-260, 4-264, 4-294, 4-297, 

4-353, 4-429, 4-434, 4-439, 4-480, 4-481, 4-482, 4-483, 4-484, 4-485, 4-487, 4-488, 4-489, 4-490, 

4-491, 4-492, 4-493, 4-494, 4-495, 4-496, 4-497, 4-498, 4-499, 4-503, 4-506, 4-534, 4-749, 4-758, 

4-764, 4-765, 4-766, 4-767, 4-768, 4-769, 4-775, 4-781, 4-814, 4-817, 4-887, 4-963, 4-969

Economic Factors, xv, 2-15, 2-32, 2-64, 4-9, 4-348, 4-393, 4-395, 4-404, 4-416, 4-425, 4-440, 4-853, 

4-881, 4-927, 4-930, 4-938, 4-950, 4-959

Employment, xv, 2-15, 2-29, 2-32, 2-61, 2-64, 4-3, 4-324, 4-343, 4-344, 4-346, 4-349, 4-368, 4-370, 

4-372, 4-375, 4-376, 4-393, 4-399, 4-400, 4-401, 4-402, 4-403, 4-404, 4-405, 4-406, 4-408, 4-409, 

4-410, 4-411, 4-416, 4-418, 4-425, 4-436, 4-857, 4-875, 4-876, 4-878, 4-879, 4-882, 4-903, 4-904, 

4-907, 4-910, 4-927, 4-933, 4-934, 4-935, 4-936, 4-937, 4-938, 4-939, 4-940, 4-942, 4-943, 4-944, 

4-945, 4-949, 4-950, 4-952, 4-953, 4-959, 4-960, 4-971

Environmental Justice, xi, xv, 1-6, 2-15, 2-32, 2-64, 3-54, 4-9, 4-394, 4-396, 4-402, 4-412, 4-413, 4-415, 

4-416, 4-419, 4-420, 4-421, 4-425, 4-426, 4-427, 4-428, 4-429, 4-430, 4-440, 4-928, 4-930, 4-936, 

4-945, 4-946, 4-947, 4-948, 4-949, 4-950, 4-951, 4-952, 4-953, 4-955, 4-959, 4-960, 4-961, 4-962, 

4-963, 4-964, 4-965

Essential Fish Habitats, viii, xi, xiv, 1-5, 2-15, 2-27, 2-28, 2-59, 2-60, 3-66, 4-4, 4-83, 4-89, 4-99, 4-107, 

4-113, 4-297, 4-299, 4-304, 4-305, 4-306, 4-307, 4-308, 4-309, 4-310, 4-312, 4-313, 4-314, 4-315, 

4-316, 4-317, 4-318, 4-319, 4-321, 4-322, 4-324, 4-325, 4-328, 4-338, 4-339, 4-434, 4-438, 4-440, 

4-537, 4-565, 4-567, 4-589, 4-595, 4-605, 4-618, 4-670, 4-833, 4-834, 4-835, 4-837, 4-838, 4-839, 

4-840, 4-841, 4-842, 4-843, 4-844, 4-845, 4-846, 4-847, 4-848, 4-850, 4-851, 4-853, 4-870, 4-871, 

4-969, 5-4, 5-11, 5-12

Explosive Removals, 2-13, 2-15, 2-21, 2-51, 2-58, 4-97, 4-110, 4-172, 4-199, 4-201, 4-202, 4-231, 4-232, 

4-235, 4-245, 4-321, 4-335, 4-547, 4-558, 4-603, 4-604, 4-616, 4-678, 4-706, 4-709, 4-738, 4-741, 

4-752, 4-826, 4-832, 4-850, 4-866

Fish Resources, xi, xiv, 2-15, 2-27, 2-28, 2-29, 2-59, 2-60, 4-297, 4-299, 4-309, 4-310, 4-311, 4-312, 

4-313, 4-314, 4-315, 4-316, 4-317, 4-318, 4-319, 4-320, 4-321, 4-322, 4-325, 4-326, 4-327, 4-328, 

4-334, 4-335, 4-338, 4-339, 4-341, 4-409, 4-434, 4-440, 4-537, 4-826, 4-833, 4-834, 4-839, 4-840, 

4-841, 4-842, 4-843, 4-844, 4-845, 4-846, 4-847, 4-848, 4-850, 4-851, 4-859, 4-865, 4-866, 4-869, 

4-870, 4-871, 4-873, 4-943, 4-969, 4-973, 4-974
Keyword Index Keywords-7 

Fisheries, viii, xiv, 1-19, 2-28, 2-29, 2-39, 2-60, 2-61, 3-17, 3-54, 3-66, 4-3, 4-5, 4-136, 4-148, 4-180, 

4-186, 4-188, 4-189, 4-199, 4-210, 4-211, 4-213, 4-218, 4-225, 4-226, 4-227, 4-246, 4-247, 4-285, 

4-292, 4-295, 4-297, 4-299, 4-301, 4-302, 4-303, 4-305, 4-309, 4-314, 4-315, 4-320, 4-321, 4-322, 

4-323, 4-324, 4-326, 4-327, 4-328, 4-329, 4-330, 4-331, 4-332, 4-333, 4-334, 4-335, 4-336, 4-338, 

4-339, 4-341, 4-342, 4-343, 4-362, 4-367, 4-393, 4-415, 4-419, 4-422, 4-424, 4-425, 4-429, 4-438, 

4-439, 4-558, 4-584, 4-641, 4-654, 4-686, 4-692, 4-694, 4-695, 4-706, 4-717, 4-720, 4-725, 4-731, 

4-732, 4-733, 4-734, 4-753, 4-754, 4-784, 4-805, 4-812, 4-815, 4-817, 4-821, 4-834, 4-835, 4-837, 

4-843, 4-845, 4-850, 4-851, 4-852, 4-853, 4-854, 4-855, 4-856, 4-857, 4-859, 4-860, 4-861, 4-862, 

4-863, 4-864, 4-865, 4-866, 4-867, 4-870, 4-871, 4-873, 4-874, 4-875, 4-896, 4-902, 4-928, 4-948, 

4-953, 4-956, 4-958, 4-959, 4-964, 4-973, 4-974, 5-3, 5-7, 5-8, 5-9, 5-11

Flaring, 1-28, 1-35, 2-14, 2-44, 3-25, 3-27, 3-42, 4-12, 4-17, 4-18, 4-273, 4-274, 4-444, 4-445, 4-450, 

4-451, 4-452, 4-793

Flower Garden Banks, ix, 1-4, 2-4, 2-13, 2-16, 2-28, 2-34, 2-35, 2-37, 4-3, 4-82, 4-83, 4-84, 4-85, 4-86, 

4-87, 4-89, 4-90, 4-94, 4-96, 4-99, 4-100, 4-102, 4-107, 4-110, 4-111, 4-164, 4-300, 4-304, 4-305, 

4-307, 4-308, 4-309, 4-317, 4-325, 4-327, 4-434, 4-435, 4-544, 4-551, 4-552, 4-553, 4-577, 4-578, 

4-589, 4-590, 4-591, 4-593, 4-600, 4-605, 4-606, 4-608, 4-612, 4-613, 4-837, 4-846, 5-6 

Gulf Sturgeon, xi, xiv, 2-15, 2-58, 2-59, 2-65, 4-440, 4-817, 4-818, 4-819, 4-820, 4-821, 4-822, 4-823, 

4-824, 4-825, 4-826, 4-827, 4-828, 4-829, 4-830, 4-831, 4-832, 4-833, 4-965, 4-969

Human Resources, 2-15, 2-31, 2-63, 4-368, 4-434, 4-902, 4-969

Hurricanes, xi, xii, 1-8, 1-26, 1-27, 1-28, 2-14, 2-15, 2-57, 2-60, 3-15, 3-31, 3-32, 3-33, 3-34, 3-48, 3-51, 

3-59, 3-77, 3-82, 3-83, 3-84, 3-89, 3-92, 3-101, 3-102, 3-103, 3-104, 4-18, 4-19, 4-22, 4-23, 4-28, 4-29, 

4-38, 4-39, 4-41, 4-42, 4-43, 4-44, 4-45, 4-47, 4-48, 4-52, 4-53, 4-54, 4-55, 4-56, 4-59, 4-61, 4-65, 

4-70, 4-71, 4-72, 4-73, 4-74, 4-75, 4-80, 4-81, 4-82, 4-84, 4-89, 4-103, 4-109, 4-111, 4-113, 4-118, 

4-119, 4-120, 4-141, 4-155, 4-157, 4-181, 4-183, 4-184, 4-213, 4-215, 4-216, 4-223, 4-227, 4-239, 

4-248, 4-251, 4-255, 4-267, 4-268, 4-269, 4-278, 4-294, 4-297, 4-305, 4-316, 4-321, 4-323, 4-332, 

4-334, 4-335, 4-336, 4-339, 4-341, 4-342, 4-343, 4-344, 4-345, 4-353, 4-355, 4-356, 4-359, 4-361, 

4-362, 4-364, 4-367, 4-370, 4-372, 4-374, 4-380, 4-381, 4-384, 4-385, 4-386, 4-392, 4-397, 4-400, 

4-414, 4-415, 4-417, 4-425, 4-428, 4-429, 4-430, 4-432, 4-452, 4-453, 4-456, 4-463, 4-464, 4-477, 

4-478, 4-480, 4-482, 4-483, 4-484, 4-485, 4-486, 4-487, 4-488, 4-494, 4-495, 4-496, 4-497, 4-498, 

4-499, 4-500, 4-501, 4-502, 4-503, 4-505, 4-506, 4-508, 4-509, 4-512, 4-514, 4-517, 4-519, 4-520, 

4-521, 4-522, 4-523, 4-524, 4-525, 4-530, 4-531, 4-532, 4-535, 4-561, 4-588, 4-595, 4-609, 4-614, 

4-616, 4-617, 4-619, 4-624, 4-625, 4-626, 4-646, 4-662, 4-663, 4-688, 4-689, 4-720, 4-722, 4-729, 

4-734, 4-746, 4-754, 4-755, 4-758, 4-762, 4-764, 4-765, 4-766, 4-768, 4-769, 4-770, 4-771, 4-784, 

4-785, 4-786, 4-788, 4-798, 4-815, 4-817, 4-819, 4-820, 4-821, 4-822, 4-830, 4-831, 4-834, 4-835, 

4-845, 4-846, 4-850, 4-853, 4-863, 4-864, 4-865, 4-866, 4-870, 4-873, 4-874, 4-875, 4-876, 4-878, 

4-886, 4-889, 4-894, 4-896, 4-898, 4-901, 4-905, 4-906, 4-909, 4-915, 4-916, 4-918, 4-919, 4-921, 

4-926, 4-932, 4-934, 4-947, 4-948, 4-949, 4-951, 4-959, 4-963, 4-965, 4-968

Income, xvi, 2-15, 2-32, 2-33, 2-64, 2-65, 4-337, 4-357, 4-400, 4-401, 4-403, 4-404, 4-405, 4-408, 4-411, 

4-412, 4-413, 4-414, 4-415, 4-416, 4-417, 4-418, 4-419, 4-420, 4-421, 4-423, 4-424, 4-425, 4-426, 

4-427, 4-428, 4-429, 4-430, 4-857, 4-868, 4-934, 4-935, 4-937, 4-938, 4-939, 4-941, 4-944, 4-945, 

4-947, 4-948, 4-949, 4-950, 4-951, 4-952, 4-953, 4-954, 4-955, 4-958, 4-959, 4-960, 4-961, 4-962, 

4-963, 4-964, 4-965

Infrastructure, vii, xi, xii, xiv, xv, 1-20, 2-6, 2-10, 2-15, 2-18, 2-20, 2-30, 2-31, 2-32, 2-46, 2-47, 2-57, 

2-62, 2-63, 2-64, 3-3, 3-4, 3-6, 3-12, 3-15, 3-17, 3-18, 3-35, 3-36, 3-38, 3-39, 3-40, 3-42, 3-47, 3-48, 

3-49, 3-53, 3-54, 3-61, 3-81, 3-84, 3-86, 3-87, 3-89, 3-95, 3-102, 3-103, 4-9, 4-19, 4-25, 4-47, 4-48, 

4-53, 4-54, 4-56, 4-60, 4-71, 4-78, 4-91, 4-92, 4-96, 4-97, 4-131, 4-143, 4-164, 4-165, 4-171, 4-209, 

4-267, 4-271, 4-274, 4-275, 4-278, 4-286, 4-305, 4-310, 4-323, 4-325, 4-347, 4-348, 4-352, 4-358, 

4-361, 4-365, 4-368, 4-369, 4-370, 4-372, 4-374, 4-375, 4-376, 4-380, 4-381, 4-382, 4-383, 4-384, 

4-385, 4-390, 4-391, 4-392, 4-393, 4-394, 4-395, 4-396, 4-397, 4-398, 4-399, 4-410, 4-412, 4-413, 

4-414, 4-416, 4-417, 4-418, 4-421, 4-425, 4-426, 4-427, 4-428, 4-430, 4-431, 4-436, 4-440, 4-453, 

4-460, 4-487, 4-488, 4-489, 4-490, 4-496, 4-497, 4-498, 4-499, 4-500, 4-507, 4-509, 4-511, 4-518, 

4-519, 4-527, 4-540, 4-541, 4-546, 4-547, 4-562, 4-567, 4-568, 4-573, 4-597, 4-598, 4-602, 4-603, 
Keywords-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4-637, 4-648, 4-670, 4-677, 4-716, 4-760, 4-785, 4-791, 4-793, 4-795, 4-797, 4-798, 4-806, 4-823, 

4-825, 4-835, 4-839, 4-853, 4-870, 4-881, 4-886, 4-892, 4-895, 4-899, 4-901, 4-902, 4-903, 4-905, 

4-906, 4-908, 4-909, 4-910, 4-911, 4-915, 4-916, 4-917, 4-918, 4-920, 4-925, 4-926, 4-927, 4-928, 

4-929, 4-930, 4-931, 4-932, 4-933, 4-943, 4-946, 4-947, 4-948, 4-950, 4-951, 4-952, 4-955, 4-959, 

4-960, 4-961, 4-963, 4-965, 4-967, 4-971, 4-972, 4-976

Kick, 1-14, 1-16, 1-31, 3-79, 3-80

Land Use, xi, xv, 2-15, 2-29, 2-31, 2-59, 2-61, 2-63, 3-47, 3-95, 4-9, 4-349, 4-368, 4-369, 4-370, 4-391, 

4-392, 4-394, 4-395, 4-396, 4-397, 4-398, 4-399, 4-412, 4-417, 4-426, 4-434, 4-440, 4-828, 4-832, 

4-882, 4-902, 4-903, 4-904, 4-925, 4-926, 4-928, 4-929, 4-930, 4-931, 4-932, 4-933, 4-946, 4-951, 

4-960, 4-969

Live Bottoms, x, xi, xii, 1-22, 1-23, 1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 2-10, 2-12, 2-15, 2-23, 2-48, 2-49, 2-50, 2-53, 2-59, 

2-68, 2-69, 3-14, 4-127, 4-140, 4-141, 4-142, 4-143, 4-144, 4-145, 4-146, 4-147, 4-148, 4-151, 4-233, 

4-238, 4-243, 4-307, 4-308, 4-309, 4-310, 4-315, 4-317, 4-318, 4-319, 4-320, 4-321, 4-325, 4-335, 

4-341, 4-439, 4-440, 4-532, 4-533, 4-534, 4-537, 4-539, 4-540, 4-541, 4-542, 4-543, 4-544, 4-545, 

4-546, 4-547, 4-548, 4-549, 4-550, 4-551, 4-552, 4-553, 4-554, 4-555, 4-556, 4-557, 4-558, 4-559, 

4-560, 4-561, 4-562, 4-563, 4-564, 4-566, 4-567, 4-568, 4-569, 4-570, 4-571, 4-572, 4-573, 4-574, 

4-575, 4-576, 4-577, 4-578, 4-579, 4-580, 4-581, 4-582, 4-583, 4-584, 4-585, 4-586, 4-587, 4-588, 

4-631, 4-645, 4-646, 4-647, 4-649, 4-650, 4-651, 4-652, 4-653, 4-656, 4-740, 4-745, 4-750, 4-834, 

4-838, 4-839, 4-841, 4-842, 4-844, 4-846, 4-847, 4-848, 4-849, 4-850, 4-865, 4-866, 4-873, 4-969, 5-11

Louisiana Highway 1, 2-16, 4-369, 4-398, 4-417, 4-426, 4-904, 4-932, 4-951, 4-960

Low Relief, xii, 1-22, 1-23, 2-15, 2-34, 2-35, 2-36, 2-49, 2-50, 2-59, 3-14, 4-87, 4-88, 4-96, 4-307, 4-308, 

4-318, 4-325, 4-440, 4-532, 4-534, 4-535, 4-537, 4-546, 4-548, 4-555, 4-562, 4-563, 4-564, 4-565, 

4-566, 4-567, 4-568, 4-569, 4-570, 4-571, 4-572, 4-573, 4-574, 4-575, 4-576, 4-577, 4-578, 4-579, 

4-580, 4-581, 4-582, 4-583, 4-584, 4-585, 4-586, 4-587, 4-588, 4-834, 4-838, 4-839, 4-842, 4-846, 

4-848, 4-969

Macondo, 1-7, 1-11, 2-20, 3-32, 3-72, 3-75, 3-78, 4-3, 4-6, 4-8, 4-23, 4-32, 4-46, 4-60, 4-76, 4-79, 4-90, 

4-91, 4-101, 4-110, 4-124, 4-130, 4-142, 4-156, 4-157, 4-164, 4-183, 4-205, 4-227, 4-251, 4-256, 

4-269, 4-358, 4-432, 4-438, 4-512, 4-539, 4-566, 4-607, 4-634, 4-647, 4-787, 4-890, 4-892, 5-10

Marine Mammals, xi, xiii, 1-5, 1-22, 1-38, 1-39, 2-10, 2-13, 2-15, 2-24, 2-25, 2-39, 2-55, 3-27, 3-29, 

3-41, 3-46, 3-66, 3-83, 4-3, 4-6, 4-184, 4-187, 4-188, 4-190, 4-193, 4-194, 4-195, 4-196, 4-197, 4-198, 

4-199, 4-200, 4-201, 4-202, 4-203, 4-204, 4-205, 4-206, 4-207, 4-208, 4-209, 4-210, 4-211, 4-212, 

4-213, 4-214, 4-215, 4-232, 4-234, 4-236, 4-241, 4-245, 4-247, 4-249, 4-307, 4-434, 4-440, 4-690, 

4-692, 4-693, 4-694, 4-696, 4-699, 4-700, 4-701, 4-702, 4-703, 4-704, 4-705, 4-706, 4-707, 4-708, 

4-709, 4-710, 4-711, 4-712, 4-713, 4-714, 4-715, 4-716, 4-717, 4-718, 4-719, 4-720, 4-721, 4-739, 

4-741, 4-742, 4-747, 4-752, 4-754, 4-756, 4-969, 4-972, 4-973, 5-4, 5-7, 5-13

Mercury, 2-14, 3-22, 4-22, 4-31, 4-32, 4-94, 4-115, 4-167, 4-170, 4-196, 4-266, 4-311, 4-318, 4-325, 

4-326, 4-327, 4-334, 4-335, 4-455, 4-466, 4-467, 4-543, 4-545, 4-570, 4-571, 4-601, 4-621, 4-672, 

4-676, 4-703, 4-784, 4-840, 4-847, 4-859, 4-860, 4-865

Meteorological Conditions, 3-61, 4-11, 4-25, 4-29, 4-36, 4-41, 4-236, 4-243, 4-441, 4-460, 4-464, 4-474, 

4-475, 4-480, 4-743, 4-750

Mitigating Measures, vii, x, 1-19, 2-4, 2-12, 2-13, 2-33, 2-42, 2-65, 2-69, 2-73, 3-45, 3-46, 4-5, 4-67, 

4-97, 4-108, 4-109, 4-306, 4-307, 4-309, 4-426, 4-433, 4-434, 4-448, 4-514, 4-540, 4-555, 4-556, 

4-615, 4-838, 4-960, 4-969, 4-970, 4-975, 5-4, 5-12

NEPA, vii, ix, x, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-18, 1-19, 1-20, 1-21, 1-23, 1-24, 1-27, 1-30, 1-39, 1-40, 2-3, 2-4, 2-7, 

2-11, 2-12, 2-13, 2-15, 2-16, 2-28, 2-43, 2-60, 2-61, 3-43, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8, 4-9, 4-23, 4-33, 

4-82, 4-91, 4-130, 4-142, 4-157, 4-164, 4-241, 4-258, 4-263, 4-267, 4-283, 4-284, 4-306, 4-316, 4-330, 

4-369, 4-412, 4-430, 4-437, 4-438, 4-440, 4-487, 4-490, 4-492, 4-499, 4-507, 4-520, 4-532, 4-539, 

4-560, 4-567, 4-586, 4-597, 4-635, 4-647, 4-669, 4-701, 4-702, 4-742, 4-748, 4-763, 4-772, 4-785, 

4-790, 4-803, 4-804, 4-816, 4-820, 4-823, 4-828, 4-833, 4-837, 4-838, 4-845, 4-858, 4-860, 4-866, 

4-890, 4-898, 4-903, 4-946, 4-964, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6, 5-9, 5-11
Keyword Index Keywords-9 

Noise, xv, 2-15, 2-25, 2-29, 2-33, 2-55, 2-61, 2-65, 3-6, 3-18, 3-27, 3-28, 3-29, 3-41, 4-187, 4-188, 4-196, 

4-197, 4-198, 4-199, 4-200, 4-201, 4-202, 4-203, 4-204, 4-206, 4-209, 4-210, 4-213, 4-214, 4-230, 

4-231, 4-233, 4-234, 4-235, 4-236, 4-242, 4-244, 4-249, 4-250, 4-271, 4-272, 4-285, 4-288, 4-291, 

4-296, 4-343, 4-347, 4-349, 4-352, 4-433, 4-693, 4-694, 4-703, 4-704, 4-705, 4-706, 4-707, 4-709, 

4-710, 4-713, 4-716, 4-717, 4-720, 4-721, 4-736, 4-737, 4-740, 4-741, 4-742, 4-749, 4-751, 4-756, 

4-757, 4-790, 4-792, 4-805, 4-808, 4-811, 4-816, 4-875, 4-880, 4-881, 4-882, 4-886, 4-968, 4-973

Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities, xiii, 2-23, 2-53, 4-140, 4-142, 4-146, 4-305, 4-313, 

4-439, 4-645, 4-647, 4-651, 4-838, 4-842, 4-969

NORM, 3-55, 4-376, 4-377, 4-379, 4-911, 4-912, 4-913

Oil Spills, vii, viii, xi, xii, xiv, xv, 1-7, 1-10, 1-11, 1-12, 1-13, 1-14, 1-15, 1-17, 1-18, 1-32, 1-33, 1-34, 

1-36, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-12, 2-14, 2-18, 2-19, 2-21, 2-22, 2-24, 2-25, 2-27, 2-28, 2-29, 2-30, 2-31, 

2-32, 2-33, 2-36, 2-39, 2-44, 2-47, 2-49, 2-50, 2-51, 2-53, 2-54, 2-55, 2-56, 2-58, 2-59, 2-60, 2-61, 

2-62, 2-63, 2-64, 2-65, 2-67, 2-69, 3-19, 3-30, 3-31, 3-32, 3-39, 3-56, 3-57, 3-58, 3-59, 3-60, 3-61, 

3-62, 3-63, 3-65, 3-66, 3-67, 3-68, 3-70, 3-71, 3-72, 3-73, 3-78, 3-103, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-7, 4-9, 4-15, 

4-16, 4-17, 4-18, 4-19, 4-20, 4-23, 4-25, 4-26, 4-27, 4-32, 4-35, 4-36, 4-37, 4-38, 4-39, 4-42, 4-45, 

4-48, 4-49, 4-50, 4-51, 4-54, 4-55, 4-56, 4-64, 4-65, 4-66, 4-67, 4-68, 4-71, 4-73, 4-74, 4-78, 4-80, 

4-81, 4-90, 4-91, 4-97, 4-98, 4-99, 4-100, 4-102, 4-103, 4-104, 4-105, 4-107, 4-108, 4-109, 4-111, 

4-114, 4-116, 4-124, 4-125, 4-134, 4-135, 4-138, 4-139, 4-146, 4-147, 4-148, 4-151, 4-152, 4-158, 

4-159, 4-161, 4-162, 4-164, 4-173, 4-174, 4-175, 4-176, 4-177, 4-178, 4-180, 4-181, 4-183, 4-184, 

4-194, 4-203, 4-204, 4-205, 4-206, 4-207, 4-208, 4-211, 4-214, 4-227, 4-228, 4-229, 4-236, 4-237, 

4-238, 4-239, 4-240, 4-241, 4-243, 4-251, 4-253, 4-254, 4-255, 4-256, 4-257, 4-258, 4-259, 4-265, 

4-267, 4-270, 4-278, 4-279, 4-280, 4-281, 4-282, 4-283, 4-284, 4-285, 4-287, 4-290, 4-296, 4-313, 

4-315, 4-316, 4-318, 4-319, 4-321, 4-322, 4-328, 4-329, 4-330, 4-331, 4-335, 4-339, 4-340, 4-341, 

4-342, 4-343, 4-344, 4-346, 4-348, 4-349, 4-350, 4-351, 4-353, 4-354, 4-358, 4-359, 4-360, 4-362, 

4-365, 4-366, 4-367, 4-394, 4-395, 4-396, 4-397, 4-402, 4-404, 4-409, 4-410, 4-415, 4-416, 4-419, 

4-420, 4-421, 4-422, 4-424, 4-425, 4-428, 4-429, 4-432, 4-433, 4-434, 4-437, 4-439, 4-443, 4-445, 

4-448, 4-449, 4-450, 4-451, 4-452, 4-453, 4-456, 4-460, 4-461, 4-462, 4-464, 4-467, 4-469, 4-474, 

4-475, 4-477, 4-480, 4-481, 4-486, 4-490, 4-491, 4-492, 4-493, 4-496, 4-498, 4-499, 4-500, 4-506, 

4-507, 4-512, 4-514, 4-515, 4-516, 4-519, 4-522, 4-523, 4-528, 4-530, 4-531, 4-538, 4-539, 4-540, 

4-548, 4-549, 4-550, 4-552, 4-553, 4-555, 4-556, 4-557, 4-558, 4-559, 4-560, 4-561, 4-562, 4-567, 

4-568, 4-574, 4-575, 4-576, 4-578, 4-580, 4-582, 4-583, 4-584, 4-585, 4-586, 4-588, 4-595, 4-597, 

4-603, 4-604, 4-605, 4-606, 4-608, 4-610, 4-612, 4-613, 4-614, 4-615, 4-616, 4-617, 4-620, 4-622, 

4-633, 4-635, 4-639, 4-640, 4-641, 4-643, 4-644, 4-651, 4-652, 4-653, 4-656, 4-657, 4-664, 4-665, 

4-666, 4-667, 4-668, 4-679, 4-680, 4-681, 4-682, 4-683, 4-686, 4-687, 4-688, 4-689, 4-690, 4-700, 

4-703, 4-711, 4-712, 4-713, 4-714, 4-715, 4-718, 4-720, 4-734, 4-735, 4-736, 4-742, 4-743, 4-744, 

4-745, 4-746, 4-747, 4-748, 4-750, 4-758, 4-759, 4-760, 4-761, 4-762, 4-763, 4-769, 4-770, 4-771, 

4-773, 4-782, 4-783, 4-785, 4-788, 4-789, 4-798, 4-799, 4-800, 4-801, 4-802, 4-803, 4-804, 4-805, 

4-807, 4-810, 4-811, 4-816, 4-826, 4-827, 4-828, 4-829, 4-830, 4-833, 4-843, 4-844, 4-845, 4-848, 

4-850, 4-851, 4-854, 4-858, 4-861, 4-862, 4-863, 4-866, 4-868, 4-869, 4-871, 4-872, 4-873, 4-874, 

4-875, 4-876, 4-878, 4-879, 4-880, 4-882, 4-883, 4-884, 4-885, 4-886, 4-887, 4-888, 4-893, 4-894, 

4-896, 4-900, 4-901, 4-902, 4-929, 4-930, 4-931, 4-936, 4-938, 4-943, 4-944, 4-949, 4-950, 4-953, 

4-954, 4-955, 4-956, 4-958, 4-959, 4-962, 4-964, 4-968, 4-970, 4-972, 4-973, 4-974, 4-976, 5-4, 5-10

OSRA, viii, 3-58, 3-59, 3-61, 3-62, 3-65, 4-78, 4-107, 4-180, 4-239, 4-254, 4-265, 4-278, 4-282, 4-290, 

4-431, 4-432, 4-528, 4-556, 4-582, 4-583, 4-613, 4-685, 4-745, 4-761, 4-782, 4-798, 4-802, 4-810, 

4-829, 4-844, 4-967

Physical Oceanography, 3-103, 4-21, 4-30, 4-454, 4-465

Pinnacle Trend, xii, 2-10, 2-15, 2-48, 2-49, 2-59, 2-68, 2-69, 4-307, 4-308, 4-309, 4-440, 4-532, 4-533, 

4-534, 4-535, 4-536, 4-537, 4-538, 4-539, 4-540, 4-541, 4-542, 4-543, 4-544, 4-545, 4-546, 4-547, 

4-548, 4-549, 4-550, 4-551, 4-552, 4-553, 4-555, 4-556, 4-557, 4-558, 4-559, 4-560, 4-561, 4-562, 

4-564, 4-838, 4-839, 4-841, 4-842, 4-846, 4-848, 4-969

Pipelines, x, xii, xiv, 1-23, 1-25, 1-26, 1-28, 1-29, 1-30, 1-31, 1-32, 1-34, 1-40, 2-10, 2-13, 2-15, 2-19, 

2-35, 2-46, 2-47, 2-58, 2-66, 2-73, 3-12, 3-14, 3-15, 3-16, 3-17, 3-30, 3-31, 3-32, 3-35, 3-36, 3-37, 
Keywords-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

3-38, 3-43, 3-47, 3-51, 3-52, 3-53, 3-57, 3-58, 3-59, 3-63, 3-64, 3-65, 3-66, 3-81, 3-82, 3-84, 3-86, 

3-87, 3-88, 3-89, 3-91, 3-100, 4-5, 4-19, 4-24, 4-33, 4-34, 4-47, 4-50, 4-51, 4-54, 4-56, 4-61, 4-62, 

4-64, 4-65, 4-66, 4-68, 4-69, 4-70, 4-71, 4-73, 4-76, 4-77, 4-78, 4-80, 4-83, 4-92, 4-98, 4-99, 4-106, 

4-131, 4-143, 4-165, 4-182, 4-207, 4-239, 4-240, 4-254, 4-257, 4-267, 4-271, 4-278, 4-283, 4-287, 

4-289, 4-306, 4-307, 4-315, 4-317, 4-321, 4-325, 4-327, 4-357, 4-360, 4-364, 4-366, 4-367, 4-370, 

4-373, 4-375, 4-380, 4-381, 4-382, 4-383, 4-386, 4-388, 4-390, 4-391, 4-392, 4-393, 4-394, 4-396, 

4-412, 4-431, 4-432, 4-439, 4-453, 4-459, 4-471, 4-473, 4-487, 4-491, 4-492, 4-493, 4-497, 4-499, 

4-507, 4-509, 4-511, 4-513, 4-515, 4-516, 4-518, 4-519, 4-520, 4-522, 4-525, 4-526, 4-528, 4-530, 

4-547, 4-559, 4-569, 4-574, 4-585, 4-589, 4-597, 4-604, 4-605, 4-636, 4-637, 4-648, 4-670, 4-671, 

4-687, 4-714, 4-745, 4-746, 4-761, 4-763, 4-785, 4-791, 4-795, 4-798, 4-802, 4-807, 4-809, 4-825, 

4-826, 4-832, 4-838, 4-846, 4-850, 4-858, 4-860, 4-891, 4-894, 4-895, 4-899, 4-901, 4-905, 4-908, 

4-910, 4-914, 4-916, 4-917, 4-918, 4-920, 4-921, 4-922, 4-927, 4-929, 4-931, 4-946, 4-967, 4-968, 

4-973, 4-974, 5-4 

Port Fourchon, xv, 2-16, 2-32, 2-64, 3-49, 4-22, 4-63, 4-72, 4-369, 4-375, 4-390, 4-395, 4-397, 4-398, 

4-399, 4-401, 4-402, 4-404, 4-413, 4-416, 4-417, 4-426, 4-456, 4-487, 4-488, 4-509, 4-510, 4-517, 

4-521, 4-881, 4-886, 4-904, 4-910, 4-925, 4-930, 4-932, 4-933, 4-934, 4-936, 4-938, 4-946, 4-950, 

4-951, 4-960

Produced Waters, 2-14, 2-36, 2-48, 2-50, 2-67, 3-22, 3-23, 4-63, 4-72, 4-93, 4-94, 4-95, 4-97, 4-111, 

4-115, 4-119, 4-130, 4-139, 4-142, 4-151, 4-167, 4-168, 4-169, 4-170, 4-180, 4-182, 4-184, 4-211, 

4-271, 4-285, 4-297, 4-307, 4-309, 4-311, 4-317, 4-318, 4-325, 4-332, 4-334, 4-335, 4-341, 4-376, 

4-510, 4-519, 4-521, 4-544, 4-545, 4-548, 4-558, 4-559, 4-561, 4-570, 4-571, 4-572, 4-574, 4-584, 

4-585, 4-588, 4-600, 4-601, 4-603, 4-615, 4-616, 4-617, 4-621, 4-625, 4-635, 4-644, 4-647, 4-656, 

4-672, 4-674, 4-675, 4-676, 4-686, 4-687, 4-690, 4-718, 4-790, 4-805, 4-824, 4-833, 4-839, 4-841, 

4-846, 4-847, 4-863, 4-865, 4-873, 4-911, 4-972

Public Services, xi, 2-15

Recreational Fishing, xi, xiv, 2-15, 2-29, 2-61, 4-9, 4-181, 4-201, 4-212, 4-247, 4-292, 4-301, 4-316, 

4-322, 4-328, 4-332, 4-336, 4-337, 4-338, 4-339, 4-340, 4-341, 4-342, 4-345, 4-348, 4-351, 4-402, 

4-409, 4-410, 4-434, 4-689, 4-708, 4-719, 4-754, 4-812, 4-846, 4-851, 4-853, 4-867, 4-868, 4-869, 

4-870, 4-871, 4-872, 4-873, 4-874, 4-877, 4-878, 4-881, 4-885, 4-886, 4-937, 4-943, 4-944, 4-969, 

4-975, 4-976

Recreational Resources, xi, xv, 2-15, 2-29, 2-30, 2-61, 4-9, 4-343, 4-345, 4-346, 4-347, 4-348, 4-349, 

4-350, 4-351, 4-352, 4-353, 4-434, 4-439, 4-875, 4-877, 4-879, 4-880, 4-881, 4-882, 4-883, 4-884, 

4-885, 4-886, 4-887, 4-969

Resource Estimates, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 3-59

Riser Insertion Tube Tool, 4-3, 4-437, 4-620

Sargassum, xi, xii, 2-15, 2-21, 2-22, 2-51, 2-52, 3-66, 4-87, 4-112, 4-113, 4-114, 4-115, 4-116, 4-117, 

4-118, 4-119, 4-120, 4-217, 4-221, 4-224, 4-225, 4-233, 4-237, 4-240, 4-242, 4-259, 4-302, 4-305, 

4-310, 4-313, 4-317, 4-434, 4-439, 4-593, 4-617, 4-618, 4-619, 4-620, 4-621, 4-622, 4-623, 4-624, 

4-625, 4-626, 4-724, 4-728, 4-731, 4-732, 4-739, 4-744, 4-746, 4-749, 4-774, 4-838, 4-839, 4-842, 

4-846, 4-969, 4-972

Sea Turtles, xi, xiii, 1-22, 1-38, 1-39, 2-10, 2-13, 2-15, 2-25, 2-33, 2-39, 2-55, 2-56, 2-65, 3-46, 4-3, 4-6, 

4-112, 4-113, 4-117, 4-193, 4-199, 4-201, 4-210, 4-215, 4-216, 4-217, 4-218, 4-219, 4-220, 4-221, 

4-223, 4-224, 4-225, 4-226, 4-227, 4-228, 4-229, 4-230, 4-231, 4-232, 4-233, 4-234, 4-235, 4-236, 

4-237, 4-238, 4-239, 4-240, 4-241, 4-242, 4-243, 4-244, 4-245, 4-246, 4-247, 4-248, 4-249, 4-250, 

4-251, 4-254, 4-431, 4-433, 4-434, 4-440, 4-618, 4-619, 4-623, 4-699, 4-706, 4-708, 4-717, 4-722, 

4-723, 4-724, 4-725, 4-726, 4-727, 4-728, 4-730, 4-731, 4-732, 4-733, 4-734, 4-735, 4-736, 4-737, 

4-738, 4-739, 4-740, 4-741, 4-742, 4-743, 4-744, 4-745, 4-746, 4-747, 4-748, 4-749, 4-750, 4-751, 

4-752, 4-753, 4-754, 4-755, 4-756, 4-757, 4-758, 4-761, 4-965, 4-969, 5-4 

Seagrass Communities, xi, xii, 2-15, 2-20, 2-47, 2-68, 4-74, 4-78, 4-80, 4-81, 4-242, 4-305, 4-309, 4-313, 

4-317, 4-434, 4-440, 4-516, 4-523, 4-528, 4-530, 4-562, 4-749, 4-838, 4-839, 4-842, 4-846, 4-969
Keyword Index Keywords-11

Service base, 3-40, 3-41, 3-47, 3-48, 3-49, 3-55, 4-22, 4-58, 4-62, 4-73, 4-318, 4-368, 4-369, 4-370, 

4-374, 4-375, 4-376, 4-380, 4-391, 4-392, 4-393, 4-397, 4-398, 4-412, 4-417, 4-456, 4-509, 4-522, 

4-769, 4-847, 4-902, 4-904, 4-905, 4-909, 4-910, 4-915, 4-926, 4-927, 4-932, 4-933, 4-946, 4-951

Site Clearance, xv, 1-38, 2-13, 2-15, 3-46, 4-97, 4-362, 4-603, 4-890, 4-896

Soft Bottoms, xi, xiii, 2-15, 2-23, 2-24, 2-34, 2-53, 2-54, 2-66, 4-6, 4-82, 4-84, 4-86, 4-95, 4-96, 4-120, 

4-122, 4-124, 4-125, 4-136, 4-137, 4-140, 4-144, 4-145, 4-147, 4-148, 4-149, 4-153, 4-154, 4-155, 

4-156, 4-157, 4-158, 4-161, 4-162, 4-164, 4-165, 4-166, 4-167, 4-170, 4-171, 4-172, 4-173, 4-174, 

4-176, 4-177, 4-179, 4-180, 4-181, 4-182, 4-183, 4-184, 4-300, 4-305, 4-310, 4-313, 4-317, 4-318, 

4-324, 4-325, 4-326, 4-434, 4-440, 4-532, 4-541, 4-546, 4-573, 4-588, 4-589, 4-590, 4-592, 4-594, 

4-601, 4-602, 4-626, 4-629, 4-634, 4-642, 4-645, 4-650, 4-652, 4-653, 4-654, 4-658, 4-659, 4-662, 

4-663, 4-664, 4-667, 4-669, 4-670, 4-672, 4-676, 4-677, 4-678, 4-679, 4-680, 4-681, 4-682, 4-683, 

4-684, 4-685, 4-686, 4-687, 4-688, 4-689, 4-690, 4-834, 4-835, 4-838, 4-839, 4-842, 4-846, 4-859, 

4-969

Submerged Vegetation, 2-20, 2-21, 2-47, 2-48, 4-62, 4-74, 4-75, 4-76, 4-77, 4-78, 4-79, 4-80, 4-81, 

4-179, 4-481, 4-509, 4-523, 4-524, 4-525, 4-526, 4-527, 4-528, 4-529, 4-530, 4-531, 4-532, 4-685, 

4-825

Synthetic-Based Drilling Fluids, 2-14, 3-20, 3-21, 3-27, 3-55, 3-84, 4-21, 4-32, 4-33, 4-38, 4-165, 4-169, 

4-467, 4-472, 4-477, 4-671, 4-674

Top Hat, 4-3, 4-437, 4-620

Topographic Features, ix, x, xi, xii, 2-4, 2-10, 2-11, 2-12, 2-13, 2-15, 2-21, 2-28, 2-33, 2-34, 2-35, 2-36, 

2-42, 2-43, 2-51, 2-59, 2-65, 2-66, 2-67, 2-73, 3-14, 4-5, 4-6, 4-43, 4-82, 4-83, 4-87, 4-88, 4-90, 4-91, 

4-92, 4-93, 4-94, 4-95, 4-96, 4-97, 4-98, 4-99, 4-100, 4-101, 4-102, 4-103, 4-104, 4-105, 4-106, 4-107, 

4-108, 4-109, 4-110, 4-111, 4-166, 4-172, 4-193, 4-299, 4-304, 4-305, 4-307, 4-308, 4-309, 4-310, 

4-312, 4-313, 4-317, 4-318, 4-320, 4-321, 4-325, 4-327, 4-433, 4-434, 4-435, 4-439, 4-440, 4-550, 

4-554, 4-564, 4-588, 4-589, 4-590, 4-593, 4-595, 4-596, 4-597, 4-598, 4-599, 4-600, 4-601, 4-602, 

4-603, 4-604, 4-605, 4-606, 4-607, 4-608, 4-610, 4-611, 4-612, 4-613, 4-614, 4-615, 4-616, 4-617, 

4-671, 4-677, 4-687, 4-699, 4-838, 4-839, 4-841, 4-842, 4-846, 4-847, 4-848, 4-849, 4-851, 4-969, 

4-970, 5-11 

Tourism, xi, 2-14, 2-15, 2-30, 2-62, 3-18, 4-3, 4-21, 4-51, 4-55, 4-73, 4-224, 4-225, 4-340, 4-342, 4-343, 

4-344, 4-345, 4-346, 4-347, 4-348, 4-349, 4-350, 4-351, 4-352, 4-353, 4-399, 4-402, 4-403, 4-407, 

4-410, 4-415, 4-421, 4-426, 4-455, 4-494, 4-498, 4-730, 4-731, 4-869, 4-872, 4-874, 4-875, 4-876, 

4-877, 4-878, 4-879, 4-880, 4-881, 4-882, 4-883, 4-884, 4-885, 4-886, 4-887, 4-904, 4-933, 4-937, 

4-940, 4-943, 4-944, 4-955, 4-960, 4-976, 5-7 

Trash, xi, xiii, 1-38, 2-14, 2-15, 2-26, 2-39, 2-56, 3-19, 3-26, 3-56, 4-201, 4-203, 4-212, 4-214, 4-215, 

4-232, 4-235, 4-242, 4-249, 4-252, 4-253, 4-255, 4-256, 4-257, 4-276, 4-285, 4-289, 4-291, 4-310, 

4-325, 4-326, 4-428, 4-431, 4-709, 4-710, 4-719, 4-720, 4-721, 4-739, 4-741, 4-749, 4-756, 4-759, 

4-760, 4-762, 4-763, 4-764, 4-768, 4-769, 4-770, 4-771, 4-796, 4-805, 4-809, 4-811, 4-839, 4-859, 

4-962, 4-967, 4-973

Unified Area Command, 4-228

Waste Disposal, 2-31, 2-63, 3-47, 3-48, 3-54, 4-63, 4-64, 4-276, 4-291, 4-326, 4-368, 4-370, 4-374, 

4-376, 4-377, 4-378, 4-379, 4-391, 4-392, 4-393, 4-394, 4-396, 4-398, 4-415, 4-418, 4-421, 4-428, 

4-510, 4-796, 4-811, 4-902, 4-903, 4-905, 4-909, 4-911, 4-913, 4-926, 4-928, 4-931, 4-933, 4-949, 

4-952, 4-955, 4-962

Wastes, xii, 2-14, 2-15, 3-19, 3-24, 3-25, 3-26, 3-54, 3-55, 3-56, 3-89, 4-28, 4-29, 4-33, 4-34, 4-35, 4-39, 

4-40, 4-41, 4-56, 4-60, 4-63, 4-64, 4-70, 4-73, 4-74, 4-139, 4-151, 4-196, 4-246, 4-276, 4-310, 4-318, 

4-325, 4-326, 4-376, 4-377, 4-378, 4-383, 4-391, 4-393, 4-396, 4-415, 4-463, 4-464, 4-471, 4-472, 

4-473, 4-478, 4-479, 4-480, 4-500, 4-507, 4-510, 4-522, 4-644, 4-656, 4-703, 4-753, 4-796, 4-839, 

4-847, 4-859, 4-911, 4-912, 4-913, 4-918, 4-925, 4-928, 4-930, 4-949

Water Quality, xi, xii, 1-24, 2-14, 2-15, 2-18, 2-21, 2-22, 2-28, 2-45, 2-52, 2-58, 2-59, 3-20, 3-21, 3-22, 

3-45, 3-46, 3-55, 3-61, 4-6, 4-20, 4-21, 4-22, 4-23, 4-24, 4-25, 4-26, 4-27, 4-28, 4-29, 4-30, 4-31, 4-32, 
Keywords-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4-33, 4-35, 4-36, 4-37, 4-38, 4-39, 4-40, 4-41, 4-77, 4-92, 4-94, 4-114, 4-116, 4-117, 4-118, 4-120, 

4-158, 4-169, 4-196, 4-199, 4-207, 4-230, 4-233, 4-240, 4-242, 4-243, 4-245, 4-276, 4-286, 4-290, 

4-299, 4-309, 4-310, 4-311, 4-312, 4-313, 4-314, 4-316, 4-317, 4-318, 4-319, 4-320, 4-321, 4-325, 

4-327, 4-334, 4-335, 4-338, 4-341, 4-434, 4-439, 4-454, 4-455, 4-456, 4-458, 4-459, 4-460, 4-461, 

4-462, 4-463, 4-464, 4-465, 4-466, 4-467, 4-468, 4-470, 4-471, 4-473, 4-474, 4-475, 4-477, 4-478, 

4-479, 4-480, 4-527, 4-541, 4-544, 4-569, 4-570, 4-598, 4-600, 4-620, 4-622, 4-623, 4-624, 4-626, 

4-664, 4-666, 4-675, 4-703, 4-706, 4-714, 4-736, 4-740, 4-747, 4-749, 4-750, 4-752, 4-796, 4-806, 

4-811, 4-818, 4-823, 4-824, 4-826, 4-839, 4-840, 4-841, 4-842, 4-843, 4-846, 4-847, 4-848, 4-849, 

4-850, 4-859, 4-865, 4-866, 4-870, 4-873, 4-969, 4-972, 4-973, 4-976

Wetlands, xi, xii, 1-6, 2-13, 2-14, 2-15, 2-19, 2-27, 2-28, 2-29, 2-47, 3-52, 3-54, 3-87, 3-99, 3-100, 3-101, 

3-102, 4-5, 4-6, 4-21, 4-22, 4-26, 4-42, 4-43, 4-47, 4-48, 4-49, 4-53, 4-55, 4-56, 4-57, 4-58, 4-59, 4-60, 

4-61, 4-62, 4-63, 4-64, 4-65, 4-66, 4-67, 4-68, 4-69, 4-70, 4-71, 4-72, 4-73, 4-74, 4-253, 4-254, 4-261, 

4-263, 4-268, 4-270, 4-271, 4-276, 4-287, 4-288, 4-289, 4-290, 4-291, 4-292, 4-294, 4-305, 4-306, 

4-309, 4-312, 4-313, 4-316, 4-317, 4-319, 4-320, 4-324, 4-325, 4-326, 4-327, 4-328, 4-332, 4-335, 

4-339, 4-353, 4-369, 4-383, 4-392, 4-393, 4-397, 4-398, 4-415, 4-428, 4-429, 4-434, 4-438, 4-439, 

4-455, 4-456, 4-461, 4-481, 4-487, 4-488, 4-489, 4-490, 4-494, 4-495, 4-496, 4-499, 4-500, 4-501, 

4-502, 4-503, 4-504, 4-505, 4-506, 4-507, 4-508, 4-510, 4-511, 4-512, 4-513, 4-514, 4-515, 4-516, 

4-518, 4-519, 4-520, 4-521, 4-522, 4-523, 4-760, 4-761, 4-777, 4-780, 4-781, 4-785, 4-786, 4-790, 

4-791, 4-796, 4-807, 4-809, 4-810, 4-811, 4-812, 4-815, 4-830, 4-838, 4-839, 4-842, 4-846, 4-848, 

4-849, 4-859, 4-863, 4-864, 4-866, 4-871, 4-878, 4-887, 4-903, 4-917, 4-927, 4-928, 4-932, 4-933, 

4-948, 4-963, 4-969, 4-972, 4-974, 4-976
FIGURES

Figures Figures-3

Figure 1-1. Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas, Proposed Lease Sale Areas, and Locations of Major Cities. 
Figures-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 1-2. Distance from the Macondo Well (location of the Deepwater Horizon event in Mississippi Canyon 

Block 252) to the WPA Boundary.
Figures Figures-5

Figure 2-1. Location of Proposed Stipulations and Deferrals.
Figures-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 2-2. Military Warning Areas and Eglin Water Test Areas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Figure 2-3. Climatology of Ocean Features in the Gulf of Mexico Using Satellite Remote-Sensing Data (adapted from Vukov
Figures-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-1. Offshore Subareas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Figures Figures-9 

Figure 3-2. General Well Schematic (USDOI, 2010). 
Figures-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-3. Deepwater Development Systems (USDOI, MMS, 2000).
Figures Figures-11

Figure 3-4. Water Quality Jurisdictional Boundaries for USEPA Regions 4 and 6.
Figures-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-5. Infrastructure and Transitioning Pipelines (from Federal OCS waters) in Texas and Louisiana.
Figures Figures-13

Figure 3-6. Locations of Major Helicopter Service Providers (Dismukes, 2010).
Figures-14 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-7. OCS-Related Ports and Waterways in the Gulf of Mexico.
Figures Figures-15

Figure 3-8. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days State Offshore Waters as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures-16 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-9. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days the Shoreline (counties and parishes) as a Result of a 

WPA Proposed Action (only counties and parishes with a >0.5% risk of contact within 10 or 30 days are labeled).
Figures Figures-17

Figure 3-10. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days the Shoreline (counties and parishes) as a Result of a 

CPA Proposed Action (only counties and parishes with a >0.5% risk of contact within 10 or 30 days are labeled).
Figures-18 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-11. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Beach Mice Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-19

Figure 3-12. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Seagrass and Sargassum Locations as a Result of a 

WPA or CPA Proposed Action.
Figures-20 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-13. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Manatee Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-21

Figure 3-14. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Piping Plover Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures-22 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-15. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Raptor Bird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-23

Figure 3-16. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Gull and Tern Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures-24 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-17. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Shorebird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-25

Figure 3-18. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Diving Bird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures-26 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

TEXAS GEORGIA

FLORIDA

LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA

0 100 200Kilometers

0 100 200 Miles

Wading Birds

WPA <0.5%; <0.5%

CPA <0.5-1%; 1-2%

Note: The 10- and 30-day probabilities are

shown separated by a semicolon. The

range in probabilities is a reflection of the

range in resource estimates.

Figure 3-19. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Wading Bird Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-27

TEXAS GEORGIA

FLORIDA

LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA

0 100 200 Kilometers

0 100 200 Miles

Waterfowl

WPA 2-4%; 5-9%

CPA 10-18%; 17-30%

Note: The 10- and 30-day probabilities are

shown separated by a semicolon. The

range in probabilities is a reflection of the

range in resource estimates.

Figure 3-20. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Waterfowl Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures-28 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-21. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Passerine Habitats as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-29

Figure 3-22. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Gulf Sturgeon Critical Habitats as a Result of a WPA 

or CPA Proposed Action.
Figures-30 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-23. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Sturgeon Known Areas of Occurrence as a Result of a 

WPA or CPA Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-31

Figure 3-24. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Essential Fish Habitat as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures-32 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-25. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days the Surface Waters Overlying and Surrounding 

Offshore Environmental Features or Boundary Targets as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-33

Figure 3-26. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Recreational Beaches as a Result of a WPA or CPA 

Proposed Action.
Figures-34 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-27. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Recreational Dive Sites (in the western Gulf of 

Mexico) as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed Action.
Figures Figures-35

Figure 3-28. Probabilities of Oil Spills (≥1,000 bbl) Occurring and Contacting within 10 and 30 Days Recreational Dive Sites (in the eastern Gulf of Mexico 

and eastern Florida shelf waters) as a Result of a WPA or CPA Proposed Action.
Figures-36 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 3-29. Oil-Spill Events (2008) in the Western Planning Area (Dickey, official communication, 2010). 
Figures Figures-37

Figure 3-30. Oil-Spill Events (2008) in the Central Planning Area (Dickey, official communication, 2010). 
Figures-38 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-1. Status of Ozone Nonattainment in the Coastal and Inland Counties and Parishes of the Western and Central Planning Areas (USEPA, 

2011). 
Figures Figures-39

 

Figure 4-2. Coastal and Offshore Waters of the Gulf of Mexico with Selected Waterbodies. 
Figures-40 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-3. Occurrence of Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico (Rabalais and Turner, 2011). 
Figures Figures-41

Figure 4-4. Seagrass Locations of the Northern Gulf of Mexico.
Figures-42 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-5. Location of Topographic Features in the Gulf of Mexico. 
Figures Figures-43

Figure 4-6. Color-Shaded Relief, Multibeam Bathymetric Images of the West and East Flower Garden Banks (USDOI, GS, 2008; reproduced from Gardner 

et al., 1998).
Figures-44 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-7. Color-Shaded, Multibeam Bathymetric Topographic Image of Stetson Bank (USDOI, GS, 2008; reproduced from Gardner et al., 1998).
Figures Figures-45

Figure 4-8. Known Chemosynthetic Communities in the Gulf of Mexico. (At least 69 chemosynthetic community sites in the Gulf of Mexico have been 

visually confirmed through photography, video, and manned submersible dives. These communities typically occur below water depths of 

984 ft [300 m] and frequently produce substrate that supports deepwater coral communities.) 
Figures-46 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-9. Water-Bottom Anomalies Indicative of Possible Deepwater Live Bottoms.
Figures Figures-47

238

289

494

598

660

815

1032

1073 1086 1107 1122 1125 1129 1129 1135 1144 1144 1149

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

1500

5/28/2010

6/6/2010

6/20/2010

7/4/2010

7/15/2010

8/1/2010

8/14/20108/31/2010

9/7/2010

9/14/20109/21/20109/28/201010/4/201010/6/2010

10/12/201010/27/2010

11/2/20104/12/2011

Date

# Collected

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

% Change

Figure 4-10. Summary of Sea Turtles Collected by Date Obtained from the Consolidated Numbers of Collected 

Fish and Wildlife That Have Been Reported to the Unified Area Command from the Fish and 

Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Incident Area Commands, 

Rehabilitation Centers, and Other Authorized Sources Operating within the Deepwater Horizon/BP 

Incident Impact Area through April 12, 2011. (Data on the Y-axis reflect the cumulative number of 

individual sea turtles collected by date [alive and dead], and data on the Z-axis reflect the 

proportional change from one reporting date to the next. For the latest available information on oiled 

or affected sea turtles documented in the area, event response, and daily maps of the current location 

of spilled oil, see USDOC, NMFS [2011a] and RestoreTheGulf.gov [2011].) 
Figures-48 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-11. Bird Conservation Regions of the United States, Not Including Hawaii or U.S. Territories in the 

Pacific or Caribbean Oceans. (Notes: Herein, we only consider bird conservation regions 27, 31, and 

37, and the avian species associated with these regions. This map was obtained from USDOI, FWS 

[2008, Figure 1, page 18]. For additional information regarding region descriptions, see North 

American Bird Conservation Initiative [2000]).
Figures Figures-49

Figure 4-12. Map of the Coastal National Wildlife Refuges and Other Federal Lands in the Gulf of Mexico Region (USDOI, FWS,

2010a).
Figure 4-13. Important Bird Areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast and in the Impact Area of the Deepwater Horizo

(reprinted with permission from the National Audubon Society, Inc., 2010). 
Figures Figures-51

Figure 4-14. Map Indicating Position of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill as of June 2010 and Globally Important 

Bird Areas Most at Risk (reprinted with permission from the American Bird Conservancy, 2010).
Figures-52 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-15. Dead Bird Recovery Locations (December 14, 2010) (USDOI, FWS, 2010b).
Figures Figures-53

Figure 4-16. Live Bird Recovery Locations (December 14, 2010) (USDOI, FWS, 2010c).
Figures-54 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4676

4943

5303

5697 5833

6359

6844

7267

7651 7835 8000 8064 8065

7258

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

9/14/20109/21/20109/28/201010/3/201010/6/2010

10/12/201010/20/201010/27/2010

11/3/2010

11/16/201011/30/2010

12/7/2010

12/14/2010

5/12/2011

Date

# Collected

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

% Change

Figure 4-17. Summary of Avian Species Collected by Date Obtained from the Fish and Wildlife Service (USDOI, 

FWS, 2011) as Part of the Deepwater Horizon Post-Spill Monitoring and Collection Process through 

May 12, 2011. Data on the Y-axis reflect the cumulative # of individual birds collected, identified, 

and summarized by date, and data on the Z-axis reflect proportional change from one reporting date 

to the next. The data used in this table are verified as per the FWS QA/QC processes. Disclaimer: 

All data should be considered provisional, incomplete, and subject to change. For more information 

see the following link to the FWS Weekly Bird Impact Data and Consolidated Wildlife Reports at 

http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/Bird%20Data%20Species%20Spreadsheet%20

05122011.pdf. Mean # of birds collected between intervals is 184.4 + 89.3 SE (-807 min, 526 max 

for 13 collection intervals) and the mean % change between intervals is 3.0 + 1.3% (-11.12% min., 

8.27% max). Unfortunately, we have no data on change in search effort temporally (or spatially) 

and also lack data prior to September 14, 2010; therefore, data at that point represent the baseline or 

“0” for determining interval differences.
Figures Figures-55

Figure 4-18. Diagram of Various Factors Influencing Population Viability for a Hypothetical Avian Species 

Breeding and/or Wintering in the Gulf of Mexico. (Notes: The structure of boxes, rectangles, ovals, 

and oval outlines indicates the variability in a given factors potential to influence population growth 

and extinction risk, whereas the width and structure of the arrows indicates the strength of an effect 

associated with a factor. An oil spill would most likely enter the hypothetical population at the left 

side of the diagram, initially influencing habitat quality [direct] and potentially mean survival [direct 

via mortality] with latent [indirect] effects to growth [primarily to offspring] and future reproduction 

(both adults and offspring). Effects would cascade through the diagram eventually influencing 

population growth rate and extinction risk or probability. Adapted from Morris and Doak [2002, 

Figure 2.1]. The diagram is provided for discussion purposes only and is not necessarily 

representative of a specific avian species known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico.)
Figures-56 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-19. Life Cycle Model of the Fitness Components Associated with a Hypothetical Breeding Seabird 

Species Showing Reproductive Output from a Single Nest. (Notes: State variables are indicated as 

boxes and transition variables as bowties. Adapted from Cooke et al. [1995, Figure 4.1]. The model 

is provided for discussion purposes only and is not necessarily representative of a specific seabird 

species known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico.)
Figures Figures-57

Figure 4-20. Economic Impact Areas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Figures-58 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-21. Onshore Infrastructure Located in Texas (Dismukes, 2011). 
Figures Figures-59

Figure 4-22. Onshore Infrastructure Located in Louisiana and Mississippi (Dismukes, 2011). 
Figures-60 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-23. Economic Land-Use Patterns (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 2004). 
Figures Figures-61

Figure 4-24. OCS-Related Service Bases in the Gulf of Mexico (Dismukes, 2011). 
Figures-62 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-25. Gas Supply Schematic for the Gulf of Mexico (Dismukes, 2010).
Figures Figures-63

Figure 4-26. Percentage of Minority Population by County in Texas and by Parish in Louisiana with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Minority 

Range, USDOC, Census Bureau, 2010; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).

 
Figures-64 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-27. Percentage of Minority Population by County in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: 

Minority Range, USDOC, Census Bureau, 2010; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures Figures-65

Figure 4-28. Percentage of Poverty by County in Texas and by Parish in Louisiana with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Poverty Range, 

USDOC, Census Bureau, 2009; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures-66 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-29. Percentage of Poverty by County in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Poverty Range, 

USDOC, Census Bureau, 2009; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures Figures-67

Figure 4-30. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Texas with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Minority Range, 

USDOC, Census Bureau, 2010; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures-68 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-31. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Harris, Jefferson, and Galveston Counties in Texas with Distribution of 

OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Minority Range, USDOC, Census Bureau, 2010; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 

2011).
Figures Figures-69

Figure 4-32. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Louisiana with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Minority Range, 

USDOC, Census Bureau, 2010; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures-70 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-33. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Jefferson, Orleans, and Lafourche Parishes in Louisiana and in

Jackson County in Mississippi with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Minority Range, USDOC, Census Bureau, 

2010; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures Figures-71

Figure 4-34. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Alabama and Florida with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: 

Minority Range, USDOC, Census Bureau, 2010; Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures-72 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-35. Percentage of Minority Population by Census Tract in Hillsborough and Bay Counties in Florida and in Mobile County in 

Alabama with Distribution of OCS Infrastructure (Sources: Minority Range, USDOC, Census Bureau, 2010; Oil- and GasRelated Infrastructure, Dismukes, 2011).
Figures Figures-73

Figure 4-36. Location of Pinnacle Trend Blocks in the Central Planning Area.
Figures-74 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-37. Perspective View of the Central Sector of the Mississippi-Alabama Continental Shelf Showing the General Distribution of Different 

Types of Topographic Features in the Depth Range of 60-120 m (197-394 ft) (light shading indicates the area surveyed for topographic 

features) (Brooks and Giammona, 1991).
Figures Figures-75

Figure 4-38. Perspective Sketch of the Submerged Landscape of a Pinnacle 

Province as Visualized from Side-Scan Sonar and Remotely 

Operated Vehicle Information (Brooks and Giammona, 1990).
Figures-76 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-39. Sketch of a Submerged Ridge (Brooks and Giammona, 1990).
Figures Figures-77

Figure 4-40. Location of the 36 Fathom Ridge within the Alabama Alps Formation (A and B) (Gardner et al., 

2000) and Oblique View of the 36 Fathom Ridge within the Alabama Alps (C) (Weaver et al., 

2002).
Figures-78 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-41. Location of Roughtongue Reef (A and B) (Gardner et al., 2000) and Oblique View of 

Roughtongue Reef (C) (Weaver et al., 2002). 
Figures Figures-79

Figure 4-42. Location of Live-Bottom Features on the Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Continental Shelf. 
Figures-80 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-43. Block-Like, Hard-Bottom Substrate North of the Head of the De Soto Canyon 

(Shipp and Hopkins, 1978). 
Figures Figures-81

Figure 4-44. Areas Closed to Longline Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Figures-82 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure 4-45. Total Commercial Fisheries (shellfish and finfish) from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the 

West Coast of Florida, 2000-2010 (USDOC, NMFS, 2011b). 
Figures Figures-83

Figure 4-46. Onshore Infrastructure Located in Alabama and Florida (Dismukes, 2011). 
Figures-84 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

REFERENCES

American Bird Conservancy. 2010. Gulf oil spill: Field survey report and recommendations. P. 11. 

Internet website: http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/ABC_Gulf_Oil_Spill_Report.pdf. 

Brooks, J.M. and C.P. Giammona. 1990. Mississippi-Alabama marine ecosystem study: Annual report; 

Year 2. Volume I: Technical narrative. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals management Service, 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. OCS Study MMS 89-0095. 348 pp.

Brooks, J.M. and C.P. Giammona, eds. 1991. Mississippi-Alabama continental shelf ecosystem study: 

Data summary and synthesis. Volume I: Executive summary and Volume II: Technical narrative. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, 

LA. OCS Study MMS 91-0062 and 91-0063. 43 and 368 pp., respectively.

Cooke, F., R.F. Rockwell, and D.B. Lank. 1995. The snow geese of La Pérouse Bay: Natural selection 

in the wild. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Dickey, D. 2010. Official communication. Oil-spill events (2008). U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, 

Coast Guard, Headquarters Office of Compliance and Analysis. April 26, 2010.

Dismukes, D.E. 2010. Fact Book: Offshore oil and gas industry support sectors. U.S. Dept. of the 

Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. OCS Study 

BOEMRE 2010-042.

Dismukes, D.E. 2011. OCS-related infrastructure fact book. Volume I: Post-hurricane impact 

assessment. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation and 

Enforcement, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. OCS Study BOEMRE 2011-043.

Gardner, J.V., K.J. Sulak, P. Dartnell, L. Hellequin, B. Calder, and L.A. Mayer. 2000. Cruise report: 

RV Ocean Surveyor Cruise O-1-00-GM; The bathymetry and acoustic backscatter of the pinnacles 

area, northern Gulf of Mexico, May 23 through June 20, 2000, Venice, LA to Venice, LA. U.S. Dept. 

of the Interior, Geological Survey. Open File Report 00-350. 36 pp. Internet website: http://

geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of00-350/of00-350.pdf. Accessed December 3, 2010.

Morris, W.F. and D.F. Doak. 2002. Quantitative conservation biology -- theory and practice of 

population viability analysis. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA.

National Audubon Society, Inc. 2010. Oil and birds: Too close for comfort -- Louisiana’s coast six 

months into the BP disaster. Pp. 16-19. Internet website: http://gulfoilspill.audubon.org/sites/

default/files/documents/oilandbirds-toocloseforcomfort_october2010_1.pdf. 

North American Bird Conservation Initiative. 2000. Bird conservation region descriptions: A 

supplement to the NABCI BCR maps. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Division 

of Migratory Bird Management, Arlington, VA. 44 pp. Internet website: http://library.fws.gov/

Bird_Publications/na_birdconservation_map.pdf. 

Rabalais, N.N. and R.E. Turner. 2011. Frequency of hypoxia. Internet website: http://

www.gulfhypoxia.net/Research/Shelfwide%20Cruises/Frequency%20of%20Hypoxia/. Accessed 

March 14, 2011.

RestoreTheGulf.gov. 2011. Transcripts & docs. Internet website: http://www.restorethegulf.gov/news/

transcripts-docs. Accessed June 30, 2011.

Shipp, R.L. and T.L. Hopkins. 1978. Physical and biological observations of the northern rim of the 

DeSoto Canyon made from a research submersible. Northeast Gulf Science 2(2):113-121.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. 2004. County typology codes. Internet website: 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/TypologyCodes/. Accessed May 24, 2011.

U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Census Bureau. 2009. American community survey, 2009 summary tables. 

Generated by Megan Milliken using American FactFinder (http://factfinder2.census.gov), November 

2010.
Figures Figures-85

U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Census Bureau. 2010. Census 2010 summary tables. Generated by Megan 

Milliken using American FactFinder (http://factfinder2.census.gov), June 2011.

U.S. Dept. of Commerce. National Marine Fisheries Service. 2011a. Sea turtles and the Gulf of Mexico 

oil spill. Internet website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/oilspill/turtles.htm. Accessed 

June 30, 2011.

U.S. Dept. of Commerce. National Marine Fisheries Service. 2011b. Information and databases on 

fisheries landings. Internet website (latest data for 2010): http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/commercial/

landings/annual_landings.html. Accessed September 27, 2011.

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. 2010. Increased safety measures for energy development on the outer 

continental shelf, May 27, 2010. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Washington, DC. 44 pp. Internet 

website: http://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=

33598. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008. Birds of conservation concern 2008. 

U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Arlington, 

VA. 85 pp. Internet website: http://library.fws.gov/bird_publications/bcc2008.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010a. Map of the coastal National Wildlife 

Refuges and other Federal lands in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Region 4 Division of Refuges, Atlanta, GA. 1 p. Internet website: http://www.fws.gov/

home/dhoilspill/pdfs/R4FWSRefugeFedLands.jpg.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010b. Dead bird recovery locations. U.S. Dept. 

of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. 1 p. Internet website: http://

www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/DeadDensity20101214.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010c. Live bird recovery locations. U.S. Dept. of 

the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. 1 p. Internet website: http://www.fws.gov/

home/dhoilspill/pdfs/LiveDensity20101214.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010d. Bird impact data from DOI-ERDC 

database download December 14, 2010: Weekly bird impact data and consolidated wildlife reports. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. Internet website: http://

www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/Bird%20Data%20Species%20Spreadsheet%2012142010.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Bird impact data from DOI-ERDC database 

download May, 12, 2011: Weekly bird impact data and consolidated wildlife reports (accessed 

March 21, 2012). U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.. Internet 

website: http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/Bird%20Data%20Species%20Spreadsheet%20

05122011.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Geological Survey. 2008. National seafloor mapping and benthic habitat 

studies: Northwestern Gulf of Mexico. In: Gardner, J.V., L.A. Mayer, J.E. Hughes Clarke, and 

A. Kleiner. 1998. High-resolution multibeam bathymetry of East and West Flower Gardens and 

Stetson Banks, Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico Science 16:131-143. Internet website: http://

walrus.wr.usgs.gov/pacmaps/wg-index.html. Accessed August 25, 2011.

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Minerals Management Service. 2000. Deepwater development: A reference 

document for the deepwater environmental assessment, Gulf of Mexico OCS (1998 through 2007). 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, 

LA. OCS Report MMS 2000-015. 94 pp. Internet website: http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/PDFs/

2000/2000-015.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2011. 8-hour ozone nonattainment area/state/county report (as 

of April 2011). Internet website: http://www.epa.gov/oaqps001/greenbk/gnca.html. Accessed 

May 18, 2011.

Vukovich, F.M. 2007. Climatology of ocean features in the Gulf of Mexico using satellite remote 

sensing data. Journal of Physical Oceanography 37(3):689-707.
Figures-86 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Weaver, D.C., G.D. Dennis, and K.J. Sulak. 2002. Northeastern Gulf of Mexico coastal marine 

ecosystem program: Community structure and trophic ecology of demersal fishes on the pinnacle 

reef tract: Final synthesis report. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Geological Survey, USGS 

BSR-2001-008 and Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA, 

OCS Study MMS 2002-034. 143 pp.
TABLES

Tables Tables-3 

Table 1-1

Proposed WPA and CPA Gulf of Mexico OCS

Lease Sale Schedule

Lease Sale No. Area Year

229 Western Planning Area 2012

227 Central Planning Area 2013

233 Western Planning Area 2013

231 Central Planning Area 2014

238 Western Planning Area 2014

235 Central Planning Area 2015

246 Western Planning Area 2015

241 Central Planning Area 2016

248 Western Planning Area 2016

247 Central Planning Area 2017
Tables-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 1-2

Emergency 30 CFR 250 Subpart D Interim Final Rule Provisions

Regulation Summary Existing Requirement New Requirement Cost

30 CFR 

§250.415(f)

Evaluate best 

practices in 

API RP 65

Part 2

No evaluation required Requires the operator to evaluate 

the best practices according to API 

RP 65 Part 2 and submit a written 

description for the evaluation

No 

meaningful 

cost

Written description must include 

the mechanical barriers and 

cementing practices the operator 

will use for each casing string

API RP 65 Part 2 addresses 

cementing practices and factors 

affecting cementing success

30 CFR 

§250.416(d)

Submittal of 

schematics 

of all control 

systems for 

BOP stack

Schematic of BOP 

system showing inside 

diameter of BOP 

stack, number and 

type of preventers, 

location of choke and 

kill lines

Schematics of all control systems, 

including primary controls, 

secondary controls, and pods for 

the BOP system must be submitted

No 

meaningful 

cost 

Location of the controls must be 

included

30 CFR 

§250.416(e)

Independent 

third-party 

verification 

to ensure 

blind-shear 

rams are 

capable of 

cutting the 

drill pipe 

used

Information that the 

blind-shear ram is 

capable of shearing the 

pipe

Verification that the blind-shear 

rams installed in the BOP stack are 

capable of shearing the drill pipe 

in the hole under maximum 

anticipated surface pressure

Independent 

third-party 

certification 

will require a 

small cost per 

well

No independent thirdarty certification 

required

Independent third party must be a 

technical classification society or 

an API-licensed manufacturing, 

inspection, certification firm, or 

licensed professional engineering 

firm

Will add 

moderate costs

Independent third party must not 

be the OEM

30 CFR 

§250.418(i)

Submit 

qualifications 

of 

independent 

third parties 

with APD

No independent third 

party certification 

required

Description of qualifications in 

accordance with §250.416 (e)

No 

meaningful 

cost
Tables Tables-5 

Table 1-2. Emergency 30 CFR 250 Subpart D Interim Final Rule Provisions (continued).

Regulation Summary Existing Requirement New Requirement Cost

30 CFR §

250.420(a)(6)

PE 

verification 

of well 

casing and 

cementing 

program

No PE verification 

required

PE will verify there are two 

independent barriers

Small cost per 

well if 

performed by 

an 

independent 

third party

Verify the casing cementing 

design is appropriate for the 

purpose it was intended under 

expected wellbore conditions

No cost if PE 

certification is 

done in-house

Assumed that 

some majors 

would verify 

in-house; 

smaller 

operators will 

use third party

30 CFR §

250.420(b)(3)

Dual 

mechanical 

barriers

No requirement Operator must install dual 

mechanical barriers in addition to 

cement in the final casing string 

and document to BOEM

Dual float valves, or one float 

valve and a mechanical plug

Estimated that 

80% of wells 

already use 

dual 

mechanical 

barriers

Installation of 

dual 

mechanical 

barriers is 

estimated to 

take 21 hours

Will add 

significant 

costs

30 CFR §

250.423(b)(2)

Pressure test 

on the casing 

seal 

assembly

Perform a pressure test 

on all casing strings 

(except drive/

structural) according 

to 250.423(a)

Additional pressure test for the 

intermediate and production casing 

strings on the casing seal assembly 

to ensure proper installation of the 

casing in the subsea wellhead

Pressure tests 

are already 

required, no 

extra 

equipment 

time

No requirement to 

ensure proper 

installation of the 

casing in the subsea 

wellhead

Each pressure 

test only takes 

a few minutes

No 

meaningful 

cost

30 CFR 

§250.423(c)

Negative 

pressure test

No negative pressure 

test required

Perform a negative pressure test to 

ensure proper installation of 

intermediate and production casing 

strings

Negative 

pressure test 

will take 90 

minutes for 

each required 

string of 

casing
Tables-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 1-2. Emergency 30 CFR 250 Subpart D Interim Final Rule Provisions (continued).

Regulation Summary Existing Requirement New Requirement Cost

Will result in 

significant 

costs for the 

regulation

30 CFR 

§250.442(e)

Maintain 

ROV and a 

trained crew

ROV’s used for visual 

inspection every 

3 days; 250.446(b)

Required to maintain an ROV and 

trained crew on each floating rig 

on a continuous basis

All rigs are 

assumed to 

have an ROV 

on board. This 

regulation will 

not add 

additional 

costs

ROV must be capable of shutting 

in the well during emergency 

situations

Regulation 

does not 

require a 

timed test; 

therefore, 

current ROV’s 

will be 

capable of 

performing all 

required 

functions.

30 CFR 

§250.442(f)

Provide an 

autoshear 

and deadman 

system for 

dynamically 

positioned 

rigs

No autoshear/deadman 

system requirement

All dynamically positioned rigs 

must have an autoshear and 

deadman system

Industry 

standard for 

dynamically 

positioned rigs 

to have 

autoshear/dead

man systems

No 

meaningful 

cost

30 CFR 

§250.442(g)

Barriers on 

BOP control 

panels to 

prevent 

accidental 

disconnect 

functions

No two-handed 

requirement

Incorporate enable buttons on 

control panels to ensure twohanded operations for all critical 

functions

No 

meaningful 

cost

30 CFR 

§250.442(h)

Label subsea 

BOP control 

panel

No labeling 

requirement

Clearly label all control panels, 

such as hydraulic control panels 

and ROV interface on the BOP

No 

meaningful 

cost

30 CFR 

§250.442(i)

Develop 

management 

system for 

BOP

No management 

requirement

Develop and use a management 

system for operating the BOP 

system

No 

meaningful 

cost

Written procedures for operating 

the BOP stack and LMRP
Tables Tables-7 

Table 1-2. Emergency 30 CFR 250 Subpart D Interim Final Rule Provisions (continued).

Regulation Summary Existing Requirement New Requirement Cost

Minimum knowledge requirements 

for personnel authorized to operate 

and maintain critical BOP 

components

30 CFR 

§250.442(j)

Training for 

BOP 

equipment

No training 

requirement

Train BOP personnel in deepwater 

well control theory and practice in 

accordance with 30 CFR 250, 

Subpart O

No 

meaningful 

cost

30 CFR 

§250.446(a)

Document 

maintenance 

and 

inspections 

to BOP 

system

No documentation 

requirement

BOP maintenance and inspections 

must meet or exceed provisions of 

Sections 17.10 and 18.10

No 

meaningful 

cost

30 CFR 

§250.449(j)

Subsea 

function test 

for ROV 

intervention 

on a subsea 

BOP stack

No initial test on the 

seafloor

All ROV intervention functions 

must be tested during the stump 

test and one set of rams during the 

initial test on the seafloor

Initial test on 

the seafloor is 

not industry 

standard

Stump test for subsea 

BOP stack

ROV hot stabs must be function 

tested and capable of actuating at 

least 1 set of pipe rams, 1 set of 

blind-shear rams and unlatching 

the LMRP

ROV seafloor 

test is 

estimated to 

take about 

24 hours

Operator must examine all surface 

and subsea well control equipment 

to ensure that it is properly 

maintained and capable of shutting 

in the well during emergency 

operations

Will add 

significant 

costs

30 CFR 

§250.449(k)

Autoshear/

deadman 

function test

No required function 

test

Autoshear and deadman systems 

must be function tested during the 

stump test and during the initial 

test on the seafloor

No 

meaningful 

cost

30 CFR 

§250.451(i)

Emergency 

activation of 

blind or 

casing shear 

rams

No required action If the blind-shear or casing shear 

rams are activated in a well control 

situation, then the BOP must be 

retrieved and fully inspected and 

tested

Emergency 

situation only, 

will incur 

significant 

loss of rig 

time

30 CFR 

§250.456(j)

District 

Manager 

approval for 

displacing 

kill-weight 

drilling fluid

No approval 

requirement

Approval required from District 

Manager before displacing killweight drilling fluid from the 

wellbore

No 

meaningful 

cost

Submit reasons for displacing and 

provide detailed procedures of 

displacement process

Follow procedures in 250.456
Tables-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 1-2. Emergency 30 CFR 250 Subpart D Interim Final Rule Provisions (continued).

Regulation Summary Existing Requirement New Requirement Cost

30 CFR §

250.516(d)(8)

Subsea 

function test 

for ROV 

intervention 

on a subsea 

BOP stack

Stump test BOP stack 

before installation

All ROV intervention functions 

must be tested during the stump 

test and one set of rams during the 

initial test on the seafloor

Will add costs 

for well 

completions 

operations

ROV hot stabs must be function 

tested and capable of actuating at 

least 1 set of pipe rams, 1 set of 

blind-shear rams and unlatching 

the LMRP

Operator must examine all surface 

and subsea well control equipment 

to ensure that it is properly 

maintained and capable of shutting 

in the well during emergency 

operations

30 CFR §

250.616(h)(1)

Subsea 

function test 

for ROV 

intervention 

on a subsea 

BOP stack

Stump test BOP stack 

before installation

All ROV intervention functions 

must be tested during the stump 

test and 1 set of rams during the 

initial test on the seafloor

Will add costs 

for well 

workover 

operations

ROV hot stabs must be function 

tested and capable of actuating at 

least 1 set of pipe rams, 1 set of 

blind-shear rams and unlatching 

the LMRP

Operator must examine all surface 

and subsea well control equipment 

to ensure that it is properly 

maintained and capable of shutting 

in the well during emergency 

operations

BOP = blowout preventer

LMRP = lower marine riser package

PE = professional engineer

ROV = remotely operated vehicle
Tables Tables-9 

Table 1-3 

Overview of the Assignment of Regulations between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

Title 30—Mineral Resources

Current Part New Location Note*

Part 203 – Relief or 

Reduction in Royalty 

Rates

Retained in its entirety 

in BSEE, Chapter II.

The BSEE will oversee the administration of royalty 

relief awarded after lease issuance as an operational 

responsibility. However, BOEM will set the terms 

and conditions of any future leases issued with royalty 

relief provisions.

Part 219 – Distribution 

and Disbursement of 

Royalties, Rentals, and 

Bonuses

Moved in its entirety 

to BOEM, Chapter V,

Part 519.

The BOEM will perform revenue share calculations 

for OCS receipts shared under the Gulf of Mexico 

Energy Security Act. The Office of Natural 

Resources Revenue will continue to distribute the 

revenue shares to Gulf producing States and Coastal 

Political Subdivisions.

Title 30 Subchapter B—Offshore

Part 250 – Oil and Gas

and Sulphur Operations 

in the Outer Continental 

Shelf (OCS)

Responsibilities 

divided between 

BOEM and BSEE. 

Both BOEM and BSEE have responsibilities that are 

related to operations on OCS leases. These 

responsibilities were divided between the two bureaus 

as detailed in Table B.

Part 251 – Geological

and Geophysical (G&G) 

Explorations of the OCS

Responsibilities 

divided between 

BOEM and BSEE. 

The BOEM will be responsible for issuing the permits 

and notices and for overseeing the activities under the 

approved permit, as these are prelease, resource 

assessment-related activities. The BSEE will be 

responsible for issuing permits for test drilling 

activities under their responsibilities for operations. 

Further details are provided in Table C.

Part 252 – OCS Oil and 

Gas Information 

Program

Both BOEM and 

BSEE will have this 

part in its entirety. 

Part 252 regulates how and when the date and 

information is released by the OCS Oil and Gas 

Information Program. Since both bureaus will 

collect, maintain, and use data and information 

collected under this program, both are responsible for 

managing the data and determining how and when the 

data and information are released. Further details are 

provided in Table D.

Part 253 – Oil Spill

Financial Responsibility 

for Offshore Facilities

Moved to BOEM in its 

entirety, Chapter V, 

Part 553. 

The BOEM is responsible for all activities related to 

financial assurance. Oil-spill financial responsibility 

requirements are mandated by the Oil Pollution Act of 

1990. This Act applies to oil-handling activities at 

any offshore facility (whether or not involved in oil 

production) seaward of the coastline. Further details 

are provided in Table E.

Part 254 – Oil-Spill

Response Requirements 

for Facilities Located 

Seaward of the Coast 

Line

Retained in its entirety

in BSEE.

All oil-spill related activities, except for financial 

responsibility, will fall under BSEE, under its 

responsibility for oil-spill response. Further details 

are provided in Table F.
Tables-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 1-3. Overview of the Assignment of Regulations between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (continued). 

Title 30 Subchapter B—Offshore (continued)

Part 256 – Leasing of

Sulphur or Oil and Gas 

in the OCS

Responsibilities 

divided between 

BOEM and BSEE.

The BOEM has primary responsibility for leasing and 

leasing-related activities. Some responsibilities 

related to operations and production will be in both 

bureaus. Suspension-related requirements will go to 

BSEE. Further details are provided in Table G.

Part 259 – Mineral

Leasing: Definitions

Moved to BOEM in its

entirety, Chapter V, 

Part 559.

The BOEM is responsible for leasing activities. 

Further details are provided in Table H.

Part 260 – OCS Oil and 

Gas Leasing

Moved to BOEM in its

entirety, Chapter V, 

Part 560.

The BOEM is responsible for leasing activities. 

Further details are provided in Table I.

Part 270 – 

Nondiscrimination in the 

OCS

Both BOEM and 

BSEE will have this 

part in its entirety.

Both BOEM and BSEE are responsible for ensuring 

that lessees and operators comply with Section 604 of 

the OCSLA of 1978, which provides that “no person 

shall, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national 

origin, or sex, be excluded from receiving or 

participating in any activity, sale, or employment, 

conducted pursuant to the provisions of the OCSLA.” 

Further details are provided in Table J.

Part 280 – Prospecting

for Minerals Other Than 

Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on 

the OCS

Moved to BOEM in its

entirety, Chapter V, 

Part 580.

This part regulates prospecting activities or scientific 

research activities on the OCS in Federal waters 

related to hard minerals on unleased lands or on lands 

under lease to a third party. These activities fall 

under BOEM’s responsibilities for managing the 

development of offshore resources and activities on 

unleased land or on lands leased to a third party. 

Further details are provided in Table K.

Part 281 – Leasing of

Minerals Other Than

Oil, Gas, and Sulphur in 

the OCS

Moved to BOEM in its

entirety, Chapter V, 

Part 581.

This part regulates leasing for minerals other than oil, 

gas, and sulphur in the OCS. Leasing activities are a 

BOEM responsibility. Further details are provided in 

Table L.

Part 282 – Operations in 

the OCS for Minerals

Other Than Oil, Gas, 

and Sulphur

Responsibilities 

divided between 

BOEM and BSEE.

Both BOEM and BSEE have responsibilities for 

operations conducted under a mineral lease for OCS 

minerals other than oil, gas, or sulphur. These 

responsibilities were divided between the two bureaus 

as detailed in Table M.

Part 285 – Renewable

Energy and Alternate 

Uses of Existing 

Facilities on the OCS

Moved to BOEM in its 

entirety, Chapter V, 

Part 585.

At this time, the renewable energy program will be 

managed under BOEM. At a later date, the renewable 

energy program will be reorganized and a 

determination will be made regarding what functions 

will be administered by which bureau. 

Title 30 Subchapter C—Appeals

Part 290 – Appeal

Procedures

Both BOEM and 

BSEE will have this 

part in its entirety.

Appeal procedures apply to decisions and orders 

issued by both BOEM and BSEE. Further details are 

provided in Table O.

Part 291 – Open and

Nondiscriminatory 

Access to Oil and Gas 

Pipelines under the OCS 

Lands Act

Retained in its entirety

in BSEE.

This part deals with access to pipelines. All aspects 

of pipelines, including operations, are under the 

responsibility of BSEE. Further details are provided 

in Table P.

* Tables B through P are found in the Federal Register (2011).
Tables Tables-11

Table 2-1 

Alternatives Tracking

Proposed Alternative Source of Concern Detailed Discussion Decision

Alternative A—The Proposed Actions Chapters 2.2.1.1, 2.2.1.2, 4.1, 

and 4.2

Considered in detail

Alternative B—The Proposed Actions 

Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near 

Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features

Areawide leasing except for blocks 

around topographic features

Chapters 2.2.1.1, 2.2.1.2, 4.1, 

and 4.2

Considered in detail

Alternative C—No Action No leasing Chapters 2.2.1.1, 2.2.1.2, 4.1, 

and 4.2

Considered in detail

Exclude Deep Water and Limit Leasing to 

Shallow Waters

Deepwater drilling is inherently riskier Chapters 2.2.1.1 and 2.2.1.2 Considered but not analyzed in 

detail

Delay Leasing until Drilling Safety is 

Improved

Regulatory and technological changes to 

improve safety have not been sufficient

Chapters 2.2.1.1 and 2.4.1.1 Considered but not analyzed in 

detail

Do Not Allow Drilling in Areas with Strong 

Ocean Currents Such as the Loop Current

Major ocean currents could entrain and 

transport oil to otherwise unaffected 

areas, such as the Atlantic Ocean

Chapters 2.2.1.1 and 2.4.1.1 Considered but not analyzed in 

detail

Delay Leasing Until the State of the Gulf of 

Mexico Environmental Baseline is Known

State of recovery or resilience of postDWH Gulf environmental baseline is not 

known

Chapters 2.2.1.1 and 2.4.1.1 Considered but not analyzed in 

detail

Identify and Protect Sensitive Ecosystems More ecologic areas need to be identified 

and protected

Chapters 2.2.1.1 and 2.4.1.1 Considered but not analyzed in 

detail
Tables-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 2-2 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Loss of Well Control Incidents by Water Depth, 2006-2010

Loss of Well 

Control 

Incident

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

GOM

Water 

Depth

(ft)

GOM

Water 

Depth

(ft)

GOM

Water 

Depth

(ft)

GOM

Water 

Depth

(ft)

GOM

Water 

Depth

(ft)

Flow 

Underground 1 54 1 483

Flow to 

Surface 3 

51

3 

50

2 

2,013 37 7,005 1 4,992

92 100 24

Diverter Flow 1 287

Surface 

Equipment 

Failure

2 

189

3 

243

3 

35

4 

76

3 

3,330 158

132

169

50 15 2,032 182

6,050 283

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011a.
Tables Tables-13

Table 2-3

All OCS Blowout Incidents by Water Depth, 

1971-1991, 1992-2006, and 2007-2011

Panel A. All OCS Blowout Incidents by Water Depth, 1971-1991

Water Depth (ft) Exploration 

Wells

Development 

Wells Total Wells Total Blowouts

Wells Drilled 

per Blowout

0-200 4,744 8,120 13,012 39 334

201-500 2,312 4,559 6,960 38 183

501-1,000 395 351 746 8 93

>1,000 496 222 718 2 359

Total All Depths 7,947 13,292 21,436 87 246 average rate

Source: Danenberger, 1993 (Table 1).

Panel B. All OCS Blowout Incidents by Water Depth, 1992-2006

Water Depth (ft) Exploration 

Wells

Development 

Wells Total Wells Total Blowouts

Wells Drilled 

per Blowout

0-200 3,156 5,566 8,722 19 459

201-500 965 2,251 3,216 14 230

501-1,000 203 443 646 1 646

>1,000 1,347 1,146 2,493 5 499

Total All Depths 5,671 9,406 15,077 39 387 average rate

Source: Izon et al., 2007 (Table 1).

Panel C. All OCS Blowout Incidents by Water Depth, 2007-2011

Water Depth (ft) Exploration 

Wells

Development 

Wells Total Wells Total Blowouts

Wells Drilled 

per Blowout

0-200 381 669 1,050 18 58

201-500 468 936 1,404 6 234

501-1,000 7 4 11 0 0

>1,000 396 197 593 8 74

Total All Depths 1,252 1,806 3,058 32 96 average rate

Source: Izon, official communication, 2012.

Please note that reporting requirements for loss of well control changed in July 2006.
Tables-14 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-1

Projected Oil and Gas in the Gulf of Mexico OCS

Typical Lease Sale OCS Cumulative

(2012-2051)

Western Planning Area

 Reserve/Resource Production

 Oil (BBO) 0.116-0.200 2.510-3.696

 Gas (Tcf) 0.538-0.938 12.539-18.434

Central Planning Area

 Reserve/Resource Production

 Oil (BBO) 0.460-0.894 15.825-21.733

 Gas (Tcf) 1.939-3.903 63.347-92.691

Eastern Planning Area

 Reserve/Resource Production

 Oil (BBO) 0-0.071 0-0.211

 Gas (Tcf) 0-0.162 0.0502

BBO = billion barrels of oil

Tcf = trillion cubic feet
Tables Tables-15

Table 3-2

Offshore Scenario Information Related to a Typical Lease Sale in the Western Planning Area

 

Offshore Subareas1

0-60 m 60-200 m 200-800 m 800-1,600 m 1,600-2,400 m >2,400 m Total WPA2

Wells Drilled

Exploration and Delineation Wells 23-38 7-12 9-16 8-13 3-5 3-5 53-89

 Development and Production Wells 30-49 11-17 13-21 11-18 6-8 6-8 77-121

 Producing Oil Wells 4-6 2 8-13 7-11 3-4 3-4 27-40

 Producing Gas Wells 22-37 7-12 3-5 2-4 1-2 1-2 36-62

Production Structures

 Installed 10-17 1-2 1 1 1 1 15-23

 Removed Using Explosives 7-12 1 0 0 0 0 7-13

 Total Removed 9-16 1-2 1 1 1 1 14-22

Method of Transportation3

 Percent Piped >99% >99% >99% >99% 83->99% 94->99%

 Percent Barged <1% 0% 0% 0% 0% <1%

 Percent Tankered4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0-17% 0-5%

Length of Installed Pipelines (km)5 71-182 NA NA NA NA NA 237-554

Service-Vessel Trips (1,000’s round trips) 21-33 2-3 2-3 17 16-17 16-17 64-75

Helicopter Operations (1,000’s operations) 194-448 19-54 19-24 19-24 19-24 19-24 290-605

1 See Figure 3-1. 2 Subareas totals may not add up to the planning area total because of rounding. 3 100% of gas is assumed to be piped. 4 Tankering is forecasted to occur only in water depths >1,600 m. 5 Projected length of pipelines does not include length in State waters.

NA = not available.
Tables-16 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-3

Offshore Scenario Information Related to a Typical Lease Sale in the Central Planning Area

 

Offshore Subareas1

0-60 m 60-200 m 200-800 m 800-1,600 m 1,600-2,400 m >2,400 m Total CPA2

Wells Drilled

 Exploration and Delineation Wells 62-121 24-46 21-42 15-29 18-36 28-55 168-329

 Development and Production Wells 78-152 32-58 26-53 20-38 24-46 35-70 215-417

 Producing Oil Wells 11-21 5-8 16-32 12-23 15-29 22-43 81-156

 Producing Gas Wells 58-115 23-44 7-15 5-10 6-11 9-19 108-241

Production Structures

 Installed 28-54 3-6 1-2 1 1-2 1-2 35-67

 Removed Using Explosives 18-36 2-4 0 0 0 0 20-40

 Total Removed 25-49 3-5 1-2 1 1-2 1-2 32-61

Method of Transportation3

 Percent Piped >99% >99% >99% >99% 90->99% 93->99%

 Percent Barged <1% 0% 0% 0% 0% <1%

 Percent Tankered4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0-10% 0-6%

Length of Installed Pipelines (km)5 216-586 NA NA NA NA NA 628-1870

Service-Vessel Trips (1,000’s round trips) 32-61 5-10 3-6 17-19 18-35 19-37 94-168

Helicopter Operations (1,000’s operations) 557-1,470 63-163 21-54 14-36 21-54 21-54 696-1,815

1 See Figure 3-1. 2 Subareas totals may not add up to the planning area total because of rounding. 3 100% of gas is assumed to be piped. 4 Tankering is forecasted to occur only in water depths >1,600 m.

5 Projected length of pipelines does not include length in State waters.

NA = not available.
Tables Tables-17

Table 3-4

Offshore Scenario Information Related to OCS Program Activities

in the Gulf of Mexico (WPA, CPA, and EPA) for 2012-2051

 

Offshore Subareas1

0-60 m 60-200 m 200-800 m 800-1,600 m 1,600-2,400 m >2,400 m Total OCS2

Wells Drilled

 Exploration and Delineation Wells 2,730 – 3,900 990-1,390 920-1,350 700-960 770-1,030 790-1,170 6,910-9,827

 Development and Production Wells 3,380-4,820 1240-1,730 1130-1670 860-1,190 950-1,280 970-1,450 8,530-12,180

 Producing Oil Wells 520-701 215-278 704-1030 574-783 663-873 620-915 3,296-4,605

 Producing Gas Wells 2,510-3,629 885-1272 306-470 196-287 187-267 250-385 4,334-6,320

Production Structures

 Installed 1,210-1,720 110-160 26-40 25-30 32-33 32-38 1,435-2,026

 Removed Using Explosives 796-1,139 69-104 3-4 0 0 0 868-1,247

 Total Removed 1,090-1,560 100-150 24-34 20-28 23-30 22-33 1,279-1,837

Method of Transportation3

 Percent Piped >99% >99% >99% >99% 87->99% 92->99%

 Percent Barged <1% 0% 0% 0% 0% <1%

 Percent Tankered4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0-13% 0-7%

Length of Installed Pipelines (km)5 10,482-21,121 NA NA NA NA NA 30,428-69,749

Service-Vessel Trips (1,000’s round trips) 1,366-1,942 196-280 111-162 466-619 584-626 587-719 3,310-4,382

Helicopter Operations (1,000’s operations) 24,221-47,322 2,297-4,444 595-1,174 574-1,111 676-1,287 888-1,738 28,710-55,605

1 See Figure 3-1. 2 Subareas totals may not add up to the planning area total because of rounding. 3 100% of gas is assumed to be piped. 4 Tankering is forecasted to occur only in water depths >1,600 m. 5 Projected length of pipelines does not include length in State waters.

NA = not available.
Tables-18 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-5

Offshore Scenario Information Related to OCS Program Activities

in the Western Planning Area for 2012-2051

 

Offshore Subareas1

0-60 m 60-200 m 200-800 m 800-1,600 m 1,600-2,400 m >2,400 m Total WPA2

Wells Drilled

Exploration and Delineation Wells 500-740 170-230 220-320 160-230 70-90 60-80 1,180-1,690

 Development and Production Wells 620-920 220-290 270-400 190-290 80-120 70-100 1,450-2,120

 Producing Oil Wells 74-109 27-38 170-255 125-191 54-77 45-67 495-737

 Producing Gas Wells 476-711 163-222 70-105 45-69 16-23 15-23 785-1,153

Production Structures

 Installed 220-330 20-30 6-10 5-8 2-3 2-3 255-384

 Removed Using Explosives 146-219 14-21 1 0 0 0 160-240

 Total Removed 200-300 20-30 6-8 4-7 2-3 1-2 233-350

Method of Transportation3

 Percent Piped >99% >99% >99% >99% 50->99% 84->99%

 Percent Barged <1% 0% 0% 0% 0% <1%

 Percent Tankered4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0-50% 0-15%

Length of Installed Pipelines (km)5 1,967-4,128 NA NA NA NA NA 5,224-12,339

Service-Vessel Trips (1,000’s round trips) 249-372 35-50 26-36 95-150 38-57 38-56 481-720

Helicopter Operations (1,000’s operations) 4,489-8,987 418-836 125-272 104-209 42-84 42-84 5,220-10,450

1 See Figure 3-1. 2 Subareas totals may not add up to the planning area total because of rounding. 3 100% of gas is assumed to be piped. 4 Tankering is forecasted to occur only in water depths >1,600 m. 5 Projected length of pipelines does not include length in State waters.

NA = not available.
Tables Tables-19

Table 3-6

Offshore Scenario Information Related to OCS Program Activities

in the Central Planning Area for 2012-2051

 

Offshore Subareas1

0-60 m 60-200 m 200-800 m 800-1,600 m 1,600-2,400 m >2,400 m Total CPA2

Wells Drilled

Exploration and Delineation Wells 2,230-3,160 820-1,160 700-1,030 540-730 700-940 730-1,090 5,720-8,110

 Development and Production Wells 2,760-3,900 1,020-1,440 860-1,270 670-900 870-1,160 900-1,350 7,080-10,020

 Producing Oil Wells 446-592 188-240 534-775 449-592 609-796 575-848 2,801-3,843

 Producing Gas Wells 2,034-2,918 722-1,050 236-365 151-218 171-244 235-362 3,549-5,157

Production Structures

 Installed 990-1,390 90-130 20-30 20-25 30 30-35 1,180-1,640

 Removed Using Explosives 650-920 55-83 2-3 0 0 0 707-1,006

 Total Removed 890-1,260 80-120 18-26 16-21 21-27 21-31 1,046-1,485

Method of Transportation3

 Percent Piped >99% >99% >99% >99% 90->99% 93->99%

 Percent Barged <1% 0% 0% 0% 0% >1%

 Percent Tankered4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0-10% 0-6%

Length of Installed Pipelines (km)5 8,515-16,993 NA NA NA NA NA 25,204-57,177

Service-Vessel Trips (1,000’s round trips) 1,117-1,570 161-230 85-126 371-469 546-569 549-663 2,829-3,627

Helicopter Operations (1,000’s operations) 19,975-37,825 1,902-3,560 404-801 404-668 595-801 595-890 23,780-44,500

1 See Figure 3-1. 2 Subareas totals may not add up to the planning area total because of rounding. 3 100% of gas is assumed to be piped. 4 Tankering is forecasted to occur only in water depths >1,600 m. 5 Projected length of pipelines does not include length in State waters.

NA = not available.
Tables-20 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-7

Annual Volume of Produced Water Discharged by Depth

(millions of bbl)

Year Shelf

0-60 m

Shelf

60-200 m

Slope

200-400 m

Deepwater

400-800 m

Deepwater

800-1,600 m

UltraDeepwater

1,601-2,400 m

UltraDeepwater

>2,400 m

Total

2000 370.6 193.1 35.5 25.6 12.2 0.0 0.0 637.0

2001 364.2 185.2 35.0 32.0 16.6 0.0 0.0 633.0

2002 344.6 180.4 32.5 35.2 21.4 0.0 0.0 614.1

2003 359.4 182.9 31.2 39.0 35.5 0.2 0.0 648.2

2004 346.7 160.5 29.3 36.9 39.2 1.9 0.0 614.5

2005 270.1 113.5 23.1 33.5 43.0 5.8 0.0 489.0

2006 260.3 99.7 20.6 35.1 61.5 12.4 0.0 489.6

2007 307.0 139.4 22.2 40.0 70.3 15.5 0.1 594.5

2008 252.7 118.6 15.9 32.7 60.1 16.5 0.1 496.6

2009 263.9 108.3 19.9 39.2 65.3 25.0 0.1 521.7

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2010.
Tables Tables-21

Table 3-8

Average Annual Inputs of Petroleum Hydrocarbons

to Coastal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico, 1990-1999

Inputs

Western Gulf of Mexico Eastern Gulf of Mexico

(tonnes) (bbl) (tonnes) (bbl)

Extraction of Petroleum

Platforms Spills 90 630 trace1 trace

Atmospheric Releases (VOC’s) trace trace trace trace

Permitted Produced-Water Discharges 590 4,130 trace trace

Sum of Extraction Inputs 680 4,760 trace trace

Transportation of Petroleum

Pipelines Spills 890 6,230 trace trace

Tank Vessel Spills 770 5,390 140 980

Coastal Facilities Spills2 740 5,180 10 70

Atmospheric Releases (VOC’s)3 trace trace trace trace

Sum of Transportation Inputs4 2,400 16,800 160 1,120

Consumption of Petroleum

Land-Based Sources5 11,000 77,000 1,600 11,200

Recreational Vessels 770 5,390 770 5,390

Vessel >100 GT (spills) 100 700 30 210

Vessel >100 GT (operational discharges) trace trace trace trace

Vessel <100 GT (operational discharges) trace trace trace trace

Deposition of Atmospheric Releases (VOC’s) 90 630 60 420

Aircraft Jettison of Fuel NA NA NA NA

Sum of Consumption 12,000 84,000 2,500 17,500

1

Trace indicates <70 bbl (10 tonnes). 2

Coastal facility spills do not include spills in coastal waters related to exploration and production spills or 

spills from vessels. The category “Coastal Facilities” includes aircraft, airport, refined product in coastal 

pipeline, industrial facilities, marinas, marine terminals, military facilities, municipal facilities, reception 

facilities, refineries, shipyards, and storage tanks. 3

Volatization of light hydrocarbons during tank vessel loading, washing, and voyage.

4

Sums may not match. 5

Inputs from land-based sources during consumption of petroleum are the sum of diverse sources. Three 

categories of wastewater discharge are summed: municipal; industrial (not related to petroleum refining); 

and petroleum refinery wastewater. Urban runoff is included. It results from oil droplets from vehicles 

washing into waterways from parking lots and roads, and the improper disposal of oil containing consumer 

products. 

GT = gross tons. 

NA = not available. 

VOC’s = volatile organic compounds.

Source: NRC, 2003.
Tables-22 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-9

Average Annual Inputs of Petroleum Hydrocarbons

to Offshore Waters of the Gulf of Mexico, 1990-1999

Inputs

Western Gulf of Mexico Eastern Gulf of Mexico

(tonnes) (bbl) (tonnes) (bbl)

Natural Sources

Seeps 70,000 490,000 70,000 490,000

Extraction of Petroleum

Platforms Spills 50 350 trace1 trace

Atmospheric Releases (VOC’s) 60 420 trace trace

Permitted Produced-Water Discharges 1,700 11,900 trace trace

Sum of Extraction 1,800 12,600 trace trace

Transportation of Petroleum

Pipelines Spills 60 420 trace trace

Tank Vessels Spills 1,500 10,500 10 70

Atmospheric Releases (VOC’s) trace trace trace trace

Sum of Transportation 1,600 11,200 10 70

Consumption of Petroleum

Land-Based Consumption2 NA NA NA NA

Recreational Vessel Consumption3 NA NA NA NA

Vessel >100 GT (spill) 120 840 70 490

Vessel >100 GT (operational discharges) 25 175 trace trace

Vessel <100 GT (operational discharges) trace trace trace trace

Deposition of Atmospheric Releases (VOC’s) 1,200 8,400 1,600 11,200

Aircraft Jettison of Fuel 80 560 80 560

Sum of Consumption4 1,400 9,800 1,800 12,600

1

Trace indicates <70 bbl (10 tonnes). 2

Limited to coastal zone.

3

Limited to within 3 mi (5 km) of the coast. 4

Sums may not match.

GT = gross tons. 

NA = not available.

VOC’s = volatile organic compounds.

Source: NRC, 2003.
Tables Tables-23

Table 3-10

Estimated Global Average Annual Inputs of Oil Entering the Marine Environment

from Ships and Other Sea-Based Activities, 1988-1997

Source Metric Tonnes per Year bbl per Year Percent of Total

Ships 457,000 3,199,000 37%

Offshore Exploration and Production 20,000 140,000 2%

Coastal Facilities 115,000 805,000 9%

Small Craft Activity 53,000 371,000 4%

Natural Seeps 600,000 4,200,000 48%

Unknown (unidentified) Sources 200 1,400 0%

Total 1,245,200 8,716,400 100%

Source: GESAMP, 2007.

Table 3-11

Annual Summary of Number and Total Volume of Oil Spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, 2001-2009

Year Number of Spills 

in the Gulf of Mexico

Volume of Spills in the Gulf of Mexico

bbl (gallons)

2001 1,728 3,187 (133,872)

2002 733 2,535 (106,465)

2003 801 1,181 (49,617)

2004 908 760 (31,935)

2005 804 44,141 (1,853,919)

2006 868 2,947 (123,788)

2007 616 1,560 (65,511)

2008 523 355 (14,928)

2009 454 212 (8,898)

Note: The volume does not include oil spilled in rivers that enter the Gulf of Mexico. The reported spills 

include spills of crude and refined hydrocarbon products. 

Source: Dickey, official communication, 2011. 
Tables-24 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-12

Mean Number and Sizes of Spills Estimated to Occur in OCS Offshore Waters 

from an Accident Related to Rig/Platform and Pipeline Activities Supporting 

a WPA or CPA Proposed Action Over a 40-Year Time Period

Spill Size Group Spill Rate

(spills/BBO) 1

Number of Spills 

Estimated for a 

WPA Proposed Action

Number of Spills

Estimated for a 

CPA Proposed Action

Estimated

Median Spill Size 

(bbl)1

0-1.0 bbl 2,020 234-404 929-1,806 <0.024

1.1-9.9 bbl 57.4 7-11 26-51 3.0

10.0-49.9 bbl 17.4 2-3 8-16

50.0-499.9 bbl 11.3 1-2 5-10 130

500.0-999.9 bbl 1.63 <1 <1-1

>1,000-9,999 bbl 1.13 <1 <1-1 2,200

>10,000 bbl 0.31 <1 <1 ---2

Catastrophic Spill 

Event

---3 ---3 ---3 4,900,000

Notes: The number of spills estimated is derived by application of the historical rate of spills per volume crude 

oil handled (1996-2010) (USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011b) to the projected production for a WPA or CPA 

proposed action (Table 3-1). The actual number of spills that may occur in the future could vary from 

the estimated number. 

1 Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011b, and calculations based on data therein. The spill rates presented are a sum 

of rates for U.S. OCS platforms/rigs and pipelines. The average (vs. the median) spill sizes for a larger number of 

spill size categories can also be found in the original source. 2 During the last 15 years, the only >10,000 bbl spill was the Deepwater Horizon. However, this spill is 

considered to be a low-probability catastrophic event (Appendix B), and so it has been included in the

“Catastrophic Spill Event” category in this table.

3 The catastrophic spill event is considered to have a low probability of occurrence (Appendix B).
Tables Tables-25

Table 3-13

Existing Coastal Infrastructure Related to OCS Activities in the Gulf of Mexico

Infrastructure Texas Louisiana Mississippi Alabama Florida Total

Pipeline Landfalls1 13 109 3 4 0 129

Platform Fabrication Yards2 12 37 4 1 0 54

Shipyards2 32 64 9 18 14 137

Pipecoating Facilities2 9 6 0 2 2 19

Supply Bases2 32 55 2 7 0 96

Ports2 11 14 3 1 5 34

Waste Disposal Facilities2 16 29 3 3 2 53

Natural Gas Storage Facilities2 13 8 0 1 0 22

Helicopter Hubs2 118 115 4 4 0 241

Pipeline Shore Facilities2 13 40 0 0 0 53

Barge Terminals2 110 122 6 6 8 252

Tanker Ports2 4 6 0 0 0 10

Gas Processing Plants2 39 44 1 13 1 98

Refineries2 18 15 1 3 0 37

Petrochemical Plants2 126 66 2 9 13 216 1 USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c. 2 Dismukes, 2011.
Tables-26 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-14

Waterway Depth, Traffic, and Number of Trips for 2009

Waterway Maintained Depth

(ft)

Traffic 

(1,000 

short tons)

Number of Trips

Foreign Domestic

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW)

Pensacola Bay, Florida, to Mobile Bay, Alabama 12 4,838 0 8,231

Mobile Bay, Alabama, to New Orleans, Louisiana 12, 14 18,293 0 37,046

Mississippi River, Louisiana, to Sabine River, Texas 12, 10 62,422 0 115,965

Sabine River, Texas, to Galveston, Texas 12 54,322 0 62,143

Galveston, Texas, to Corpus Christi, Texas 11, 10, 2 20,631 0 39,577

Corpus Christi, Texas, to Mexican Border, Texas 10, 12, 7 1,423 0 2,256

Texas Harbors, Channels, and Waterways

Beaumont (Neches River) 39, 40, 32 67,715 1,970 24,886

Port Arthur 38 33,804 1,551 13,249

Sabine Pass Harbor 29 753 63 3,061

Sabine-Neches Waterway 40, 37, 39, 32, 27, 20, 9, 8 127,831 3,641 70,352

Louisiana Harbors, Channels, and Waterways

Atchafalaya River (Upper), Louisiana* 12 11,660 6 26,918

Atchafalaya River (Lower), Louisiana* 20 1,960 1,866 38,433

Barataria Bay Waterway 17,10 143 2 5,493

Bayou Lafourche and Lafourche-Jump Waterway 28, 27, 27, 9 4,950 5,845 29,778

Bayou Little Caillou 4,5,1 172 0 1,820

Bayou Teche and Vermilion River 8, 11, 9, 8, 5 881 6 5,499

Calcasieu River and Pass (Lake Charles) 42, 41-42, 36, 12, 7 43,581 3,378 60,366

Freshwater Bayou 12 1,116 101 18,608

GIWW, Morgan City-Port Allen Route 10 16,402 0 20,950

Inner Harbor Navigation Canal 30, 15 14,770 121 17,298

Mermentau River 4, 7, 12, 10, 9, 11, 6, 8, 4, 7 487 0 4,403

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet via Venice Vicinity 16, 14 1,657 45 13,270

Port of Baton Rouge 45, 40, 9, 12 51,869 1,011 68,332

Port of New Orleans 45, 30, 32, 36, 37, 12 68,126 3,891 46,393

Port of Plaquemines 45 50,869 1,300 108,031

Port of South Louisiana 45 212,581 3,831 125,018

Waterway from Empire to Gulf of Mexico 6, 9, 14 889 0 14,145

Waterway from GIWW to Bayou Dulac 8, 6 73 14 2,242

Mississippi Harbors, Channels, and Waterways

Bayou Casotte 38 35,804 1,116 5,476

Pascagoula Harbor 40, 38, 38, 22, 12 36,618 1,351 5,879

Alabama Harbors, Channels, and Waterways

Black Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers 9 15,708 0 24,214

Chickasaw Creek 25 989 79 1,036

Dauphin Island Bay 10 and less 45 2 13,226

Mobile Harbor 47, 45, 40, 13-39, 40 52,219 2,712 37,513

Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway 9 5,781 0 8,846

Theodore Ship Channel 40 4,432 134 4,004

*Name change in 2009.

Source: LaMarca, official communication, 2011.
Tables Tables-27

Table 3-15

OCS-Related Service Bases

Texas

TX1-1 TX-2 TX-3

Aransas Pass (Nueces)

Bayside (Aransas)

Corpus Christi (Nueces)

Harbor Island (Nueces)

Ingleside (San Patricio) 

Port Aransas (Nueces)

Port Isabel (Cameron)

Port Mansfield (Willacy)

Rockport (Aransas)

Freeport (Brazoria) 

Port O'Connor (Calhoun)

Galveston (Galveston) 

Pelican Island (Galveston)

Port Arthur (Jefferson) 

Sabine Pass (Jefferson)

Surfside (Harris)

Louisiana

LA-1 LA-2 LA-3 LA-4

Cameron (Cameron)

Grand Chenier (Cameron)

Lake Charles (Calcasieu)

Abbeville (Vermilion)

Erath (Vermilion)

Freshwater City (Vermilion)

Intracoastal City (Vermilion)

Kaplan (Vermilion)

New Iberia (Iberia)

Weeks Island (Iberia)

Amelia (St. Mary)

Bayou Boeuf (St Mary)

Berwick (St. Mary)

Cocodrie (Terrebonne)

Dulac (Terrebonne)

Fourchon (Lafourche)

Gibson (Terrebonne)

Houma (Terrebonne)

Leeville (Lafourche)

Louisa (St. Mary)

Morgan City (St. Mary)

Patterson (St. Mary)

Theriot (Terrebonne)

Empire (Plaquemines)

Grand Isle (Jefferson)

Harvey (Jefferson)

Hopedale (St. Bernard)

Paradis (St. Charles)

Venice (Plaquemines)

Mississippi and Alabama

MS-1 AL-1

Pascagoula (Jackson) Bayou LaBatre (Mobile)

Mobile (Mobile)

Theodore (Mobile)

Florida

FL-1 FL-2 FL-3 FL-4

Panama City (Bay) NA NA NA

Note: The county or parish in which the service base is located is noted in parentheses.

NA = not available.

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c.
Tables-28 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-16

OCS Pipeline Landfalls Installed Since 1996

Segment 

Number 

Year of 

Installation* Product Type Size Company State

10631 1996 Oil 24" Equilon Pipeline Company LLC LA

12470 1996 Oil 24" Manta Ray Gathering Company LLC LA

11217 1997 Gas 30" Enbridge Offshore LA

11496 1997 Oil 12" ExxonMobil Pipeline Company LA

11952 2000 Oil 18-20" ExxonMobil Pipeline Company TX

14470 2004 Oil 10" Chevron USA Inc. LA

13972 2004 Oil 24" Manta Ray Gathering Company LLC TX

13987 2004 Oil 24" Manta Ray Gathering Company LLC TX

13534 2005 Oil 30" BP Pipelines (North America) LA

13534 2005 Oil 30" Mardi Gras Endymion Oil Pipeline Co. LA

17108 2007 Gas/Condensate 16" Stone Energy Corporation LA

17691 2009 Gas/Oil 08" Stone Energy Corporation LA

*Year when the initial hydrostatic test occurred.

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c.
Tables Tables-29

Table 3-17

Petroleum1 Spills ≥1,000 Barrels from United States OCS2 Platforms, 1964-2010

Date Leasing Area3

and Block Number

Water Depth 

(ft)

Distance to Shore 

(mi)

Volume Spilled 

(bbl) Operator Facility or Structure and Cause of Spill

 4/08/1964 EI 208 94 48 2,559 Continental Oil Freighter struck Platform A: fire, platform and freighter damaged

10/03/1964 Hurricane Hilda 11,8694 Event Total 5 platforms destroyed during Hurricane Hilda

EI 208 94 48 5,180 Continental Oil Platforms A, C, and D destroyed: blowouts (several days)

SS 149 55 33 5,100 Signal O & G Platform B destroyed: blowout (17 days)

SS 199 102 44 1,589 Tenneco Oil Platform A destroyed: lost storage tank

 7/19/1965 SS 29 15 7 1,6885 PanAmerican Well #7 drilling: blowout (8 days), minimal damage

 1/28/1969 6B 5165

Santa Barbara 

Channel, California

190 6 80,000 Union Oil Well A-21 drilling: blowout (10 days), 50,000 bbl during blowout phase, 

subsequent seepage of 30,000 bbl (over decades), 4,000 birds killed, 

considerable oil on beaches, platform destroyed

 3/16/1969 SS 72 30 6 2,500 Mobil Oil Submersible rig Rimtide drilling in heavy seas bumped by supply vessel

 2/10/1970 MP 41 39 14 65,0006 Chevron Oil Platform C: rig shifted and sheared wellhead, blowout (3-4 days), fire of

unknown origin, blowout 12 wells (49 days), lost platform, minor amounts of

oil on beaches

12/1/1970 ST 26 60 8 53,000 Shell Oil Platform B: wireline work, gas explosion, fire, blowout (138 days), lost

platform and 2 drilling rigs, 4 fatalities, 36 injuries, minor amounts of oil on

beaches

 1/09/1973 WD 79 110 17 9,935 Signal O & G Platform A: oil storage tank structural failure

 1/26/1973 PL 23 61 15 7,000 Chevron Oil Platform CA: storage barge sank in heavy seas

11/23/1979 MP 151 280 10 1,5007 Texoma Production MODU Pacesetter III: diesel tank holed, workboat contact in heavy seas

11/14/1980 HI 206 60 27 1,456 Texaco Oil Platform A: storage tank overflow during Hurricane Jeanne evacuation

 9/24/2005 Hurricane Rita 5,0668 Event Total 1 platform and 2 rigs destroyed by Hurricane Rita

EI 314 230 78 2,0005 Forest Oil Platform J: destroyed, lost oil on board and in riser

SM 146 238 78 1,4949 Hunt Petroleum Jack-up Rig Rowan Fort Worth: swept away, never found

SS 250 182 69 1,5729 Remington O & G Jack-up Rig Rowan Odessa: legs collapsed

 04/20/2010 MC 252 4,992 53 4.9 million10 BP E & P Deepwater Horizon Rig: gas explosion, blowout (86 days to cap well), fire, 

drilling rig sank, 11 fatalities, multiple injuries, considerable oil on beaches, 

wildlife affected, temporary closure of area fisheries
Tables-30 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-17. Petroleum1 Spills ≥1,000 Barrels from United States OCS2 Platforms/Rigs, 1964-2010 (continued).

Notes: barrel (bbl) = 42 gallons, billion = 109, MODU = mobile offshore d rilling unit

 Between 1964 and 2009, over 17.5 billion bbl of oil and 176.1 Mcf of natural gas were produced on the OCS. 1 Crude oil release unless otherwise noted; no spill contacts to land unless otherwise noted. 2 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) - submerged lands, subsoil, and seabed administered by the U.S. Federal Government (http://www.boemre.gov/aboutmms/ocsdef.htm).

3 Gulf of Mexico leasing area unless otherwise noted (official protraction diagrams, http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/homepg/lsesale/map_arc.html): EI = Eugene Island, HI = High 

Island, 

MC = Mississippi Canyon, MP = Main Pass, PL = South Pelto, SS = Ship Shoal, SM = South Marsh Island, ST = South Timbalier, and WD = West Delta. 4 Hurricane Hilda, 10/3/1964: platform spills ≥1,000 bbl at 3 facilities totaled 11,869 bbl; treated as 1 spill event. 5 Condensate - a liquid product of natural gas production. 6 Spill volume estimate between 30,000 and 65,000 bbl, previously reported as 30,000 bbl. 7 Diesel fuel. 8 Hurricane Rita, 9/24/2010: platform and 2 rig losses ≥1,000 bbl at 3 locations totaled to 5,066 bbl; treated as 1 spill event. The 5,066-bbl spill was a “passive” spill based on unrecovered prestorm inventories from the platform and 2 rigs; no spill observed; no response required. 9 Diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products stored on rig. 10 The Federal Interagency Solutions Group, 2010.

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c.
Tables Tables-31

Table 3-18

Petroleum1 Spills ≥1,000 Barrels from United States OCS2 Pipelines, 1964-2010

Date Leasing Area3

and Block Number

Water Depth 

(ft)

Distance to Shore 

(mi)

Volume Spilled

(bbl) Operator Pipeline Segment (pipeline authority4

)

Cause/Consequences of Spill

10/15/1967 WD 73 168 22 160,638 Humble Pipe Line 12" oil pipeline, Segment #7791 (DOT): anchor kinked, corrosion, leak

 3/12/1968 ST 131 160 28 6,000 Gulf Oil 18" oil pipeline, Segment #3573 (DOT): barge anchor damage

 2/11/1969 MP 299 210 17 7,532 Chevron Oil 4" gas pipeline, Segment #3469 (DOT): , anchor damage

 5/12/1973 WD 73 168 22 5,000 Exxon Pipeline 16" gas & oil pipeline, Segment #807 (DOT): internal corrosion, leak

 4/17/1974 EI 317 240 75 19,833 Pennzoil 14" oil Bonita pipeline, Segment #1128 (DOI): anchor damage

 9/11/1974 MP 73 141 9 3,500 Shell Oil 8" oil pipeline, Segment #36 (DOI): Hurricane Carmen broke tie-in to 12" pipeline, 

minor contacts to shoreline, brief cleanup response in Chandeleur Area

12/18/1976 EI 297 210 17 4,000 Placid Oil 10" oil pipeline, Segment #1184 (DOI): trawl damage to tie-in to 14" pipeline

12/11/1981 SP 60 190 4 5,100 Atlantic Richfield 8" oil pipeline, Segment #4715 (DOT): workboat anchor damage

 2/07/1988 GA A002 75 34 15,576 Amoco Pipeline 14" oil pipeline, Segment #4879 (DOT): damage from illegally anchored vessel

 1/24/1990 SS 281 197 60 14,4235 Shell Offshore 4" condensate pipeline, Segment #8324 (DOI): anchor damage to subsea tie-in

 5/06/1990 EI 314 230 78 4,569 Exxon 8" oil pipeline, Segment #4030 (DOI): trawl damage

 8/31/1992 PL 8 30 6 2,000 Texaco 20" oil pipeline, Segment #4006 (DOT): Hurricane Andrew, loose rig Treasure 75,

anchor damage, minor contactsto shoreline, brief cleanup response

11/16/1994 SS 281 197 60 4,5335 Shell Offshore 4" condensate pipeline, Segment #8324 (DOI): trawl damage to subsea tie-in

 1/26/1998 EC 334 264 105 1,2115 Pennzoil E & P 16" gas & condensate pipeline, Segment #11007 (DOT): anchor damage to tie-in to

30" pipeline, anchor dragged by vessel in man-overboard response

 9/29/1998 SP 38 108 6 8,212 Chevron Pipe Line 10" gas & oil pipeline, Segment #5625 (DOT): Hurricane Georges, mudslide 

damage, small amount of oil contacted shoreline

 7/23/1999 SS 241 133 50 3,200 Seashell Pipeline 12" oil pipeline, Segment #6462 & Segment #6463 (DOT): “Loop Davis” jack-up

rig, barge crushed pipeline when sat down on it

 1/21/2000 SS 332 435 75 2,240 Equilon Pipeline 24" oil pipeline, Segment #10903 (DOT): anchor damage from MODU under tow

 9/15/2004 MC 20 479 19 1,7206 Taylor Energy 6" oil pipeline, Segment #7296 (DOI): Hurricane Ivan, mudslide damage

 9/13/2008 HI A264 150 73 1,3167 HI Offshore System 42" gas pipeline, Segment #7364 (DOT): Hurricane Ike, anchor damage parted line

 7/25/2009 SS 142 60 30 1,500 Shell Pipe Line 20" oil pipeline, Segment #4006 (DOT): micro-fracturesfrom chronic contacts at 

pipeline crossing caused failure (separators between pipelines missing)
Tables-32 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-18 Petroleum1 Spills ≥1,000 Barrels from United States OCS2 Pipelines, 1964-2010 (continued)

Notes: barrel (bbl) = 42 gallons, billion = 109, MODU = mobile offshore drilling unit.

 Between 1964 and 2009, over 17.5 billion bbl of oil and 176.1 Mcf of natural gas were produced on the OCS. 1 Crude oil release unless otherwise noted; no spill contacts to land unless otherwise noted. 2 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) - submerged lands, subsoil, and seabed administered by the U.S. Federal Government (http://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-EnergyProgram/Leasing/Outer-Continental-Shelf/Index.aspx).

3 Gulf of Mexico leasing area unless otherwise noted (official protraction diagrams, http://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Mapping-and-Data/opd2-pdf.aspx): 

EC = East Cameron, EI = Eugene Island, GA = Galveston, HI = High Island, MC = Mississippi Canyon, MP = Main Pass, PL = South Pelto, SS = Ship Shoal, SP = South Pass, ST = South 

Timbalier, WD = West Delta. 4 Pipeline authority: DOI = Department of the Interior, BOEMRE; DOT = Department of Transportation, PHMSA. 5 Condensate - a liquid product of natural gas production. 6 The 1,720-bbl spill was a “passive” spill based on unrecovered pre-storm inventory trapped in the segment by a mudslide; no spill observed, no response required. 7 The 1,316-bbl spill was a “passive” spill based on unrecovered pre-storm inventory in the segment parted by storm; no spill observed, no response required. 

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c.
Tables Tables-33

Table 3-19

Oil-spill Occurrence Probability Estimates for Offshore Spills Greater Than or Equal to 1,000 barrels Resulting 

from the WPA and CPA Proposed Actions (2012-2017) and the Gulfwide Program (2012-2051)

Volume

(Bbbl) Mean Number of Spills

Mean 

Number 

of Spills

Probability (% chance) 

of One or More Spills

Probability 

(% chance) 

of One or 

More Spills

Platforms Pipelines Tankers Total Platforms Pipelines Tankers Total

Proposed Actions

WPA (low estimate) 0.114 0.03 0.10 0.00 0.13 3 10 n 12

CPA (low estimate) 0.460 0.12 0.40 0.00 0.52 11 33 n 41

WPA (high estimate) 0.119 0.05 0.17 0.00 0.22 5 15 n 20

CPAl (high estimate) 0.894 0.22 0.74 0.02 0.98 20 52 2 62

OCS Program

WPA (low estimate) 2.510 0.63 2.21 0.00 2.84 47 89 n 94 

CPAl (low estimate) 15.831 3.96 13.93 0.00 17.89 98 ** n ** 

Gulfwide (low estimate) 18.341 4.59 16.14 0.00 20.73 99 ** n **

WPA (high estimate) 3.697 0.92 2.77 0.19 3.88 60 94 17 98 

CPA (high estimate) 21.734 5.43 18.01 0.43 23.87   35 ** 

Gulfwide (high estimate) 25.431 6.36 20.78 0.62 27.75 ** ** 46 **

Note: Bbbl = billion barrels; n = less than 0.5%; ** = greater than 99.5%.

“Platforms” refers to facilities used in exploration, development, or production.

Source: Ji et al., in preparation.
Tables-34 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-20

Oil-spill Occurrence Probability Estimates for Offshore Spills Greater Than or Equal to 10,000 barrels Resulting 

from the WPA and CPA Proposed Actions (2012-2017) and the Gulfwide Program (2012-2051)

Volume

(Bbbl) Mean Number of Spills

Mean 

Number 

of Spills

Probability (% chance) 

of One or More Spills

Probability 

(% chance) 

of One or 

More Spills

Platforms Pipelines Tankers Total Platforms Pipelines Tankers Total

Proposed Actions

WPA (low estimate) 0.114 0.01 0.02 0.00 0.04 1 2 n 3

CPA (low estimate) 0.460 0.06 0.08 0.00 0.14 6 8 n 13

WPA (high estimate) 0.119 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.06 3 3 n 6

CPA (high estimate) 0.894 0.12 0.15 0.01 0.27 11 14 1 24

OCS Program

WPA (low estimate) 2.510 0.33 0.45 0.00 0.78 28 36 n 54 

CPA (low estimate) 15.831 2.06 2.85 0.00 4.91 87 94 n 99 

Gulfwide (low estimate) 18.341 2.38 3.30 0.00 5.69 91 96 n **

WPA (high estimate) 3.697 0.48 0.57 0.06 1.11 38 43 6 67

CPA (high estimate) 21.734 2.83 3.68 0.14 6.65 94 97 13 **

Gulfwide (high estimate) 25.431 3.31 4.25 0.20 7.76 96 99 18 **

Note: Bbbl = billion barrels; n = less than 0.5%; ** = greater than 99.5%.

“Platforms” refers to facilities used in exploration, development, or production.

Source: Ji et al., in preparation.
Tables Tables-35

Table 3-21

Probability (percent chance) of a Particular Number of Offshore Spills ≥1,000 bbl Occurring

as a Result of Either Facility or Pipeline Operations Related to a WPA Proposed Action

Number of Spills Facility Spills (%) Pipeline Spills (%) Total Spills (%)

Low1 High Low High Low High

0 97 95 91 85 88 80

1 3 5 9 14 11 18

2 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 1 1 2

3 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5

4 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5

5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5

1 The columns under each spill category refer to the low and high resource estimates.

Table 3-22

Probability (percent chance) of a Particular Number of Offshore Spills ≥1,000 bbl Occurring as a 

Result of Either Facility or Pipeline Operations Related to a CPA Proposed Action

Number of Spills Facility Spills (%) Pipeline Spills (%) Total Spills (%)

Low1 High Low High Low High

0 89 80 67 48 60 38

1 10 18 27 35 31 37

2 1 2 5 13 8 18

3 <0.5 <0.5 1 3 1 6

4 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 1 <0.5 1

5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5

1 The columns under each spill category refer to the low and high resource estimates.
Tables-36 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-23

Spill Source, Location, and Characteristics of Maximum Spill for Coastal Waters (a) and Offshore Waters (b)

(data extracted from USDOT, CG records, 1996-2009 (c))

Source Total Number 

of Spill Events

Number of Spills

(<1,000 bbl) 

Number of Spills 

(≥1000 bbl) 

Volume of Maximum 

Spill from the Source 

(bbl)

Maximum Spill Amount Source / Product / Year

Western Planning Area (WPA)

Fixed Platform 347 346 1 1,840 Fixed Platform / Oil:Crude / 2000

Pipeline 16 16 0 5 Offshore Pipeline / Natural Gas Condensate / 1998

MODU 34 34 0 2 MODU / Other Oil / 2008

OSV 41 41 0 48 OSV / Oil:Diesel / 1997

Tank Ship or Barge 38 37 1 43,491 Tank Barge / Oil, Fuel:No. 6 / 2005

Known (d) 165 165 0 405 Designated Waterfront Facility / Oil:Crude / 1998

Unknown (e) 290 290 0 500 Unknown / Oil:Crude / 2006

Total 931 929 2 46,291

Central Planning Area (CPA)

Fixed Platform 5,116 5,116 0 889 Fixed Platform / Oil:Crude / 1998

Pipeline 26 26 0 6 Offshore Pipeline / Other Oil / 1998

MODU 288 288 0 175 MODU / Oil:Crude / 2000

OSV 362 362 0 146 OSV / Oil, Misc:Lubricating / 1998

Tank Ship or Barge 44 44 0 940 Tank Ship / Other Oil / 2001

Known (d) 3,039 3,039 0 240 Passenger / Oil:Diesel / 1998

Unknown (e) 4,081 4,078 3 1,632 Unknown / Unknown Material, Oil Like / 2002

Total 12,956 12,953 3 4,028
Tables Tables-37

Table 3-23. Spill Source, Location, and Characteristics of Maximum Spill for Coastal Waters (a) and Offshore Waters (b) 

(data extracted from USCG records, 1996-2009 (c)) (continued). 

Source Total Number 

of Spill Events

Number of Spills

(<1,000 bbl) 

Number of Spills 

(≥1,000 bbl) 

Volume of Maximum 

Spill from the Source 

(bbl)

Maximum Spill Amount Source / Product / Year

Coastal Waters: Texas

Fixed Platform 32 32 0 35 Fixed Platform / Oil:Crude / 2002

Pipeline 3 3 0 5 Offshore Pipeline / Natural Gas Condensate /1997

MODU 7 7 0 143 MODU / Oil:Diesel /2007

OSV 10 10 0 140 OSV / Oil:Diesel / 2003

Tank Ship or Barge 7 7 0 40 Tank Ship / Oil:Crude / 1999

Known (d) 120 120 0 67 Fishing Boat / Oil:Diesel / 1996

Unknown (e) 71 71 0 6 Unknown / Oil:Diesel /2005

Total 250 250 0 435

Coastal Waters: Louisiana

Fixed Platform 738 736 2 1,200 Fixed Platform / Oil:Crude / 2007

Pipeline 40 40 0 745 Onshore Pipeline / Oil:Crude / 1998

MODU 22 22 0 62 MODU / Oil:Diesel / 2003

OSV 63 63 0 29 OSV / Oil:Diesel /1996

Tank Ship or Barge 13 13 0 1 Tank Barge / Oil:Crude / 2000

Known (d) 718 717 1 25,420 Designated Waterfront Facility / Oil:Crude / 2005

Unknown (e) 1,432 1,432 0 65 Unknown / Gasoline:Casinghead / 2004

Total 3,026 3,023 3 27,522
Tables-38 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-23. Spill Source, Location, and Characteristics of Maximum Spill for Coastal Waters (a) and Offshore Waters (b) 

(data extracted from USCG records, 1996-2009 (c)) (continued). 

Source Total Number 

of Spill Events

Number of Spills

(<1,000 bbl) 

Number of Spills 

(≥1,000 bbl) 

Volume of Maximum 

Spill from the Source 

(bbl)

Maximum Spill Amount Source / Product / Year

Coastal Waters: Mississippi

Fixed Platform 6 6 0 0.02 Fixed Platform / Oil, Misc:Motor / 2000

Pipeline 0 0 0 N/A NA

MODU 4 4 0 0.12 MODU / Oil:Diesel / 1999

OSV 2 2 0 0.07 OSV / Oil:Diesel / 1998

Tank Ship or Barge 5 5 0 1 Tank Barge / Oil, Fuel:No. 2-D

Known (d) 375 375 0 24 Fishing Boat / Oil, Fuel: No. 2-D / 2004

Unknown (e) 40 40 0 2 Unknown / Gasoline: Automotive (Unleaded) / 2002

Total 432 432 0 27

Coastal Waters: Alabama

Fixed Platform 19 19 0 0.10 Fixed Platform / Other Oil /1999

Pipeline 0 0 0 N/A NA

MODU 0 0 0 N/A NA

OSV 3 3 0 0.02 OSV / Oil, Misc:Lubricating / 2008

Tank Ship or Barge 1 1 0 0.02 Tank Barge / Oil, Misc:Motor / 1996

Known (d) 7 7 0 1 Unknown / Oil, Misc:Lubricating / 2004

Unknown (e) 95 95 0 24 Fishing Boat / Oil:Diesel / 2001

Total 125 125 0 25
Tables Tables-39

Table 3-23. Spill Source, Location, and Characteristics of Maximum Spill for Coastal Waters (a) and Offshore Waters (b)

(data extracted from USCG records, 1996-2009 (c)) (continued). 

NA = not applicable.

MODU = mobile offshore drilling unit.

OSV = offshore support vessel.

Note: Reader should note that the spills are reported to the USCG by responsible parties, other private patties, and government personnel. The USCG does 

not verify the source or volume of every report.

(a) Coastal waters – 0-3 nmi (0-3.5 mi; 0-5.6 km) from the coastline and spills in rivers, lakes, bays, and estuaries.

(b) Western and Central Planning Areas – Spills that occurred in water depths 3 nmi (3.5 mi; 5.6 km) from the coastline to the OCS planning area boundary.

(c) Dickey, official communication, 2011.

(d) Includes sources assumed to not be related to Federal or State oil and gas exploration and production, such as aircraft, deepwater port, commercial vessel, 

designated waterfront facility, facility particular hazard, factory, fishing boat, freight barge, freight ship, industrial facility, industrial vessel, land facility 

(nonmarine), land vehicle, unknown, marine, MARPOL reception, unclassified tow/tug, tank truck, oil recovery, municipal facility, onshore pipeline, other 

onshore marine facility, passenger, public vessel unclassified, recreational, research vessel, railroad equipment, shipyard/repair facility, and shoreline.

(e) Spill sources reported as unknown.
Tables-40 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-24

Primary Cleanup Options Used during the Deepwater Horizon Response

Fresh Oil Sheens Mousse Tarballs Burn Residue

On-Water 

Response

Disperse, skim, burn Light sheens very 

difficult to recover, 

heavier sheens picked 

up with sorbent boom or 

sorbent pads

Skim Snare boom Manual removal

On-Land 

Response

Sorbent pads, 

manual recovery, 

flushing with water, 

possible use of 

chemical shoreline 

cleaning agents

Light sheens very 

difficult to recover, 

heavier sheens picked 

up with sorbent boom or 

sorbent pads

Sorbent pads, 

manual 

recovery

Snare boom, 

manual removal, 

beach cleaning 

machinery

Manual removal

Source: USDOC, NOAA, 2010a.
Tables Tables-41

Table 3-25

Pipelines* Damaged after the 2004-2008 Hurricanes Passed through the WPA and CPA

Hurricane Total Damage 

Reports

Pipe and 

Movement

Platform 

Connection Riser Mudflow Outside Impact Unknown

Ivan 168 38 20 67 16 9 18

Katrina 299 61 139 66 1 9 14

Rita 243 31 94 89 0 8 21

Gustav/Ike 314 14 2 273 2 7 16

* Not discriminated by diameter.

Sources: Energo Engineering, 2010; Atkins et al., 2007.

Table 3-26

Causes of Hurricane-Related Pipeline Spills Greater Than 50 Barrels

Hurricane Amount Spilled (bbl) Cause

Ivan 1,720 Mudflow

Ivan 671 Movement

Ivan 126 Platform

Ivan 200 Platform

Ivan 250 Platform

Ivan 260 Platform

Ivan 95 Movement

Ivan 123 Movement

Katrina 960 Movement

Katrina 50 Platform

Katrina 55 Riser

Katrina 132 Mudslide

Katrina 50 Movement

Rita 75 Riser

Rita 100 Outside Force

Rita 862 Outside Force/Platform

Rita 67 Platform

Rita 108 Riser

Ike 69 Movement

Ike 108 Riser

Ike 56 Platform

Ike 1,316 Outside Force

Ike 209 Riser

Ike 268 Riser

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c.
Tables-42 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-27 

Number and Volume of Chemical and Synthetic-Based Fluid Spills 

in the Gulf of Mexico during 2001-2009

Spill Size 

(bbl)

2002 2003 2004 2005

Chemical SBF Chemical SBF Chemical SBF Chemical SBF

50-<100 0 3 1 2 1 1 0 0

100-<500 2 3 1 3 2 2 2 5

500-<1,000 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0

>1,000 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0

Spill Size 

(bbl)

2006 2007 2008 2009

Chemical SBF Chemical SBF Chemical SBF Chemical SBF

50-<100 1 1 0 0 5 0 0 1

100-<500 1 4 0 1 4 1 2 3

500-<1,000 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0

>1,000 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0

SBF = synthetic-based fluid.

Note: For the years 2002 and 2003, the total volume of drilling fluid was recorded. For 2004 and beyond, the 

SBF fraction of the whole drilling fluid was recorded.

Table 3-28

Total Offshore Oil and Gas Production in the Offshore Areas 

of 12 Contiguous Texas Coastal Counties in 2009

County Texas State District No. Total Oil Produced 

(bbl)

Total Gas Produced 

(MMcf)

Calhoun 2 116,934 0

Chambers 3 6,166 10,035

Galveston 3 0 0

Brazoria 3 0 0

Matagorda 3 0 0

Jefferson 3 86,078 35,936

Aransas 4 0 0

Nueces 4 20,806 39,967

Kleberg 4 0 0

Kenedy 4 0 0

Willacy 4 0 0

Cameron 4 0 0

bbl = barrel; 42 U.S. gallons

MMcf = 1,000,000 ft3 

Source: Railroad Commission of Texas, 2010.
Tables Tables-43

Table 3-29

Total Producing Wells, Total Oil, and Total Gas Production 

in the Nine Coastal Parishes of Louisiana in 2009

Parish Total Producing Wells Total Oil Produced 

(bbl)

Total Gas Produced 

(Mcf)

St. Bernard 114 666,757 12,662,442

Plaquemines 1,734 16,870,508 74,737,520

Jefferson 221 1,202,961 11,199,616

Lafourche 539 5,769,795 35,366,426

Terrebonne 569 5,984,437 93,070,163

St. Mary 345 3,400,486 40,127,959

Iberia 172 2,891,805 48,567,357

Vermilion 249 3,062,983 63,928,992

Cameron 323 3,278,189 57,276,938

Total 4,266 43,127,921 436,940,000

bbl = barrel; 42 U.S. gallons

Mcf = 1,000 ft3 

Source: Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources, 2010.
Tables-44 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-30

Designated Ocean Dredged-Material Disposal Sites in the Cumulative Impact Area

ODMDS Name Location Coordinates Water Depth Size Authorized Material,

Latitude Longitude Last Time Used, and Amount Disposed

Pensacola 

Nearshore

30°17'24"N 87°18'30"W ~36 ft,

~11 m

2.48 mi2,

642 ha, 

1,587 ac

Medium-grained sand, <10% fines.

1987; 157,100 yd3

30°17'00"N 87°19'50"W

30°15'36"N 87°17'48"W

30°15'15"N 87°19'18"W

Pensacola 

Offshore 

30°08'50"N 87°19'30"W 65-80 ft

20-24 m

6 mi2, 

1,554 ha,

3,840 ac

Primarily fine-grained.

2005; 63,000 yd3

30°08'50"N 87°16'30"W

30°07'05"N 87°16'30"W

30°07'05"N 87°19'30"W

Mobile 30°10'00"N 88°07'42"W ~46 ft,

~14 m

4.8 mi2, 

1,243 ha, 

3,072 ac

Dredged material meeting USEPA 

Ocean Dumping Criteria.

2008; 2,235,993 yd3 30°10'24"N 88°05'12"W

30°09'24"N 88°04'42"W

30°08'30"N 88°05'12"W

30°08'30"N 88°08'12"W

Pascagoula 30°12'06"N 88°44'30"W 38-52 ft,

11.5-19 m

18.5 mi2, 

4,791 ha, 

11,840ac

Suitable material from the Mississippi 

Sound and vicinity.

2008; 1,489,100 yd3 30°11'42"N 88°33'24"W

30°08'30"N 88°37'00"W

30°08'18"N 88°41'54"W

Gulfport West 30°12'00"N 89°00'30"W ~27 ft,

~8.2 m

5.2 mi2, 

1,346 ha, 

3,328 ac

Dredged material meeting USEPA 

Ocean Dumping Criteria.

2005; 390,000 yd3 30°12'00"N 88°59'30"W

30°11'00"N 89°00'00"W

30°07'00"N 88°56'30"W

30°06'36"N 88°57'00"W

30°10'30"N 89°00'36"W

Gulfport East 30°11'10"N 88°58'24"W ~30 ft,

~9.1 m

2.47 mi2, 

640 ha, 

1,581 ac

Meet USEPA Ocean Dumping Criteria.

1996; 323,300 yd3

30°11'12"N 88°57'30"W

30°07'36"N 88°54'24"W

30°07'24"N 88°54'48"W

Mississippi 

River Gulf 

Outlet

29°22'00"N 88°56'30"W 20-40 ft,

6-12 m

6.03 mi2, 

1,562 ha, 

3,859 ac 

Dredged material from the vicinity of 

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

2005; 909,100 yd3 29°23'00"N 88°54'30"W

29°24'30"N 88°52'30"W

Mississippi 

River - 

Southwest 

Pass

28°53'58"N 89°25'31"W 8-106 ft,

2.7-32.2 m

3.44 mi2, 

891 ha, 

2,202 ac

Dredged material from the vicinity of 

the Southwest Pass Channel.

2008; 6,890,400 yd 28°53'45"N 89°25'09"W 3

28°53'13"N 89°25'28"W

28°53'11"N 89°24'49"W

Barataria Bay 

Waterway

29°13'30"N 89°53'30"W 8-20 ft,

2.4-6.1 m

1,4 mi2, 

362 ha, 

896 ac

Dredged material from the vicinity of 

Barataria Bay Waterway.

1988; 775,000 yd 29°13'54"N 89°53'48"W 3

29°14'21"N 89°54'06"W

Houma 

Navigation 

Canal (Cat 

Island Pass)

28°58'09"N 90°29'30"W 6-30 ft,

1.8-9.1 m

2.08 mi2, 

539 ha, 

1,331 ac

Dredged material from the vicinity of 

Cat Island Pass, Louisiana.

1997; 117,400 yd 28°58'57"N 90°31'30"W 3

28°57'57"N 90°31'54"W
Tables Tables-45

Table 3-30. Designated Ocean Dredged-Material Disposal Sites in the Cumulative Impact Area (continued).

ODMDS Name Location Coordinates Water Depth Size Authorized Material,

Latitude Longitude Last Time Used, and Amount Disposed

Atchafalaya 

Bar Channel

29°07'00"N 91°31'30"W ~16 ft,

~4.8 m

9.14 mi2, 

2,367 ha, 

5,850 ac

Dredged material from the bar channel 

of the Atchafalaya River. 

2008; 9,545,800 yd 29°08'00"N 91°29'00"W 3

29°09'00"N 91°27'00"W

Calcasieu River 

and Pass

29°30'00"N 93°10'18"W 36-46 ft,

11 to 14 m

5.8 mi2, 

1,502 ha, 

3,712 ac

Dredged material from the vicinity of 

the Calcasieu River and Pass Project.

2008; 364,700 yd 29°30'51"N 93°10'00"W 3

29°30'00"N 93°09'27"W

Sabine-Neches 

Waterway 

Nos. 1 and 2 

29°27'30"N 93°37'00"W 25.7-42.6 ft,

9-13 m

6.6 mi2, 

1709 ha,

4,224 ac

Dredged material from the SabineNeches area.

2006; 1,524,200 yd 29°27'30"N 93°36'45"W 3

29°26'38"N 93°36'45"W

29°26'38"N 93°37'00"W

Sabine-Neches 

Waterway 

Nos. 3 and 4 

29°35'52"N 93°41'45"W 16.4-33 ft,

5-10 m

8.9 mi2, 

2,305 ha, 

5,696 ac

Dredged material from the SabineNeches area.

2008; 1,691,900 yd 29°35'52"N 93°41'30"W 3

29°35'00"N 93°41'30"W

29°35'00"N 93°41'45"W

Galveston 

Harbor and

Channel

29°20'22"N 94°37'11"W 33-51 ft,

10-15.5 m

6.6 mi2, 

1,709 ha, 

4,224 ac

Dredged material from the Galveston, 

Texas, area.

2008; 2,395,800 yd3 29°19'32"N 94°36'56"W

29°19'23"N 94°37'06"W

29°20'13"N 94°37'21"W

Freeport 

Harbor, New 

Work

28°54'28"N 95°13'40"W 54-61 ft,

16.4-18.6 m

2.64 mi2, 

684 ha, 

1,690 ac

Dredged material from the Freeport 

Harbor Entrance and Jetty Channels, 

Texas.

1992; 46,800 yd3

28°54'35"N 95°13'28"W

28°55'07"N 95°14'01"W

28°54'60"N 95°14'13"W

Matagorda Ship 

Channel 

28°24'27"N 96°16'04"W 25-40 ft,

7.5-12.2 m

0.56 mi2, 

145 ha, 

358 ac

Dredged material from the Matagorda 

Ship Channel, Texas.

2006; 336,700 yd 28°24'33"N 96°15'52"W 3

28°25'10"N 96°16'30"W

28°25'04"N 96°16'42"W

Corpus Christi 

Ship Channel 

27°50'10"N 96°59'17"W 35-50 ft,

10.6-15.2m

0.63 mi2, 

163 ha, 

403 ac

Dredged material from the Corpus 

Christi Ship Channel, Texas.

2007; 954,600 yd 27°50'20"N 96°59'09"W 3

27°50'48"N 96°59'57"W

27°50'38"N 97°00'05"W

Port Mansfield 26°32'11"N 97°13'44"W 35-50 ft,

10.6-15.2 m

0.42 mi2, 

109 ha, 

269 ac

Dredged material from the Port 

Mansfield Entrance Channel, Texas.

1986; 104,200 yd 26°31'58"N 97°13'44"W 3

26°31'58"N 97°14'42"W

26°32'11"N 97°14'42"W

Brazos Island 

Harbor 

26°02'18"N 96°06'30"W 55-65 ft,

16.7-19.8 m

0.42 mi2, 

109 ha, 

269 ac

Dredged material from the Brazos Island 

Harbor Entrance Channel, Texas.

1997; 350,900 26°02'18"N 97°07'26"W

26°02'05"N 97°07'26"W

26°02'05"N 96°06'30"W

~ approximately.

Sources: National Archives and Records Administration, 2010; U.S. Dept. of the Army, COE, 2011.
Tables-46 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-31

Quantities of Dredged Materials Disposed of 

in Ocean Dredged-Material Disposal Sites between 2000 and 2009

Galveston District

Year Amount Disposed of in ODMDS

yd3 m3

2000 9,414,000 7,197,944

2001 6,828,400 5,220,995

2002 4,874,300 3,726,890

2003 8,221,300 6,286,006

2004 4,078,900 3,118,727

2005 1,250,900 956,438

2006 9,182,200 7,020,710

2007 6,361,200 4,863,774

2008 5,664,800 4,331,306

2009 7,618,900 5,825,411

Average per year 6,349,490 4,854,820

New Orleans District

Year Amount Disposed of in ODMDS

yd3 m3

2000 16,377,800 12,522,466

2001 23,272,300 17,794,001

2002 57,643,200 44,073,991

2003 22,546,200 17,238,825

2004 21,156,300 16,176,107

2005 21,403,200 16,364,887

2006 13,493,400 10,317,054

2007 17,550,700 13,419,265

2008 16,800,900 12,845,968

2009 16,295,000 12,459,157

Average per year 22,653,900 17,321,172

ODMDS = ocean dredged-material disposal sites.

Source: U.S. Dept. of the Army, COE, 2011.
Tables Tables-47

Table 3-32

Projected OCS Sand Borrowing Needs for Planned Restoration Projects

Restoration Project Maximum Sand 

(yd3)

OCS Lease Area and Block Number

(if known)

Pelican Island (CWPPRA BA-35) ~5,500,000 West Delta (Sandy Point site)

Raccoon Island (CWPPRA TE-48) 750,000-830,000 Ship Shoal 64 and 71

Cameron Parish Shoreline ~10,000,000 Sabine Bank

Point Au Fer Shoreline, Terrebonne Basin N/A NA

Raccoon Island ~8,340,000 Ship Shoal 88 and 89; South Pelto 12 and 13

Whiskey Island ~7,720,000 Ship Shoal 88 and 89; South Pelto 12 and 13

Trinity and East Islands ~16,260,000 Ship Shoal 88 and 89; South Pelto 12 and 13

Timbalier Island ~10,700,000 Ship Shoal 88 and 89; South Pelto 12 and 13

East Timbalier Island, Barataria Basin ~11,230,000 NA

Caminada Headland ~6,000,000 South Pelto 12 and 13

Total ~76,500,000

NA = not available

~ approximately

Table 3-33

Vessel Calls at U.S. Gulf Coast Ports in 2004 and 2009

Vessel Type 2004 Percent of Total Calls in U.S. 2009 Percent of Total Calls in U.S.

Tanker 52.4 55.8

Container 7.0 9.0

Dry Bulk 42.6 46.8

RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off) 7.0 9.9

Gas 59.8 62.6

Combo 56.2 75.6

General 28.8 39.0

All Types 31.2 34.1

Source: USDOT, MARAD, 2009.
Tables-48 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-34

Corps of Engineers’ Galveston District Maintenance Dredging Activity 

for Federal Navigation Channels in Texas, 2000-2008* 

Harbor, Channel, or Waterway Year Volume Dredged

yd3 m3

Houston-Galveston Ship Channel 2000 1,860,000 1,422,072

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2001 3,107,000 2,375,472

Freeport Harbor and Channel 2001 1,895,000 1,448,831

Matagorda Ship Channel 2001 218,400 166,979

Freeport Harbor and Channel 2002 1,526,400 1,167,017

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2002 2,200,400 1,682,327

Corpus Christi Ship Channel 2003 711,600 544,057

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2003 2,710,500 2,072,326

Freeport Harbor 2003 1,261,600 964,562

Galveston Harbor and Channel 2003 1,602,300 1,225,046

Freeport Harbor 2004 1,417,600 1,083,833

Matagorda Ship Channel 2004 279,200 213,464

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2004 1,421,900 1,087,121

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2005 812,500 621,201

Freeport Harbor 2005 143,900 110,019

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2006 1,165,000 890,706

Freeport Harbor 2006 2,620,300 2,003,363

Galveston Harbor and Channel 2006 2,863,000 2,188,921

Matagorda Ship Channel 2006 257,400 196,796

Corpus Christi Ship Channel 2006 114,500 87,541

Freeport Harbor 2007 1,856,200 1,419,167

Galveston Harbor 2007 2,247,100 1,718,031

Corpus Christi Ship Channel 2007 729,900 558,049

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2007 30,600 23,395

Sabine-Neches Waterway 2008 1,293,600 989,028

Freeport Harbor 2008 1,205,900 921,977

Galveston Harbor and Channel 2008 1,851,800 1,415,803

Total 37,403,600 28,597,104

* Dredged material disposed of in Ocean Dredged-Material Disposal Site.

Source: U.S. Dept. of the Army, COE, 2011.
Tables Tables-49

Table 3-35

Corps of Engineers’ New Orleans District Maintenance Dredging Activity 

for Federal Navigation Channels in Louisiana, 2000-2008* 

Harbor, Channel, or Waterway Year Volume Dredged

yd3 m3

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, St. Mary Parish

 Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, LA

2000 10,750,570 8,219,400

Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to Southwest Pass 2000 1,173,886 897,500

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet 2000 1,700,074 1,299,800

Calcasieu River Bar Channel, Cameron Parish 2000 2,754,152 2,105,700

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, St. Mary Parish

 Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, LA

2001 14,371,890 10,988,100

Calcasieu River Bar Channel, Cameron Parish 2001 240,532 183,900

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Bar Channel 2001 1,449,732 1,108,400

Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to Southwest Pass 2001 7,211,517 5,513,600

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, St. Mary Parish

 Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, LA

2002 15,273,070 11,677,100

Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to Southwest Pass 2002 15,758,320 12,048,100

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Bar Channel 2002 2,907,313 2,222,800

Calcasieu River Bar Channel, Cameron Parish 2002 9,335,759 7,137,700

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet 2003 2,265,370 1,732,000

Calcasieu River and Pass Bar Channel, Cameron Parish 2003 1,703,736 1,302,600

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, St. Mary Parish

 Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, LA

2003 11,700,930 8,946,000

Mississippi River Southwest Pass 2003 6,877,597 5,258,300

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet 2004 3,810,583 2,913,400

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel 2004 10,818,710 8,271,500

Calcasieu River and Pass Bar Channel, Cameron Parish 2004 688,766 526,600

Mississippi River Southwest Pass 2004 5,839,476 4,464,600

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Bar Channel 2005 909,156 695,100

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel 2005 12,811,250 9,794,900

Calcasieu River and Pass Bar Channel 2005 1,683,725 1,287,300

Mississippi River Southwest Pass 2005 6,000,354 4,587,600

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel 2006 8,169,067 6,245,700

Calcasieu River and Pass Bar Channel 2006 1,740,359 1,330,600

Mississippi River Southwest Pass 2006 3,584,831 2,740,800

Mississippi River Southwest Pass 2007 3,004,493 2,297,100

Calcasieu River and Pass Bar Channel 2007 241,840 184,900

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel 2007 14,305,450 10,937,300

Atchafalaya River Bar Channel 2008 9,546,339 7,298,700

Calcasieu River and Pass Bar Channel 2008 364,656 278,800

Mississippi River Southwest Pass 2008 6,890,807 5,268,400

Total 195,884,300 149,764,300

* Dredged material disposed in Ocean Dredged-Material Disposal Site.

Source: U.S. Dept. of the Army, COE, 2011.
Tables-50 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-36

Corps of Engineers’ Mobile District Maintenance Dredging Activity 

for Federal Navigation Channels in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, 2000-2008* 

Harbor, Channel, or Waterway Year Volume Dredged

yd3 m3

Mobile Harbor 2000 5,911,675 4,519,800

Pascagoula Harbor and Bayou Casotte Extension 2000 7,651,642 5,850,100

Mobile Harbor 2001 4,594,177 3,512,500

Pascagoula Harbor 2001 3,200,032 2,446,600

Pascagoula Harbor and Bayou Casotte Extension 2001 294,812 225,400

Mobile Harbor 2002 4,101,602 3,135,900

Gulfport Harbor 2002 943,032 721,000

Pascagoula Harbor 2002 630,301 481,900

Mobile River 2003 2,067,608 1,580,800

Mobile Harbor 2003 1,723,356 1,317,600

Mobile Bay Channel 2003 2,741,726 2,096,200

Mobile Bay 2003 253,350 193,700

Gulfport Bar 2003 128,310 98,100

Pascagoula Bar 2003 123,339 94,300

Pascagoula Navy Channel 2003 558,756 427,200

Gulfport Harbor 2003 542,799 415,000

Bayou Casotte 2003 294,681 225,300

Pascagoula Sound 2003 120,854 92,400

Mobile Harbor 2004 7,849,273 6,001,200

Pascagoula Harbor 2004 1,203,576 920,200

Gulfport Harbor 2004 849,514 649,500

Mobile Harbor 2005 3,224,098 2,465,000

Pascagoula Bar 2005 120,069 91,800

Gulfport Bar 2005 390,031 298,200

Pensacola Harbor 2005 63,043 48,200

Mobile Harbor 2006 2,546,711 1,947,100

Pascagoula Harbor 2006 672,548 514,200

Mobile Harbor 2007 1,952,901 1,493,100

Mobile Harbor Federal Navigation Project 2008 3,725,305 2,848,200

Total 58,479,130 44,710,500

* Dredged material disposed in Ocean Dredged-Material Disposal Site.

Source: U.S. Dept. of the Army, COE, 2011.
Tables Tables-51

Table 3-37

Designated Louisiana Service Bases Identified in Applications for Pipelines, Exploration, 

and Development Plans between 2003 and 2008 and Miles of Navigation Canal Bordered 

by Saltwater, Brackish Water, and Freshwater Wetlands

Shore Base

Number of Pipeline 

Applications with Designated 

Service Base

Number of Exploration and 

Development Plans with 

Designated Service Base

Miles 

Bordering Salt 

and Brackish 

Wetlands

Miles 

Bordering

Fresh 

2003-2008 Percent 2003-2008 Percent Wetlands

Fourchon 303 31.5 618 44.4 0** 0**

Cameron 247 25.7 383 27.5 0 0

Intracoastal City 102 10.6 94 6.7 6.4 0

Venice 96 10.0 139 9.9 Miss. River 0

Morgan City 68 7.1 52 3.7 Miss. River 0

Leeville 37 3.9 18 1.3 0 0

Grand Isle 29 3.0 2 0.1 0 0

Dulac 20 2.1 8 0.6 1.7 0

Berwick 14 1.5 19 1.4 Miss. River 0

Lake Charles 12 1.2 1 0.1 3.4 0

Freshwater City 10 1.0 18 1.3 0 0

Houma 8 0.8 18 1.3 5.3 6.6

Amelia 2 0.2 7 0.5 0 0

Galliano 1 0.1 7 0.5 0 0

Boothville 3 0.3 6 0.4 Miss. River 0

Abbeville 7 0.7 0 0.0 0 0

Grand Chenier 2 0.2 1 0.1 0 0

Grand Total 961 99.9 1,391 99.8 16.8 6.6

 * Compiled by BOEM staff using operator-designated service bases from OCS plans and pipeline applications.

** “0” indicates that the service base has no surrounding wetlands in the category.
Tables-52 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 3-38

Hurricane Landfalls in the Northern Gulf of Mexico from 1995 through 2010

Event Year Affected State Storm Name Intensity at Landfall

1 1995 AL, FL Opal Hurricane Category 3

2 1995 FL Erin Hurricane Category 2

3 1997 LA, AL Danny Hurricane Category 1

4 1998 FL Earl Hurricane Category 1

5 1998 MS, AL Georges Hurricane Category 2

6 1999 TX Bret Hurricane Category 3

7 2002 LA Lili Hurricane Category 1

8 2003 TX Claudette Hurricane Category 1

9 2004 MS, AL Ivan Hurricane Category 4

10 2005 LA, MS Cindy Hurricane Category 1

11 2005 FL, AL Dennis Hurricane Category 3

12 2005 LA, MS Katrina Hurricane Category 5

13 2005 TX, LA Rita Hurricane Category 3

14 2007 TX, LA Humberto Hurricane Category 1

15 2008 LA Gustav Hurricane Category 2

16 2008 TX, LA Ike Hurricane Category 4

17 2008 TX Dolly Hurricane Category 1

Note: There were no hurricane landfalls in the northern Gulf of Mexico in 2009 or 2010. 

Source: USDOC, NOAA, 2010b. 

Table 3-39

Oil Spilled from Pipelines on the Federal OCS, 2002-2009

Regulator Area Total Oil Spilled 

(bbl)

Oil Spilled due to 

Hurricanes 

(bbl)

Proportion of Total Oil Spilled

due to Hurricanes 

(%)

BOEM Federal OCS 5,522 5,179 94

DOT Federal OCS 5,667 3,272 58

DOT State Waters 9,903 9,622 97

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c.
Tables Tables-53

Table 4-1

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant Primary Standards Secondary Standards

Level Averaging Time Level Averaging Time

Carbon Monoxide 9 ppm (10 mg/m3) 8-hour (1) None 35 ppm (40 mg/m3

) 1-hour (1)

Lead 0.15 μg/m3 (2) Rolling 3-Month Average Same as Primary

1.5 μg/m3 Quarterly Average Same as Primary

Nitrogen Dioxide 53 ppb (3) Annual (Arithmetic Average) Same as Primary

100 ppb 1-hour (4) None 

Particulate Matter (PM10) 150 μg/m3 24-hour (5) Same as Primary

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 15.0 μg/m3 Annual (6) (Arithmetic Average) Same as Primary

35 μg/m3 24-hour (7) Same as Primary

Ozone 0.075 ppm (2008 std) 8-hour (8) Same as Primary 

0.08 ppm (1997 std) 8-hour (9) Same as Primary 

0.12 ppm 1-hour (10) Same as Primary

Sulfur Dioxide 0.03 ppm Annual (Arithmetic Average) 0.5 ppm 3-hour (1) 0.14 ppm 24-hour (1)

75 ppb (11) 1-hour None 

(1) Not to be exceeded more than once per year.

(2) Final rule signed October 15, 2008.

(3) The official level of the annual NO2 standard is 0.053 ppm, equal to 53 ppb, which is shown here for the 

purpose of clearer comparison to the 1-hour standard.

(4) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of the daily maximum 1-hour average at each 

monitor within an area must not exceed 100 ppb (effective January 22, 2010).

(5) Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over 3 years.

(6) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentrations from single or 

multiple community-oriented monitors must not exceed 15.0 μg/m3

. 

(7) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations at each populationoriented monitor within an area must not exceed 35 μg/m3 (effective December 17, 2006).

(8) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone 

concentrations measured at each monitor within an area over each year must not exceed 0.075 ppm (effective 

May 27, 2008).

(9) (a) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone 

concentrations measured at each monitor within an area over each year must not exceed 0.08 ppm. 

(b) The 1997 standard—and the implementation rules for that standard—will remain in place for 

implementation purposes as USEPA undertakes rulemaking to address the transition from the 1997 ozone 

standard to the 2008 ozone standard.

(c) The USEPA is in the process of reconsidering these standards (set in March 2008).

(10)(a) The USEPA revoked the 1-hour ozone standard in all areas, although some areas have continuing 

obligations under that standard (“anti-backsliding”).

(b) The standard is attained when the expected number of days per calendar year with maximum hourly 

average concentrations above 0.12 ppm is <1.

(11)(a) Final rule signed June 2, 2010. To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 99th percentile of the 

daily maximum 1-hour average at each monitor within an area must not exceed 75 ppb.
Tables-54 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-2 

Projected Average Annual OCS Emissions Related to the Proposed Action in the WPA by Source (tons/year)

Source Low - High Case Emissions - Highest Annual (tons/year)

NOX SOX PM10 PM2.5 VOC CO CO2 CH4 N2O

Exploration/Delineation 

Well Drilling 731-1,237 93-157 13-22 13-22 18-30 180-306 37,899-64,142 1.7-2.8 0.2-0.3

Development/Production 

Well Drilling 467-725 59-92 8-13 8-13 11-17 114-178 24,252-37,611 1.0-1.5 0.2-0.2

Platform Installation and 

Removal 94-100 14-14.5 2.5-2.4 2.5-2.4 2.5-2.4 14-13 6,383-5,967 0.1-0.0 0.3-0.3

Pipeline Installation 195-456 33-77 7-17 7-17 7-17 40-95 13,177-30,835 0.1-0.3 0.6-1.3

Production Platforms 797-1,222 19-30 7-11 7-11 509-780 893-1,369 87,902-134,783 2,131-3,267 1.3-2.0

Support Vessels 1,434-2,200 193-296 25-38 25-38 25-38 137-210 78,701-120,674 0.5-0.8 3.7-5.7

Helicopters 12-18.1 2.9-4.5 25-38.1 25-38.1 29-43.8 145-222 14,571-22,342 NA-NA NA-NA

Tankers Loading 0.0-12 0.0-2 0.0-0.5 0.0-0.5 0.0-87 0.0-3 0.0-830 0.0-0.01 0.0-0.04

Tankers in Transit 0.0-265 0.0-32 0.0-4 0.0-4 0.0-6 0.0-22 0.0-13,085 0.0-0.1 0.0-1

Tankers Unloading 0.0-12 0.0-2 0.0-0.5 0.0-4 0.0-44 0.0-3 0.0-830 0.0-0.01 0.0-0.04

Total 3,944-6,247 443-67.4 92-142 92-142 698-1,016 1,545-2,394 274,231-417,185 2,134-3,273 7-10

NA = not available.

Note: Used 50 years of data including the Year 2008 Gulfwide Emission Inventory Study (Wilson et al., 2010). Most data are from the last 20 years.

Source: Wilson et al., 2010. 
Tables Tables-55

Table 4-3

Recommended Mitigation Techniques Used to Avoid or Reduce Adverse Impact to Wetlands 

by Pipelines, Canals, Dredging, and Dredged Material Placement

Technique Decision Process Factors to Consider

Pipeline Construction

Avoidance

Route selection and location

Evaluation of potential routes that avoid wetlands entirely

Shared right-of-way (ROW) and pipelines

Using all or part of an existing ROW would avoid new 

impacts to wetlands

Length of route

Difficulty of the land for pipeline installation, i.e., access 

points and sediment characteristics

Presence of other pipelines

Presence of transportation corridors

Density of surrounding developments 

Number of different land owners

Minimization

Necessity of pipeline contents Environment function

Timing of the project

Previous pipeline installations 

Availability of equipment

Location/Route 

Selection

Early planning

Considering wetland type

Use of aerial photography as well as digital and 

topographic maps combined with field surveys to 

identify route of minimal impact

Most routes are predetermined by the beginning and end 

points

Flexibility within general route to locate sections of pipelines 

to one side or another to take advantage of upland areas, 

existing ROW, etc.

Existing 

ROW/Corridors

Plan routes paralleling existing pipelines (safety issues)

Timing right to share section of pipeline between or 

among users

Group pipelines in corridors where impacts are limited to 

smaller areas of coastal wetlands

Construction/

Installation

Methods depend on environment pipeline is constructed

Flotation canals

Push-pull method

Single versus double ditching techniques

Directional drilling *

Choice of method has implications for 

Type of impact

Access impact

Impact from specific equipment

Dredging

Dredge and Other 

Material Disposal

Features associated with pipeline canals and navigation 

channels 

Avoid levees by spray dredging, levee manipulation/spoil 

bank removal, and canal backfilling

Navigation channels and some canals must be left open for 

access

Impacts associated with spoil banks include soil compaction, 

impoundment, and creation of upland vegetation

Dredge Material Bank 

Removal

Identify areas to place dredge

Navigation channels

Canals that cannot be backfilled

Potential use for filling nearby old canal or abandoned 

navigation channels

Off-site mitigation

Due to expense and difficulty in many coastal areas only used 

in sensitive areas

Levee Manipulation

Dredge material should allow water to pass through 

openings in the line of dredge placement

Levees used as walkways and built from material placed in a 

long line paralleling the length of the project is detrimental 

to marsh and should be built discontinuous instead

Must maintain natural hydrologic pattern

Technique is post-construction technique where sections of 

dredge banks are removed in order to restore hydrologic 

flow

Spray Dredge

Suggested and used to avoid completely the creation of 

dredge banks

Spray dredging places material over a large area of marsh 

surface at a depth that avoids destroying vegetation or 

altering hydrology

Normally dredge is deposited discontinuously and unevenly, 

enabling the avoidance of sensitive habitats or minimize 

spoil over small creeks

More costly than more traditional use of the bucket dredge; 

most contractors along the Gulf Coast have not invested in 

spray dredge technology

Canals and Channels

Backfill 

Suggested as a way to minimize impacts from canals and 

to restore impacted habitats

Based on OCS permit information, this is the most 

common required mitigation in recent years

In Texas and Louisiana, a typical backfilled pipeline 

canal results in 75% reduction in direct impacts to the 

marsh as compared with non-backfilled canals 

(Baumann and Turner, 1990)

Involves returning soil into the canal so that the elevation is 

restored as close as possible to pre-construction elevation

May occur on-site for canal restoration, as well as off-site as 

mitigation for other dredging operations

Intended benefits of backfilling are reestablishment of marsh 

vegetation in the canal and on the re-graded spoil bank, and 

restoration of marsh soils on bottom of the canal
Tables-56 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-3. Recommended Mitigation Techniques Used to Avoid or Reduce Adverse Impact to Wetlands by 

Pipelines, Canals, Dredging, and Dredged Material Placement (continued). 

Technique Decision Process Factors to Consider

Canals and Channels (continued)

Wood Chipping

A new technique unique to forested wetlands

Regulatory personnel believe the use of windrows should 

be avoided

Requirement for chipping on-site started approximately 

1992/1993

Prior to 1996, trees removed for ROW being pushed to the 

side created windrows with the potential to act as hydrologic 

barriers

Success of wood chipping remains undetermined

Problems encountered include equipment not adapted to the 

function of marshes, equipment is expensive, and process is 

time-consuming

Erosion Stabilization

Many impacts are from pipeline canals and navigation 

channels

Stabilization of banks is critical

Lack of stabilization can result in slumping of canal sides 

and blockage of natural creeks/drainage streams

Erosion control measures are required through the use of Best 

Management Practices

Requirement is usually erosion control/siltation fences

Revegetation

Often required by permits

Extremely valuable to the acceleration of marsh recover 

over first growing season

Most extensive data exist for the revegetation of dunes, 

but through the use of directional drilling, is not the 

concern as in past cases

Stabilizes shorelines, shore banks, and areas surrounding 

stream crossings where erosion is most likely to occur

Helps to reduce sedimentation and erosion

Plugs/Dams

Structures have been used frequently in order to mitigate 

adverse hydrodynamic impacts and accelerated erosion, 

i.e., dams, weirs, bulkheads, rip-rap, shell/gravel mats, 

and biodegradable mats

Reduces erosion and provides barriers to saltwater intrusion

Plugs maintain elevated marsh water levels

Prevent saltwater intrusion into low-salinity marshes

Reduces tidal exchange thereby reducing bank erosion

Erosion Control during 

Project

Construction of pipelines and navigation

Channels is governed by the of Best Management 

Practices and erosion control during the construction 

phase is a requirement

Natural features of each construction site should be identified 

for the necessary erosion control

Timing of Project

Seasonal timing of the project can minimize impacts

Avoid impacts to endangered species, particularly bird 

breeding seasons

Expanding restrictions to ensure there will be at least part of 

one growing season for re-establishment of vegetation 

before fall/winter has been discussed, but dismissed for 

economic reasons to industry

Restoration

Can occur either immediately, post construction, or many 

years after pipeline and navigation canal construction

Backfilling of canals, resulting in levee removal, has been a 

requirement for most pipeline installation projects

There is a benefit to backfilling old canals and navigation 

channels in order to reduce or reverse the trend of wetland 

losses in coastal Louisiana

Other options include the use of imported material

Compensation

Typically occurs through the creation of new wetland 

habitat or through a cash payment to the appropriate 

land management agency

Allows for the creation and restoration of lost wetland 

habitat

In Louisiana, the payment of cash for wetlands into a 

State trust fund is administered by the Louisiana Dept. 

of Natural Resources and is controversial

This fund has been in existence for several years and has 

a significant accumulation of funds; however, no 

creation projects have yet to tap into it

In many cases not an option 

Saline marshes have yet to be successfully created, and 

finding appropriate locations to create salt marsh is difficult

Forested wetlands are also difficult to compensate

* Trenchless, or directional drilling, is the newest and favored technique in sensitive habitats. This technique is considered to be extremely 

protective of sensitive habitats. At present, directional drilling is required almost without exception for crossing barrier island and shore faces.

Impacts are limited to the access and staging sites for the equipment. By using directional drilling, pipeline installation can occur without 

having to cut through shore facings, minimizing any erosion and surface habitat disturbance.
Tables Tables-57

Table 4-4

Biotic Zones of Topographic Features with Bank Crest and Seafloor Depth in Meters

Feature Planning Area Zone Crest (m) Seafloor (m)

Shelf Edge Banks

East Flower Garden Western MS-DMP-M-S-AS-T-A-N 16 100-120

West Flower Garden Western MS-DMP-M-S-AS-T-A-N 20 110-130

Alderice Central AS-T-A-N 55 84-90

Appelbaum Western AS-T-A-N 76 100-120

Bouma Central AS-T-A-N 60 90-100

Bright Central S-AS-T-A-N 37 110

Diaphus Central T-A-N 73 110-130

Elvers Central AS-T-A-N 60 180

Ewing Central AS-T-A-N 56 85-100

Geyer Central AS-T-A-N 37 190-210

Jakkula Central AS-T-A-N 59 120-140

MacNeil Western AS-T-A-N 62 86-94

McGrail Central S-AS-T-A-N 45 110-130

Parker Central AS-T-A-N 60 100

Rankin Western AS-T-A-N 52 110-140

Rezak Central AS-T-A-N 60 120

Sackett Central AS-T-A-N 67 100

Sidner Central AS-T-A-N 55 150

Sweet Central AS-T-A-N 75 130-200

Low-Relief Midshelf Banks

32 Fathom Western T-A-N 52 55

Claypile Western A-N 40 50

Coffee Lump Western T-A-N 62 70

Midshelf Banks

29 Fathom Western T-A-N 52 72

Fishnet Central T-A-N 66 78

Sonnier Central MS-M-S-AS-T-A-N 17 50

Stetson Western MS-M-S-AS-T-A-N 17 52

Low-Relief South Texas Banks

Big Dunn Bar Western T-A-N 61 67

Blackfish Ridge Western T-A-N 60 70-74

Mysterious Western T-A-N 70 74-86

Small Dunn Bar Western T-A-N 63 67

South Texas Banks

Aransas Western T-A-N 57 70-72

Baker Western T-A-N 56 70-74

Dream Western T-A-N 62 80

Hospital Western T-A-N 59 70-78

North Hospital Western T-A-N 58 68-70

South Baker Western T-A-N 59 80-84

Southern Western T-A-N 58 80

A = Antipatharian Zone MS = Millepora/Sponge Zone

AS = Algal/Sponge Zone N = Nepheloid Zone

DMP = Diploria/Montastraea/Porites Zone S = Stephanocoenia

M = Madracis Zone T = Transitional

Sources: Rezak and Bright, 1981; Rezak et al., 1983.
Tables-58 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-5

Unusual Mortality Event Cetacean Data for the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Cetaceans Stranded Phase of Oil-Spill Response Dates

114 cetaceans stranded Prior to the response phase for the oil 

spill

February 1, 2010-April 29, 2010

122 cetaceans stranded or 

were reported dead offshore

During the initial response phase to 

the oil spill

April 30, 2010-November 2, 2010

487 cetaceans stranded* After the initial response phase ended November 3, 2010-April 15, 2012**

Note: Numbers are preliminary and may be subject to change. As of April 18, 2012, the unusual mortality event 

involves 723 cetacean “strandings” in the northern Gulf of Mexico (USDOC, NMFS, 2012).

* This number includes six dolphins that were killed incidental to fish-related scientific data collection and one 

dolphin that was killed incidental to trawl relocation for a dredging project.

** The initial response phase ended for all four states on November 3, 2010, but then reopened for eastern and 

central Louisiana on December 3, 2010, and then closed again on May 25, 2011.
Tables Tables-59

Table 4-6

Sea Turtles Occurring in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Order Testudines ESA 

Status

ESA-Designated 

Critical Habitat within 

the Gulf of Mexico

States with 

Gulf of Mexico

Nesting Reported1

Approximate 

Nesting Time

Relative 

Occurrence

Family Cheloniidae

Loggerhead turtle 

(Caretta caretta)

T None TX, LA, MS, AL, 

FL

May-August C

Green turtle 

(Chelonia mydas)

E/T None TX, FL June-September C

Hawksbill turtle 

(Eretmochelys imbricata)

E None FL April-November R

Kemp’s ridley turtle 

(Lepidochelys kempii)

E Pending TX, AL, FL April-June C

Family Dermochelyidae

Leatherback turtle 

(Dermochelys coriacea)

E None TX, FL March-July U

Endangered Species Act (ESA) status is summarized according to listing status under the following categories:

Endangered (E): Species determined to be in imminent danger of extinction throughout all of a significant portion of their 

range.

Threatened (T): Species determined likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.

Population status in the northern Gulf is summarized according to the following categories:

Common (C): A common species is one that is abundant wherever it occurs in the region (i.e., the northern Gulf). Most 

common species are widely distributed over the area.

Uncommon (U): An uncommon species may or may not be widely distributed but does not occur in large numbers.

Uncommon species are not necessarily rare or endangered.

Rare (R): A rare species is one that is present in such small numbers throughout the region that it is seldom seen. Although 

not threatened with extinction, a rare species may become endangered if conditions in its environment change. 1 Dow et al., 2007.
Tables-60 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-7

Some Anthropogenic Sources of Avian Mortality

Source of Mortality Estimated Mortality 

(annual) Reference

Vehicles 60-80 million Erickson et al., 2001

Buildings and/or Windows 98-980 million Erickson et al., 2001; Klem, 2009

Power Lines thousands-174 million Erickson et al., 2001; Manville, 2005a and 2009

Communication Towers 4-50 million Erickson et al., 2001; Manville, 2005a and 2009

Mortality by Housecats ~1 billion* Coleman et al., 1997; Lepczyk et al., 2003

Mortality Associated with Open-Pit 

Oil Ponds

500,000-1,000,000 Trail, 2006

Mortality Associate with Wind-Farms 10,000-40,000 Erickson et al., 2001; Manville, 2005a and 2009

Mortality Associated with Offshore 

Oil Platforms

200,000-321,000** Russell, 2005

Mortality Associated with 

Commercial Fishing

high thousands-low 

millions

Manville, 2005b; Brothers et al., 2010

Mortality Associated with Lead (Pb) 

Ingestion

millions*** Scheuhammer and Norris, 1995; Kendall et al., 

1996

* Dauphiné and Cooper (2009) provide estimates ranging from 117 to 157 million outdoor housecats in the United 

States alone. Further, estimates of annual bird kills/cat from a low of 4 bird kills/cat/year to 54 bird kills/cat/year 

represents a range of avian mortality of 468 million to ~8.4 billion. Considered the single largest anthropogenic 

source of avian mortality, likely exceeding collision-related mortality associated with buildings and windows 

(Dauphiné and Cooper, 2011). ** Estimated from Chapter 17 in Russell (2005) – An estimated 200,000 avian mortalities/year due to collisions only 

over the entire archipelago; composed primarily of neotropical migrants. Refer to Tables 17.1-17.5 in Russell 

(2005) for additional information regarding cause of death. The lower estimate generated by taking 200,000 

mortalities/year x the lifespan of an offshore platform (38 year) = 7.6 million birds potentially killed on offshore 

oil platforms over the entire Gulf of Mexico archipelago over the 38-year lifespan of the platforms. The upper 

estimate reflects the ∑ of spring + fall mortalities (all sources including collision) = 1,411 x a correction factor 

representing the fraction of all platforms sampled (3403/5 = 680.6) x a correction factor representing the fraction 

of the potential lifespan of an oil platform sampled (38/3 = 12.67). So, 1,411 x 680.6 x 12.67 = 12.2 million birds 

potentially killed on offshore oil platforms over the entire Gulf of Mexico archipelago over the 38-year lifespan of 

the platforms. Note: Russell (2005, page 304) stated, “Based on the seasons with heaviest observed collision 

mortality (spring 1998, fall 1999), an average Gulf platform may cause 50 deaths (only) by collision per year, 

suggesting that the platform archipelago may cause roughly 200,000 deaths per year. This number may be biased 

low because some birds that collide with platforms undoubtedly fall into the sea and avoid detection.” In 

addition, Russell (2005, page 304) further states “. . . is that future development of the eastern Gulf of Mexico 

may result in a disproportionately large increase in collision mortality in neotropical migrants.” The estimates in 

the table only includes data from offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and does not consider additional 

annual avian mortality associated with platforms in the Federal waters of California or Alaska. Therefore, it is 

likely a gross underestimate of total annual avian mortality associated with offshore oil and gas platforms. This 

number also does not take into account annual avian mortality associated with chronic oil pollution, operational 

discharges, routine activities, or other small spills in which no response was initiated (see Piatt et al., 1990a and 

1990b; Fraser et al., 2006; Castege et al., 2007; Wiese et al., 2001; Wiese and Robertson, 2004; Wilhelm et al., 

2007). *** No range of estimates was given in references reviewed regarding total annual avian mortality. This unknown, 

but significant mortality figure has probably declined since the Federal regulations in the U.S. and Canada 

banning the use of lead shot for hunting migratory birds.
Tables Tables-61

Table 4-8 

Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post-Deepwater Horizon Event in the Gulf of Mexicoa, b

Visibly 

Oiled

Not 

Visibly 

Oiled

Unknown 

Oiling

Oiling 

Rate

Common Name Species Group Grand Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total

Amer. Coot Marsh/Wading 3 2 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.67

Amer. Oystercatcher Shorebird 13 7 3 7 3 0 3 1 3 3 0.54

Amer. Redstart Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Amer. White Pelican Seabird 19 5 3 8 4 0 4 4 8 7 0.42

Audubon's Shearwater Seabird 36 1 1 1 35 0 35 0 2 0 0.03

Barn Owl Raptor 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Barn Swallow Passerine 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00

Belted Kingfisher Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.00

Bl.-crown. Night 

Heron Marsh/Wading 18 6 3 8 7 0 7 1 4 3 0.44

Black Skimmer Seabird 253 51 16 55 153 0 153 40 14 45 0.22

Black Tern Seabird 9 1 0 1 7 0 7 1 3 1 0.11

Bl.-bell. Whistl. Duck Waterfowl 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0.00

Black-necked Stilt Shorebird 3 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0.00

Blue-winged Teal Waterfowl 6 0 0 0 6 0 6 0 0 0 0.00

Boat-tailed Grackle Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.00

Broad-winged Hawk Raptor 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.00

Brown Pelican Seabird 826 152 227 339 248 0 248 177 149 239 0.41

Brown-headed 

Cowbird Passerine 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Bufflehead Waterfowl 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00

Canada Goose Waterfowl 4 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 0.25

Caspian Tern Seabird 17 7 3 8 4 0 4 2 6 5 0.47
Tables-62 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-8. Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post-Deepwater Horizon event in the Gulf of Mexicoa, b (continued).

Visibly 

Oiled

Not 

Visibly 

Oiled

Unknown 

Oiling

Oiling 

Rate

Common Name SpeciesGroup Grand Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total

Cattle Egret Marsh/Wading 36 4 4 7 25 0 25 3 4 4 0.19

Clapper Rail Marsh/Wading 120 27 5 29 64 0 64 20 14 27 0.24

Common Loon Diving 75 33 27 39 24 0 24 4 20 12 0.52

Common Moorhen Marsh/Wading 4 1 0 1 3 0 3 0 0 0 0.25

Common Nighthawk Passerine 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Common Tern Seabird 25 15 12 16 9 0 9 0 0 0 0.64

Common Yellowthroat Passerine 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0.00

Cooper's Hawk Raptor 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.00

Cory's Shearwater Seabird 4 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 1 1 0.00

Dbl-crest. Cormorant Diving 23 2 1 2 17 0 17 2 7 4 0.09

Eastern Kingbird Passerine 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.50

Eastern Meadowlark Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Eur. Collared-Dove Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Eur. Starling Passerine 2 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.50

Forster's Tern Seabird 40 17 8 20 12 0 12 6 7 8 0.50

Fulvous Whistl. Duck Waterfowl 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Glossy Ibis Marsh/Wading 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.50

Great Blue Heron Marsh/Wading 42 5 3 6 26 0 26 4 16 10 0.14

Great Cormorant Diving 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Great Egret Marsh/Wading 31 6 6 7 15 0 15 8 3 9 0.23

Great-horned Owl Raptor 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Greater Shearwater Seabird 89 7 4 7 55 0 55 27 4 27 0.08

Green Heron Marsh/Wading 16 2 0 2 8 0 8 1 6 6 0.13

Gull-billed Tern Seabird 4 0 0 0 2 0 2 2 4 2 0.00

Herring Gull Seabird 31 10 11 13 10 0 10 2 13 8 0.42
Tables Tables-63

Table 4-8. Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post-Deepwater Horizon event in the Gulf of Mexicoa, b (continued).

Visibly 

Oiled

Not 

Visibly 

Oiled

Unknown 

Oiling

Oiling 

Rate

Common Name SpeciesGroup Grand Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total

House Sparrow Passerine 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 0.00

Killdeer Shorebird 3 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0.00

King Rail Marsh/Wading 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Laughing Gull Seabird 2,981 1,025 355 1,182 1,390 0 1,390 304 371 409 0.40

Leach's Storm-Petrel Seabird 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.00

Least Bittern Marsh/Wading 4 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 2 0 0.00

Least Tern Seabird 106 46 7 49 43 0 43 12 3 14 0.46

Less. Bl.-backed Gull Seabird 4 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 0.25

Less. Scaup Waterfowl 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.00

Little Blue Heron Marsh/Wading 5 0 0 0 4 0 4 1 1 1 0.00

Long-bill. Dowitcher Shorebird 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Magnif. Frigatebird Seabird 8 3 3 4 2 0 2 1 2 2 0.50

Mallard Waterfowl 26 5 4 6 16 0 16 0 7 4 0.23

Manx Shearwater Seabird 6 1 0 1 5 0 5 0 0 0 0.17

Masked Booby Seabird 9 4 3 4 1 0 1 0 4 4 0.44

Mottled Duck Waterfowl 6 0 0 0 5 0 5 1 1 1 0.00

Mourning Dove Passerine 15 3 1 3 8 0 8 0 6 4 0.20

Muscovy Duck Waterfowl 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.00

Neotropic Cormorant Diving 5 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 0 3 0.00

Northern Cardinal Passerine 3 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0.00

Northern Gannet Seabird 475 225 189 297 99 0 99 30 107 79 0.63

Northern Mockingbird Passerine 5 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 2 1 0.00

Osprey Raptor 11 2 1 3 6 0 6 0 3 2 0.27

Pied-billed Grebe Diving 32 18 24 24 7 0 7 1 3 1 0.75

Piping Plover Shorebird 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00
Tables-64 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-8. Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post-Deepwater Horizon event in the Gulf of Mexicoa, b (continued).

Visibly 

Oiled

Not 

Visibly 

Oiled

Unknown 

Oiling

Oiling 

Rate

Common Name SpeciesGroup Grand Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total

Purple Gallinule Marsh/Wading 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0.00

Purple Martin Passerine 5 1 0 1 3 0 3 0 1 1 0.20

Red-breasted Merg. Waterfowl 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.50

Reddish Egret Marsh/Wading 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.50

Red-shouldered Hawk Raptor 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Red-tailed Hawk Raptor 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Red-winged Blackbird Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Ring-billed Gull Seabird 2 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.50

Rock Dove (pigeon) Passerine 16 2 2 3 4 0 4 2 10 9 0.19

Roseate Spoonbill Marsh/Wading 15 7 3 7 3 0 3 5 1 5 0.47

Royal Tern Seabird 289 116 66 149 104 0 104 19 47 36 0.52

Ruddy Duck Waterfowl 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00

Ruddy Turnstone Shorebird 13 1 3 3 8 0 8 1 5 2 0.23

Sanderling Shorebird 26 4 2 4 20 0 20 1 6 2 0.15

Sandwich Tern Seabird 70 28 20 34 25 0 25 8 14 11 0.49

Seaside Sparrow Passerine 9 4 0 4 5 0 5 0 0 0 0.44

Semipalm. Sandpiper Shorebird 3 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00

Short-bill. Dowitcher Shorebird 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Snowy Egret Marsh/Wading 22 12 9 14 6 0 6 2 3 2 0.64

Sooty Shearwater Seabird 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Sooty Tern Seabird 3 0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 0 0.33

Sora Marsh/Wading 5 2 1 2 1 0 1 2 0 2 0.40

Spotted Sandpiper Shorebird 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Surf Scoter Waterfowl 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00

Tri-colored Heron Marsh/Wading 31 9 5 11 7 0 7 11 2 13 0.35
Tables Tables-65

Table 4-8. Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post-Deepwater Horizon event in the Gulf of Mexicoa, b (continued).

Visibly 

Oiled

Not 

Visibly 

Oiled

Unknown 

Oiling

Oiling 

Rate

Common Name SpeciesGroup Grand Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total

Virginia Rail Marsh/Wading 3 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 1 0 0.00

White Ibis Marsh/Wading 7 1 1 1 4 0 4 2 3 2 0.14

White-tail. Tropicbird Seabird 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

White-wing. Dove Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Willet Shorebird 13 2 1 3 8 0 8 1 3 2 0.23

Wilson's Plover Shorebird 3 0 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 1 0.00

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Passerine 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00

Yel.-cr. Night Heron Marsh/Wading 9 1 0 1 7 0 7 0 3 1 0.11

Unid. Blackbird Passerine 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

Unid. Booby Seabird 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.00

Unid. Cormorant Diving 14 3 0 3 10 0 10 1 0 1 0.21

Unid. Dowitcher Shorebird 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0.50

Unid. Duck Waterfowl 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0.00

Unid. Egret Marsh/Wading 15 2 0 2 11 0 11 2 1 2 0.13

Unid. Flycatcher Passerine 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00

Unid. Grebe Diving 4 2 1 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0.50

Unid. Gull Seabird 248 79 1 80 134 0 134 33 4 34 0.32

Unid. Hawk Raptor 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0.00

Unid. Heron Marsh/Wading 15 5 0 5 8 0 8 1 1 2 0.33

Unid. Loon Diving 7 2 2 4 3 0 3 0 1 0 0.57

Unid. Mockingbird Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Unid. Owl Raptor 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Unid. Passerine Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Unid. Pelican Seabird 25 5 1 5 15 0 15 4 1 5 0.20

Unid. Pigeon Passerine 14 2 1 3 6 0 6 1 6 5 0.21
Tables-66 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-8. Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post-Deepwater Horizon event in the Gulf of Mexicoa, b (continued).

Visibly 

Oiled

Not 

Visibly 

Oiled

Unknown 

Oiling

Oiling 

Rate

Common Name SpeciesGroup Grand Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total Dead Alive Total

Unid. Rail Marsh/Wading 4 1 0 1 3 0 3 0 0 0 0.25

Unid. Raptor Raptor 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Unid. Sandpiper Shorebird 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0.00

Unid. Shearwater Seabird 6 0 0 0 5 0 5 1 0 1 0.00

Unid. Shorebird Shorebird 3 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.67

Unid. Skimmer Seabird 6 0 0 0 5 0 5 1 0 1 0.00

Unid. Sparrow Passerine 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 2 0.00

Unid. Swallow Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Unid. Tern Seabird 132 38 1 39 79 0 79 13 2 14 0.30

Unid. Warbler Passerine 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0.00

Unknown spp. 593 51 2 53 451 0 451 88 1 89 0.09

Other 106 31 3 34 52 0 52 7 14 20 0.32

Column Totals 7,258 2121 2,642 3,387 3,387 873 1,229 0.24
Tables Tables-67

Table 4-8. Birds collected and summarized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post-Deepwater Horizon event in the Gulf of Mexicoa, b (continued).

1 Oiling Rate: For each species, an oiling rate was calculated by dividing the “total” number of oiled individuals (∑ alive + dead) /∑ of total individuals collected for a given species/row. In 

general, it has been well documented that the number of birds collected after a spill event represents a small fraction of the total oiled population (direct mortality) due to various factors; speciesspecific differences in vulnerability to spilled oil, species-specific differences in distribution, habitat use and behavior; species-specific differences in abundance; species-specific differences in 

carcass deposition rates, persistence rates, and detection probabilities; overall search effort and temporal and spatial variation in search effort; carcass loss due to predation, habitat, weather, tides 

and currents (Piatt et al., 1990a and 1990b; Ford et al., 1996; Piatt and Ford, 1996; Fowler and Flint, 1997; Flint and Fowler, 1998; Flint et al., 1999; Hampton and Zafonte, 2005; Ford, 2006; 

Castege et al., 2007; Ford and Zafonte, 2009; Byrd et al., 2010; Flint et al., 2010). For example, Piatt and Ford (1996, Table 1) estimated a mean carcass recovery rate of only 17% for a number 

of previous oil-bird impact studies. Burger (1993) and Weise and Jones (2001) estimated recovery rates of 20% with the latter study based on a drift-block design to estimate carcass recovery 

rate from beached-bird surveys. Due to the fact that the coastline directly inshore of the well blowout location is primarily marsh and not sandy beaches, due to the distance from the blowout 

location to the coast, and due to predominant currents and wind directions during the event, the number of birds collected will likely represent a recovery estimate in the lower ranges of those 

provided in the literature to date (<10%). A range of mortality estimates given the total number of dead birds collected through May 12, 2011, of 7,258 birds x recovery rates from the literature 

(0-59% in Piatt and Ford, 1996, Table 1) suggests a lower range of 11,540 birds (59% recovery rate) and an upper range of 14,516 birds (0% recovery rate). These estimates are likely biased low 

because it assumes no search effort after May 2011 (i.e., no more birds were collected after that date) and does not account for any of the detection probability parameters which are currently 

unknown. The actual avian mortality estimate will likely not be available until the NRDA process has been completed, which should include a combination of carcass drift experiments, drift 

block experiments, corrections for carcass deposition and persistence rates, scavenger rates, and detection probability with additional modeling to more precisely derive an estimate. Note: Spill 

volume tends to be a poor predictor of bird mortality associated with an oil spill (Burger 1993), though it should be considered for inclusion in any models to estimate total bird mortality, 

preferably with some metric of species composition and abundance (preferably density) pre-spill (Wilhelm et al., 2007). 2 For additional information on oiling rates by Species Group and additional statistics, see Table 4-12. 
Tables-68 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-9

Bird Conservation Region 27 (Southeastern Coastal Plain) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 List*

(Included are 53 total avian species of which 30 (56.6%) could be considered as potentially impacted 

by offshore oil and gas development, with 21 (39.6%) representing species with a high probability 

of oiling in the event of a spill1,2,3.)

Common Name Status Breeding (B) or 

Nonbreeding (NB) General Habitat

Red-throated loon MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

Black-capped petrel MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

Audubon’s shearwater MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

American bittern MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Least bittern MBTA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Roseate spoonbill MBTA NB Coastal and freshwater marshes, riverine

Swallow-tailed kite MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes

Bald eagle ESA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes, 

riverine

American kestrel MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, riverine

Peregrine falcon ESA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes, 

riverine

Yellow rail MBTA NB Coastal marshes

Black rail MBTA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Limpkin MBTA B Freshwater marshes, riverine

Snowy plover ESA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Wilson’s plover MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

American oystercatcher MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Solitary sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Upland sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Whimbrel MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Long-billed curlew MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Marbled godwit MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Red knot ESA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Semipalmated sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Buff-breasted sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Short-billed dowitcher MBTA NB Coastal marshes, riverine, wetlands

Least tern ESA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Gull-billed tern MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins
Tables Tables-69

Table 4-9. Bird Conservation Region 27 (Southeastern Coastal Plain) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 

List* (continued).

Common Name Status Breeding (B) or 

Nonbreeding (NB) General Habitat

Sandwich tern MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Black Skimmer MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Common ground-dove MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Chuck-will’s widow MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Whip-poor will MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Red-headed woodpecker MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Loggerhead shrike MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Brown-headed nuthatch MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Bewick’s wren MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Sedge wren MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Wood thrush MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Blue-winged warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Black-throated green 

warbler

MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Prairie warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Cerulean warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Prothonotary warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Swainson’s warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Kentucky warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Bachman’s sparrow MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Henslow’s sparrow MBTA B Uplands

LeConte’s sparrow MBTA NB Uplands

Nelson’s sharp-tailed 

sparrow

MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Saltmarsh sharp-tailed 

sparrow

MBTA NB Coastal marshes, wetland margins

Seaside sparrow MBTA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Painted bunting MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Rusty black bird MBTA NB Terrestrial wooded, uplands
Tables-70 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-9. Bird Conservation Region 27 (Southeastern Coastal Plain) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 

List (continued).

Notes: ESA = Endangered Species Act of 1973. 

MBTA = Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. * Information contained in this table, other than the column “General Habitat,” was obtained from USDOI, FWS 

(2008, page 43). Additional information regarding Bird Conservation Region designations can be obtained from 

the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (2000). 1 Impacts may be direct or indirect and represent any potential negative impact to breeding, staging, or wintering 

birds onshore (i.e., beaches, barrier islands, coastal marshes, etc.) or offshore. The probability of oiling is based 

on FWS avian data from the Deepwater Horizon event, King and Sanger (1979), Williams et al. (1995), and 

Camphuysen (2006), and it is dependent on the species habitat use (e.g., seabirds, shorebirds tend to have higher 

oiling rates and probabilities compared with marsh birds), and more importantly, the temporal and spatial overlap 

of a spill given that such an event occurs and overlaps the presence (and abundance) of a given species. 2 For additional information regarding the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon event on various avian species, see 

Table 4-8. Additional information can be obtained from the FWS Deepwater Horizon response website (USDOI, 

FWS, 2010a); for specifics regarding the November 30, 2010, collection report, see USDOI, FWS (2010b). Note: 

Two additional reports were posted, but they included only an additional 65 birds, which presumably represented 

identification to species previously as “unknown” and not additional effort to actually collect birds. 3 Additional information for determining the potential for oiling is based on FWS’s websites (USDOI, FWS, 2010c 

and 2011b). Also see National Audubon Society, Inc. (2010, pages 16-19).
Tables Tables-71

Table 4-10

Bird Conservation Region 31 (Peninsular Florida) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 List*

(Included are 49 total avian species of which 30 (61.2%) could be considered as potentially impacted 

by offshore oil and gas development, with 21 (42.9%) representing species with a high probability 

of oiling in the event of a spill1,2,3.)

Common Name Status Breeding (B) or 

Nonbreeding (NB) General Habitat

Black-capped petrel MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

Audubon’s shearwater MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

Brown booby MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

Magnificent frigatebird MBTA B Open water: nearshore and offshore

American bittern MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Least bittern MBTA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Reddish egret MBTA B Coastal marshes, mangroves, riverine, wetlands

Roseate spoonbill MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Swallow-tailed kite MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes

Bald eagle ESA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes, 

riverine

Short-tailed hawk MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

American kestrel MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, riverine

Peregrine falcon ESA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes, 

riverine

Yellow rail MBTA NB Coastal marshes, riverine, wetlands

Black rail MBTA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Limpkin MBTA B Freshwater marshes, riverine

Snowy plover ESA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Wilson’s plover MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

American oystercatcher MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Solitary sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Lesser yellowlegs MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Whimbrel MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Long-billed curlew MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Marbled godwit MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Red knot ESA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Semipalmated sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Buff-breasted sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Short-billed dowitcher MBTA NB Coastal marshes, riverine, wetlands
Tables-72 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-10. Bird Conservation Region 31 (Peninsular Florida) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 List*

(continued).

Common Name Status Breeding (B) or 

Nonbreeding (NB) General Habitat

Least tern ESA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Black skimmer MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

White-crowned pigeon MBTA B Mangroves, terrestrial wooded, uplands

Common ground-dove MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Mangrove cuckoo MBTA B Mangroves, terrestrial wooded, uplands

Smooth-billed ani MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Chuck-will’s widow MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Red-headed woodpecker MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Loggerhead shrike MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Black-whiskered vireo MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, mangroves

Brown-headed nuthatch MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Yellow warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Prairie warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Prothonotary warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Bachman’s sparrow MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Grasshopper sparrow MBTA B Uplands

Henslow’s sparrow MBTA NB Uplands

Nelson’s sharp-tailed 

sparrow

MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Saltmarsh sharp-tailed 

sparrow

MBTA NB Coastal marshes, wetland margins

Seaside sparrow ESA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Painted bunting MBTA B Terrestrial wooded
Tables Tables-73

Table 4-10. Bird Conservation Region 31 (Peninsular Florida) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 List*

(continued).

Notes: ESA = Endangered Species Act of 1973.

MBTA = Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

* Information contained in this table, other than the column “General Habitat,” was obtained from USDOI, FWS 

(2008, page 47). Additional information regarding Bird Conservation Region designations can be obtained from 

the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (2000). 1 Impacts may be direct or indirect and represent any potential negative impact to breeding, staging, or wintering 

birds onshore (i.e., beaches, barrier islands, coastal marshes, etc.) or offshore. The probability of oiling is based 

on FWS avian data from the Deepwater Horizon event, King and Sanger (1979), Williams et al. (1995), and 

Camphuysen (2006), and it is dependent on the species habitat use (e.g., seabirds, shorebirds tend to have higher 

oiling rates and probabilities compared with marsh birds), and more importantly, the temporal and spatial overlap 

of a spill given that such an event occurs and overlaps the presence (and abundance) of a given species. 2 For additional information regarding the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon event on various avian species, see 

Table 4-8. Additional information can be obtained from the FWS Deepwater Horizon response website (USDOI, 

FWS, 2010a); for specifics regarding the November 30, 2010, collection report, see USDOI, FWS (2010b). Note: 

Two additional reports were posted, but they included only an additional 65 birds, which presumably represented 

identification to species previously as “unknown” and not additional effort to actually collect birds. 3 Additional information to determining potential for oiling is based on FWS’s websites (USDOI, FWS, 2010c and 

2011b). Also see National Audubon Society, Inc. (2010, pages 16-19).
Tables-74 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-11

Bird Conservation Region 37 (Gulf Coast Prairie) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 List*

(Included are 44 total avian species of which 30 (68.2%) could be considered as potentially impacted 

by offshore oil and gas development, with 20 (45.4%) representing species with a high probability

of oiling in the event of a spill1,2,3.)

Common Name Status Breeding (B) or 

Nonbreeding (NB) General Habitat

Audubon’s shearwater MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

Band-rumped storm petrel MBTA NB Open water: nearshore and offshore

American bittern MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Reddish egret MBTA B Coastal marshes, mangroves, riverine, wetlands

Swallow-tailed kite MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes

Bald eagle ESA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes, 

riverine

White-tailed hawk MBTA B Uplands

Peregrine falcon ESA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands, coastal marshes, 

riverine

Yellow rail MBTA NB Coastal marshes, riverine, wetlands

Black rail MBTA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Snowy plover ESA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Wilson’s plover MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Mountain plover ESA NB Uplands

American oystercatcher MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Solitary sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Lesser yellowlegs MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Upland sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Whimbrel MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Long-billed curlew MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Hudsonian godwit MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, beaches, dunes, 

islands

Marbled godwit MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Red knot ESA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, wetland margins

Buff-breasted sandpiper MBTA NB Beaches, dunes, islands, uplands, wetland 

margins

Short-billed dowitcher MBTA NB Coastal marshes, riverine, wetlands

Least tern ESA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins
Tables Tables-75

Table 4-11. Bird Conservation Region 37 (Gulf Coast Prairie) from Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 List*

(continued).

Common Name Status Breeding (B) or 

Nonbreeding (NB) General Habitat

Gull-billed tern MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Sandwich tern MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Black Skimmer MBTA B Beaches, dunes, islands, riverine, wetland 

margins

Short-eared owl MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, uplands

Loggerhead shrike MBTA B Terrestrial wooded, uplands

Sedge wren MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, riverine

Sprague’s pipit ESA NB Uplands

Prothonotary warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Swainson’s warbler MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Botteri’s sparrow MBTA B Uplands

Grasshopper sparrow MBTA B Uplands

Henslow’s sparrow MBTA NB Uplands

LeConte’s sparrow MBTA NB Uplands

Nelson’s sharp-tailed 

sparrow

MBTA NB Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Seaside sparrow ESA B Coastal/freshwater marshes, wetland margins

Painted bunting MBTA B Terrestrial wooded

Dicksissel MBTA B Uplands

Notes: ESA = Endangered Species Act of 1973.

MBTA = Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

* Information contained in this table, other than the column “General Habitat,” was obtained from USDOI, FWS 

(2008, page 47). Additional information regarding Bird Conservation Region designations can be obtained from 

the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (2000). 1 Impacts may be direct or indirect and represent any potential negative impact to breeding, staging, or wintering 

birds onshore (i.e., beaches, barrier islands, coastal marshes, etc.) or offshore. The probability of oiling is based 

on FWS avian data from the Deepwater Horizon event, King and Sanger (1979), Williams et al. (1995), and 

Camphuysen (2006), and it is dependent on the species habitat use (e.g., seabirds, shorebirds tend to have higher 

oiling rates and probabilities compared with marsh birds), and more importantly, the temporal and spatial overlap 

of a spill given that such an event occurs and overlaps the presence (and abundance) of a given species. 2 For additional information regarding the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon event on various avian species, see 

Table 4-8. Additional information can be obtained from the FWS Deepwater Horizon response website (USDOI, 

FWS, 2010a); for specifics regarding the November 30, 2010, collection report, see USDOI, FWS (2010b). Note: 

Two additional reports were posted, but they included only an additional 65 birds, which presumably represented 

identification to species previously as “unknown” and not additional effort to actually collect birds. 3 Additional information to determining potential for oiling based on FWS’s websites (USDOI, FWS, 2010c and 

2011b). Also see National Audubon Society, Inc. (2010, pages 16-19).
Tables-76 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-12

Relative Oiling Ranks for Various Avian Species Groups Collected Post-Deepwater Horizon Event 

in the Gulf of Mexicoa

Species Group Number 

Representative Spp.1

Number 

Collected Number Oiled Oiling Rate 

(% ± SE)2 Oiling Rank3 

Diving* 5 136 65 0.27 + 0.15 3

Seabirds* 26 5,309 2,192 0.34 + 0.05 1

Shorebirds* 12 81 20 0.18 + 0.09 6

Passerines* 21 73 16 0.19 + 0.07 5

Marsh/Wading* 21 378 100 0.26 + 0.05 4

Waterfowl* 12 52 11 0.33 + 0.12 2

Raptors* 7 17 3 0.04 + 0.04 7 a Data obtained from the Fish and Wildlife Service (USDOI, FWS, 2011a) as summarized table dated May 12, 2011. The data 

used in this table are verified as per the FWS QA/QC processes. Disclaimer: All data should be considered provisional, 

incomplete, and subject to change. For more information see the following link to the FWS Weekly Bird Impact Data and 

Consolidated Wildlife Reports at http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/Bird%20Data%20Species%20

Spreadsheet%2005122011.pdf. Numbers in this table have been verified against the original data from the website. * Species Group: As defined in text in the Multisale EIS. As of May 12, 2011, 7,258 individuals of 104 species had been 

collected and identified by FWS. Six new species were added and 3 species were dropped since the December 14th

Collection Report. Note: The Top 5 most-impacted species are all representatives of the Seabird group, with an oiling rate 

(0.43) above the combined average of all species including “unknowns” and “other” (0.24). Of the total number of birds 

collected, only a fraction were oiled (n = 2,642, 36%) compared with unoiled (n = 3,387, 47%) and unknown (n = 1,229, 

17%). 1 Represents the actual number of birds identified to the species level for each of the Species Groups; reflects sample size for 

determining mean Oiling Rate. This number should be fairly representative of the suite of species available to be oiled. 

However, this number is dependent on efforts to correctly assign species to unidentified birds or unknowns, which is also a 

function of search effort. Search effort has likely declined dramatically since the Deepwater Horizon was plugged/capped. 2 Oiling Rate: For each species an oiling rate was calculated by dividing the “total” number of oiled individuals (∑ alive + 

dead) /∑ of individuals collected for a given species within a row. These rates were then used to calculate summary 

statistics (mean + SE). Note: Standard errors for Top 3 Species Groups Rank all overlap. In general, it has been well 

documented that the number of birds collected after a spill event represents an unknown fraction of the total oiled population 

(direct mortality) due to various factors; species-specific differences in vulnerability to spilled oil, species-specific 

differences in distribution, habitat use and behavior; species-specific differences in abundance; species-specific differences 

in carcass deposition rates, persistence rates, and detection probabilities; overall search effort and temporal and spatial 

variation in search effort; carcass loss due to predation, habitat, weather, tides and currents (Piatt et al. 1990a and 1990b; 

Ford et al., 1996; Piatt and Ford 1996; Fowler and Flint 1997; Flint and Fowler 1998; Flint et al. 1999; Castege et al., 2007; 

Byrd et al,. 2010; Flint et al., 2010). For example, Piatt et al. (1996a, Table 1) estimated a mean carcass recovery rate of 

only 17% for a number of previous oil-bird impact studies. Burger (1993) and Weise and Jones (2001) estimated recovery 

rates of 20% with the latter study based on a drift-block design to estimate carcass recovery rate from beached-bird surveys. 

Note: Spill volume tends to be a poor predictor of bird mortality associated with an oil spill (Burger, 1993), though it should 

be considered for inclusion in any models to estimate total bird mortality, preferably with some metric of species 

composition and abundance (preferably density) pre-spill (Wilhelm et al., 2007). For this table, the value obtained for 

passerines and raptors is almost certainly biased high due to the small sample sizes (several cases where only 1-2 

birds/species) for individual species and due to influence of high estimates for oiling (100%). For the other Species Groups, 

e.g., shorebirds, the value obtained is likely biased low due the larger number of species with several instances where only 

1 bird was collected and it did not meet the criteria to be designated as oiled. There was a significant difference (F = 18.42, 

df = 1, 12; P = 0.001) in oiling rates among Species Groups. 3 Oiling Rank: Reflects the relative rank of a given Species Group as a function of the mean Oiling Rate. As expected, 

seabirds, waterfowl, and diving birds had the highest oiling rate of any of the Species Groups (see King and Sanger, 1979; 

Wiens et al., 1984; Piatt et al., 1990a and 1990b; Williams et al., 1995) due to their reliance on nearshore and offshore 

habitat (i.e., the water surface and column) for foraging and as a substrate for resting, preening, and other maintenance 

behaviors.
Tables Tables-77

Table 4-13

Demography and Recovery Potential for the 10 Most Commonly Collected Avian Species Post-Deepwater Horizona, b

Species Age at 1st

Breeding

Incubation 

(days) Clutch Nest Success (%)

Hatching 

Success (%)

Fledging Success 

(%)

1st-Year 

So (%)

Immature

So (%)

Adult

So (%)

Recovery 

Potential

LAGU 3 years 24 (22-27) 2.5 (2-4) No data 71.0 (4-82) 41.0 (0-58) No data No data No data 3

BRPE 3-5 years 32 (29-35) 2.95 (2-4) 64.0 (33-100) 67.5 (40-94) No data 30 No data No data 6

NOGA 4-6 years 44 (42-46) 1 No data 79.0 (38-89) 90.0 (72-96) 42 >89 >91 10

ROYT 4-6 years 31 (28-35) 1 (1-3) No data No data No data 86 94-95 >95 5

BLSK 2-4 years 24 (21-25) 4 (1-5) 48.0 (0-98) 54.0 (0-85) No data No data No data No data 2

CLRA ≥1 year 21 (18-28) 7 (2-16) 87.1 (42-94) No data 43-62 No data No data 49-67 1

LETE 2-3 years 21 (19-25) 3 (1-4) 63.5 (3-99) 49.5 (3-98) 33.0 (12-68) No data 80-82 73-95 7

GRSH >7 51 (47-66) 1 (1-2) No data 56.0 93.0 10-35 >33 >90 9

COLO 6 (4-11 years) 28 (26-29) 2 (1-2) 60.0 (33-73) No data No data 70 (19-96) 80 (38-97) 91 (64-98) 8

SATE 4 (3-5 years) 24 (21-29) 1.41 (1-2) No data 78.1 (0-100) 64.3 (6-73) 55 (39-56) 75-84 70.5 (60-83) 4

BLSK – black skimmer = 253 collected, 22% oiling rate.

BRPE – brown pelican = 826 collected, 41% oiling rate.

CLRA – clapper rail = 120 collected, 24% oiling rate.

COLO – common loon = 75 collected, 52% oiling rate.

GRSH – Greater Shearwater = 89 collected, 8% oiling rate.

LAGU – laughing gull = 2981 collected, 40% oiling rate.

LETE – least tern = 106 collected, 46% oiling rate.

NOGA – northern gannet = 475 collected, 63% oiling rate.

ROYT – royal tern = 289 collected, 52% oiling rate.

SATE – sandwich tern = 70 collected, 49% oiling rate.

a Data obtained from the Fish and Wildlife Service (USDOI, FWS, 2011a) as part of the Deepwater Horizon post-spill monitoring and collection process summarized for May 12, 2011. The data 

used in this table are verified as per the FWS QA/QC processes. Disclaimer: All data should be considered provisional, incomplete, and subject to change. For more information see the 

following link to the FWS Weekly Bird Impact Data and Consolidated Wildlife Reports. Numbers in this table have been verified against the original data from the website. Data are available at 

http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/Bird%20Data%20Species%20Spreadsheet%2005122011.pdf. As of May 12, 2011, 104 avian species had been collected and 

identified to species through the Deepwater Horizon post-spill monitoring and collection process. Note: Though the process was triggered by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, not all birds 

recovered were oiled (36% = oiled, 47% = unoiled, 17% = unknown), suggesting that “search effort” alone accounted for a large proportion of the total (n = 8066) birds collected. Some of the 

live birds collected may have been incapable of flight due to age or molt, and a large proportion of the dead birds (33.2% = dead-oiled, 53.1%= dead-unoiled, 13.7% = unknown oiling) collected 

may have died due to causes other than oiling. All species in the table are known breeders in the Gulf of Mexico except the northern gannet and common loon. b The number of birds collected (USDOI, FWS, 2011a) represents a complex interaction of factors including timing, amount, type, and spatial location of an oil spill and its trajectory based on 

winds and currents. In addition, the abundance, distribution, life-history stage, and behavior for a given species will influence its vulnerability to oiling. Also, search effort will largely determine 

the number of birds collected, and regardless of the spatial and temporal characteristics of search effort, the number of birds actually collected represents an unknown fraction (recovery rate) of 

total mortality. Recovery rate is a function of oiling rate, carcass deposition rate, persistence rate, scavenging rate, and detection probability (varies by species, body size, habitat type, etc.). Not 

all age and sex classes may be equally available or vulnerable to oiling, and population-level impacts of oiling within a species will depend on the age and sex composition of the birds killed. 

For example, the loss of 2,981 first-year or immature laughing gulls will not impact the population until that cohort reaches breeding age. That is, there will be delayed effect at the population

level. Alternatively, if 2,981 adult laughing gulls were killed with a disproportionate loss of breeding-age females, the impact at the population level is almost immediate. Not only will the 

current nest, its eggs or hatchlings be lost, but also any future reproductive potential to that female. The impact at the population level will continue for ~3-5 years (depending on the species and 

its age-sex composition) for every breeding-age female lost unless recruitment of females into the population is greater than or equal to the number of breeding-age females lost in that year.

So (%) = percent survival
Tables-78 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-14

Federally Listed Avian Species Considered by State and Associated Planning Area in the Gulf of Mexico1

Species Status Critical Habitat States Planning Area Deepwater Horizon2

Red-cockaded woodpecker Endangered No rules published AL, FL, LA, MS, TX WPA, CPA, EPA None collected

Least tern Endangered No rules published AL, LA, TX (FL, MS) WPA, CPA, EPA 106, 49, 46%**

Piping plover Threatened Designated AL, FL, LA, MS, TX WPA, CPA, EPA 1 collected, unoiled

Roseate tern Endangered No rules published FL only EPA None collected

Wood stork Endangered No rules published AL, FL, MS CPA, EPA None collected

Whooping crane Endangered Designated TX, LA*, FL* WPA, CPA, EPA None collected

Mississippi sandhill crane Endangered Designated MS only CPA None collected

Attwater’s prairie chicken Endangered No rules published TX only WPA None collected

N. Aplomado falcon Endangered No rules published TX only WPA None collected

Mountain plover Threatened N/A; proposed threatened TX only WPA None collected

Everglades snail kite Endangered Designated FL only EPA None collected

Cape Sable seaside sparrow Endangered Designated FL only EPA None collected

Sprague’s pipit Candidate N/A – Priority 2 LA, TX WPA, CPA None collected

Bald eagle Delisted No rules published AL, FL, LA, MS, TX WPA, CPA, EPA None collected

Peregrine falcon Delisted Designated AL, FL, LA, MS, TX WPA, CPA, EPA None collected

Eastern brown pelican Delisted No rules published AL, FL, LA, MS, TX WPA, CPA, EPA 826, 339, 41%

Red knot Candidate N/A – Priority 3 FL, LA, TX WPA, CPA, EPA None collected 1 Information contained in this table obtained via email attachment from FWS on February 16, 2011 (USDOI, FWS, 2011b) and from FWS’s endangered species website and associated queries for 

“species” available at (USDOI, FWS, 2011c). Additional information for each species can be found at NatureServe Explorer (2011). Note: All species listed in this table are considered, but 

only the least tern, piping plover, whooping crane, brown pelican, and bald eagle will be analyzed. Unless otherwise indicated, if a given species is federally listed, it would be considered a State 

species of conservation concern in which it occurs. 2 Data were obtained from FWS as part of the Deepwater Horizon post-spill monitoring and collection process summarized for December 14, 2010. The data used in this table are verified as per 

the FWS QA/QC processes. Disclaimer: All data should be considered provisional, incomplete, and subject to change. For more information, see the Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Weekly Bird 

Impact Data and Consolidated Wildlife Reports” (USDOI, FWS, 2010c). Numbers in this table have been verified against the original data from the website. Numbers in the text refer to the 

following in order: number collected; number oiled; and oiling rate, respectively (see also Tables 4-8 and 4-12).

* The whooping crane is considered endangered throughout its range in the U.S. except where nonessential, experimental flocks have been established. The Gulf Coast States that have these 

nonessential, experimental flocks include Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida (see pages 4-264 and 4-781); as well wild whooping cranes may rarely occur as transients in Mississippi 

and Alabama, but they are not known to breed in either state.

** Due to the timing of the oil spill and timing of collections for this species, it is highly probable that all individuals collected were from the non-federally listed subpopulation of least terns 

breeding in the Gulf of Mexico and not the federally listed Interior Population of least terns.
Tables Tables-79

Table 4-15

Comparison of Oil Spills by Type, Location, Year, and Volume (in U.S. gallons) 

and Their Relative Impacts to Birds based on Surveys and Modelinga

Incident Type Location Year Volumeb,c Bird Surveysd Estimated Mortalitye

Ixtoc Blowout Mexico 1979 145.6 million >3,000 No research or models*

Exxon Valdez Tanker Alaska, USA 1989 10.8 million >30,000 100,000-645,000

Sea Empress Tanker Wales, UK 1996 22.1 million >4,500 No research or models

M/V Citrus Tanker Alaska, USA 1996 Unknown >1,000 1,930

Erika Tanker France 1999 6.1 million >74,000 80,000-150,000

Prestige Tanker Spain 2002 19.2 million >9,000 115,000-300,000

Terra Nova Rig Newfoundland, CAN 2004 42,000 No survey 3,593-16,122

M/V Selendang Ayu Tanker Alaska, USA 2004 354,218 1,603 Pending**

Black Sea Tanker Kerch Strait, RUS 2007 1.47 million >30,000 No research or models

Deepwater Horizon Blowout Louisiana, USA 2010 210 million ~7,250 Pending**

a Since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March 1989, but including the Ixtoc I blowout in the Bay of Campeche, Mexico in 1979 (Jernelöv, 2010). See 

Tables 1-5 in Helm et al. (2008) for additional information. Includes oil spills associated with tankers, barges, wells, rigs-platforms, and blowouts 

in which bird mortality data are available. This list of spills is not exhaustive but reflects a representative cross-section of oil-spill events across the 

world over the last ≥20 years. For a more comprehensive review of oil spills, locations, spill volumes, and bird mortality, see Burger (1993, 

Table 1), Castege et al. (2007, Table 2), Helm et al. (2008, Tables 1-6), and Tan et al. (2010, Table 1). b Volume estimates are in gallons.

c Volume estimates were, in some cases, converted from figures cited in a specific reference using the conversion of metric tons to gallons of 

7.3 bbl/ton and 42 gallons/bbl (Wilhelm et al., 2007, page 540). In other cases, the figures were pulled from the tables in Helm et al. (2008). Note: 

Spill volume tends to be a poor predictor of bird mortality associated with an oil spill (Burger, 1993), although it should be considered for inclusion 

in any models to estimate total bird mortality, preferably with some metric of species composition and abundance (preferably density) pre-spill 

(Wilhelm et al., 2007). d Figures cited in specific references usually as a part of the damage assessment process, including beached-bird surveys, boat- or ship-based surveys, 

or aerial surveys to collect dead or oiled birds. It has been well documented that, in most cases, survey efforts to collect bird carcasses represent a 

small fraction of the total mortality for a given oil-spill event. That is, the recovery rate of oiled carcasses is biased low; Burger (1993) and Wiese 

and Jones (2001) using different methodologies arrived at recovery rate estimates of only 20%. Piatt and Ford (1996) derived a recovery mean rate 

estimate of only 17% (range 0.0%-59.0%) based on 17 different studies spanning 21 years (1970-1991). e Final estimated mortality typically includes results from drift and carcass experiments plus modeling efforts to account for birds oiled, but 

“unavailable” to be detected; that is, a correction for detection and scavenging bias, deposition and persistence rates, and the effects of wind, 

currents, weather, topography, and habitat. See Flint and Fowler (1998), Flint et al. (1999), Castège et al. (2007), Wilhelm et al. (2007), Byrd et al. 

(2009), and other references herein for additional information regarding biases associated with mortality estimates from carcass surveys only. * Literature searches on the Internet revealed only 2 avian-related references as a result of the Ixtoc I oil spill — Chapman (1981) and Chapman 

(1984). ** Pending results of the NRDA process and litigation regarding damage claims against litigants; see also Helm et al. (2006 and 2008).
Tables-80 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-16

Managed Species in the Gulf of Mexico

Red Drum Fishery Reef Fish Fishery (continued)

red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps)

anchor tilefish (Caulolatilus intermedius)

Reef Fish Fishery tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps)

blackfin snapper (Lutjanus buccanella)

cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus)

dog snapper (Lutjanus jocu)

gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) dwarf sand perch (Diplectrum bivittatum)

lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) sand perch (Diplectrum formosum)

mahogany snapper (Lutjanus mahogoni)

mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishes

schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

queen snapper (Etelis oculatus) cero (Scomberomorus regalis)

red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

silk snapper (Lutjanus vivanus) dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus)

vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)

yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) little tunny (Euthynnus alleteratus)

wenchman (Pristipomoides aquilonaris) Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)

black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) Corals

gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) Class Hydrozoa (stinging and hydrocorals)

misty grouper (Epinephelus mystacinus) Class Anthozoa (sea fans, whips, precious coral, sea 

pen, stony corals)

Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus)

red grouper (Epinephelus morio) Invertebrate Fishery

red hind (Epinephelus guttatus) brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus)

rock hind (Epinephelus adscensionis) pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum)

scamp (Mycteroperca phenax) royal red shrimp (Pleoticus robustus)

speckled hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi) spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus)

snowy grouper (Epinephelus niveatus) slipper lobsters (Scyllarides nodife)

yellowedge grouper (Epinephelus flavolimbatus) stone crab (Menippe spp.)

yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus)

yellowmouth grouper (Mycteroperca interstitialis)

Highly Migratory Species

greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) albacore (Thunnus alalunga)

lesser amberjack (Seriola fasciata) Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) Atlantic bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)

banded rudderfish (Seriola zonata) Atlantic yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)

skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis)

gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus)

swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

goldface tilefish (Caulolatilus chrysops)

blackline tilefish (Caulolatilus cyanops)
Tables Tables-81

Table 4-16. Managed Species in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Highly Migratory Species (continued) Highly Migratory Species (continued)

blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) sand tiger shark (Odontaspis taurus)

sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) whale shark (Rhinocodon typus)

white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumerili)

longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo)

Atlantic sharpnose (Rhinocodon terraenovae)

basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus)

great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhinocodon porosus)

scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon)

smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) smalltail shark (Carcharhinus porosus)

white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) bigeye sixgill shark (Hexanchus vitulus)

nurse chark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo)

bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus) sixgill shark (Heptranchias griseus)

blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus)

bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) blue shark (Prionace glauca)

dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus) oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanu)

Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus)

lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus)

narrowtooth shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus)

night shark (Carcharhinus signatus) Other Species of Importance

sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) striped mullet (Mugil cephalus)

silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) white mullet (Mugil curema)

spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus)

tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri) blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

bigeye sand shark (Odontaspis noronhai) oyster (Cassostrea virginica)

Sources: GMFMC, 2004; USDOC, NMFS, 2010.

Table 4-17

Economic Significance of Commercial Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico

State Landings Revenue Sales Impacts Job Impacts CFQ

Alabama 40,530 391,300 8,759 0.44

Florida 116,091 12,988,379 64,744 0.97

Louisiana 284,425 1,691,033 29,185 2.19

Mississippi 37,998 289,241 6,392 1.96

Texas 150,232 1,682,135 18,874 0.27

Total 629,276 17,042,088 127,954 --

Note: Landings revenue and sales impacts are presented in thousands of dollars.

CFQ = commercial fishing quotient

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011a.
Tables-82 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-18

Top Species Landed by Recreational Fishermen 

Panel A: Total Landings Panel B: Landings in Bays

Species 2007 2008 2009 2010 Species 2007 2008 2009 2010

Atlantic Croaker 95 64 117 124 Atlantic Croaker 95 64 117 124

Black Drum 66 82 98 165 Black Drum 65 80 97 164

King Mackerel 11 8 16 6 King Mackerel -- -- -- --

Red Drum 289 267 285 264 Red Drum 286 262 277 261

Red Snapper 45 39 31 33 Red Snapper -- -- -- --

Sand Seatrout 95 152 111 127 Sand Seatrout 89 137 108 126

Sheepshead 46 46 34 49 Sheepshead 46 46 34 49

Southern Flounder 49 64 47 30 Southern Flounder 49 64 47 30

Spotted Seatrout 916 920 810 732 Spotted Seatrout 892 895 789 721

Panel C: Landings in State Waters Panel D: Landings in EEZ

Species 2007 2008 2009 2010 Species 2007 2008 2009 2010

Atlantic Croaker -- -- -- -- Atlantic Croaker -- -- -- --

Black Drum 1 2 1 -- Black Drum -- -- -- 1

King Mackerel 3 5 7 5 King Mackerel 8 4 9 1

Red Drum 3 4 8 -- Red Drum 0 0 1 3

Red Snapper 18 28 13 12 Red Snapper 27 13 19 21

Sand Seatrout 6 13 2 1 Sand Seatrout -- 1 1 1

Sheepshead -- -- -- -- Sheepshead -- -- -- --

Southern Flounder -- -- -- -- Southern Flounder -- -- -- --

Spotted Seatrout 23 18 14 -- Spotted Seatrout 1 5 8 10

Notes: Fish landings are measured in thousands of fish.

 EEZ = Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2011.

Table 4-19

Number of Angler Trips in 2010

Area Private Charter Total

Bay 823,517 117,220 940,737

Texas (Territorial) State Waters 26,087 4,239 30,326

Exclusive Economic Zone 14,873 1,602 16,475

Total 864,476 123,061 987,537

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2011.
Tables Tables-83

Table 4-20

Number of Angler Trips in 2009 and 2010

2009

Season A Season B

Area Private Charter Total Area Private Charter Total

Bay 291,400 33,256 324,655 Bay 573,978 82,242 656,220

TTS 3,804 431 4,235 TTS 29,060 2,394 31,454

EEZ 252 0 252 EEZ 20,874 3,336 24,211

Total 295,456 33,687 329,143 Total 623,912 87,972 711,885

2010

Season A Season B

Area Private Charter Total Area Private Charter Total

Bay 255,995 23,570 279,565 Bay 567,522 93,650 661,171

TTS 3,250 2,187 5,437 TTS 22,837 2,052 24,888

EEZ 744 0 744 EEZ 14,129 1,602 15,731

Total 259,989 25,758 285,747 Total 604,487 97,303 701,791

Notes: Season A is November 21 through May 14. Season B is May 15 through November 20.

EEZ = Exclusive Economic Zone.

TTS = Texas (Territorial) State Waters. 

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2011.

Table 4-21

Economic Impact of Recreational Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico in 2009

State Expenditures Sales Value Added Employment

Alabama 501,594 474,746 245,437 4,924

West Florida 4,837,871 4,369,022 2,385,738 42,314

Mississippi 446,760 417,080 162,099 3,188

Louisiana 2,080,443 1,774,692 894,123 19,688

Texas 2,244,579 2,846,858 1,434,733 22,127

Total 10,111,247 9,882,398 5,122,130 92,241

Note: Expenditure, sales, and value-added are presented in thousands of dollars.

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011a.
Tables-84 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-22

Top Species Landed by Recreational Fisherman in Texas – Seasonal

Panel A: Total Landings Panel B: Landings in Bays

2009 2010 2009 2010

Species Season A Season B Season A Season B Species Season A Season B Season A Season B

Atlantic Croaker 12 105 8 117 Atlantic Croaker 12 105 8 117

Black Drum 38 59 36 128 Black Drum 38 59 36 127

King Mackerel -- 16 -- 6 King Mackerel -- -- -- --

Red Drum 93 193 58 206 Red Drum 89 188 58 203

Red Snapper 2 30 11 22 Red Snapper -- -- -- --

Sand Seatrout 21 90 16 112 Sand Seatrout 21 87 16 110

Sheepshead 26 8 40 10 Sheepshead 26 8 40 10

Southern Flounder 12 36 -- 25 Southern Flounder 12 36 -- 25

Spotted Seatrout 179 631 124 607 Spotted Seatrout 179 610 124 597

Panel C: Landings in State Waters Panel D: Landings in EEZ

2009 2010 2009 2010

Species Season A Season B Season A Season B Species Season A Season B Season A Season B

Atlantic Croaker -- 0 -- -- Atlantic Croaker -- -- -- --

Black Drum -- 0 -- 1 Black Drum -- -- -- --

King Mackerel -- 7 -- 1 King Mackerel -- 9 -- 5

Red Drum 4 4 -- 3 Red Drum -- 1 -- --

Red Snapper 2 11 10 11 Red Snapper -- 19 1 11

Sand Seatrout -- 2 -- 1 Sand Seatrout -- 1 -- 1

Sheepshead -- 0 -- -- Sheepshead -- -- -- --

Southern Flounder -- 0 -- -- Southern Flounder -- -- -- --

Spotted Seatrout -- 13 -- 10 Spotted Seatrout -- 8 -- --

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2011

1) Fish landings are measured in thousands of fish.

2) Season A is November 21 through May 14. Season B is May 15 through November 20.
Tables Tables-85

Table 4-23

Employment in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry in Selected Geographic Regions

Region 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Panel A — Economic Impact Area

TX-1 45,553 46,979 48,490 49,165 50,446 53,281 54,654 54,551 53,691

TX-2 14,055 14,113 14,241 14,728 14,670 16,153 16,564 16,883 16,702

TX-3 195,214 203,090 207,245 214,025 219,203 231,840 241,110 240,231 240,366

LA-1 13,682 14,065 14,300 14,725 15,339 14,747 14,563 14,295 14,246

LA-2 17,653 17,451 18,560 19,817 20,787 21,072 21,517 21,364 20,588

LA-3 37,902 38,048 40,752 42,229 43,483 44,533 44,810 46,037 44,157

LA-4 80,990 80,677 81,243 85,093 47,641 64,812 68,531 68,605 67,438

MS-1 31,485 32,752 33,714 33,297 18,024 29,191 29,680 27,702 26,938

AL-1 23,785 23,937 24,488 24,464 25,481 26,463 26,850 26,516 26,034

FL-1 34,829 36,139 36,520 39,956 41,133 41,887 41,688 40,001 41,003

FL-2 17,934 19,733 18,860 21,588 21,861 22,478 22,913 22,502 21,699

FL-3 123,248 130,250 132,256 137,302 145,005 145,894 149,448 146,368 142,393

FL-4 238,090 251,658 256,472 268,487 274,635 280,874 283,748 283,359 280,380

TX EIA Total 254,822 264,182 269,976 277,918 284,319 301,274 312,328 311,665 310,759

LA EIA Total 150,227 150,241 154,855 161,864 127,250 145,164 149,421 150,301 146,429

MS EIA Total 31,485 32,752 33,714 33,297 18,024 29,191 29,680 27,702 26,938

AL EIA Total 23,785 23,937 24,488 24,464 25,481 26,463 26,850 26,516 26,034

FL EIA Total 414,101 437,780 444,108 467,333 482,634 491,133 497,797 492,230 485,475

EIA Total 874,420 908,892 927,141 964,876 937,708 993,225 1,016,076 1,008,414 995,635

Panel B — Coastal

TX 57,637 59,250 60,873 61,983 63,069 67,625 68,195 67,388 68,025

LA 88,235 87,640 88,431 92,703 56,242 73,405 77,567 77,580 75,958

MS 30,052 31,295 32,172 31,625 16,152 26,926 27,444 25,575 25,080

AL 21,231 21,690 22,249 22,250 23,099 24,186 24,437 24,319 23,990

FL 377,323 399,122 404,048 423,855 437,761 445,948 450,414 445,164 441,068

Coastal Total 574,478 598,997 607,773 632,416 596,323 638,090 648,057 640,026 634,121

Panel C — Statewide

TX 818,164 840,506 854,733 877,284 900,646 943,581 982,437 995,445 982,122

LA 191,394 192,342 198,195 206,298 171,674 189,822 194,614 194,905 189,527

MS 116,714 120,243 121,528 122,557 110,430 123,402 125,192 121,033 115,924

AL 148,989 149,172 154,287 158,390 163,390 168,558 171,697 168,413 166,237

FL 772,721 808,429 817,571 866,269 893,043 912,409 932,012 922,534 896,923

State Total 2,047,982 2,110,692 2,146,314 2,230,798 2,239,183 2,337,772 2,405,952 2,402,330 2,350,733

Notes:

(1) Economic Impact Areas (EIA’s) are defined in Figure 4-20. 

(2) The “Coastal” category refers to the counties within the EIA’s that are directly along the coast of the U.S.

(3) The “Statewide” category refers to the number of employees within the borders of the entire state.

(4) The leisure/hospitality industry is defined according to the North American Industrial Classification System.

(5) The employment figure for any given year corresponds to the total number of employees in December of that year.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010.
Tables-86 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-24

Total Wages Earned by Employees in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry in Selected Geographic Regions

Region 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Panel A — Economic Impact Area 

TX-1 516,185 544,244 566,896 586,252 627,083 685,028 739,142 746,670 766,750

TX-2 148,743 155,321 158,437 168,256 175,260 190,740 209,082 221,889 237,274

TX-3 3,018,006 3,184,819 3,269,332 3,482,253 3,711,467 4,067,402 4,341,536 4,559,854 4,635,997

LA-1 179,049 190,839 196,760 207,015 252,162 250,432 251,148 257,990 263,543

LA-2 176,741 186,845 195,892 219,352 243,347 280,120 295,347 308,107 314,147

LA-3 446,102 452,046 487,564 498,022 543,970 597,138 633,241 654,806 667,398

LA-4 1,318,417 1,378,771 1,429,488 1,493,019 1,409,983 1,246,477 1,505,206 1,633,224 1,595,567

MS-1 591,065 591,974 608,043 618,987 617,535 453,168 621,439 616,442 560,510

AL-1 281,331 287,381 300,006 305,922 321,934 347,512 371,712 388,644 390,968

FL-1 470,616 508,316 528,008 599,949 655,141 721,483 761,247 738,910 743,731

FL-2 182,944 209,213 210,758 232,143 249,152 270,339 294,144 293,528 291,417

FL-3 1,849,168 1,956,066 2,046,441 2,224,235 2,418,168 2,576,029 2,752,991 2,906,630 2,795,652

FL-4 4,219,638 4,391,881 4,669,982 5,131,115 5,650,225 5,981,862 6,304,312 6,493,402 6,344,752

TX EIA Total 3,682,934 3,884,384 3,994,665 4,236,761 4,513,810 4,943,170 5,289,760 5,528,413 5,640,021

LA EIA Total 2,120,309 2,208,501 2,309,704 2,417,408 2,449,462 2,374,167 2,684,942 2,854,127 2,840,655

MS EIA Total 591,065 591,974 608,043 618,987 617,535 453,168 621,439 616,442 560,510

AL EIA Total 281,331 287,381 300,006 305,922 321,934 347,512 371,712 388,644 390,968

FL EIA Total 6,722,366 7,065,476 7,455,189 8,187,442 8,972,686 9,549,713 10,112,694 10,432,470 10,175,552

EIA Total 13,398,005 14,037,716 14,667,607 15,766,520 16,875,427 17,667,730 19,080,547 19,820,096 19,607,706

Panel B — Coastal

TX 706,679 737,035 761,880 790,346 834,820 927,109 986,605 994,817 1,027,931

LA 1,401,025 1,459,632 1,512,219 1,578,886 1,503,750 1,359,770 1,631,966 1,764,631 1,734,276

MS 579,122 579,914 595,776 605,542 602,391 433,995 600,226 594,626 539,240

AL 259,024 265,870 279,872 284,844 299,662 324,127 347,209 363,802 367,039

FL 6,309,393 6,624,756 6,991,895 7,687,112 8,410,661 8,955,648 9,456,949 9,762,721 9,522,041

Coastal Total 9,255,243 9,667,207 10,141,642 10,946,730 11,651,284 12,000,649 13,022,955 13,480,597 13,190,527

Panel C — Statewide

TS 12,226,217 12,630,640 12,936,441 13,601,748 14,407,978 15,653,469 16,677,752 17,490,862 17,674,963

LA 2,674,740 2,762,055 2,886,189 3,028,338 3,069,485 3,013,979 3,336,193 3,530,708 3,511,171

MS 1,714,340 1,746,899 1,778,922 1,840,583 1,872,402 1,789,900 1,990,974 2,024,034 1,915,700

AL 1,682,365 1,730,048 1,800,093 1,882,015 1,998,089 2,124,157 2,244,583 2,344,058 2,345,332

FL 13,388,764 13,677,833 14,336,358 15,686,585 17,089,645 18,132,360 19,354,496 19,990,305 19,103,860

State Total 31,686,426 32,547,475 33,738,003 36,039,269 38,437,599 40,713,865 43,603,998 45,379,967 44,551,026

Notes:

(1) Economic Impact Areas (EIA’s) are defined in Figure 4-20. 

(2) The “Coastal” category refers to the counties within the EIA’s that are directly along the coast of the U.S.

(3) The “Statewide” category refers to the number of employees within the borders of the entire state.

(4) The leisure/hospitality industry is defined according to the North American Industrial Classification System.

(5) Wages are presented in thousands of dollars.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010.
Tables Tables-87

Table 4-25

Total Tourism Spending in Gulf Coast States

State 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Texas 36,753 35,106 34,238 34,589 37,065 40,790 44,707 44,428 50,874 47,220

Louisiana 9,227 9,266 9,262 9,418 9,964 8,248 6,718 9,021 9,642 8,942

Mississippi 5,282 5,227 5,345 5,489 5,755 5,939 5,633 6,060 6,329 5,897

Alabama 5,487 5,423 5,368 5,627 6,051 6,639 6,998 7,405 7,723 7,205

Florida 60,296 56,166 54,544 56,265 61,118 64,544 66,165 68,870 70,521 64,027

Note: Data are presented in millions of dollars.

Source: U.S. Travel Association, 2011.

Table 4-26

Coastal Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Estimates in 2004

State Employees Payroll Establishments

Texas 13,712 $366,374 1,626

Louisiana 4,362 $158,357 544

Mississippi 12,188 $192,864 148

Alabama 1,078 $35,407 212

Florida 31,166 $721,440 2,398

Gulf Total 62,506 $1,474,442 4,928

Note: Payroll is presented in thousands of dollars.

Source: Kaplan and Whitman, unpublished.

Table 4-27

Categories of Tourism Spending in Texas

Category 1994 2002 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009

Accommodations 929 1,507 1,571 2,020 2,192 2,424 2,041

Food Service 1,183 1,793 1,939 2,288 2,418 2,571 2,449

Food Stores 272 387 422 480 510 545 521

Local Transportation and Gas 1,224 1,763 2,291 3,295 3,610 4,126 2,831

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 803 1,184 1,252 1,426 1,464 1,501 1,399

Retail Sales 1,152 1,631 1,631 1,813 1,844 1,847 1,745

Visitor Air Transportation 476 697 761 864 888 869 701

Other Travel Spending 1,725 2,541 2,629 2,971 2,996 3,145 2,819

Total Tourist Spending 7,764 11,504 12,496 15,157 15,923 17,027 14,506

Note: Data are in millions of dollars.

Source: Dean Runyan Associates, 2010.
Tables-88 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-28

Tourism in Gulf Coast Regions of Texas in 2009

Metro Area Visitors Spending

Beaumont/Port Arthur 2.60 557

Corpus Christi 6.61 1,030

Houston/Baytown/Sugarland 29.85 12,431

Victoria 1.51 190

Brownsville/Harlingen 1.85 663

Notes:

(1) Visitors are presented in millions of visitors.

(2) Spending is presented in millions of dollars. 

Sources: Dean Runyan Associates, 2010; D.K. Shifflet and Associates, 2010.

Table 4-29

Number of Beaches and Annual Beach Participation in the Gulf Coast States

State Number of Beaches Beach Visitation

Texas 168 4,929,000

Louisiana 28 578,000

Mississippi 20 956,000

Alabama 25 1,527,000

Florida 634 21,989,000

Notes:

(1) The number of beaches is from USEPA (2008).

(2) Beach visitation data comes from National Survey on Recreation and the 

Environment (Betz, official communication, 2010).

(3) Beach visitation only refers to visitors originating from within the U.S.
Tables Tables-89

Table 4-30

Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Texas

Panel A: Individual Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 892 12,156,671.30

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 247 1,899,506.79

Multiple Industry/Business Types 42 523,540.00

No Industry Designation 10 114,579.00

Rental Property 33 278,900.00

Retail, Sales, and Service 448 8,130,329.92

Seafood Processing and Distribution 541 4,550,644.16

Tourism and Recreation 9 131,500.00

Total 2,222 27,785,671.17

Panel B: Business Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 1,172 40,528,508.88

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 16 1,707,100.00

Multiple Industry/Business Types 4 129,500.00

No Industry Designation 30 463,984.53

Rental Property 350 5,100,500.00

Retail, Sales, and Service 55 12,656,700.00

Seafood Processing and Distribution 80 30,296,300.00

Tourism and Recreation 2 31,200.00

Total 1,709 90,913,793.41

Claims data are as of April 9, 2011.

Source: Gulf Coast Claims Facility, 2011a.
Tables-90 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-31

Monthly Employment in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry During 2010

Region Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sep

Economic Impact Area

TX-1 53,780 54,864 56,434 56,712 57,682 57,817 56,989 56,821 56,106

TX-2 16,372 16,535 16,879 17,357 17,488 17,953 17,744 17,668 17,234

TX-3 233,323 236,395 242,381 245,096 248,306 250,958 248,351 248,857 246,488

LA-1 14,195 14,203 14,435 14,500 14,698 14,774 14,632 14,402 14,487

LA-2 20,441 20,790 21,107 21,666 21,934 21,640 21,319 21,259 21,210

LA-3 42,988 43,485 44,710 44,925 45,606 45,695 45,320 45,556 45,492

LA-4 68,343 68,806 70,051 70,708 70,570 71,257 70,173 70,590 70,982

MS-1 26,404 26,645 27,211 27,583 27,879 28,290 28,052 27,981 27,570

AL-1 25,435 25,925 27,140 28,316 28,962 29,503 28,836 28,571 27,961

FL-1 40,374 42,431 46,703 48,351 49,119 50,806 49,889 48,372 46,160

FL-2 21,621 22,074 22,478 22,868 22,011 21,550 21,238 21,504 22,090

FL-3 142,690 145,777 149,670 150,654 149,325 148,017 145,285 145,267 145,346

FL-4 280,126 285,916 291,067 290,144 284,324 279,782 272,745 272,263 270,061

TX EIA Total 303,475 307,794 315,694 319,165 323,476 326,728 323,084 323,346 319,828

LA EIA Total 145,967 147,284 150,303 151,799 152,808 153,366 151,444 151,807 152,171

MS EIA 

Total 26,404 26,645 27,211 27,583 27,879 28,290 28,052 27,981 27,570

AL EIA Total 25,435 25,925 27,140 28,316 28,962 29,503 28,836 28,571 27,961

FL EIA Total 484,811 496,198 509,918 512,017 504,779 500,155 489,157 487,406 483,657

EIA Total 986,092 1,003,846 1,030,266 1,038,880 1,037,904 1,038,042 1,020,573 1,019,111 1,011,187

Coastal

TX 66,575 67,809 70,159 71,833 72,737 73,916 72,832 72,110 70,337

LA 76,571 77,167 78,666 79,306 79,329 79,933 78,923 79,373 79,764

MS 24,585 24,803 25,313 25,675 25,972 26,376 26,249 26,153 25,750

AL 23,425 23,908 25,020 26,192 26,734 27,202 26,551 26,324 25,732

FL 440,714 451,034 464,086 465,718 460,000 456,131 445,905 443,901 438,708

Coastal Total 631,870 644,721 663,244 668,724 664,772 663,558 650,460 647,861 640,291

Statewide

TX 955,907 971,203 993,927 1,007,287 1,025,007 1,035,662 1,024,465 1,026,375 1,017,550

LA 187,935 189,633 193,519 195,715 196,978 197,360 194,930 195,358 195,476

MS 113,199 114,644 117,222 119,567 120,425 121,213 119,571 120,795 119,569

AL 160,117 160,637 165,671 169,475 171,307 172,834 170,998 171,144 168,839

FL 893,174 915,016 937,711 942,916 934,556 926,893 910,396 907,547 901,179

State Total 2,310,332 2,351,133 2,408,050 2,434,960 2,448,273 2,453,962 2,420,360 2,421,219 2,402,613

(1) Economic Impact Areas (EIA’s) are defined in Figure 4-20.

(2) The “Coastal” category refers to the counties within the EIA’s that are directly along the coast of the U.S.

(3) The “Statewide” category refers to the number of employees within the borders of the entire state.

(4) The leisure/hospitality industry is defined according to the North American Industrial Classification System.

(5) The employment figure for any given year corresponds to the total number of employees in December of that year.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011a.
Tables Tables-91

Table 4-32

Quarterly Wages in the Leisure/Hospitality Industry in 2009 and 2010

2009 2010

Region Q1 Q2 Q3 Q1 Q2 Q3

Economic Impact Area

TX-1 186,485 190,705 196,907 189,011 200,118 202,891

TX-2 55,947 59,888 60,406 56,807 62,136 62,005

TX-3 1,101,383 1,156,040 1,172,061 1,101,259 1,182,646 1,205,761

LA-1 66,498 62,427 68,772 67,858 63,177 69,412

LA-2 76,903 79,958 78,659 74,803 82,036 82,804

LA-3 146,758 147,760 151,476 146,165 155,619 157,535

LA-4 399,037 375,763 372,045 422,006 393,554 389,661

MS-1 139,067 139,486 144,690 137,586 138,553 144,858

AL-1 90,350 101,085 102,964 90,985 105,881 107,282

FL-1 165,362 199,059 208,098 161,938 201,780 203,336

FL-2 72,448 73,443 71,806 68,942 72,564 72,652

FL-3 704,036 685,052 661,734 683,879 706,460 704,891

FL-4 1,644,155 1,582,097 1,455,292 1,614,884 1,639,368 1,543,834

TX EIA Total 1,343,815 1,406,633 1,429,374 1,347,077 1,444,900 1,470,657

LA EIA Total 689,196 665,908 670,952 710,832 694,386 699,412

MS EIA Total 139,067 139,486 144,690 137,586 138,553 144,858

AL EIA Total 90,350 101,085 102,964 90,985 105,881 107,282

FL EIA Total 2,586,001 2,539,651 2,396,930 2,529,643 2,620,172 2,524,713

EIA Total 4,848,429 4,852,763 4,744,910 4,816,123 5,003,892 4,946,922

Coastal

TX 242,514 258,365 266,840 245,102 271,683 274,253

LA 413,709 389,122 386,512 439,668 412,408 408,835

MS 133,736 134,172 139,231 132,549 133,384 139,556

AL 84,665 95,019 96,792 85,260 99,780 100,742

FL 2,423,701 2,377,078 2,234,861 2,371,990 2,454,904 2,360,412

Coastal Total 3,298,325 3,253,756 3,124,236 3,274,569 3,372,159 3,283,798

Statewide

TX 4,309,905 4,381,324 4,412,854 4,261,565 4,470,937 4,596,176

LA 864,759 851,017 856,394 884,745 883,392 890,067

MS 466,911 482,749 482,404 456,300 486,254 495,765

AL 548,550 592,439 600,567 549,179 608,297 608,426

FL 4,816,481 4,795,973 4,515,640 4,769,647 4,895,534 4,791,884

State Total 11,006,606 11,103,502 10,867,859 10,921,436 11,344,414 11,382,318

Notes

(1) Economic Impact Areas (EIA’s) are defined in Figure 4-20. 

(2) The “Coastal” category refers to the counties within the EIA’s that are directly along the coast of the U.S.

(3) The “Statewide” category refers to the number of employees within the borders of the entire state.

(4) The leisure/hospitality industry is defined according to the North American Industrial Classification System.

(5) Wages are presented in thousands of dollars.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011a.
Tables-92 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-33

Shipwrecks in the Western Planning Area

Map Area No. of Recorded Wrecks Historic Wrecks (verified)

Alaminos Canyon 1 0

Brazos 62 0

Corpus Christi 3 0

East Breaks 6 0

Galveston 119 1

Garden Banks 1 0

High Island 111 1

Keathley Canyon 1 0

Matagorda Island 45 1

Mustang Island 72 0

North Padre Island 39 0

South Padre Island 53 0

Sabine Pass (Texas) 2 0

Total 515 3
Tables Tables-93

Table 4-34

Classification of the Gulf Economic Impact Areas

State Economic 

Area Labor Market County/Parish State Economic Area Labor Market County State Economic Area Labor Market County

Alabama AL-1 Mobile Baldwin Texas TX-1 Brownsville Cameron Florida FL-1 Panama City Bay

Clarke Hidalgo Franklin

Conecuh Starr Gulf

Escambia Willacy Pensacola Escambia

Mobile Corpus Christi Aransas Okaloosa

Monroe Brooks Santa Rosa

Washington Duval Walton

Wilcox Jim Wells FL-2 Tallahassee Calhoun

Kenedy Gadsden

Mississippi MS-1 Biloxi-Gulfport George Kleberg Holmes

Greene Nueces Jackson

Hancock Refugio Jefferson

Harrison San Patricio Leon

Jackson TX-2 Brazoria Brazoria Liberty

Pearl River Matagorda Wakulla

Stone Wharton Washington

Victoria Calhoun Lake City Columbia

Louisiana LA-1 Lake Charles Allen Colorado Hamilton

Beauregard Dewitt Lafayette

Calcasieu Fayette Madison

Cameron Goliad Suwannee

Jefferson Davis Gonzales Taylor

Vernon Jackson FL-3 Ocala Citrus

LA-2 Lafayette Acadia Lavaca Marion

Evangeline Victoria Gainesville Alachua

Iberia TX-3 Beaumont - Hardin Bradford

Lafayette Port Arthur Jasper Dixie

St. Landry Jefferson Gilchrist

St. Martin Newton Levy

Vermillion Orange Union
Tables-94 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-34. Classification of the Gulf Economic Impact Areas (continued).

State Economic 

Area Labor Market County/Parish State Economic Area Labor Market County State Economic Area Labor Market County

Louisiana LA-3 Baton Rouge Ascension Texas TX-3 Polk Florida FL-3

TampaSt. Petersburg Hernando

East Baton Rouge Tyler Hillsborough

Iberville Houston - Austin Pasco

Livingston Galveston Chambers Pinellas

Tangipahoa Fort Band FL-4 Ft. Myers Collier

West Baton Rouge Galveston Lee

Houma Assumption Harris Miami Broward

Lafourche Liberty Miami-Dade

St. Mary Montgomery Monroe

Terrebonne San Jacinto Sarasota Charlotte

LA-4 New Orleans Jefferson Waller De Soto

Orleans Washington Manatee

Plaquemines Sarasota

St. Bernard

St. Charles

St. James

St. John the Baptist

St. Tammany

Washington
Tables Tables-95

Table 4-35

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-1 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 1,625.42 1,771.25 1,807.15 1,843.24 1,879.50 1,915.95 1,952.51 2,137.01 2,323.71 2,511.01 2,886.77

Age Under 19 Years 36.1% 36.4% 36.4% 36.4% 36.4% 36.4% 36.4% 36.6% 35.7% 34.9% 33.6%

Age 20 to 34 21.0% 20.2% 20.0% 20.0% 19.9% 19.9% 19.8% 18.8% 19.2% 19.6% 20.1%

Age 35 to 49 18.7% 18.0% 17.8% 17.6% 17.4% 17.3% 17.1% 17.1% 16.5% 16.3% 15.9%

Age 50 to 64 13.5% 14.6% 14.8% 14.8% 14.9% 14.9% 14.8% 14.5% 14.3% 13.8% 13.6%

Age 65 and over 10.7% 10.9% 11.0% 11.2% 11.4% 11.6% 11.9% 13.1% 14.3% 15.4% 16.8%

Median Age of Population (years) 33 34 34 34 35 35 35 36 36 37 38

White Population (in thousands) 18.7% 16.8% 16.4% 16.1% 15.8% 15.5% 15.3% 14.1% 13.1% 12.3% 11.2%

Black Population (in thousands) 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0%

Native American Population

(in thousands) 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population 

(in thousands) 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9%

Hispanic or Latino Population

(in thousands) 79.0% 80.9% 81.2% 81.5% 81.9% 82.1% 82.4% 83.7% 84.7% 85.5% 86.8%

Male Population (in thousands) 48.7% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8%

Total Employment (in thousands of 

jobs) 728.91 840.00 864.86 878.23 891.81 905.55 919.48 991.85 1,069.01 1,151.17 1,331.45

 Farm Employment 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.3% 1.2% 1.1% 0.9%

 Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8% 0.7%

 Mining 1.8% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.1% 2.0% 1.8% 1.6%

 Utilities 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

 Construction 7.2% 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 5.8% 5.8% 5.7% 5.5%

 Manufacturing 4.0% 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 2.7% 2.5% 2.3% 2.0%

 Wholesale Trade 2.8% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.1% 2.0% 1.9% 1.7%

 Retail Trade 12.0% 11.4% 11.4% 11.3% 11.3% 11.3% 11.2% 11.1% 10.9% 10.7% 10.3%

 Transportation and Warehousing 3.3% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3%
Tables-96 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-35. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

 Information Employment 1.2% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9%

 Finance and Insurance 3.1% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4%

 Real Estate /Rental and Lease 3.0% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0%

 Professional and Technical Services 3.4% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 3.4% 3.5% 3.7% 3.9%

 Management 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

 Administrative and Waste Services 5.4% 5.6% 5.7% 5.7% 5.8% 5.8% 5.9% 6.1% 6.3% 6.6% 7.0%

 Educational Services 0.8% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1% 1.1%

 Health Care and Social Assistance 15.6% 17.9% 18.0% 18.2% 18.4% 18.6% 18.7% 19.6% 20.5% 21.4% 23.3%

 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1%

 Accommodation and Food Services 7.2% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.2% 7.2%

 Other Services, Except Public 

Administration 6.5% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4%

 Federal Civilian Government 1.7% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4% 1.2%

 Federal Military 1.3% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8% 0.7%

 State and Local Government 15.1% 15.7% 15.6% 15.6% 15.6% 15.5% 15.5% 15.3% 15.1% 14.9% 14.4%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 

dollars) 24,168.27 25,503.71 26,303.90 26,962.27 27,636.74 28,327.69 29,035.50 32,841.93 37,134.15 41,972.31 53,564.65

 Farm 1.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2%

 Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4%

 Mining 3.6% 5.4% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3%

 Utilities 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

 Construction 7.5% 6.2% 6.6% 6.5% 6.4% 6.3% 6.3% 5.9% 5.5% 5.1% 4.4%

 Manufacturing 5.9% 4.8% 4.9% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.6% 4.3% 4.0% 3.6% 3.1%

 Wholesale Trade 4.2% 4.0% 4.1% 4.1% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 3.8% 3.6% 3.4% 3.1%

 Retail Trade 8.8% 7.9% 8.0% 7.9% 7.9% 7.9% 7.8% 7.6% 7.4% 7.1% 6.7%

 Transportation and Warehousing 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3%

 Information 1.5% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2%

 Finance and Insurance 3.4% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 3.1% 3.2% 3.3% 3.5%

 Real Estate / Rental and Lease 1.4% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3%

 Professional and Technical Services 4.6% 3.9% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.1% 4.2% 4.3% 4.6%

 Management 0.1% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4%

 Administrative and Waste Services 3.0% 3.2% 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.4% 3.5% 3.7% 3.9% 4.3%
Tables Tables-97

Table 4-35. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-1 (continued).

 Educational Services 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8%

 Health Care and Social Assistance 14.9% 17.9% 18.0% 18.2% 18.4% 18.6% 18.8% 19.8% 20.8% 21.8% 23.8%

 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3%

 Accommodation and Food Services 3.4% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.0%

 Other Services, Except Public 

Administration 4.5% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1%

 Federal Civilian Government 4.9% 5.6% 5.5% 5.5% 5.4% 5.4% 5.4% 5.2% 5.1% 4.9% 4.6%

 Federal Military 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.6% 2.5% 2.4% 2.3% 2.0%

 State and Local Government 17.8% 18.8% 18.7% 18.7% 18.7% 18.7% 18.8% 18.8% 18.9% 18.9% 18.8%

Total Personal Income per Capita 

(in 2005 dollars) 21,146 22,321 22,304 22,511 22,729 22,955 23,191 24,519 26,103 27,956 32,387

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth 

Index (U.S. = 100) 68.3 75.0 74.8 74.9 75.0 75.2 75.3 75.9 76.5 77.0 77.8

Persons per Household (in number of 

people) 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.2

Mean Household Total Personal 

Income 

(in 2005 dollars) 69,895 79,290 79,758 80,471 81,303 82,071 82,820 87,661 93,266 100,012 116,180

Number of Households (in thousands) 499.93 548.88 560.61 573.81 586.98 600.13 613.23 677.74 740.82 801.64 914.78

Income <$10,000 

(thousands of households, 2000$) 15.6% 14.2% 13.9% 13.7% 13.5% 13.3% 13.1% 12.0% 10.6% 9.0% 6.7%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 17.6% 16.0% 15.7% 15.5% 15.2% 15.0% 14.8% 13.6% 12.0% 10.2% 7.6%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 15.0% 13.8% 13.6% 13.4% 13.2% 13.0% 12.8% 11.7% 10.3% 8.8% 6.5%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 18.8% 19.9% 20.0% 20.1% 20.2% 20.3% 20.4% 20.5% 19.8% 17.5% 13.0%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 12.5% 13.7% 14.0% 14.2% 14.4% 14.6% 14.8% 16.0% 17.7% 19.7% 19.7%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 7.7% 8.5% 8.6% 8.7% 8.9% 9.0% 9.1% 9.9% 11.2% 13.1% 17.3%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 6.6% 7.2% 7.3% 7.4% 7.5% 7.7% 7.8% 8.4% 9.5% 11.1% 15.0%

Income $100,000 or more 6.1% 6.7% 6.8% 6.9% 7.1% 7.2% 7.3% 7.9% 8.9% 10.5% 14.2%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 13 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-98 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-36

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-2 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 579.99 626.33 634.39 642.51 650.70 658.94 667.23 709.17 751.75 794.43 879.89

Age Under 19 years 29.7% 29.4% 29.3% 29.3% 29.2% 29.2% 29.1% 29.1% 28.9% 28.5% 27.9%

Age 20 to 34 18.6% 18.9% 19.2% 19.3% 19.4% 19.3% 19.2% 19.1% 19.0% 19.0% 19.4%

Age 35 to 49 22.5% 20.5% 20.0% 19.5% 19.1% 18.9% 18.7% 18.1% 17.9% 18.0% 18.1%

Age 50 to 64 16.8% 18.5% 18.8% 18.9% 19.1% 19.2% 19.2% 18.4% 17.2% 16.0% 15.4%

Age 65 and over 12.3% 12.6% 12.7% 13.0% 13.2% 13.5% 13.7% 15.3% 17.1% 18.5% 19.2%

Median Age of Population (in years) 39 40 40 39 39 39 39 39 39 39 39

White Population (in thousands) 58.9% 55.1% 54.5% 53.8% 53.2% 52.6% 51.9% 48.8% 45.6% 42.5% 36.5%

Black Population (in thousands) 9.1% 9.9% 10.0% 10.0% 10.1% 10.2% 10.3% 10.7% 11.2% 11.8% 12.9%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.5%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 2.3% 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 3.4% 3.5% 3.7% 3.8% 3.9%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 29.4% 31.5% 32.0% 32.6% 33.1% 33.6% 34.1% 36.6% 39.1% 41.6% 46.2%

Male Population (in thousands) 50.4% 50.4% 50.4% 50.4% 50.4% 50.4% 50.4% 50.4% 50.4% 50.3% 50.2%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 287.61 309.97 317.96 321.85 325.78 329.76 333.78 354.48 376.26 399.12 448.26

Farm Employment 7.4% 7.0% 6.9% 6.8% 6.7% 6.7% 6.6% 6.2% 5.8% 5.5% 4.8%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1%

Mining 2.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.2% 3.0% 2.9% 2.7%

Utilities 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4%

Construction 9.6% 7.5% 7.5% 7.6% 7.6% 7.7% 7.8% 8.0% 8.3% 8.5% 9.0%

Manufacturing 9.7% 9.2% 9.1% 9.0% 8.9% 8.8% 8.7% 8.2% 7.8% 7.3% 6.5%

Wholesale Trade 2.7% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.4%

Retail Trade 11.3% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 10.9% 10.9% 10.8% 10.7%

Transportation and Warehousing 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.2%

Information Employment 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6%

Finance and Insurance 3.4% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8%

Real Estate/Rental and Lease 3.4% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 3.9% 4.1%

Professional and Technical Services 3.9% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.4% 4.6% 4.8% 5.1%

Management 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%
Tables Tables-99

Table 4-36. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-2 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Administrative and Waste Services 4.6% 4.3% 4.3% 4.4% 4.4% 4.5% 4.5% 4.7% 5.0% 5.2% 5.7%

Educational Services 0.9% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7% 2.0%

Health Care and Social Assistance 7.7% 8.9% 8.9% 9.0% 9.1% 9.1% 9.2% 9.6% 10.0% 10.4% 11.3%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.2% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3%

Accommodation and Food Services 5.6% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.6% 5.5% 5.5% 5.3%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 6.5% 6.2% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3%

Federal Civilian Government 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3%

Federal Military 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3%

State and Local Government 12.9% 13.4% 13.4% 13.4% 13.4% 13.3% 13.3% 13.3% 13.2% 13.1% 12.8%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 10,282.28 10,218.80 10,728.94 10,949.05 11,173.46 11,402.24 11,635.47 12,871.31 14,231.04 15,725.90 19,170.07

Farm Employment 3.5% 1.4% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8% 0.7%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5%

Mining 4.3% 6.0% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.9% 5.9% 6.1% 6.3% 6.4% 6.8%

Utilities 1.6% 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7% 1.8%

Construction 11.7% 9.1% 10.1% 10.1% 10.0% 10.0% 10.0% 9.8% 9.6% 9.5% 9.0%

Manufacturing 20.2% 19.4% 19.6% 19.4% 19.1% 18.9% 18.7% 17.7% 16.8% 15.8% 14.0%

Wholesale Trade 3.5% 3.8% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9%

Retail Trade 8.1% 7.8% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 7.6% 7.5% 7.4% 7.2%

Transportation and Warehousing 3.5% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 3.8%

Information Employment 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6%

Finance and Insurance 3.0% 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.5% 3.6% 3.7% 3.8%

Real Estate/Rental and Lease 1.5% 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.8% 1.9% 2.1%

Professional and Technical Services 3.9% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.3% 4.5% 4.7% 5.0% 5.5%

Management 0.1% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4%

Administrative and Waste Services 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.9% 3.1% 3.3% 3.7%

Educational Services 0.5% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 1.0%

Health Care and Social Assistance 7.5% 8.5% 8.6% 8.7% 8.7% 8.8% 8.9% 9.2% 9.6% 10.0% 10.8%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

Accommodation and Food Services 2.2% 2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.3% 2.2% 2.2%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 5.2% 4.9% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7%

Federal Civilian Government 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%

Federal Military 0.6% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%

State and Local Government 13.9% 15.5% 15.1% 15.1% 15.2% 15.2% 15.2% 15.4% 15.5% 15.5% 15.6%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 29,643 30,101 30,571 30,892 31,211 31,533 31,862 33,626 35,635 37,920 43,270

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 79.0 80.7 81.0 81.2 81.4 81.6 81.8 82.8 83.8 84.8 86.9

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.8
Tables-100 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-36. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-2 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 71,979 73,706 75,027 75,915 76,840 77,800 78,796 84,429 91,140 99,046 118,671

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 208.95 226.47 229.54 233.19 236.81 240.39 243.95 261.04 277.09 291.82 317.15

Income <$10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 9.6% 8.8% 8.5% 8.4% 8.2% 8.1% 7.9% 7.1% 6.3% 5.5% 4.2%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 12.9% 11.8% 11.6% 11.4% 11.2% 11.0% 10.7% 9.7% 8.7% 7.6% 5.8%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 12.9% 11.9% 11.7% 11.5% 11.3% 11.1% 10.9% 9.8% 8.9% 7.8% 6.0%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 17.5% 16.9% 16.7% 16.5% 16.3% 16.1% 15.9% 14.5% 13.1% 11.5% 8.8%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 14.4% 15.0% 15.2% 15.3% 15.4% 15.6% 15.7% 16.1% 15.7% 14.2% 10.8%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 11.3% 12.1% 12.4% 12.6% 12.8% 13.0% 13.3% 14.6% 16.1% 17.6% 17.2%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 11.0% 11.9% 12.2% 12.4% 12.6% 12.8% 13.0% 14.4% 15.9% 18.1% 24.0%

Income $100,000 or More 10.6% 11.5% 11.8% 12.0% 12.2% 12.4% 12.6% 13.9% 15.4% 17.5% 23.3%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 12 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA.

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables Tables-101

Table 4-37

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-3 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 5,552.60 6,192.43 6,299.99 6,408.25 6,517.13 6,626.68 6,736.63 7,292.42 7,855.87 8,421.37 9,556.30

Age Under 19 years 30.9% 30.8% 30.7% 30.6% 30.6% 30.5% 30.4% 30.2% 29.7% 29.4% 28.8%

Age 20 to 34 22.3% 21.8% 21.8% 21.7% 21.7% 21.6% 21.5% 21.2% 21.4% 21.2% 20.9%

Age 35 to 49 22.7% 21.2% 20.9% 20.6% 20.4% 20.3% 20.2% 19.7% 19.1% 18.9% 19.0%

Age 50 to 64 15.6% 17.1% 17.4% 17.4% 17.5% 17.5% 17.5% 16.9% 16.1% 15.6% 15.1%

Age 65 and over 8.6% 9.1% 9.3% 9.5% 9.8% 10.1% 10.4% 12.0% 13.7% 14.9% 16.2%

Median Age of Population (in years) 37 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 39 39 40

White Population (in thousands) 46.5% 43.0% 42.3% 41.7% 41.1% 40.4% 39.8% 36.8% 33.9% 31.3% 26.4%

Black Population (in thousands) 17.4% 17.4% 17.3% 17.2% 17.0% 16.9% 16.8% 16.3% 15.7% 15.1% 13.9%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 5.4% 5.9% 6.1% 6.2% 6.3% 6.4% 6.5% 7.1% 7.6% 8.2% 9.2%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 30.4% 33.4% 34.0% 34.6% 35.2% 35.9% 36.5% 39.5% 42.4% 45.1% 50.0%

Male Population (in thousands) 50.0% 50.1% 50.1% 50.1% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 49.9% 49.8% 49.7% 49.5%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 3,218.66 3,596.00 3,700.61 3,758.99 3,818.15 3,878.09 3,938.83 4,254.86 4,592.14 4,951.73 5,742.46

Farm employment 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Mining 2.8% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% 3.1% 2.9% 2.8% 2.5%

Utilities 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4%

Construction 8.0% 7.2% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.4% 7.5% 7.6% 7.8% 8.0%

Manufacturing 7.4% 7.4% 7.3% 7.2% 7.2% 7.1% 7.0% 6.6% 6.2% 5.9% 5.2%

Wholesale trade 4.5% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.1%

Retail trade 10.2% 9.4% 9.4% 9.4% 9.4% 9.4% 9.4% 9.3% 9.3% 9.2% 9.0%

Transportation and Warehousing 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 4.2% 4.1% 4.0%

Information Employment 1.5% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0%

Finance and Insurance 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.4%

Real Estate/Rental and Lease 4.1% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9%

Professional and Technical Services 7.8% 8.0% 8.0% 8.0% 8.1% 8.1% 8.2% 8.5% 8.7% 9.0% 9.6%

Management 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8%
Tables-102 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-37. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-3 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Administrative and Waste Services 7.4% 7.1% 7.1% 7.2% 7.2% 7.3% 7.3% 7.6% 7.9% 8.2% 8.8%

Educational Services 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 2.0%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.2% 9.5% 9.5% 9.6% 9.6% 9.6% 9.7% 9.9% 10.1% 10.3% 10.8%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5%

Accommodation and Food Services 6.5% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.8%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 6.0% 5.8% 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 6.0% 6.1% 6.1% 6.2%

Federal Civilian Government 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6%

Federal Military 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

State and Local Government 10.3% 10.5% 10.5% 10.4% 10.4% 10.4% 10.4% 10.3% 10.1% 10.0% 9.7%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 186,536.19 200,395.27 208,221.43 213,342.61 218,582.25 223,942.87 229,427.07 258,795.84 291,672.20 328,441.16 415,393.44

Farm employment 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Forestry, fishing, related activities 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Mining 12.3% 13.9% 13.7% 13.8% 13.8% 13.9% 13.9% 14.2% 14.4% 14.6% 15.0%

Utilities 1.6% 2.2% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.0%

Construction 8.2% 6.8% 7.3% 7.2% 7.2% 7.1% 7.1% 6.9% 6.6% 6.4% 5.9%

Manufacturing 11.7% 11.5% 11.8% 11.7% 11.5% 11.4% 11.3% 10.6% 10.0% 9.4% 8.4%

Wholesale Trade 6.2% 6.1% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3%

Retail Trade 5.2% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.3% 4.2% 4.0%

Transportation and Warehousing 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% 5.3% 5.2% 5.1% 4.8%

Information Employment 1.7% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1%

Finance and Insurance 5.5% 5.2% 5.2% 5.2% 5.2% 5.2% 5.3% 5.4% 5.4% 5.5% 5.6%

Real Estate/Rental and Lease 2.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7%

Professional and Technical Services 10.8% 10.8% 10.7% 10.8% 10.8% 10.9% 11.0% 11.4% 11.8% 12.2% 13.0%

Management 0.6% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.4% 1.5% 1.6% 1.8%

Administrative and Waste Services 4.4% 3.9% 4.0% 4.0% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.3% 4.6% 4.8% 5.2%

Educational Services 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2%

Health Care and Social Assistance 6.5% 7.2% 7.1% 7.2% 7.2% 7.2% 7.3% 7.4% 7.5% 7.7% 7.9%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

Accommodation and Food Services 2.3% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 3.1% 2.9% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9%

Federal Civilian Government 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4%

Federal Military 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

State and Local Government 8.3% 8.9% 8.8% 8.8% 8.8% 8.8% 8.8% 8.8% 8.8% 8.7% 8.6%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 38,941 38,315 39,041 39,421 39,818 40,231 40,661 43,035 45,798 48,984 56,613

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 85.7 87.4 87.9 87.8 87.6 87.5 87.4 86.9 86.7 86.7 87.2

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.9
Tables Tables-103

Table 4-37. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area TX-3 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 80,484 82,582 84,242 84,841 85,460 86,115 86,816 91,101 96,652 103,525 121,269

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 1,988.28 2,215.36 2,252.62 2,295.55 2,338.22 2,380.57 2,422.51 2,625.44 2,817.83 2,996.74 3,310.18

Income <$10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 8.7% 8.2% 8.0% 7.9% 7.7% 7.6% 7.4% 6.7% 6.0% 5.4% 4.2%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 11.0% 10.4% 10.1% 10.0% 9.8% 9.7% 9.5% 8.6% 7.7% 6.9% 5.5%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 12.0% 11.4% 11.1% 11.0% 10.8% 10.6% 10.4% 9.4% 8.5% 7.6% 6.0%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 16.8% 16.1% 15.8% 15.6% 15.4% 15.1% 14.8% 13.5% 12.2% 11.0% 8.7%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 14.0% 14.4% 14.5% 14.5% 14.6% 14.6% 14.6% 14.2% 13.1% 11.9% 9.4%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 10.8% 11.3% 11.5% 11.7% 11.9% 12.1% 12.3% 13.4% 14.4% 14.9% 13.3%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 11.4% 12.0% 12.3% 12.4% 12.6% 12.9% 13.1% 14.4% 16.0% 17.8% 21.5%

Income $100,000 or more 15.4% 16.3% 16.7% 16.9% 17.2% 17.5% 17.9% 19.7% 22.0% 24.6% 31.3%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 17 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA.

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-104 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-38

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-1 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 334.22 334.72 336.53 338.39 340.27 342.20 344.15 354.20 364.61 375.07 396.08

Age Under 19 Years 29.2% 28.5% 28.4% 28.3% 28.3% 28.2% 28.2% 28.1% 27.8% 27.2% 26.0%

Age 20 to 34 21.8% 21.9% 21.9% 21.9% 21.7% 21.4% 20.8% 19.6% 19.1% 19.0% 19.4%

Age 35 to 49 20.9% 18.9% 18.5% 18.3% 18.1% 18.1% 18.4% 18.6% 18.9% 18.2% 17.3%

Age 50 to 64 16.2% 18.1% 18.5% 18.6% 18.8% 18.9% 19.0% 18.4% 17.1% 16.9% 17.8%

Age 65 and Over 11.9% 12.6% 12.6% 12.9% 13.2% 13.4% 13.6% 15.2% 17.1% 18.7% 19.6%

Median Age of Population (in years) 35 35 36 36 36 36 36 38 39 40 41

White Population (in thousands) 74.6% 73.9% 73.8% 73.8% 73.7% 73.6% 73.6% 73.2% 72.8% 72.3% 71.4%

Black Population (in thousands) 20.8% 20.7% 20.7% 20.7% 20.7% 20.7% 20.6% 20.5% 20.4% 20.4% 20.3%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.4% 1.5% 1.7%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 3.0% 3.5% 3.6% 3.7% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% 4.3% 4.6% 5.0% 5.8%

Male Population (in thousands) 49.9% 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 49.7% 49.7% 49.5%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 171.65 177.73 182.05 183.91 185.81 187.70 189.62 199.43 209.65 220.27 242.80

Farm Employment 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1%

Mining 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9%

Utilities 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2%

Construction 8.7% 8.9% 9.0% 9.0% 9.0% 9.1% 9.1% 9.3% 9.4% 9.6% 9.8%

Manufacturing 6.7% 6.7% 6.6% 6.5% 6.4% 6.4% 6.3% 5.9% 5.5% 5.1% 4.5%

Wholesale Trade 2.2% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5%

Retail Trade 11.0% 10.4% 10.4% 10.4% 10.4% 10.4% 10.4% 10.3% 10.3% 10.2% 10.0%

Transportation and Warehousing 3.2% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.7% 2.7%

Information Employment 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9%

Finance and Insurance 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.2% 2.1%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.8%

Professional and Technical Services 4.7% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.6% 4.6% 4.7% 4.9% 5.1% 5.3% 5.8%

Management 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%
Tables Tables-105

Table 4-38. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Administrative and Waste Services 3.8% 4.9% 5.0% 5.0% 5.1% 5.2% 5.3% 5.8% 6.2% 6.8% 7.9%

Educational Services 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8%

Health Care and Social Assistance 9.5% 10.7% 10.8% 10.9% 11.0% 11.1% 11.2% 11.8% 12.4% 12.9% 14.1%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0%

Accommodation and Food Services 7.9% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 7.6%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 6.2% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.9% 5.9% 6.0% 6.2% 6.3% 6.5% 6.9%

Federal Civilian Government 2.1% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.4%

Federal Military 5.7% 5.8% 5.8% 5.7% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.2% 4.9% 4.6% 4.1%

State and Local Government 14.0% 14.8% 14.8% 14.7% 14.6% 14.5% 14.4% 14.0% 13.6% 13.2% 12.3%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 6,873.26 7,285.45 7,545.69 7,677.77 7,811.98 7,948.32 8,086.83 8,813.22 9,599.12 10,449.14 12,361.78

Farm Employment 0.5% 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

Mining 1.7% 2.3% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.1%

Utilities 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

Construction 7.6% 10.9% 11.8% 11.7% 11.7% 11.6% 11.6% 11.3% 11.0% 10.7% 10.0%

Manufacturing 14.6% 12.5% 12.7% 12.6% 12.4% 12.3% 12.2% 11.5% 10.8% 10.2% 8.9%

Wholesale Trade 2.7% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.2% 2.2% 2.0%

Retail Trade 6.3% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% 5.4% 5.4% 5.2%

Transportation and Warehousing 3.6% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8%

Information Employment 2.6% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.3% 2.3%

Finance and Insurance 2.3% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.4% 1.6%

Professional and Technical Services 5.4% 5.4% 5.3% 5.4% 5.5% 5.5% 5.6% 6.0% 6.3% 6.7% 7.4%

Management 1.5% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

Administrative and Waste Services 2.2% 3.0% 3.0% 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.3% 3.7% 4.1% 4.5% 5.5%

Educational Services 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.7% 9.2% 9.2% 9.3% 9.4% 9.5% 9.7% 10.2% 10.8% 11.4% 12.6%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5%

Accommodation and Food Services 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 3.7% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.2% 3.3% 3.4% 3.7%

Federal Civilian Government 3.8% 4.1% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8% 3.7% 3.6%

Federal Military 10.6% 11.4% 11.3% 11.3% 11.2% 11.2% 11.2% 11.0% 10.8% 10.6% 10.1%

State and Local Government 13.8% 14.1% 13.8% 13.8% 13.8% 13.8% 13.7% 13.6% 13.4% 13.2% 12.8%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 27,573 29,916 30,288 30,714 31,145 31,584 32,032 34,415 37,065 39,997 46,695

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 70.1 84.8 84.6 84.8 85.0 85.2 85.4 86.4 87.4 88.4 90.3

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6
Tables-106 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-38. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 66,070 78,879 79,669 80,570 81,502 82,473 83,478 89,133 95,837 103,681 123,003

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 123.62 124.83 125.65 126.79 127.92 129.02 130.11 135.19 139.77 143.78 150.15

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 12.1% 10.9% 10.6% 10.5% 10.3% 10.1% 9.9% 8.7% 7.5% 6.4% 4.8%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 14.8% 13.3% 13.0% 12.8% 12.6% 12.3% 12.1% 10.6% 9.2% 7.8% 5.8%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 13.0% 11.6% 11.3% 11.1% 10.9% 10.7% 10.5% 9.2% 7.9% 6.8% 5.0%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 19.5% 18.6% 18.4% 18.2% 17.9% 17.6% 17.4% 15.3% 13.2% 11.3% 8.3%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 15.2% 17.0% 17.4% 17.7% 18.0% 18.3% 18.6% 20.1% 20.1% 18.3% 13.8%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 9.6% 10.8% 11.1% 11.3% 11.5% 11.7% 11.9% 13.7% 16.0% 18.7% 20.4%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 8.9% 9.9% 10.2% 10.3% 10.5% 10.7% 10.9% 12.5% 14.7% 17.4% 23.7%

Income $100,000 or More 6.9% 7.8% 8.0% 8.1% 8.2% 8.4% 8.5% 9.7% 11.4% 13.4% 18.2%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 6 parishes in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables Tables-107

Table 4-39

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-2 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 558.39 587.88 593.59 599.38 605.23 611.14 617.10 647.47 678.54 709.79 772.62 

Age Under 19 Years 29.9% 28.9% 28.8% 28.7% 28.5% 28.5% 28.4% 28.2% 27.7% 27.0% 25.6%

Age 20 to 34 21.0% 22.0% 22.1% 22.0% 21.8% 21.5% 21.0% 19.5% 18.7% 18.6% 18.8%

Age 35 to 49 21.6% 19.1% 18.7% 18.4% 18.3% 18.3% 18.5% 19.3% 20.2% 19.5% 18.0%

Age 50 to 64 15.9% 18.0% 18.4% 18.6% 18.8% 18.9% 18.9% 18.4% 16.7% 16.5% 18.4%

Age 65 and Over 11.6% 12.0% 12.1% 12.3% 12.6% 12.8% 13.1% 14.7% 16.7% 18.4% 19.1%

Median Age of Population (in years) 35 35 35 35 35 35 36 37 38 39 40

White Population (in thousands) 69.1% 68.3% 68.2% 68.1% 68.0% 67.9% 67.8% 67.2% 66.6% 66.0% 64.6%

Black Population (in thousands) 27.7% 28.0% 28.0% 28.0% 28.1% 28.1% 28.2% 28.4% 28.6% 28.8% 29.4%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7% 1.9%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 1.7% 2.2% 2.2% 2.3% 2.3% 2.4% 2.4% 2.7% 2.9% 3.2% 3.8%

Male Population (in thousands) 48.6% 48.7% 48.7% 48.7% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.9% 48.9% 48.9% 48.8%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 297.51 321.93 330.21 334.03 337.89 341.78 345.70 365.76 386.61 408.21 453.71 

Farm Employment 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4% 1.3%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Mining 6.9% 8.3% 8.3% 8.3% 8.2% 8.2% 8.2% 8.0% 7.8% 7.6% 7.2%

Utilities 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Construction 6.7% 6.8% 6.8% 6.8% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.5% 6.3% 6.2% 5.8%

Manufacturing 6.1% 5.9% 5.8% 5.7% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.1% 4.8% 4.4% 3.8%

Wholesale Trade 3.7% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.2%

Retail Trade 11.5% 11.2% 11.2% 11.2% 11.1% 11.1% 11.1% 10.9% 10.7% 10.5% 10.0%

Transportation and Warehousing 3.5% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0%

Information Employment 1.5% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2%

Finance and Insurance 3.4% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 2.8%
Tables-108 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-39. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-2 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 4.0% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.2%

Professional and Technical Services 4.7% 5.2% 5.2% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.4% 5.5% 5.6% 5.8% 6.0%

Management 1.1% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%

Administrative and Waste Services 4.6% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 5.0% 5.2% 5.3% 5.4% 5.7%

Educational Services 1.2% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5%

Health Care and Social Assistance 11.2% 12.0% 12.1% 12.3% 12.5% 12.6% 12.8% 13.6% 14.4% 15.2% 17.0%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6%

Accommodation and Food Services 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.5% 6.5% 6.6% 6.6%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 7.0% 7.0% 7.1% 7.1% 7.2% 7.2% 7.3% 7.6% 8.0% 8.3% 9.0%

Federal Civilian Government 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

Federal Military 0.9% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%

State and Local Government 10.8% 10.2% 10.2% 10.1% 10.1% 10.0% 9.9% 9.7% 9.4% 9.1% 8.6%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 11,484.00 12,782.07 13,132.04 13,420.62 13,715.20 14,015.87 14,322.73 15,953.99 17,757.47 19,748.33 24,357.40 

Farm Employment 0.8% 1.5% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Mining 13.7% 17.7% 17.7% 17.8% 17.9% 18.0% 18.1% 18.7% 19.3% 19.9% 21.0%

Utilities 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

Construction 7.1% 6.0% 6.3% 6.2% 6.1% 6.0% 5.9% 5.4% 4.9% 4.5% 3.8%

Manufacturing 7.5% 7.6% 7.7% 7.6% 7.5% 7.4% 7.3% 6.8% 6.3% 5.9% 5.1%

Wholesale Trade 4.7% 4.8% 5.0% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 4.8% 4.7% 4.5%

Retail Trade 7.9% 7.7% 7.8% 7.7% 7.7% 7.6% 7.5% 7.3% 7.0% 6.7% 6.2%

Transportation and Warehousing 4.6% 3.8% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5%

Information Employment 1.7% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2%

Finance and Insurance 4.1% 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 3.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8%

Professional and Technical Services 6.0% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.2% 6.2% 6.3% 6.4% 6.5% 6.7%

Management 1.6% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7%

Administrative and Waste Services 3.1% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.4%

Educational Services 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7%

Health Care and Social Assistance 11.3% 11.6% 11.7% 11.8% 12.0% 12.1% 12.2% 12.9% 13.6% 14.3% 15.7%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.6% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%
Tables Tables-109

Table 4-39. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-2 (continued).

Accommodation and Food Services 2.5% 2.6% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.5%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 4.5% 4.1% 4.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.4% 4.5% 4.7% 4.9%

Federal Civilian Government 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 0.9%

Federal Military 0.9% 0.9% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

State and Local Government 11.3% 11.3% 11.2% 11.1% 11.1% 11.1% 11.0% 10.8% 10.6% 10.4% 9.9%

Total Personal Income (in millions of 2005 dollars)

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 28,507 30,706 30,852 31,247 31,645 32,047 32,456 34,618 37,001 39,634 45,589

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 72.7 78.6 77.7 77.7 77.8 77.8 77.8 77.8 77.7 77.7 77.5

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.7

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 68,505 75,359 75,338 76,021 76,720 77,445 78,201 82,488 87,604 93,623 108,360

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 208.17 220.47 222.77 225.63 228.48 231.29 234.07 247.40 259.85 271.19 290.47 

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 15.9% 14.1% 13.9% 13.7% 13.4% 13.2% 13.0% 11.8% 10.4% 8.9% 6.5%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 15.2% 13.6% 13.3% 13.1% 12.9% 12.7% 12.6% 11.3% 10.0% 8.6% 6.3%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 12.9% 11.7% 11.5% 11.3% 11.2% 11.0% 10.8% 9.8% 8.7% 7.5% 5.5%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 18.2% 18.4% 18.3% 18.3% 18.2% 18.1% 18.0% 17.0% 15.5% 13.7% 9.9%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 14.1% 15.8% 16.1% 16.3% 16.5% 16.7% 17.0% 18.2% 18.8% 18.9% 16.5%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 9.1% 10.2% 10.4% 10.6% 10.7% 10.9% 11.0% 12.3% 14.0% 16.2% 19.4%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 7.4% 8.3% 8.5% 8.6% 8.8% 8.9% 9.0% 10.1% 11.5% 13.4% 18.4%

Income $100,000 or More 7.1% 7.9% 8.0% 8.2% 8.3% 8.4% 8.5% 9.6% 11.0% 12.8% 17.5%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 7 parishes in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-110 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-40

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-3 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 1,039.88 1,126.87 1,140.44 1,154.15 1,167.97 1,181.91 1,195.92 1,266.99 1,339.29 1,411.83 1,557.29 

Age Under 19 Years 29.7% 28.8% 28.6% 28.4% 28.3% 28.1% 28.1% 27.9% 27.6% 27.2% 26.3%

Age 20 to 34 22.4% 23.1% 23.4% 23.5% 23.5% 23.5% 23.1% 21.7% 20.6% 20.2% 20.3%

Age 35 to 49 21.4% 19.2% 18.7% 18.3% 18.0% 17.9% 17.9% 18.4% 19.4% 19.7% 18.1%

Age 50 to 64 16.2% 17.8% 18.1% 18.2% 18.3% 18.3% 18.3% 17.7% 16.3% 15.5% 17.3%

Age 65 and over 10.3% 11.1% 11.3% 11.6% 11.9% 12.2% 12.5% 14.3% 16.1% 17.5% 18.0%

Median Age of Population (in years) 35 35 35 35 35 36 36 37 38 39 40

White Population (in thousands) 65.7% 64.0% 63.7% 63.5% 63.3% 63.1% 62.9% 61.8% 60.7% 59.6% 57.2%

Black Population (in thousands) 29.6% 30.6% 30.7% 30.8% 30.9% 31.0% 31.1% 31.6% 32.0% 32.5% 33.4%

Native American Population (in thousands) 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7% 1.8% 2.0%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 2.3% 3.0% 3.1% 3.2% 3.3% 3.4% 3.5% 3.9% 4.4% 5.0% 6.2%

Male Population (in thousands) 48.7% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.8% 48.9% 48.8% 48.9%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 606.81 663.02 680.63 689.17 697.80 706.51 715.33 760.83 808.81 859.36 968.53 

Farm Employment 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

Mining 1.5% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.2%

Utilities 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Construction 9.8% 9.3% 9.3% 9.3% 9.4% 9.4% 9.5% 9.6% 9.8% 10.0% 10.3%

Manufacturing 6.8% 6.1% 6.1% 6.0% 5.9% 5.8% 5.7% 5.3% 5.0% 4.6% 4.0%

Wholesale Trade 3.2% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.7% 2.7% 2.6% 2.4% 2.3% 2.1%

Retail Trade 10.9% 10.1% 10.0% 10.0% 10.0% 10.0% 10.0% 9.9% 9.7% 9.6% 9.3%

Transportation and Warehousing 4.4% 4.6% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.3% 4.3% 4.1%

Information Employment 1.4% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0%

Finance and Insurance 3.5% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 2.9%
Tables Tables-111

Table 4-40. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-3 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8%

Professional and Technical Services 4.8% 5.6% 5.6% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.8% 6.0% 6.1% 6.3% 6.6%

Management 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8%

Administrative and Waste Services 5.8% 6.1% 6.1% 6.2% 6.3% 6.4% 6.5% 7.1% 7.6% 8.2% 9.4%

Educational Services 1.1% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7% 1.9% 2.1%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.8% 10.0% 10.1% 10.1% 10.2% 10.3% 10.3% 10.6% 10.9% 11.2% 11.7%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.3% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5%

Accommodation and Food Services 6.6% 6.7% 6.7% 6.8% 6.8% 6.8% 6.8% 6.9% 7.0% 7.1% 7.3%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 6.7% 6.6% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.8% 6.8% 7.0% 7.2% 7.4% 7.8%

Federal Civilian Government 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

Federal Military 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%

State and Local Government 15.6% 15.0% 14.9% 14.8% 14.7% 14.5% 14.4% 13.8% 13.3% 12.7% 11.6%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 24,055.56 27,529.09 28,679.63 29,248.86 29,828.55 30,418.91 31,020.09 34,194.93 37,669.23 41,468.73 50,154.87 

Farm Employment 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Mining 2.6% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7%

Utilities 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

Construction 10.3% 11.0% 12.0% 11.9% 11.9% 11.8% 11.7% 11.4% 11.1% 10.8% 10.1%

Manufacturing 12.4% 11.2% 11.3% 11.2% 11.1% 10.9% 10.8% 10.1% 9.5% 8.9% 7.7%

Wholesale Trade 4.4% 3.7% 3.8% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.6% 3.5% 3.4% 3.2%

Retail Trade 7.2% 6.4% 6.4% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.2% 6.1% 6.0% 5.8%

Transportation and Warehousing 6.0% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.6% 6.6% 6.6% 6.5% 6.4% 6.3%

Information Employment 1.7% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4%

Finance and Insurance 4.3% 3.6% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.7% 3.8% 4.0%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 2.1% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.9% 2.0% 2.1%

Professional and Technical Services 6.0% 6.9% 6.8% 6.9% 6.9% 7.0% 7.0% 7.3% 7.6% 7.9% 8.4%

Management 1.4% 1.9% 1.9% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Administrative and Waste Services 3.5% 3.9% 3.8% 3.9% 4.0% 4.1% 4.2% 4.7% 5.2% 5.7% 7.0%

Educational Services 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 1.0%

Health Care and Social Assistance 9.2% 9.4% 9.3% 9.3% 9.4% 9.5% 9.6% 9.9% 10.3% 10.6% 11.2%
Tables-112 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-40. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-3 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.7% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Accommodation and Food Services 2.7% 2.6% 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.7% 2.7%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 4.1% 3.6% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.7% 3.8% 3.9% 4.1%

Federal Civilian Government 1.2% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7%

Federal Military 0.9% 0.9% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

State and Local Government 17.5% 17.8% 17.4% 17.3% 17.3% 17.2% 17.2% 16.9% 16.6% 16.3% 15.6%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 30,731 32,203 32,690 33,093 33,505 33,924 34,352 36,628 39,151 41,951 48,338

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 79.2 85.3 85.7 85.7 85.8 85.9 86.0 86.4 86.8 87.2 88.0

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 77,923 83,219 84,664 85,438 86,256 87,115 88,016 93,155 99,279 106,460 124,061

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 385.14 421.32 426.92 433.61 440.27 446.88 453.43 485.13 515.26 543.37 593.15 

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 12.4% 11.3% 11.1% 10.9% 10.7% 10.6% 10.4% 9.3% 8.2% 7.1% 5.3%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 13.2% 12.1% 11.8% 11.7% 11.5% 11.3% 11.1% 10.0% 8.8% 7.6% 5.7%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 12.1% 11.1% 10.8% 10.7% 10.5% 10.4% 10.2% 9.2% 8.1% 7.0% 5.2%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 17.5% 16.6% 16.3% 16.1% 15.9% 15.7% 15.5% 14.1% 12.4% 10.8% 8.0%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 14.7% 16.0% 16.3% 16.5% 16.7% 16.9% 17.0% 17.3% 16.7% 15.3% 11.7%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 11.1% 12.1% 12.4% 12.7% 12.9% 13.1% 13.3% 15.0% 17.1% 19.0% 19.1%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 10.0% 10.9% 11.1% 11.3% 11.5% 11.7% 11.9% 13.3% 15.3% 17.7% 24.2%

Income $100,000 or More 9.1% 9.8% 10.0% 10.1% 10.3% 10.4% 10.6% 11.8% 13.4% 15.4% 20.8%

Notes: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 10 parishes in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables Tables-113

Table 4-41

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-4 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 1,378.12 1,267.52 1,278.34 1,289.31 1,300.40 1,311.64 1,322.96 1,380.77 1,439.98 1,499.47 1,618.89

Age Under 19 Years 28.1% 26.3% 26.2% 26.1% 26.1% 26.1% 26.1% 26.5% 26.3% 25.9% 25.1%

Age 20 to 34 20.7% 20.7% 20.6% 20.5% 20.4% 20.1% 19.9% 18.1% 17.4% 17.5% 18.6%

Age 35 to 49 22.0% 20.1% 19.7% 19.4% 19.2% 19.0% 18.8% 19.1% 19.5% 19.0% 17.2%

Age 50 to 64 17.5% 20.5% 20.8% 20.9% 20.9% 21.0% 20.9% 19.8% 18.0% 17.2% 18.4%

Age 65 and Over 11.6% 12.5% 12.7% 13.1% 13.4% 13.8% 14.2% 16.5% 18.8% 20.3% 20.7%

Median Age of Population (in years) 36 36 37 37 37 37 37 38 39 40 41

White Population (in thousands) 54.4% 55.5% 55.3% 55.1% 54.9% 54.8% 54.6% 53.7% 52.8% 51.9% 50.1%

Black Population (in thousands) 37.7% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.1% 35.1% 35.2% 35.3% 35.3% 35.4%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.4% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 2.4% 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.9% 3.1% 3.3% 3.5% 3.7%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 5.1% 6.4% 6.5% 6.6% 6.7% 6.9% 7.0% 7.5% 8.1% 8.8% 10.2%

Male Population (in thousands) 48.0% 48.2% 48.2% 48.2% 48.2% 48.2% 48.2% 48.2% 48.2% 48.1% 48.2%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 740.50 728.32 745.53 752.64 759.77 766.93 774.11 810.24 846.71 883.43 957.04

Farm Employment 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

Mining 1.3% 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 0.8%

Utilities 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Construction 6.2% 7.4% 7.4% 7.5% 7.6% 7.6% 7.7% 8.1% 8.5% 8.9% 9.8%

Manufacturing 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.5% 5.4% 5.3% 5.3% 4.9% 4.6% 4.4% 3.8%

Wholesale Trade 3.6% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 2.9% 2.8%

Retail Trade 10.0% 10.2% 10.2% 10.3% 10.3% 10.3% 10.3% 10.5% 10.6% 10.7% 10.9%

Transportation and Warehousing 4.1% 3.8% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.6% 3.6% 3.4%

Information Employment 1.6% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2%

Finance and Insurance 3.9% 3.5% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.2% 3.1% 2.9%
Tables-114 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-41. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-4 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 4.0% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.1% 4.1%

Professional and Technical Services 5.7% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.1% 6.1% 5.9%

Management 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9%

Administrative and Waste Services 6.4% 6.1% 6.2% 6.2% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.5% 6.7% 6.8% 7.1%

Educational Services 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 2.8%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.8% 9.6% 9.7% 9.7% 9.8% 9.8% 9.9% 10.1% 10.4% 10.7% 11.1%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.7%

Accommodation and Food Services 8.8% 9.1% 9.0% 8.9% 8.9% 8.8% 8.8% 8.4% 8.1% 7.8% 7.3%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 6.5% 6.3% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.5% 6.6% 6.8% 6.9% 7.1%

Federal Civilian Government 2.1% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4% 1.3%

Federal Military 1.4% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8%

State and Local Government 11.9% 11.7% 11.7% 11.7% 11.8% 11.8% 11.8% 11.9% 11.9% 11.9% 12.0%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 33,666.07 33,632.01 34,709.10 35,337.46 35,974.63 36,620.67 37,275.64 40,686.08 44,326.90 48,203.33 56,678.49

Farm Employment 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Mining 4.4% 4.9% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.7% 4.6% 4.5% 4.4% 4.1%

Utilities 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2%

Construction 6.5% 6.2% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.6%

Manufacturing 8.6% 9.0% 9.2% 9.1% 9.0% 8.9% 8.8% 8.2% 7.8% 7.3% 6.5%

Wholesale Trade 5.3% 4.9% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 4.8%

Retail Trade 6.2% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8% 5.8%

Transportation and Warehousing 5.1% 4.9% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.7% 4.6% 4.5% 4.4% 4.2%

Information Employment 1.7% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4%

Finance and Insurance 5.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 2.6% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.4%

Professional and Technical Services 8.0% 9.0% 8.9% 8.9% 8.9% 8.9% 8.9% 8.9% 8.9% 8.8% 8.8%

Management 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.8%

Administrative and Waste Services 4.0% 3.9% 4.0% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.2% 4.4% 4.6% 4.8% 5.1%

Educational Services 2.2% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.7% 9.8% 9.7% 9.8% 9.9% 9.9% 10.0% 10.3% 10.6% 10.9% 11.6%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2.1% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2%
Tables Tables-115

Table 4-41. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area LA-4 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Accommodation and Food Services 4.4% 4.8% 4.7% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.5% 4.3% 4.2% 4.0% 3.7%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 3.7% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.7% 3.8% 3.9% 4.0%

Federal Civilian Government 4.2% 4.0% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8% 3.8%

Federal Military 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7%

State and Local Government 12.1% 13.0% 12.9% 12.9% 13.0% 13.0% 13.1% 13.4% 13.7% 14.0% 14.5%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 

dollars) 32,677 35,414 35,829 36,225 36,628 37,038 37,456 39,644 42,012 44,580 50,228

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 

100) 79.1 91.9 91.0 90.8 90.7 90.5 90.4 89.9 89.4 88.9 87.7

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 

dollars) 77,994 87,207 87,276 87,772 88,333 88,946 89,614 93,616 98,555 104,400 118,602

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 530.24 491.36 496.01 501.93 507.80 513.61 519.34 546.73 572.34 595.76 635.83

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 

2000$) 12.7% 10.8% 10.6% 10.5% 10.3% 10.1% 9.9% 9.2% 8.2% 7.2% 5.5%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 13.5% 11.9% 11.7% 11.5% 11.3% 11.1% 10.9% 10.1% 9.1% 8.0% 6.2%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 12.9% 11.4% 11.2% 11.1% 10.9% 10.8% 10.6% 9.7% 8.7% 7.8% 6.1%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 17.6% 15.5% 15.3% 15.2% 15.0% 14.8% 14.6% 13.6% 12.2% 10.8% 8.4%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 13.7% 15.1% 15.3% 15.4% 15.5% 15.6% 15.7% 15.5% 14.9% 14.0% 11.2%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 10.1% 11.7% 11.9% 12.0% 12.2% 12.4% 12.6% 13.8% 15.2% 16.2% 15.7%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 9.3% 11.3% 11.5% 11.7% 11.9% 12.1% 12.3% 13.6% 15.3% 17.4% 22.5%

Income $100,000 or more 10.2% 12.3% 12.5% 12.6% 12.8% 13.1% 13.3% 14.5% 16.4% 18.6% 24.3%

Notes: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 9 parishes in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-116 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-42

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area MS-1 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 476.88 470.61 474.64 478.72 482.85 487.02 491.23 512.71 534.70 556.77 601.05 

Age Under 19 years 28.6% 28.0% 27.9% 27.8% 27.6% 27.6% 27.5% 27.5% 27.3% 26.8% 25.7%

Age 20 to 34 20.2% 20.3% 20.4% 20.5% 20.6% 20.5% 20.2% 19.6% 18.7% 18.5% 19.0%

Age 35 to 49 21.7% 19.8% 19.4% 19.1% 18.8% 18.5% 18.5% 18.3% 18.9% 19.0% 18.0%

Age 50 to 64 17.4% 19.0% 19.3% 19.3% 19.3% 19.4% 19.5% 18.9% 17.6% 16.8% 17.7%

Age 65 and over 12.1% 12.8% 13.0% 13.4% 13.7% 14.0% 14.3% 15.7% 17.5% 18.9% 19.6%

Median Age of Population (in years) 36 36 36 36 37 37 37 37 38 39 40

White Population (in thousands) 75.5% 74.0% 73.8% 73.7% 73.5% 73.4% 73.2% 72.5% 71.8% 71.1% 70.0%

Black Population (in thousands) 19.2% 19.8% 19.8% 19.9% 19.9% 19.9% 20.0% 20.3% 20.5% 20.8% 21.3%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 2.0% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 2.8% 3.6% 3.7% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% 4.0% 4.4% 4.8% 5.2% 5.9%

Male Population (in thousands) 49.6% 49.6% 49.6% 49.6% 49.6% 49.5% 49.5% 49.5% 49.6% 49.6% 49.6%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 238.83 243.91 249.36 251.56 253.76 255.98 258.22 269.62 281.38 293.52 318.92 

Farm Employment 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 0.9%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8%

Mining 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Utilities 0.9% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

Construction 7.5% 7.2% 7.2% 7.2% 7.2% 7.3% 7.3% 7.4% 7.5% 7.7% 7.9%

Manufacturing 9.5% 10.2% 10.2% 10.1% 10.0% 9.9% 9.8% 9.4% 9.0% 8.6% 7.9%

Wholesale Trade 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.1%

Retail Trade 10.9% 10.2% 10.1% 10.1% 10.1% 10.1% 10.0% 9.9% 9.8% 9.7% 9.4%

Transportation and Warehousing 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6%

Information Employment 1.4% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1%

Finance and Insurance 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 3.1% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.8% 3.9% 4.0% 4.3%

Professional and Technical Services 3.8% 4.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.3% 4.3% 4.5% 4.8% 5.0% 5.4%

Management 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%
Tables Tables-117

Table 4-42. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area MS-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Administrative and Waste Services 5.4% 6.0% 6.1% 6.1% 6.2% 6.3% 6.4% 6.8% 7.2% 7.6% 8.4%

Educational Services 0.5% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.1% 1.2% 1.4%

Health Care and Social Assistance 6.2% 6.8% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 7.0% 7.0% 7.1% 7.2% 7.3% 7.5%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2.2% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8%

Accommodation and Food Services 12.1% 10.3% 10.3% 10.3% 10.2% 10.2% 10.2% 10.0% 9.8% 9.6% 9.3%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 5.5% 5.5% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.7% 5.7% 5.9% 6.1% 6.3% 6.7%

Federal Civilian Government 3.9% 4.0% 4.0% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8% 3.7% 3.5% 3.4% 3.1%

Federal Military 5.7% 5.3% 5.3% 5.2% 5.2% 5.1% 5.1% 4.8% 4.6% 4.3% 3.9%

State and Local Government 12.3% 13.4% 13.4% 13.4% 13.4% 13.4% 13.3% 13.3% 13.2% 13.1% 13.0%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 9,318.99 9,816.16 10,180.77 10,354.51 10,530.94 10,710.09 10,892.03 11,844.59 12,872.19 13,979.85 16,456.60 

Farm Employment 0.3% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4%

Mining 0.2% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Utilities 2.1% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.9% 2.0%

Construction 6.0% 5.4% 6.0% 6.0% 5.9% 5.9% 5.8% 5.7% 5.5% 5.3% 5.0%

Manufacturing 15.4% 17.3% 17.7% 17.5% 17.4% 17.3% 17.1% 16.5% 15.8% 15.1% 13.9%

Wholesale Trade 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.3%

Retail Trade 7.0% 6.1% 6.1% 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 5.9% 5.8% 5.7% 5.5% 5.3%

Transportation and Warehousing 2.3% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Information Employment 1.4% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.1%

Finance and Insurance 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.3% 2.4% 2.5% 2.6%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 1.0% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.1%

Professional and Technical Services 4.6% 5.1% 5.1% 5.2% 5.3% 5.3% 5.4% 5.7% 6.0% 6.3% 6.9%

Management 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

Administrative and Waste Services 3.1% 3.4% 3.4% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.6% 3.9% 4.2% 4.5% 5.2%

Educational Services 0.3% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.9%

Health Care and Social Assistance 6.7% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 7.0% 7.0% 7.1% 7.3% 7.4% 7.6%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.5% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9%

Accommodation and Food Services 8.0% 5.9% 5.8% 5.8% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.6% 5.4% 5.3% 5.1%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 3.4% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.8% 3.9% 4.1%

Federal Civilian Government 8.4% 8.8% 8.6% 8.6% 8.6% 8.6% 8.6% 8.6% 8.5% 8.5% 8.4%

Federal Military 10.2% 10.2% 10.1% 10.0% 10.0% 10.0% 9.9% 9.8% 9.6% 9.5% 9.2%

State and Local Government 13.2% 15.3% 15.0% 15.0% 15.1% 15.1% 15.2% 15.4% 15.5% 15.7% 16.1%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 27,815 29,510 29,900 30,216 30,539 30,868 31,204 32,989 34,961 37,140 42,045

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 68.6 73.6 73.5 73.4 73.4 73.3 73.2 72.8 72.4 72.0 71.2

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.6
Tables-118 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-42. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area MS-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 65,960 67,129 67,940 68,417 68,918 69,445 70,003 73,247 77,212 81,941 93,603

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 180.00 179.76 181.51 183.72 185.92 188.09 190.24 200.49 210.03 218.68 233.44 

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 10.8% 9.8% 9.7% 9.5% 9.4% 9.2% 9.1% 8.4% 7.4% 6.4% 4.6%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 122.2% 122.3% 122.3% 122.3% 122.3% 122.3% 122.3% 122.5% 122.6% 122.8% 122.9%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 103.6% 102.5% 102.4% 102.4% 102.4% 102.4% 102.4% 101.9% 101.3% 101.1% 100.9%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 148.8% 154.6% 155.9% 156.8% 157.6% 158.3% 158.9% 161.1% 162.6% 163.1% 163.2%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 79.1% 92.0% 94.5% 96.5% 98.6% 100.9% 103.3% 115.9% 132.2% 147.5% 162.6%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 65.2% 66.6% 66.8% 66.9% 67.1% 67.3% 67.4% 71.0% 80.1% 94.1% 134.9%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 83.1% 82.9% 82.9% 82.9% 82.9% 82.8% 82.8% 82.7% 82.7% 84.6% 103.1%

Income $100,000 or More 81.1% 81.1% 81.2% 81.2% 81.2% 81.2% 81.2% 81.2% 81.2% 81.0% 81.1%

Notes: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 7 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables Tables-119

Table 4-43

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area AL-1 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 691.71 725.48 731.11 736.83 742.62 748.49 754.41 784.68 815.74 846.94 909.54

Age Under 19 Years 28.1% 27.4% 27.2% 27.1% 26.9% 26.8% 26.7% 26.5% 26.1% 25.6% 24.6%

Age 20 to 34 19.2% 19.5% 19.6% 19.6% 19.5% 19.3% 19.1% 18.3% 17.7% 17.3% 17.6%

Age 35 to 49 21.1% 19.3% 18.9% 18.6% 18.5% 18.4% 18.4% 18.5% 18.8% 18.6% 17.8%

Age 50 to 64 18.0% 19.5% 19.7% 19.8% 19.8% 19.8% 19.8% 19.0% 17.6% 17.1% 17.9%

Age 65 and over 13.6% 14.4% 14.6% 14.9% 15.3% 15.6% 16.0% 17.7% 19.8% 21.3% 22.1%

Median Age of Population (in years) 38 39 39 40 40 40 40 41 42 42 44

White Population (in thousands) 66.6% 66.0% 65.9% 65.9% 65.8% 65.7% 65.7% 65.3% 64.9% 64.4% 63.7%

Black Population (in thousands) 29.6% 29.4% 29.4% 29.4% 29.3% 29.3% 29.3% 29.3% 29.3% 29.3% 29.1%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 1.2% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.9% 2.0% 2.3%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 1.6% 2.2% 2.3% 2.3% 2.4% 2.4% 2.5% 2.7% 3.0% 3.3% 4.0%

Male Population (in thousands) 48.2% 48.3% 48.3% 48.3% 48.3% 48.3% 48.4% 48.4% 48.5% 48.5% 48.6%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 363.84 353.63 362.59 366.69 370.81 374.97 379.15 400.55 422.75 445.72 493.98

Farm Employment 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8%

Mining 0.3% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Utilities 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3%

Construction 8.5% 7.5% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 7.8%

Manufacturing 8.7% 7.6% 7.6% 7.5% 7.4% 7.3% 7.2% 6.9% 6.5% 6.2% 5.5%

Wholesale Trade 3.5% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 2.9% 2.8% 2.7% 2.6% 2.4%

Retail Trade 12.4% 11.9% 11.8% 11.8% 11.7% 11.6% 11.5% 11.1% 10.7% 10.3% 9.5%

Transportation and Warehousing 3.7% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.6% 3.5% 3.4% 3.2%

Information Employment 1.3% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9%

Finance and Insurance 3.4% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5% 3.4% 3.2% 3.0%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 4.4% 4.6% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 4.8% 4.9% 5.0% 5.2% 5.4%

Professional and Technical Services 4.4% 4.6% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 4.8% 4.8% 5.0% 5.2% 5.4% 5.7%

Management 0.2% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%
Tables-120 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-43. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area AL-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Administrative and Waste Services 6.4% 6.4% 6.5% 6.5% 6.6% 6.7% 6.7% 7.0% 7.3% 7.6% 8.3%

Educational Services 1.4% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.9% 2.0% 2.2%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.5% 9.4% 9.4% 9.5% 9.6% 9.6% 9.7% 10.1% 10.4% 10.7% 11.4%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.3% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5%

Accommodation and Food Services 6.8% 7.6% 7.6% 7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 7.8% 8.0% 8.2% 8.4% 8.9%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 7.7% 7.9% 7.9% 8.0% 8.0% 8.1% 8.1% 8.4% 8.7% 8.9% 9.4%

Federal Civilian Government 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6%

Federal Military 1.3% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8% 0.7%

State and Local Government 12.0% 12.0% 12.0% 11.9% 11.9% 11.9% 11.8% 11.6% 11.4% 11.1% 10.7%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 12,930.79 13,040.20 13,381.74 13,639.05 13,900.74 14,166.88 14,437.55 15,860.94 17,407.25 19,085.19 22,872.66

Farm Employment 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7%

Mining 0.4% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8%

Utilities 1.0% 1.4% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2%

Construction 8.9% 7.9% 8.6% 8.5% 8.4% 8.4% 8.3% 8.0% 7.7% 7.4% 6.8%

Manufacturing 13.6% 12.2% 12.6% 12.5% 12.4% 12.3% 12.2% 11.7% 11.2% 10.7% 9.8%

Wholesale Trade 5.1% 4.6% 4.7% 4.7% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.5% 4.4% 4.3% 4.0%

Retail Trade 8.9% 8.4% 8.5% 8.4% 8.3% 8.3% 8.2% 7.9% 7.5% 7.2% 6.5%

Transportation and Warehousing 4.8% 5.7% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.5% 5.3% 5.1% 4.9% 4.6%

Information Employment 1.6% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3%

Finance and Insurance 4.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 2.3% 1.7% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 2.0% 2.1% 2.2% 2.5%

Professional and Technical Services 5.5% 6.1% 6.1% 6.2% 6.2% 6.3% 6.4% 6.7% 7.0% 7.3% 7.9%

Management 0.3% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8%

Administrative and Waste Services 3.7% 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 3.8% 4.1% 4.3% 4.6% 5.1%

Educational Services 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.3%

Health Care and Social Assistance 9.8% 11.0% 11.1% 11.2% 11.3% 11.4% 11.5% 11.9% 12.4% 12.9% 13.8%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

Accommodation and Food Services 3.2% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 4.0%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 4.8% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 5.0% 5.2% 5.4% 5.5% 5.8%

Federal Civilian Government 2.2% 2.5% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Federal Military 1.8% 1.8% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2%

State and Local Government 13.8% 15.2% 15.1% 15.1% 15.1% 15.1% 15.2% 15.2% 15.2% 15.2% 15.1%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 26,961 28,132 28,252 28,605 28,964 29,329 29,701 31,665 33,826 36,202 41,511

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 69.0 71.9 71.2 71.2 71.3 71.3 71.4 71.6 71.8 72.0 72.2

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
Tables Tables-121

Table 4-43. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area AL-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 61,397 63,756 63,690 64,304 64,944 65,612 66,308 70,242 74,885 80,263 93,095

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 267.98 283.15 285.62 288.82 292.00 295.14 298.23 312.96 326.65 339.07 360.09

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 13.3% 11.9% 11.7% 11.6% 11.4% 11.2% 11.0% 10.0% 8.6% 7.4% 5.4%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 14.5% 13.2% 13.0% 12.8% 12.7% 12.5% 12.3% 11.2% 9.7% 8.3% 6.2%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 13.0% 11.9% 11.8% 11.6% 11.5% 11.3% 11.2% 10.2% 8.9% 7.7% 5.7%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 18.8% 18.5% 18.4% 18.2% 18.1% 17.9% 17.8% 16.5% 14.6% 12.6% 9.4%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 14.8% 16.4% 16.6% 16.8% 17.0% 17.2% 17.4% 18.7% 19.5% 18.8% 14.8%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 9.6% 10.6% 10.7% 10.9% 11.0% 11.2% 11.3% 12.5% 14.4% 16.8% 19.9%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 8.4% 9.3% 9.4% 9.5% 9.7% 9.8% 9.9% 11.0% 12.7% 14.9% 20.1%

Income $100,000 or More 7.5% 8.4% 8.5% 8.6% 8.7% 8.9% 9.0% 10.0% 11.6% 13.5% 18.4%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 8 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-122 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-44

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-1 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 865.12 896.10 911.70 927.40 943.19 959.08 975.02 1,055.59 1,137.26 1,219.22 1,383.66

Age Under 19 Years 26.1% 25.0% 24.8% 24.7% 24.6% 24.5% 24.5% 24.9% 24.7% 24.2% 23.1%

Age 20 to 34 20.5% 21.5% 21.7% 21.8% 21.9% 21.9% 21.5% 19.9% 18.5% 18.2% 18.9%

Age 35 to 49 22.0% 19.5% 19.0% 18.5% 18.1% 17.7% 17.7% 18.2% 19.5% 19.7% 17.0%

Age 50 to 64 17.9% 19.4% 19.6% 19.7% 19.7% 19.8% 19.8% 18.8% 16.9% 15.5% 17.2%

Age 65 and over 13.4% 14.6% 14.8% 15.3% 15.7% 16.1% 16.4% 18.2% 20.4% 22.4% 23.8%

Median Age of Population (in years) 39 39 40 40 40 40 40 40 41 42 43

White Population (in thousands) 79.2% 77.6% 77.4% 77.2% 77.1% 76.9% 76.7% 75.8% 74.9% 74.1% 72.6%

Black Population (in thousands) 13.8% 14.3% 14.3% 14.3% 14.4% 14.4% 14.4% 14.6% 14.7% 14.8% 14.9%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 2.4% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.6%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 3.7% 4.6% 4.7% 4.8% 5.0% 5.1% 5.2% 5.9% 6.6% 7.4% 9.0%

Male Population (in thousands) 49.8% 50.0% 50.1% 50.1% 50.2% 50.2% 50.2% 50.4% 50.5% 50.7% 51.1%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 487.45 489.82 504.24 512.13 520.13 528.26 536.52 579.78 626.48 676.88 789.79

Farm Employment 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Mining 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%

Utilities 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2%

Construction 9.0% 5.6% 5.6% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.8% 5.8% 5.9%

Manufacturing 3.4% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 2.9% 2.8% 2.7% 2.6% 2.4%

Wholesale Trade 2.6% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.6%

Retail Trade 12.0% 11.8% 11.8% 11.7% 11.7% 11.7% 11.7% 11.5% 11.4% 11.3% 10.9%

Transportation and Warehousing 1.8% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9% 1.9%

Information Employment 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6%

Finance and Insurance 3.6% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.0% 4.1% 4.1% 4.2%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 5.5% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.7%

Professional and Technical Services 5.2% 5.7% 5.7% 5.8% 5.9% 5.9% 6.0% 6.4% 6.8% 7.1% 8.0%
Tables Tables-123

Table 4-44. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Management 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3%

Administrative and Waste Services 7.0% 6.4% 6.4% 6.5% 6.5% 6.6% 6.7% 6.9% 7.2% 7.4% 7.9%

Educational Services 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.4%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.9% 10.8% 10.9% 11.0% 11.1% 11.2% 11.3% 11.8% 12.4% 12.9% 14.0%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.7% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Accommodation and Food Services 8.8% 9.2% 9.2% 9.2% 9.2% 9.2% 9.2% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.0%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 6.2% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.3% 6.4% 6.5% 6.5% 6.6% 6.7%

Federal Civilian Government 3.5% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5% 3.3% 3.1% 2.9% 2.5%

Federal Military 6.9% 7.3% 7.2% 7.1% 7.0% 6.9% 6.8% 6.2% 5.7% 5.2% 4.4%

State and Local Government 9.1% 9.7% 9.7% 9.6% 9.6% 9.6% 9.5% 9.3% 9.1% 8.9% 8.4%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 19,144.97 18,366.21 19,090.88 19,571.64 20,064.69 20,570.39 21,089.01 23,888.71 27,067.17 30,676.87 39,438.19

Farm Employment 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Mining 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Utilities 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Construction 8.1% 4.4% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.7% 4.6% 4.4% 4.2% 4.0% 3.7%

Manufacturing 4.8% 4.7% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.6% 4.5% 4.4% 4.2%

Wholesale Trade 3.0% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.2% 2.2% 2.0%

Retail Trade 7.9% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.2% 7.2% 7.2% 7.0% 6.9% 6.7% 6.4%

Transportation and Warehousing 1.8% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1%

Information Employment 2.4% 2.0% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1%

Finance and Insurance 3.9% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 4.0% 4.2% 4.4% 4.9%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 3.1% 2.0% 2.0% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.3% 2.4% 2.5%

Professional and Technical Services 6.6% 6.8% 6.8% 6.9% 7.0% 7.1% 7.2% 7.7% 8.2% 8.8% 9.9%

Management 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8%

Administrative and Waste Services 4.5% 3.7% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.2% 4.4% 4.6% 5.1%

Educational Services 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9%

Health Care and Social Assistance 10.0% 12.0% 12.0% 12.2% 12.3% 12.5% 12.6% 13.3% 14.0% 14.7% 16.2%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Accommodation and Food Services 4.6% 4.4% 4.4% 4.4% 4.4% 4.4% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 4.4% 4.3% 4.2% 4.2% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.4% 4.4% 4.5% 4.6%

Federal Civilian Government 6.8% 7.8% 7.6% 7.6% 7.5% 7.5% 7.4% 7.1% 6.8% 6.6% 6.0%
Tables-124 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-44. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-1 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Federal Military 14.5% 18.2% 18.0% 17.8% 17.6% 17.4% 17.2% 16.3% 15.4% 14.5% 12.8%

State and Local Government 10.5% 11.2% 11.1% 11.1% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 10.9% 10.7% 10.4%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 30,955 31,238 31,611 31,972 32,345 32,728 33,123 35,252 37,665 40,392 46,766

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 86.0 86.1 85.9 86.0 86.0 86.1 86.2 86.6 87.2 87.8 89.2

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.5

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 70,630 68,775 69,464 70,092 70,758 71,474 72,225 76,569 81,867 88,167 103,926

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 339.50 355.60 362.19 369.74 377.31 384.77 392.23 428.80 464.20 497.98 559.96

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 8.7% 8.1% 7.9% 7.8% 7.7% 7.5% 7.4% 6.6% 5.7% 4.9% 3.5%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 12.4% 11.6% 11.3% 11.1% 11.0% 10.8% 10.6% 9.4% 8.1% 7.0% 5.1%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 13.8% 12.9% 12.6% 12.4% 12.2% 12.0% 11.8% 10.4% 9.1% 7.8% 5.7%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 19.7% 18.9% 18.6% 18.3% 18.1% 17.8% 17.5% 15.6% 13.6% 11.7% 8.5%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 16.5% 17.4% 17.8% 18.0% 18.2% 18.3% 18.5% 19.1% 18.7% 17.1% 12.7%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 11.2% 12.0% 12.3% 12.5% 12.7% 13.0% 13.2% 15.0% 17.3% 19.3% 20.1%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 9.2% 9.8% 10.1% 10.2% 10.4% 10.6% 10.8% 12.3% 14.2% 16.5% 22.7%

Income $100,000 or More 8.6% 9.2% 9.5% 9.6% 9.8% 10.0% 10.2% 11.6% 13.4% 15.7% 21.7%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 7 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables Tables-125

Table 4-45

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-2 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 613.83 657.40 666.76 676.21 685.71 695.29 704.90 753.56 802.95 852.48 951.77

Age Under 19 Years 25.8% 24.6% 24.3% 24.2% 24.0% 23.9% 24.0% 24.2% 24.0% 23.7% 22.9%

Age 20 to 34 24.5% 25.3% 25.6% 25.8% 25.9% 25.9% 25.5% 22.8% 20.4% 19.9% 20.2%

Age 35 to 49 20.7% 18.9% 18.5% 18.1% 17.8% 17.5% 17.4% 18.7% 20.7% 21.4% 17.3%

Age 50 to 64 17.1% 18.2% 18.4% 18.3% 18.3% 18.3% 18.3% 17.6% 16.4% 15.2% 18.4%

Age 65 and over 11.9% 12.9% 13.2% 13.6% 14.0% 14.4% 14.8% 16.7% 18.5% 19.8% 21.2%

Median Age of Population (in years) 37 38 38 38 39 39 39 40 41 42 43

White Population (in thousands) 66.6% 65.2% 65.0% 64.8% 64.6% 64.4% 64.2% 63.2% 62.2% 61.2% 59.5%

Black Population (in thousands) 27.1% 27.5% 27.6% 27.6% 27.7% 27.7% 27.8% 28.2% 28.5% 28.9% 29.5%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 1.3% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.9% 2.0% 2.2%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 4.5% 5.3% 5.4% 5.5% 5.6% 5.8% 5.9% 6.4% 6.9% 7.5% 8.4%

Male Population (in thousands) 50.3% 50.8% 50.8% 50.9% 50.9% 51.0% 51.0% 51.2% 51.3% 51.4% 51.6%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 322.62 330.09 338.56 342.74 346.98 351.28 355.62 378.16 402.13 427.62 483.55

Farm Employment 2.6% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.7% 2.5% 2.4% 2.1%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 1.3% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3%

Mining 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%

Utilities 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3%

Construction 6.5% 4.7% 4.7% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.9% 5.0% 5.0% 5.1%

Manufacturing 4.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.3% 3.2% 3.1% 2.8%

Wholesale Trade 2.1% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.4%

Retail Trade 11.0% 10.3% 10.2% 10.2% 10.2% 10.2% 10.2% 10.0% 9.9% 9.8% 9.5%

Transportation and Warehousing 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6%

Information Employment 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.5% 1.3%

Finance and Insurance 3.2% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 3.4% 3.4%

Professional and Technical Services 5.8% 6.2% 6.3% 6.4% 6.5% 6.6% 6.7% 7.1% 7.6% 8.1% 9.1%

Management 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%
Tables-126 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-45. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-2 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Administrative and Waste Services 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 5.1% 5.3% 5.4% 5.7%

Educational Services 1.1% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.9% 2.0% 2.2% 2.6%

Health Care and Social Assistance 8.6% 10.3% 10.4% 10.5% 10.7% 10.8% 10.9% 11.4% 12.0% 12.5% 13.6%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.2% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7%

Accommodation and Food Services 6.7% 6.8% 6.8% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 7.0% 7.2% 7.3% 7.5%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 6.2% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.3% 6.3% 6.4% 6.5%

Federal Civilian Government 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 0.8%

Federal Military 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

State and Local Government 25.3% 25.0% 24.8% 24.6% 24.4% 24.2% 24.0% 23.0% 22.0% 21.0% 19.2%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 11,927.62 11,506.58 11,863.49 12,113.72 12,369.19 12,629.96 12,896.15 14,312.49 15,882.28 17,622.00 21,685.31

Farm Employment 1.3% 1.2% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 0.9% 0.7%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0%

Mining 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Utilities 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0%

Construction 6.4% 4.2% 4.5% 4.4% 4.4% 4.4% 4.4% 4.2% 4.1% 3.9% 3.6%

Manufacturing 5.9% 5.3% 5.5% 5.4% 5.4% 5.4% 5.4% 5.2% 5.1% 4.9% 4.6%

Wholesale Trade 2.7% 2.3% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.3% 2.2% 2.1% 1.9%

Retail Trade 7.2% 7.0% 7.0% 7.0% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 6.7% 6.6% 6.4% 6.1%

Transportation and Warehousing 1.5% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.5%

Information Employment 2.4% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.2% 2.1% 2.0% 1.9%

Finance and Insurance 4.2% 4.5% 4.6% 4.6% 4.7% 4.7% 4.8% 5.0% 5.2% 5.4% 5.9%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 1.1% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.0%

Professional and Technical Services 7.9% 8.1% 8.1% 8.2% 8.3% 8.4% 8.6% 9.2% 9.8% 10.4% 11.7%

Management 0.4% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7%

Administrative and Waste Services 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.9% 3.0% 3.1% 3.4%

Educational Services 0.5% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.1% 1.4%

Health Care and Social Assistance 9.6% 11.6% 11.7% 11.8% 12.0% 12.1% 12.2% 12.9% 13.5% 14.1% 15.4%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 0.4% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Accommodation and Food Services 2.7% 2.8% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.9%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 5.2% 5.4% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 5.4% 5.4% 5.5% 5.5% 5.6%

Federal Civilian Government 2.7% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.0% 2.9% 2.8% 2.6%

Federal Military 0.5% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

State and Local Government 32.3% 32.2% 31.6% 31.4% 31.2% 31.0% 30.8% 29.9% 28.9% 27.9% 26.0%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 27,200 26,656 26,811 27,063 27,321 27,585 27,856 29,328 31,005 32,905 37,298

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 67.0 66.8 66.7 66.6 66.5 66.4 66.3 65.9 65.6 65.4 64.9
Tables Tables-127

Table 4-45. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-2 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

Mean Household Total Personal Income (in 2005 dollars) 57,688 56,795 57,352 57,724 58,116 58,529 58,970 61,586 64,884 68,883 78,850

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 236.50 255.39 259.32 263.92 268.49 273.05 277.56 299.51 320.40 339.91 374.75

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 13.6% 12.8% 12.6% 12.4% 12.2% 12.1% 11.9% 11.0% 10.1% 8.9% 6.6%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 14.3% 13.6% 13.4% 13.2% 13.0% 12.8% 12.6% 11.7% 10.7% 9.4% 7.0%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 14.0% 13.3% 13.1% 12.9% 12.7% 12.5% 12.4% 11.5% 10.5% 9.3% 6.9%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 18.7% 18.8% 18.8% 18.8% 18.7% 18.6% 18.5% 17.9% 16.8% 14.9% 11.1%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 14.2% 14.9% 15.2% 15.4% 15.6% 15.8% 16.1% 17.2% 18.3% 19.3% 17.8%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 9.4% 9.9% 10.0% 10.2% 10.3% 10.5% 10.6% 11.5% 12.5% 14.3% 18.6%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 8.2% 8.6% 8.7% 8.8% 8.9% 9.1% 9.2% 9.9% 10.8% 12.4% 16.6%

Income $100,000 or More 7.8% 8.1% 8.3% 8.4% 8.5% 8.6% 8.7% 9.4% 10.2% 11.6% 15.4%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 15 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-128 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-46

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-3 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 3,416.04 3,624.88 3,675.05 3,725.64 3,776.58 3,827.91 3,879.47 4,140.64 4,405.96 4,672.19 5,206.25

Age Under 19 Years 24.0% 23.4% 23.3% 23.2% 23.2% 23.1% 23.1% 23.1% 23.2% 23.1% 23.0%

Age 20 to 34 18.9% 19.4% 19.7% 19.8% 19.9% 19.9% 19.8% 19.2% 18.6% 18.3% 18.6%

Age 35 to 49 21.2% 19.6% 19.2% 18.8% 18.5% 18.2% 18.1% 17.9% 18.4% 18.8% 17.8%

Age 50 to 64 18.1% 19.5% 19.8% 19.8% 19.8% 19.9% 19.9% 19.1% 17.5% 16.2% 16.5%

Age 65 and over 17.8% 18.0% 18.1% 18.4% 18.6% 18.9% 19.1% 20.6% 22.3% 23.7% 24.1%

Median Age of Population (in years) 41 41 42 42 42 42 42 43 43 44 44

White Population (in thousands) 74.5% 71.2% 70.7% 70.1% 69.6% 69.1% 68.5% 65.9% 63.3% 60.7% 55.4%

Black Population (in thousands) 11.3% 11.8% 11.9% 12.0% 12.0% 12.1% 12.1% 12.3% 12.5% 12.6% 12.7%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in thousands) 2.5% 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 3.1% 3.2% 3.3% 3.6% 4.0% 4.4% 5.3%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 11.4% 13.7% 14.1% 14.5% 14.9% 15.3% 15.8% 17.8% 19.9% 22.0% 26.4%

Male Population (in thousands) 48.7% 48.9% 49.0% 49.0% 49.1% 49.2% 49.2% 49.4% 49.5% 49.6% 49.7%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 1,944.16 1,868.77 1,922.79 1,951.29 1,980.12 2,009.31 2,038.85 2,192.00 2,354.46 2,526.62 2,901.49

Farm Employment 1.0% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Mining 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Utilities 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Construction 7.3% 4.8% 4.8% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 5.0% 5.1% 5.2%

Manufacturing 5.0% 4.4% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 4.1% 4.0% 3.7% 3.4% 3.1% 2.6%

Wholesale Trade 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 2.9%

Retail Trade 11.4% 11.1% 11.1% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 10.8% 10.6% 10.4% 10.0%

Transportation and Warehousing 2.3% 2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4%

Information Employment 2.2% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.7%

Finance and Insurance 5.8% 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 5.8% 5.8% 5.7% 5.7% 5.6% 5.4%
Tables Tables-129

Table 4-46. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-3 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 4.5% 4.4% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.6% 4.6% 4.7% 4.8%

Professional and Technical Services 6.4% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.4% 7.4% 7.3%

Management 0.8% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.4% 1.4% 1.6%

Administrative and Waste Services 10.8% 7.8% 7.9% 8.0% 8.1% 8.2% 8.2% 8.7% 9.2% 9.6% 10.6%

Educational Services 1.3% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 2.0% 2.1% 2.2% 2.5%

Health Care and Social Assistance 10.3% 13.0% 13.1% 13.2% 13.4% 13.5% 13.6% 14.2% 14.8% 15.4% 16.7%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2.0% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.2%

Accommodation and Food Services 6.8% 7.0% 7.0% 7.0% 6.9% 6.9% 6.8% 6.6% 6.4% 6.2% 5.8%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 5.9% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.2% 6.1% 6.1% 6.0% 5.9%

Federal Civilian Government 1.3% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3%

Federal Military 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5%

State and Local Government 9.9% 10.3% 10.3% 10.2% 10.2% 10.1% 10.1% 9.9% 9.6% 9.4% 8.9%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars) 79,115.35 72,699.32 75,523.98 77,335.32 79,187.57 81,081.56 83,018.17 93,371.74 104,929.66 117,819.11 148,161.00

Farm Employment 0.5% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Mining 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

Utilities 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9%

Construction 7.5% 4.4% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 4.5% 4.3% 4.1% 3.8%

Manufacturing 6.8% 6.0% 6.1% 6.0% 5.9% 5.8% 5.8% 5.3% 4.9% 4.5% 3.8%

Wholesale Trade 4.9% 4.8% 4.9% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.6% 4.6% 4.4%

Retail Trade 8.3% 7.7% 7.7% 7.6% 7.6% 7.5% 7.5% 7.3% 7.0% 6.8% 6.3%

Transportation and Warehousing 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.2% 2.2% 2.1% 2.1%

Information Employment 3.3% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 2.9% 2.9% 2.8% 2.7%

Finance and Insurance 8.0% 7.2% 7.2% 7.2% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.4% 7.5% 7.6% 7.7%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 2.3% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.9%

Professional and Technical Services 8.1% 9.2% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.0%

Management 1.6% 2.4% 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.8% 3.0% 3.3% 3.7%

Administrative and Waste Services 7.1% 4.8% 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 5.1% 5.1% 5.4% 5.8% 6.1% 6.9%

Educational Services 0.8% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.4% 1.5% 1.7%

Health Care and Social Assistance 12.1% 15.5% 15.4% 15.6% 15.7% 15.9% 16.0% 16.7% 17.4% 18.1% 19.5%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.5% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6%
Tables-130 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-46. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-3 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Accommodation and Food Services 3.9% 4.2% 4.1% 4.1% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 3.8% 3.6% 3.5% 3.2%

Other Services, Except Public Administration 4.0% 4.2% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.0% 4.0% 3.9% 3.8%

Federal Civilian Government 2.7% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5%

Federal Military 1.2% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 1.3% 1.2%

State and Local Government 11.8% 12.8% 12.6% 12.6% 12.5% 12.5% 12.5% 12.3% 12.2% 12.0% 11.6%

Total Personal Income per Capita (in 2005 dollars) 33,224 31,323 31,639 32,001 32,373 32,754 33,144 35,240 37,593 40,226 46,260

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index (U.S. = 100) 79.5 77.2 77.2 77.2 77.1 77.1 77.1 77.0 77.0 77.0 77.0

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3

Mean Household Total Personal Income 

(in 2005 dollars) 64,512 62,252 63,029 63,502 63,992 64,509 65,058 68,279 72,269 77,062 88,938

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 1,449.40 1,546.55 1,568.95 1,595.36 1,621.62 1,647.70 1,673.53 1,798.54 1,917.25 2,027.90 2,223.65

Income < $10,000 (thousands of households, 2000$) 9.1% 8.7% 8.6% 8.4% 8.3% 8.1% 8.0% 7.2% 6.3% 5.5% 4.1%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 13.8% 13.4% 13.1% 12.9% 12.6% 12.4% 12.1% 11.0% 9.7% 8.4% 6.2%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 14.7% 14.2% 13.9% 13.7% 13.5% 13.2% 12.9% 11.7% 10.3% 8.9% 6.6%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 19.6% 19.5% 19.3% 19.2% 19.0% 18.7% 18.5% 17.1% 15.3% 13.3% 9.9%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 15.1% 15.7% 16.0% 16.3% 16.6% 16.8% 17.1% 18.0% 18.6% 18.4% 15.2%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 9.7% 10.1% 10.3% 10.5% 10.7% 10.9% 11.1% 12.4% 14.2% 16.1% 18.7%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 8.4% 8.7% 8.9% 9.0% 9.2% 9.4% 9.6% 10.7% 12.2% 13.9% 18.7%

Income $100,000 or More 9.4% 9.7% 9.9% 10.1% 10.2% 10.4% 10.7% 11.9% 13.5% 15.4% 20.5%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 12 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables Tables-131

Table 4-47

Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-4 

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Total Population (in thousands) 5,960.39 6,210.44 6,294.73 6,379.76 6,465.42 6,551.79 6,638.56 7,078.51 7,525.98 7,975.38 8,877.71

Age Under 19 Years 24.7% 24.0% 23.9% 23.7% 23.6% 23.6% 23.5% 23.5% 23.2% 23.0% 22.8%

Age 20 to 34 18.5% 18.6% 18.6% 18.7% 18.7% 18.8% 18.8% 18.2% 17.8% 17.5% 17.4%

Age 35 to 49 22.1% 20.8% 20.4% 20.1% 19.7% 19.3% 19.0% 18.3% 18.2% 18.3% 17.2%

Age 50 to 64 17.5% 18.9% 19.1% 19.3% 19.4% 19.6% 19.7% 19.3% 18.3% 16.7% 16.1%

Age 65 and over 17.2% 17.8% 18.0% 18.2% 18.5% 18.8% 19.1% 20.7% 22.5% 24.4% 26.5%

Median Age of Population (in years) 44 45 45 45 45 45 45 46 46 46 46

White Population (in thousands) 46.6% 43.3% 42.7% 42.1% 41.5% 40.9% 40.4% 37.7% 35.3% 32.9% 28.5%

Black Population (in thousands) 16.5% 16.5% 16.6% 16.6% 16.6% 16.7% 16.7% 16.8% 16.9% 17.0% 16.9%

Native American Population (in thousands) 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%

Asian and Pacific Islander Population (in 

thousands) 1.9% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.3% 2.5% 2.6% 2.8% 3.2%

Hispanic or Latino Population (in thousands) 34.8% 37.9% 38.5% 39.0% 39.5% 40.0% 40.5% 42.8% 45.0% 47.2% 51.2%

Male Population (in thousands) 48.8% 49.0% 49.1% 49.1% 49.1% 49.1% 49.1% 49.2% 49.2% 49.2% 49.0%

Total Employment (in thousands of jobs) 3,395.35 3,329.05 3,426.96 3,479.99 3,533.68 3,588.03 3,643.04 3,928.30 4,230.99 4,551.70 5,249.44

Farm Employment 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

Mining 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Utilities 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Construction 8.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.1% 5.1% 5.3% 5.4% 5.6% 5.9%

Manufacturing 3.6% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.8% 2.8% 2.7% 2.5% 2.4% 2.2% 1.9%

Wholesale Trade 4.5% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.1% 3.9% 3.8% 3.6% 3.3%

Retail Trade 11.2% 11.1% 11.1% 11.0% 11.0% 10.9% 10.9% 10.7% 10.5% 10.3% 9.8%

Transportation and Warehousing 3.8% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8% 3.8% 3.7% 3.7% 3.6% 3.4%

Information Employment 2.0% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4%
Tables-132 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-47. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-4 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Finance and Insurance 5.0% 4.9% 4.9% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.7% 4.5% 4.4% 4.1%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 6.0% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.0% 6.0% 5.9%

Professional and Technical Services 6.5% 6.8% 6.8% 6.8% 6.8% 6.9% 6.9% 7.0% 7.1% 7.1% 7.3%

Management 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0%

Administrative and Waste Services 9.0% 7.9% 8.0% 8.0% 8.1% 8.2% 8.2% 8.6% 9.0% 9.3% 10.1%

Educational Services 1.8% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.7% 2.8% 2.9%

Health Care and Social Assistance 9.1% 11.4% 11.5% 11.6% 11.7% 11.8% 11.8% 12.3% 12.8% 13.2% 14.2%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2.2% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.4% 2.4%

Accommodation and Food Services 7.2% 7.4% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 7.2% 7.1% 7.0% 6.8% 6.5%

Other Services, Except Public 

Administration 7.7% 8.4% 8.4% 8.4% 8.4% 8.4% 8.5% 8.6% 8.7% 8.7% 8.9%

Federal Civilian Government 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8%

Federal Military 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3%

State and Local Government 9.0% 9.6% 9.6% 9.5% 9.5% 9.5% 9.4% 9.3% 9.1% 9.0% 8.6%

Total Earnings (in millions of 2005 dollars)

146,349.

28

133,109.3

2

138,104.

63

141,438.3

6

144,845.8

4

148,328.4

8

151,887.8

1

170,888.0

7

192,042.0

6

215,564.7

3

270,666.

64

Farm Employment 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Forestry, Fishing, Related Activities 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Mining 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Utilities 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

Construction 9.4% 5.2% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.5% 5.4% 5.3% 5.2% 4.9%

Manufacturing 4.4% 3.6% 3.7% 3.7% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5% 3.3% 3.1% 2.9% 2.5%

Wholesale Trade 6.8% 6.7% 6.9% 6.8% 6.8% 6.7% 6.7% 6.4% 6.2% 5.9% 5.4%

Retail Trade 8.5% 8.4% 8.4% 8.3% 8.3% 8.2% 8.2% 7.9% 7.7% 7.4% 6.9%

Transportation and Warehousing 4.0% 4.0% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.8% 3.7% 3.6% 3.5% 3.2%

Information Employment 3.6% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.2% 3.1% 3.0%

Finance and Insurance 6.9% 6.2% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.0%

Real Estate / Rental and Lease 3.7% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.7%

Professional and Technical Services 8.3% 9.2% 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 9.2% 9.2% 9.4% 9.5% 9.6% 9.9%

Management 1.3% 1.9% 1.9% 2.0% 2.0% 2.1% 2.1% 2.3% 2.5% 2.7% 3.2%

Administrative and Waste Services 6.2% 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 5.0% 5.1% 5.1% 5.4% 5.6% 5.9% 6.5%

Educational Services 1.5% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.3% 2.4% 2.5% 2.7%
Tables Tables-133

Table 4-47. Demographic and Employment Baseline Projections for Economic Impact Area FL-4 (continued).

2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 2025 2030 2040

Health Care and Social Assistance 9.5% 12.2% 12.1% 12.2% 12.3% 12.4% 12.5% 13.0% 13.5% 14.1% 15.1%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1.6% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.7%

Accommodation and Food Services 4.3% 4.6% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.3% 4.2% 4.1% 3.9%

Other Services, Except Public 

Administration 4.2% 4.6% 4.5% 4.5% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7%

Federal Civilian Government 2.2% 2.7% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6%

Federal Military 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6%

State and Local Government 11.8% 14.0% 13.8% 13.8% 13.8% 13.8% 13.8% 13.8% 13.7% 13.6% 13.5%

Total Personal Income per Capita 

(in 2005 dollars) 37,332 35,529 35,954 36,438 36,933 37,438 37,957 40,740 43,871 47,389 55,589

Woods & Poole Economics Wealth Index 

(U.S. = 100) 119.1 113.4 113.6 113.8 114.0 114.2 114.5 115.7 117.1 118.5 121.7

Persons per Household (in number of people) 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

Mean Household Total Personal Income 

(in 2005 dollars) 92,182 86,404 87,645 88,598 89,600 90,651 91,754 98,070 105,688 114,735 137,497

Total Number of Households (in thousands) 2,337.90 2,434.13 2,469.25 2,510.68 2,551.90 2,592.85 2,633.43 2,830.25 3,017.88 3,193.31 3,504.05

Income < $10,000

(thousands of households, 2000$) 9.2% 8.8% 8.7% 8.5% 8.4% 8.2% 8.1% 7.2% 6.4% 5.6% 4.4%

Income $10,000 to $19,999 12.1% 11.7% 11.5% 11.4% 11.2% 11.0% 10.7% 9.6% 8.5% 7.5% 5.8%

Income $20,000 to $29,999 12.6% 12.3% 12.1% 11.9% 11.7% 11.5% 11.2% 10.0% 8.9% 7.9% 6.1%

Income $30,000 to $44,999 17.3% 17.0% 16.8% 16.5% 16.3% 16.0% 15.7% 14.0% 12.4% 11.0% 8.6%

Income $45,000 to $59,999 14.9% 15.3% 15.5% 15.6% 15.8% 15.9% 16.0% 16.2% 15.5% 14.1% 11.0%

Income $60,000 to $74,999 10.6% 11.0% 11.2% 11.4% 11.6% 11.8% 12.0% 13.5% 15.1% 16.3% 15.8%

Income $75,000 to $99,999 10.0% 10.3% 10.5% 10.7% 10.9% 11.1% 11.3% 12.8% 14.4% 16.4% 20.7%

Income $100,000 or More 13.1% 13.5% 13.8% 14.0% 14.3% 14.5% 14.8% 16.7% 18.8% 21.4% 27.6%

Note: Median age, wealth index, and mean household income is the average of the original Woods & Poole values for the 9 counties in the EIA; income per capita calculated using personal 

income/total population for the EIA; persons per household calculated using total population/number of households for the EIA. 

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-134 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-48

Baseline Population Projections (in thousands) by Economic Impact Area, 2010-2051

Model 

Year

Calendar

Year AL-1 MS-1 LA-1 LA-2 LA-3 LA-4 TX-1 TX-2 TX-3 FL-1 FL-2 FL-3 FL-4 

2010 725.48 470.61 334.72 587.88 1,126.87 1,267.52 1,771.25 626.33 6,192.43 896.10 657.40 3,624.88 6,210.44

2011 731.11 474.64 336.53 593.59 1,140.44 1,278.34 1,807.15 634.39 6,299.99 911.70 666.76 3,675.05 6,294.73

1 2012 736.83 478.72 338.39 599.38 1,154.15 1,289.31 1,843.24 642.51 6,408.25 927.40 676.21 3,725.64 6,379.76

2 2013 742.62 482.85 340.27 605.23 1,167.97 1,300.40 1,879.50 650.70 6,517.13 943.19 685.71 3,776.58 6,465.42

3 2014 748.49 487.02 342.20 611.14 1,181.91 1,311.64 1,915.95 658.94 6,626.68 959.08 695.29 3,827.91 6,551.79

4 2015 754.41 491.23 344.15 617.10 1,195.92 1,322.96 1,952.51 667.23 6,736.63 975.02 704.90 3,879.47 6,638.56

5 2016 760.38 495.47 346.12 623.10 1,210.00 1,334.37 1,989.19 675.55 6,847.01 991.02 714.55 3,931.27 6,725.77

6 2017 766.41 499.75 348.12 629.15 1,224.17 1,345.89 2,026.02 683.92 6,957.91 1,007.10 724.26 3,983.37 6,813.50

7 2018 772.47 504.05 350.13 635.22 1,238.39 1,357.45 2,062.92 692.31 7,069.08 1,023.22 734.00 4,035.62 6,901.51

8 2019 778.57 508.38 352.16 641.34 1,252.68 1,369.10 2,099.94 700.73 7,180.66 1,039.39 743.77 4,088.08 6,989.92

9 2020 784.68 512.71 354.20 647.47 1,266.99 1,380.77 2,137.01 709.17 7,292.42 1,055.59 753.56 4,140.64 7,078.51

10 2021 790.89 517.11 356.28 653.68 1,281.45 1,392.61 2,174.35 717.69 7,405.11 1,071.93 763.44 4,193.71 7,168.00

11 2022 797.15 521.54 358.38 659.95 1,296.07 1,404.55 2,212.34 726.31 7,519.54 1,088.51 773.44 4,247.45 7,258.63

12 2023 803.46 526.02 360.48 666.29 1,310.86 1,416.60 2,251.00 735.03 7,635.74 1,105.36 783.58 4,301.88 7,350.40

13 2024 809.82 530.53 362.60 672.68 1,325.83 1,428.75 2,290.33 743.85 7,753.73 1,122.46 793.85 4,357.01 7,443.33

14 2025 815.74 534.70 364.61 678.54 1,339.29 1,439.98 2,323.71 751.75 7,855.87 1,137.26 802.95 4,405.96 7,525.98

15 2026 821.98 539.11 366.70 684.79 1,353.80 1,451.87 2,361.17 760.29 7,968.97 1,153.65 812.85 4,459.20 7,615.86

16 2027 828.26 543.56 368.81 691.09 1,368.46 1,463.87 2,399.24 768.92 8,083.69 1,170.28 822.88 4,513.09 7,706.81

17 2028 834.60 548.05 370.92 697.46 1,383.29 1,475.96 2,437.91 777.65 8,200.07 1,187.15 833.03 4,567.63 7,798.85

18 2029 840.98 552.58 373.05 703.88 1,398.27 1,488.16 2,477.21 786.48 8,318.13 1,204.26 843.31 4,622.84 7,891.99

19 2030 846.94 556.77 375.07 709.79 1,411.83 1,499.47 2,511.01 794.43 8,421.37 1,219.22 852.48 4,672.19 7,975.38

20 2031 853.17 561.19 377.17 716.05 1,426.34 1,511.37 2,548.50 802.95 8,534.58 1,235.62 862.38 4,725.46 8,065.35

21 2032 859.46 565.63 379.27 722.36 1,440.99 1,523.36 2,586.55 811.57 8,649.31 1,252.25 872.41 4,779.34 8,156.35

22 2033 865.79 570.12 381.39 728.73 1,455.80 1,535.45 2,625.17 820.28 8,765.59 1,269.10 882.54 4,833.83 8,248.36

23 2034 872.17 574.64 383.51 735.16 1,470.76 1,547.64 2,664.37 829.09 8,883.43 1,286.17 892.80 4,888.94 8,341.42

24 2035 878.13 578.84 385.53 741.09 1,484.37 1,558.97 2,698.47 837.06 8,987.43 1,301.24 902.01 4,938.54 8,425.26

25 2036 884.41 583.28 387.64 747.40 1,498.95 1,570.96 2,736.13 845.63 9,101.21 1,317.72 911.96 4,992.08 8,515.75

26 2037 890.74 587.76 389.77 753.76 1,513.68 1,583.03 2,774.31 854.28 9,216.42 1,334.42 922.03 5,046.20 8,607.21
Tables Tables-135

Table 4-48. Baseline Population Projections (in thousands) by Economic Impact Area, 2010-2051 (continued).

Model 

Year

Calendar 

Year AL-1 MS-1 LA-1 LA-2 LA-3 LA-4 TX-1 TX-2 TX-3 FL-1 FL-2 FL-3 FL-4 

27 2038 897.11 592.27 391.90 760.17 1,528.55 1,595.20 2,813.03 863.02 9,333.09 1,351.32 932.20 5,100.91 8,699.66

28 2039 903.53 596.82 394.04 766.64 1,543.57 1,607.46 2,852.29 871.85 9,451.24 1,368.44 942.49 5,156.22 8,793.09

29 2040 909.54 601.05 396.08 772.62 1,557.29 1,618.89 2,886.77 879.89 9,556.30 1,383.66 951.77 5,206.25 8,877.71

30 2041 916.04 605.67 398.25 779.20 1,572.59 1,631.33 2,927.06 888.89 9,677.28 1,401.19 962.28 5,262.70 8,973.06

31 2042 922.60 610.31 400.43 785.83 1,588.03 1,643.87 2,967.91 897.99 9,799.78 1,418.94 972.89 5,319.75 9,069.43

32 2043 929.20 615.00 402.62 792.52 1,603.64 1,656.50 3,009.33 907.18 9,923.84 1,436.92 983.63 5,377.43 9,166.84

33 2044 935.84 619.72 404.83 799.26 1,619.39 1,669.23 3,051.33 916.46 10,049.47 1,455.12 994.48 5,435.73 9,265.29

34 2045 942.54 624.47 407.04 806.06 1,635.30 1,682.06 3,093.91 925.84 10,176.68 1,473.56 1,005.45 5,494.66 9,364.80

35 2046 949.28 629.27 409.27 812.92 1,651.37 1,694.99 3,137.09 935.31 10,305.51 1,492.22 1,016.55 5,554.23 9,465.38

36 2047 956.07 634.09 411.51 819.84 1,667.59 1,708.02 3,180.87 944.88 10,435.97 1,511.13 1,027.76 5,614.45 9,567.04

37 2048 962.91 638.96 413.76 826.82 1,683.97 1,721.15 3,225.27 954.55 10,568.08 1,530.27 1,039.10 5,675.32 9,669.80

38 2049 969.80 643.86 416.03 833.86 1,700.52 1,734.37 3,270.28 964.32 10,701.87 1,549.66 1,050.57 5,736.85 9,773.65

39 2050 976.73 648.81 418.30 840.95 1,717.22 1,747.70 3,315.92 974.19 10,837.34 1,569.29 1,062.16 5,799.05 9,878.62

40 2051 983.72 653.78 420.59 848.11 1,734.09 1,761.14 3,362.20 984.16 10,974.54 1,589.17 1,073.88 5,861.92 9,984.72

Note: Actual Woods & Poole data for 2010 through 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035, and 2040. Missing estimates through 2040 calculated using average annual growth rate for the 5-year period; 

projections after 2040 calculated using the average annual growth rate from 2035 to 2040.

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., 2010.
Tables-136 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-49 

 

Peak Population Projected from a WPA Proposed Action as a Percent of Total Population 

Economic Impact Area 

WPA Low WPA High 

Peak 

Annual 

Peak 

Year 

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent Peak Annual 

Peak 

Year 

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent 

Texas (TX) 

TX-1 855 2027 2,399,240 0.0% 1,457 2027 2,399,240 0.1% 

TX-2 501 2018 692,310 0.1% 810 2015 667,230 0.1% 

TX-3 4,894 2015 6,736,630 0.1% 8,034 2017 6,957,910 0.1% 

Louisiana (LA) 

LA-1 59 2015 344,150 0.0% 104 2015 344,150 0.0% 

LA-2 474 2015 617,100 0.1% 778 2015 617,100 0.1% 

LA-3 850 2015 1,195,920 0.1% 1,378 2015 1,195,920 0.1% 

LA-4 273 2015 1,322,960 0.0% 458 2015 1,322,960 0.0% 

Florida (FL) 

FL-1 65 2018 1,023,220 0.0% 119 2015 975,020 0.0% 

FL-2 130 2018 734,000 0.0% 237 2015 704,900 0.0% 

FL-3 141 2018 4,035,620 0.0% 260 2015 3,879,470 0.0% 

FL-4 103 2015 6,638,560 0.0% 192 2015 6,638,560 0.0% 

Alabama (AL) 

AL-1 174 2027 828,260 0.0% 307 2015 754,410 0.0% 

Mississippi (MS) 

MS-1 152 2027 543,560 0.0% 252 2027 543,560 0.0% 

Sources: Peak employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011). 

Baseline population projections based on Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (2010). 
Tables Tables-137 

Table 4-50 

 

Peak Employment Projected from Cumulative OCS Programs as a Percent of Total Employment 

Economic Impact Area 

Cumulative Low Cumulative High 

Peak 

Annual 

Peak 

Year 

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent Peak Annual 

Peak 

Year 

Baseline 

in Peak 

Year 

Percent 

Texas (TX) 

TX-1 6,437 2030 1,151,170 0.6% 10,006 2031 1,168,650 0.9% 

TX-2 2,445 2031 403,920 0.6% 4,024 2031 403,920 1.0% 

TX-3 66,355 2030 4,951,730 1.3% 97,636 2031 5,028,340 1.9% 

Louisiana (LA) 

LA-1 5,972 2031 222,480 2.7% 9,619 2031 222,480 4.3% 

LA-2 13,542 2030 408,210 3.3% 21,238 2031 412,680 5.1% 

LA-3 23,223 2030 859,360 2.7% 36,791 2031 870,010 4.2% 

LA-4 12,334 2030 883,430 1.4% 19,610 2031 890,790 2.2% 

Florida (FL) 

FL-1 1,022 2031 687,750 0.1% 1,728 2031 687,750 0.3% 

FL-2 2,025 2031 433,040 0.5% 3,459 2031 433,040 0.8% 

FL-3 2,247 2031 2,563,070 0.1% 3,808 2031 2,563,070 0.1% 

FL-4 1,701 2031 4,619,550 0.0% 2,936 2031 4,619,550 0.1% 

Alabama (AL) 

AL-1 2,624 2030 445,720 0.6% 4,463 2031 450,470 1.0% 

Mississippi (MS) 

MS-1 1,833 2030 293,520 0.6% 3,086 2031 296,020 1.0% 

Sources: Peak employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011). 

Baseline population projections based on Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (2010). 
Tables-138 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-51

Baseline Employment Projections (in Thousands) by Economic Impact Area

Model Calendar

Year Year AL1 MS1 LA1 LA2 LA3 LA4 TX1 TX2 TX3 FL1 FL2 FL3 FL4 Total

2010 353.63 243.91 177.73 321.93 663.02 728.32 840.00 309.97 3,596.00 489.82 330.09 1,868.77 3,329.05 13,252.23

2011 362.59 249.36 182.05 330.21 680.63 745.53 864.86 317.96 3,700.61 504.24 338.56 1,922.79 3,426.96 13,626.35

1 2012 366.69 251.56 183.91 334.03 689.17 752.64 878.23 321.85 3,758.99 512.13 342.74 1,951.29 3,479.99 13,823.22

2 2013 370.81 253.76 185.81 337.89 697.80 759.77 891.81 325.78 3,818.15 520.13 346.98 1,980.12 3,533.68 14,022.49

3 2014 374.97 255.98 187.70 341.78 706.51 766.93 905.55 329.76 3,878.09 528.26 351.28 2,009.31 3,588.03 14,224.14

4 2015 379.15 258.22 189.62 345.70 715.33 774.11 919.48 333.78 3,938.83 536.52 355.62 2,038.85 3,643.04 14,428.24

5 2016 383.37 260.47 191.54 349.65 724.23 781.30 933.58 337.82 4,000.39 544.90 360.02 2,068.76 3,698.74 14,634.78

6 2017 387.62 262.73 193.50 353.63 733.24 788.52 947.87 341.92 4,062.77 553.43 364.46 2,099.03 3,755.10 14,843.79

7 2018 391.90 265.01 195.46 357.65 742.34 795.74 962.34 346.07 4,125.95 562.07 368.98 2,129.66 3,812.15 15,055.30

8 2019 396.21 267.30 197.44 361.69 751.53 802.98 977.00 350.24 4,189.99 570.86 373.54 2,160.65 3,869.88 15,269.31

9 2020 400.55 269.62 199.43 365.76 760.83 810.24 991.85 354.48 4,254.86 579.78 378.16 2,192.00 3,928.30 15,485.86

10 2021 404.99 271.97 201.47 369.93 770.43 817.53 1,007.28 358.83 4,322.32 589.12 382.95 2,224.49 3,988.84 15,710.16

11 2022 409.48 274.34 203.54 374.15 780.14 824.89 1,022.95 363.24 4,390.84 598.61 387.81 2,257.47 4,050.31 15,937.78

12 2023 414.02 276.74 205.62 378.41 789.98 832.32 1,038.87 367.71 4,460.45 608.25 392.73 2,290.93 4,112.73 16,168.77

13 2024 418.61 279.15 207.73 382.73 799.95 839.81 1,055.03 372.22 4,531.17 618.06 397.71 2,324.89 4,176.11 16,403.17

14 2025 422.75 281.38 209.65 386.61 808.81 846.71 1,069.01 376.26 4,592.14 626.48 402.13 2,354.46 4,230.99 16,607.39

15 2026 427.35 283.81 211.77 390.93 818.92 854.06 1,085.44 380.83 4,664.06 636.56 407.23 2,388.90 4,295.13 16,844.98

16 2027 431.99 286.26 213.92 395.30 829.16 861.46 1,102.12 385.46 4,737.10 646.80 412.39 2,423.83 4,360.25 17,086.04

17 2028 436.69 288.73 216.09 399.71 839.52 868.93 1,119.07 390.14 4,811.29 657.21 417.62 2,459.28 4,426.35 17,330.62

18 2029 441.43 291.22 218.28 404.18 850.02 876.47 1,136.27 394.88 4,886.64 667.78 422.92 2,495.24 4,493.45 17,578.77

19 2030 445.72 293.52 220.27 408.21 859.36 883.43 1,151.17 399.12 4,951.73 676.88 427.62 2,526.62 4,551.70 17,795.35

20 2031 450.47 296.02 222.48 412.68 870.01 890.79 1,168.65 403.92 5,028.34 687.75 433.04 2,563.07 4,619.55 18,046.77

21 2032 455.27 298.55 224.71 417.21 880.78 898.22 1,186.39 408.78 5,106.13 698.79 438.53 2,600.03 4,688.42 18,301.82

22 2033 460.12 301.09 226.97 421.78 891.69 905.70 1,204.41 413.70 5,185.13 710.01 444.09 2,637.53 4,758.32 18,560.55

23 2034 465.02 303.66 229.25 426.41 902.73 913.25 1,222.69 418.67 5,265.35 721.41 449.72 2,675.58 4,829.26 18,823.00

24 2035 469.47 306.03 231.32 430.59 912.57 920.25 1,238.56 423.13 5,334.78 731.22 454.72 2,708.83 4,890.99 19,052.46

25 2036 474.37 308.61 233.62 435.21 923.76 927.61 1,257.14 428.15 5,416.31 742.93 460.49 2,747.36 4,962.68 19,318.25

26 2037 479.32 311.21 235.94 439.89 935.09 935.02 1,275.99 433.24 5,499.10 754.83 466.32 2,786.44 5,035.42 19,587.82

27 2038 484.33 313.83 238.28 444.61 946.56 942.50 1,295.13 438.38 5,583.14 766.92 472.24 2,826.08 5,109.23 19,861.23

28 2039 489.39 316.47 240.64 449.38 958.16 950.04 1,314.56 443.59 5,668.48 779.21 478.22 2,866.28 5,184.12 20,138.54

29 2040 493.98 318.92 242.80 453.71 968.53 957.04 1,331.45 448.26 5,742.46 789.79 483.55 2,901.49 5,249.44 20,381.40

30 2041 499.14 321.61 245.21 458.58 980.40 964.70 1,351.41 453.58 5,830.23 802.44 489.67 2,942.76 5,326.39 20,666.11

31 2042 504.35 324.31 247.64 463.51 992.42 972.41 1,371.68 458.97 5,919.33 815.29 495.88 2,984.61 5,404.46 20,954.88

32 2043 509.62 327.05 250.10 468.48 1,004.59 980.19 1,392.26 464.42 6,009.81 828.36 502.17 3,027.07 5,483.67 21,247.77

33 2044 514.94 329.80 252.58 473.52 1,016.91 988.02 1,413.14 469.94 6,101.66 841.63 508.53 3,070.12 5,564.05 21,544.84

34 2045 520.32 332.58 255.09 478.60 1,029.38 995.93 1,434.33 475.52 6,194.92 855.11 514.98 3,113.79 5,645.61 21,846.15

35 2046 525.76 335.38 257.62 483.74 1,042.00 1,003.89 1,455.85 481.17 6,289.60 868.81 521.51 3,158.08 5,728.36 22,151.75

36 2047 531.25 338.20 260.17 488.94 1,054.78 1,011.92 1,477.68 486.88 6,385.73 882.72 528.12 3,203.00 5,812.32 22,461.72

37 2048 536.80 341.05 262.75 494.19 1,067.71 1,020.01 1,499.84 492.66 6,483.33 896.87 534.81 3,248.56 5,897.52 22,776.11

38 2049 542.40 343.92 265.36 499.49 1,080.81 1,028.17 1,522.34 498.52 6,582.42 911.23 541.59 3,294.77 5,983.96 23,094.99

39 2050 548.07 346.82 267.99 504.86 1,094.06 1,036.39 1,545.17 504.44 6,683.02 925.83 548.46 3,341.64 6,071.67 23,418.42

40 2051 553.79 349.74 270.65 510.28 1,107.48 1,044.68 1,568.35 510.43 6,785.16 940.66 555.41 3,389.17 6,160.67 23,746.47

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (2010). . Notes: Actual Woods & Poole data for 2010 through 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035, and 2040. Missing estimates through 2040 calculated using 

average annual growth rate for the 5 year period; projections after 2040 calculated using the average annual growth rate from 2035 to 2040.
Tables Tables-139

Table 4-52

Gulf Coast Monthly Unemployment Rates during 2010

Labor Market Area January February March April May June July August September October November December

National Unemployment Rate 9.7 9.7 9.7 9.8 9.6 9.5 9.5 9.6 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.4

Texas 8.6 8.4 8.3 7.9 7.9 8.4 8.4 8.3 8.0 7.9 8.2 8.0

Beaumont-Port Arthur 10.8 10.6 10.8 10.3 10.4 10.9 10.8 10.7 10.5 10.3 10.9 10.9

Brownsville 11.2 11.2 10.9 10.5 10.5 11.4 11.3 11.4 11.1 11.0 11.7 11.7

Corpus Christi 8.2 8.0 7.8 7.6 7.7 8.4 8.3 8.1 8.0 7.9 8.3 8.2

Houston-Sugarland-Baytown 8.8 8.6 8.6 8.2 8.2 8.7 8.7 8.6 8.3 8.2 8.5 8.3

Victoria 8.1 8.2 7.9 7.4 7.3 7.7 7.8 7.6 7.3 7.3 7.4 7.1

Louisiana 7.9 6.9 6.8 6.6 7.2 8.3 8.0 8.2 7.7 7.5 7.3 7.2

Baton Rouge 7.6 6.6 6.6 6.4 7.3 8.5 8.1 8.3 7.8 7.6 7.4 7.2

Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux 6.0 5.0 5.0 4.9 5.3 6.0 5.3 5.8 5.4 5.4 5.3 5.0

Lafayette 6.5 5.6 5.5 5.3 5.7 6.6 6.2 6.5 6.1 6.1 5.9 5.6

Lake Charles 7.4 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.7 7.8 7.4 7.7 7.3 7.0 6.9 6.7

New Orleans 8.1 8.2 7.9 7.4 7.3 7.7 7.8 7.6 7.3 7.3 7.4 7.1

Mississippi 12.0 11.3 10.8 9.9 10.4 10.7 11.1 9.7 9.9 9.8 9.8 9.8

Biloxi-Gulfport 10.2 9.6 9.2 8.6 9.0 9.0 9.2 8.0 8.6 8.9 8.7 8.6

Alabama 10.9 10.6 10.1 9.3 9.0 9.6 9.3 9.4 9.0 8.9 9.0 8.8

Mobile 11.7 11.2 10.8 10.2 9.9 10.0 9.8 10.1 9.7 9.6 9.9 9.7

Florida 11.5 11.4 11.3 10.9 10.9 11.4 11.9 12.1 11.8 11.6 12.1 11.7

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano 

Beach 10.8 10.8 11.0 10.8 11.0 11.5 11.9 12.2 11.7 11.8 11.9 11.8

Panama City 11.5 10.8 9.8 9.2 9.1 9.1 9.4 9.8 10.4 10.6 11.7 11.8

Pensacola 10.9 10.8 10.4 9.9 9.8 10.4 10.9 10.6 10.4 10.2 11.1 10.8

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater 12.4 12.1 11.9 11.6 11.5 11.9 12.3 12.4 12.2 12.0 12.6 12.2

Tallahassee 8.5 8.5 8.2 7.7 7.9 8.5 9.2 8.9 8.6 8.3 9.1 8.9

Note: Unemployment rates shown as percent.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011b.
Tables-140 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-53

Low-Case Employment Projections for a WPA Proposed Action by Economic Impact Area

Economic Impact Area

Jobs (full- and part-time) from Industry Expenditure Effects

Total (40-year sum) Average 

Annual

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Direct Year Indirect Induced Total

Texas (TX)

TX-1 958 418 1,838 3,215 80 330 2027

TX-2 822 243 848 1,914 48 193 2018

TX-3 4,610 3,839 12,162 20,611 515 1,890 2015

All Texas EIA’s 6,390 4,500 14,849 25,739 643 2,337 2015

Rest of Texas 1,048 613 4,028 5,690 142 573 2018

Texas Total 7,438 5,113 18,877 31,429 786 2,889 2015

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 61 17 163 240 6 23 2015

LA-2 241 153 1,571 1,966 49 183 2015

LA-3 191 111 2,936 3,238 81 328 2015

LA-4 133 86 922 1,141 29 105 2015

All Louisiana EIA’s 627 367 5,591 6,585 165 639 2015

Rest of Louisiana 116 76 715 906 23 90 2015

Louisiana Total 742 443 6,306 7,491 187 729 2015

Florida (FL)

FL-1 76 39 160 274 7 25 2018

FL-2 143 58 341 542 14 50 2018

FL-3 126 77 400 604 15 55 2018

FL-4 101 68 299 468 12 40 2015

All Florida EIA’s 446 242 1,201 1,888 47 170 2018

Rest of Florida 170 129 550 849 21 75 2018

Florida Total 616 371 1,750 2,737 68 245 2018

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 129 69 504 703 18 67 2027

Rest of Alabama 381 221 969 1,572 39 148 2015

Alabama Total 511 290 1,474 2,275 57 211 2015

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 115 36 334 485 12 59 2027

Rest of Mississippi 333 125 753 1,212 30 116 2027

Mississippi Total 449 161 1,087 1,696 42 174 2027

Total All EIA’s* 7,707 5,214 22,479 35,400 885 3,271

Total 5 Gulf Coast States* 9,756 6,377 29,494 45,628 1,141 4,248

Rest of U.S. 1,521 1,919 12,122 15,563 389 1,485 2015

Total U.S. 11,278 8,297 41,616 61,191 1,530 5,707 2015

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

* Adds peak from different years.

Source: Employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).
Tables Tables-141

Table 4-54

High-Case Employment Projections for a WPA Proposed Action by Economic Impact Area

Economic Impact Area

Jobs (full- and part-time) from Industry Expenditure Effects

Total (40-year sum) Average 

Annual

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Direct Indirect Induced Total Year

Texas (TX)

TX-1 1,917 836 3,440 6,193 155 563 2027

TX-2 1,516 457 1,579 3,552 89 313 2015

TX-3 8,136 6,708 21,037 35,881 897 3,102 2017

All Texas EIA’s 11,570 8,001 26,056 45,627 1,141 3,842 2017

Rest of Texas 1,893 1,104 7,503 10,500 263 955 2015

Texas Total 13,463 9,105 33,559 56,127 1,403 4,785 2015

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 112 31 309 452 11 40 2015

LA-2 484 288 2,826 3,598 90 301 2015

LA-3 402 220 5,342 5,964 149 532 2015

LA-4 261 164 1,693 2,118 53 177 2015

All Louisiana EIA’s 1,259 703 10,170 12,132 303 1,049 2015

Rest of Louisiana 215 136 1,326 1,676 42 154 2015

Louisiana Total 1,474 839 11,496 13,809 345 1,203 2015

Florida (FL)

FL-1 141 72 311 524 13 46 2015

FL-2 272 109 666 1,047 26 92 2015

FL-3 236 142 779 1,157 29 100 2015

FL-4 194 128 585 907 23 74 2015

All Florida EIA’s 843 451 2,341 3,635 91 312 2015

Rest of Florida 325 242 1,118 1,685 42 141 2015

Florida Total 1,168 693 3,459 5,321 133 453 2015

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 244 127 996 1,367 34 118 2015

Rest of Alabama 704 397 1,851 2,952 74 265 2015

Alabama Total 948 524 2,847 4,319 108 384 2015

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 255 77 660 992 25 97 2027

Rest of Mississippi 635 233 1,443 2,311 58 198 2015

Mississippi Total 890 310 2,103 3,303 83 275 2015

Total All EIA’s* 14,171 9,359 40,223 63,753 1,594 5,419

Total 5 Gulf Coast States* 17,943 11,472 53,464 82,878 2,072 7,100

Rest of U.S. 2,731 3,390 21,569 27,689 692 2,489 2015

Total U.S. 20,674 14,861 75,032 110,568 2,764 9,589 2015

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

* Adds peak from different years.

Source: Employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).
Tables-142 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-55

Peak Employment Projected from a WPA Proposed Action as a Percent of Total Employment

Economic Impact 

Area

WPA Low WPA High

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent

Texas (TX)

TX-1 330 2027 1,102,120 0.0% 563 2027 1,102,120 0.1%

TX-2 193 2018 346,070 0.1% 313 2015 333,780 0.1%

TX-3 1,890 2015 3,938,830 0.0% 3,102 2017 4,062,770 0.1%

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 23 2015 189,620 0.0% 40 2015 189,620 0.0%

LA-2 183 2015 345,700 0.1% 301 2015 345,700 0.1%

LA-3 328 2015 715,330 0.0% 532 2015 715,330 0.1%

LA-4 105 2015 774,110 0.0% 177 2015 774,110 0.0%

Florida (FL)

FL-1 25 2018 562,070 0.0% 46 2015 536,520 0.0%

FL-2 50 2018 368,980 0.0% 92 2015 355,620 0.0%

FL-3 55 2018 2,129,660 0.0% 100 2015 2,038,850 0.0%

FL-4 40 2015 3,643,040 0.0% 74 2015 3,643,040 0.0%

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 67 2027 431,990 0.0% 118 2015 379,150 0.0%

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 59 2027 286,260 0.0% 97 2027 286,260 0.0%

Sources: Peak employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).

Baseline employment projections based on Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (2010).
Tables Tables-143

Table 4-56

Personnel, Vessels, Aircraft, and Containment Boom Deployed for Deepwater Horizon Spill Response Activity*

Date Personnel Vessels Aircraft Containment Boom Deployed (ft)

April 22, 2010 N/R 2 5 N/R

April 25, 2010 500 30 N/R 21,340

April 30, 2010 2000 75 N/R 217,000

May 5, 2010 7,900 200 N/R 564,991

May 10, 2010 10,000 290 N/R 1,000,000

May 15, 2010 17,500 600 N/R 1,250,000

May 20, 2010 24,000 1,000 N/R 1,990,000

May 25, 2010 22,000 1,200 N/R 1,800,000

May 30, 2010 20,000 1,400 N/R 1,900,000

June 5, 2010 20,000 2,600 N/R 2,100,000

June 10, 2010 24,000 4,400 64 2,200,000

June 15, 2010 29,000 5,000 93 2,370,000

June 20, 2010 33,000 6,100 107 2,470,000

June 25, 2010 37,000 6,510 96 2,600,000

June 30, 2010 42,000 6,850 122 2,760,000

July 5, 2010 45,000 7,040 113 2,950,000

July 10, 2010 46,500 6,840 120 3,060,000

July 15, 2010 44,000 6,870 119 3,270,000

July 20, 2010 42,000 5,300 120 3,460,000

July 25, 2010 30,000 3,600 108 3,410,000

July 30, 2010 32,600 4,400 97 3,400,000

August 5, 2010 31,800 4,800 90 3,000,000

August 10, 2010 31,100 4,900 75 2,400,000

August 15, 2010 28,200 4,300 75 2,200,000

August 20, 2010 30,200 4,300 72 2,300,000

August 25, 2010 30,294 4,375 72 2,300,000

August 28, 2010+ 29,705 5,059 64 2,300,000

September 5, 2010 28,000 ++4,000 N/R 1,570,000

September 10, 2010 27,000 3,600 N/R 999,000

September 15, 2010 25,900 4,700 N/R 714,000

September 17, 2010** 25,200 2,600 N/R 670,000

October 12, 2010 16,292 N/R N/R 19,540

November 22, 2010 8,198 552 N/R N/R

December 1, 2010 6,471 451 N/R N/R

December 10, 2010 6,579 382 N/R N/R

December 23, 2010 6,170 260 N/R N/R

January 6, 2011 5,428 345 N/R N/R

January 13, 2011 5,428 348 N/R N/R

N/R = Not reported.

* Compiled from UIC Daily Operations Reports from the official Deepwater Horizon Spill Response website 

or from the RestoreTheGulf.gov website (RestoreTheGulf.gov, 2011).

** Last date of daily and itemized reporting.

+ No reports for August 29 or September 1, 2010. 

++ Aircraft included in vessel count from this point forward.
Tables-144 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-57

Low Cumulative Case Employment Projections by Economic Impact Area

Economic Impact Area

Jobs (full- and part-time) from Industry Expenditure Effects

Total (40-year sum) Average 

Annual

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Direct Indirect Induced Total Year

Texas (TX)

TX-1 50,776 22,882 125,526 199,183 4,980 6,437 2030

TX-2 29,341 9,178 47,301 85,820 2,146 2,445 2031

TX-3 521,405 417,718 1,486,324 2,425,448 60,636 66,355 2030

All Texas EIA’s 601,522 449,778 1,659,151 2,710,451 67,761 74,924 2030

Rest of Texas 59,121 44,042 369,852 473,016 11,825 13,106 2031

Texas Total 660,643 493,820 2,029,003 3,183,466 79,587 88,030 2030

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 81,698 34,574 103,627 219,899 5,497 5,972 2031

LA-2 119,872 53,284 316,518 489,674 12,242 13,542 2030

LA-3 144,446 85,260 615,433 845,138 21,128 23,223 2030

LA-4 115,559 60,923 275,736 452,218 11,305 12,334 2030

All Louisiana EIA’s 461,575 234,041 1,311,313 2,006,929 50,173 55,053 2030

Rest of Louisiana 82,784 30,899 172,061 285,745 7,144 7,731 2031

Louisiana Total 544,359 264,940 1,483,375 2,292,674 57,317 62,775 2030

Florida (FL)

FL-1 10,093 5,182 21,672 36,947 924 1,022 2031

FL-2 19,334 7,835 46,157 73,325 1,833 2,025 2031

FL-3 16,871 10,311 53,990 81,173 2,029 2,247 2031

FL-4 13,492 9,056 38,613 61,161 1,529 1,701 2031

All Florida EIA’s 59,789 32,385 160,433 252,607 6,315 6,995 2031

Rest of Florida 22,905 17,342 73,647 113,894 2,847 3,154 2030

Florida Total 82,694 49,726 234,080 366,501 9,163 10,148 2031

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 16,957 9,113 68,186 94,256 2,356 2,624 2030

Rest of Alabama 51,407 29,281 131,136 211,824 5,296 5,854 2030

Alabama Total 68,363 38,394 199,322 306,079 7,652 8,478 2030

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 14,442 4,599 42,530 61,570 1,539 1,833 2030

Rest of Mississippi 44,114 16,475 99,424 160,013 4,000 4,480 2030

Mississippi Total 58,555 21,073 141,954 221,583 5,540 6,313 2030

Total All EIA’s* 1,154,285 729,915 3,241,613 5,125,812 128,145 141,428 2030

Total 5 Gulf Coast States* 1,414,615 867,954 4,087,734 6,370,303 159,258 175,744 2030

Rest of U.S. 203,684 254,043 1,620,774 2,078,501 51,963 57,699 2030

Total U.S. 1,618,299 1,121,996 5,708,509 8,448,804 211,220 233,378 2030

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

* Adds peak from different years.

Source: Employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).
Tables Tables-145

Table 4-58

High Cumulative Case Employment Projections by Economic Impact Area

Economic Impact Area

Jobs (full- and part-time) from Industry Expenditure Effects

Total (40-year sum) Average 

Annual

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Direct Indirect Induced Total Year

Texas (TX)

TX-1 83,786 37,713 191,331 312,830 7,821 10,006 2031

TX-2 48,043 15,136 76,889 140,068 3,502 4,024 2031

TX-3 774,073 614,308 2,192,724 3,581,105 89,528 97,636 2031

All Texas EIA’s 905,902 667,157 2,460,944 4,034,003 100,850 111,211 2031

Rest of Texas 94,050 69,215 601,224 764,488 19,112 21,254 2031

Texas Total 999,952 736,372 3,062,167 4,798,491 119,962 132,082 2031

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 127,525 54,867 164,755 347,147 8,679 9,619 2031

LA-2 188,339 83,006 486,204 757,550 18,939 21,238 2031

LA-3 228,284 135,505 954,376 1,318,164 32,954 36,791 2031

LA-4 181,901 95,921 430,986 708,808 17,720 19,610 2031

All Louisiana EIA’s 726,049 369,299 2,036,320 3,131,669 78,292 87,243 2031

Rest of Louisiana 129,096 47,860 269,970 446,926 11,173 12,234 2031

Louisiana Total 855,145 417,159 2,306,291 3,578,595 89,465 99,417 2031

Florida (FL)

FL-1 16,627 8,441 36,556 61,624 1,541 1,728 2031

FL-2 32,225 12,885 78,288 123,398 3,085 3,459 2031

FL-3 27,777 16,690 91,469 135,935 3,398 3,808 2031

FL-4 22,461 14,822 66,806 104,089 2,602 2,936 2031

All Florida EIA’s 99,090 52,837 273,119 425,046 10,626 11,931 2031

Rest of Florida 37,918 28,184 129,376 195,479 4,887 5,460 2031

Florida Total 137,008 81,021 402,495 620,524 15,513 17,391 2031

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 28,460 14,826 116,359 159,645 3,991 4,463 2031

Rest of Alabama 83,308 46,501 217,520 347,328 8,683 9,618 2031

Alabama Total 111,768 61,327 333,879 506,973 12,674 14,080 2031

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 25,439 7,930 70,127 103,496 2,587 3,086 2031

Rest of Mississippi 71,899 26,450 162,419 260,767 6,519 7,350 2031

Mississippi Total 97,338 34,380 232,545 364,263 9,107 10,437 2031

Total All EIA’s* 1,784,941 1,112,049 4,956,868 7,853,858 196,346 217,934 2031

Total 5 Gulf Coast States* 2,201,210 1,330,259 6,337,377 9,868,846 246,721 273,406 2031

Rest of U.S. 320,104 392,699 2,516,788 3,229,591 80,740 89,122 2031

Total U.S. 2,521,314 1,722,957 8,854,165 13,098,437 327,461 361,431 2031

Notes: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

* Adds peak from different years.

Source: Employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).
Tables-146 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-59

Peak Population Projected from the Cumulative OCS Programs as a Percent of Total Population

Economic Impact Area

Cumulative Low Cumulative High

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent Peak Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent

Texas (TX)

TX-1 16,672 2030 2,511,010 0.7% 25,916 2031 2,548,500 1.0%

TX-2 6,332 2031 794,430 0.8% 10,422 2031 794,430 1.3%

TX-3 171,858 2030 8,421,370 2.0% 252,878 2031 8,534,580 3.0%

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 15,467 2031 377,170 4.1% 24,914 2031 377,170 6.6%

LA-2 35,074 2030 709,790 4.9% 55,008 2031 716,050 7.7%

LA-3 60,147 2030 1,411,830 4.3% 95,288 2031 1,426,340 6.7%

LA-4 31,946 2030 1,499,470 2.1% 50,790 2031 1,511,370 3.4%

Florida (FL)

FL-1 2,646 2031 1,219,220 0.2% 4,476 2031 1,219,220 0.4%

FL-2 5,245 2031 852,480 0.6% 8,958 2031 852,480 1.1%

FL-3 5,820 2031 4,672,190 0.1% 9,863 2031 4,672,190 0.2%

FL-4 4,405 2031 7,975,380 0.1% 7,603 2031 7,975,380 0.1%

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 6,797 2030 846,940 0.8% 11,559 2031 853,170 1.4%

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 4,747 2030 556,770 0.9% 7,994 2031 561,190 1.4%

Sources: Peak population output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).

Baseline population projections based on Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (2010).

Table 4-60

Gulf of Mexico Counties and Parishes with Concentrated Levels 

of Oil- and Gas-Related Infrastructure

Low Concentration Medium Concentration High Concentration

County/Parish State County/Parish State County/Parish State

Escambia FL Bay FL Mobile AL

Manatee FL Hillsborough FL Cameron LA

Lafayette LA Calcasieu LA Jefferson LA

St. John the Baptist LA Iberia LA Lafourche LA

West Baton Rouge LA Orleans LA Plaquemines LA 

Harrison MS St. Bernard LA St. Mary LA

Aransas TX St. Charles LA Brazoria TX

Cameron TX St. James LA Galveston TX

Fort Bend TX Vermilion LA Harris TX

Matagorda TX Jackson MS Jefferson TX

Montgomery TX Calhoun TX

Orange TX Nueces TX

San Patricio TX

Sources: British Petroleum, 2010 and Kaplan et al., 2011.
Tables Tables-147

Table 4-61

Deepwater Horizon Waste Landfill Destination

Landfill Name and Location 

Percent 

Minority 

Living 

within 

1-Mile 

Radius of 

Site

Total 

Population 

Living within 

1-Mile Radius 

of Site 

(2000 Census)

Percentage of 

Total DWH 

Liquid Waste 

Collected

Percentage 

of Total 

DWH Solid 

Waste 

Collected

Liquid Environmental Solutions, Mobile, LA 95.80% 4,257 13.17% 0.00%

Oil Recovery Company, Mobile, LA 93.90% 3,238 0.08% 0.00%

Cliff Berry, Inc. – Miami, FL 92.80% 24,768 >0.58% 0.00%

River Birch Industries Landfill, Avondale, LA 92.20% 167 16.99% 8.67%

Jefferson Parish Waste Management, Avondale, LA 91.40% 120 0.00% 0.02%

Sunbelt Crushing, Mobile, LA 76.80% 3,173 0.00% 0.29%

Chemical Waste Management, Emelle, LA 75.20% 33 1.02% 0.00%

WM Springhill Regional Landfill, Campbelton, FL 74.30% 109 0.00% 23.67%

Allied Waste/BFI Colonial Landfill, Sorrento, LA 74.10% 153 0.00% 21.98%

Allied Waste Recycling Center, Metairie, LA 63.50% 14,420 0.00% 0.06%

WH Chastang Landfill, Mount Vernon, AL 62.50% 123 0.00% 8.93%

Clearview Landfill Lake, MS 50.90% 55 0.44% 14.92%

Cliff Berry, Inc. – Tampa, FL 50.50% 1,817 >0.58% 0.00%

Apex Environmental Services, Theodore, AL 50.40% 383 17.44% 0.00%

Newpark Environmental Services Site Code 5102,

Morgan City, LA 35.90% 4,237 2.74% 0.00%

Liquid Environmental Solutions, Mobile, AL 63.30% 4,257 13.17% 0.00%

Newpark Environmental Mud Facility, Venice, LA 50.00% 2 10.90% 0.00%

Oil Recovery Company, Mobile, AL 41.70% 3,238 0.08% 0.00%

Chemical Waste Management, Emelle, LA 36.40% 33 1.02% 0.00%

Newpark Environmental Services Site Code 2913, 

Fourchon, LA 33.30% 3 30.14% 0.00%

Vacco Marine, Houma, LA 29.20% 525 0.16% 0.00%

River Birch Industries Landfill, Avondale, LA 28.10% 167 16.99% 8.67%

Jefferson Parish Waste Management, Avondale, LA 26.70% 120 0.00% 0.02%

Apex Environmental Services, Theodore, AL 26.20% 383 17.44% 0.00%

Allied Waste/BFI Colonial Landfill, Sorrento, LA 25.00% 153 0.00% 21.98%

WM Pecan Grove, Pass Christian, MS 14.40% 290 0.00% 3.28%

Baldwin County Magnolia Landfill, Summerdale, 

AL 13.70% 446 0.00% 11.18%

MBO LLC (Lacassine Oilfield Services), Lacassine, 

LA 12.90% 85 3.82% 0.00%

Coast Guard Rd Sanitary Landfill, Sorrento, LA 0.00% 0 0.00% 8.05%

Source: British Petroleum, 2010.
Tables-148 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-62

Gulf Coast Claims Facility — Deepwater Horizon Claimant Data by State 

(status report as of April 27, 2011) 

Alabama Claimant Status No. of Claimants

Total GCCF Claimants to Date (claimants may have one or more claim type) 73,197

1. Paid Claimants 29,957

State Claims for Emergency or Final Payment 

(includes individual and business)

Number of 

Claims Paid Amount Paid

Alabama 1. Removal and Cleanup Costs 40 $414,560 

2. Real or Personal Property 75 $676,538

3. Lost Earnings or Profits 49,629 $725,729,536

4. Loss of Subsistence Use of Natural 

Resources 11 $84,240

5. Physical Injury/Death 25 $68,000

Alabama Total Total to Date 49,780 $726,972,874

Florida Claimant Status No. of Claimants

Total GCCF Claimants to Date (claimants may have one or more claim type) 176,001

1. Paid Claimants 75,303

State Claims for Emergency or Final Payment 

(includes individual and business)

Number of 

Claims Paid Amount Paid

Florida 1. Removal and Cleanup Costs 39 $520,629

2. Real or Personal Property 66 $393,393

3. Lost Earnings or Profits 124,617 $1,551,648,940

4. Loss of Subsistence Use of Natural 

Resources 8 $131,975

5. Physical Injury/Death 13 $201,107

Florida Total Total to Date 124,743 $1,552,896,044 

Louisiana Claimant Status No. of Claimants

Total GCCF Claimants to Date (claimants may have one or more claim type) 203,460

1. Claimants Paid and Approved for Payment 62,541

State Claims for Emergency or Final Payment 

(includes individual and business)

Number of 

Claims Paid Amount Paid

Louisiana 1. Removal and Cleanup Costs 9 $157,165

2. Real or Personal Property 71 $929,045

3. Lost Earnings or Profits 106,206 $1,321,768,784

4. Loss of Subsistence Use of Natural 

Resources 16 $130,464

5. Physical Injury/ Death 29 $85,423

Louisiana Total Total to Date 106,331 $1,323,070,881
Tables Tables-149

Table 4-62. Gulf Coast Claims Facility — Deepwater Horizon Claimant Data by State,

(status report as of April 27, 2011) (continued).

Mississippi Claimant Status No. of Claimants 

Total GCCF Claimants to Date (claimants may have one or more claim type) 55,334

1. Paid Claimants 15,868

State

Claims for Emergency or Final Payment 

(includes individual and business)

Number of 

Claims Paid Amount Paid

Mississippi 1. Removal and Cleanup Costs 0 $0

2. Real or Personal Property 32 $298,983

3. Lost Earnings or Profits 26,918 $336,742,048

4. Loss of Subsistence Use of Natural 

Resources 5 $37,189

5. Physical Injury/ Death 11 $41,763

Mississippi Total Total to Date 26,966 $337,119,983

Texas Claimant Status No. of Claimants 

Total GCCF Claimants to Date (claimants may have one or more claim type) 11,735

1. Paid Claimants 3,141

State Claims for Emergency or Final Payment 

(includes Individual and Business)

Number of 

Claims Paid Amount Paid

Texas 1. Removal and Cleanup Costs 1 $169,100

2. Real or Personal Property 5 $55,000

3. Lost Earnings or Profits 4,222 $153,429,443

4. Loss of Subsistence Use of Natural 

Resources 0 $0

5. Physical Injury/ Death 4 $14,000

Texas Total Total to Date 4,232 $153,667,543

Source: Gulf Coast Claims Facility, 2011b.
Tables-150 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-63

WPA Federally Listed Species to be Considered by State from the Fish and Wildlife Service

Species Endangered Species Act 

Status

Texas

Attwater’s greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) E

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) T

Gulf Coast jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi cacomitli) E

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) ECH

Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) E

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) ECH

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) T

Northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) E

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) E

Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) TCH

West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) E

Whooping crane (Grus americana) ECH

South Texas ambrosia (Ambrosia cheiranthifolia) E

Texas prairie dawn-flower (Hymenoxys texana) E

Texas ayenia (Ayenia limitaris) E

Black lace cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii) E

Slender rush-pea (Hoffmannseggia tenella) E

Mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) PT

Notes: E = endangered 

ECH or TCH = endangered/threatened with critical habitat 

PT = proposed threatened 

T = threatened 

Source: Smith, official communication, 2011.
Tables Tables-151

Table 4-64

Projected Average Annual OCS Emissions Related to the CPA Proposed Action by Source (tons/year) 

Source Low - High Case Emissions - Highest Annual (tons/yr)

NOX SOX PM10 PM2.5 VOC CO CO2 CH4 N2O

Exploration/Delineation

Well Drilling 2,470- 4,842 315-617 43-85 43-84 58-114 581-1138 128,528-252,020 5.2-10.3 1.1-2.2

Development/Production

Well Drilling 1,347-2,610 172-333 24-46 23-45 32-61 317-613 70,098-135,859 2.9-5.0 0.6-1.2

Platform Installation and 

Removal 110-197 16-28.1 3.4-4.5 3.4-4.6 3.4-4.6 18-26 8,786-11,739 0.1-0.1 0.4-0.5

Pipeline Installation 517-1,540 88-261 20-58 20-58 20-58 107-320 34,958-104,157 0.4-1.2 1.5-4.5

Production Platforms 1,859-3,559 45-87 17-33 17-33 1,188-2,274 2,083-3987 205,104-392,628 4,972-9,518 3.0-5.6

Support Vessels 3,347-6,407 451-863 58-111 58-111 58-111 319-610 183,635-351,530 1.2-2.2 8.7-16.7

Helicopters 28-52.8 6.8-13.0 58-111.0 58-111 67-127.6 338-640 33,999-65,084 NA-NA NA-NA

Tankers Loading 0.0-55 0.0-9 0.0-2.1 0.0-2.1 0.0-389 0.0-11 0.0- 3,711 0.0-0.04 0.0-0.16

Tankers in Transit 0.0-1,184 0.0-144 0.0-18 0.0-18 0.0-27 0.0-99 0.0- 58,490 0.0-0.4 0.0-3

Tankers Unloading 0.0- 55 0.0-9 0.0-2.1 0.0-2.1 0.0-197 0.0-11 0.0-3,711 0.0-0.04 0.0-0.16

Barge Loading 82.5-160.4 14.0-272 3.1-6.1 3.1-6.1 202.3-393.2 17.1-33.3 5,581 -10,847 0.06-0.12 0.2-0.5

Barge Transit 685.0-1331 83.0-161 10.4-20 10.4-20 78.9-153 57.1-111 33,834- 65,756 0.21-0.40 1.6-3

Barge Unloading 82.5-160 14.0-272 3.1-6.1 3.1-6.1 102.7-200 17.1-33 5,581 -10,847 0.06-0.12 0.2-0.5

Total 10,527-20,502 1,204-2,212 240-451 239-449 1,809-3,140 3,854-7,351 710,105-1,316,728 4,982-9,536 17-31

NA = not available

Note: Uses 50 years of data including the Year 2008 Gulfwide Emission Inventory Study. Most data are from the last 20 years.

Source: Wilson et al., 2010.
Tables-152 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-65

Navigation Canals and Service Bases Associated with the OCS Activities

Canal Name Service Bases

Atchafalaya River, LA Morgan City

Baptiste Collette Bayou channe1, LA Venice

Bayou Lafourche Cutoff, LA Fourchon

Calcasieu Ship Channe1, LA Cameron

Freshwater Bayou Channe1, LA Intracoastal City

Houma Navigation Canal, LA Houma

Main Pass Channel, LA Venice

Mississippi River Mouth Pass, LA Venice

Pass a Loutre Channel, LA Venice

South Pass Channe1, LA Venice

Southwest Pass Channe1, LA Venice

Tiger Pass Channel, LA Venice

Source: Thatcher et al., 2011.

Table 4-66

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources: Summary of Fish Kills Observed along the Gulf Coast

Date Area Dissolved Oxygen Fish

May 5, 2010 Bayou Chicot, LA <1.0 mg/L 3.3 million juvenile menhaden*

May 5, 2010 Lake Mars Boat Ramp, Belle Fontaine, MS 2 mg/L 1.9 million menhaden*

May 11-12, 2010 Mississippi beaches 5-5.7 mg/L 27 hardhead catfish

July 8, 2010 Bayou Caddy, MS 1.7 mg/L 97 with 11 species†

August 1, 2010 Long Beach Harbor, MS NA 1,900 with 23 species‡

August 3, 2010 Mississippi Sound south of Deer Island NA 500,000 menhaden* (broken net)

August 5, 2010 Pass Christian Harbor, MS 6.7 mg/L NA

* Abundance of menhaden is an estimate from the kill site.

† Species include trout, croaker, sheepshead, mullet, flounder, drum, catfish, and pinfish.

‡ Species include brown shrimp, crabs, stingrays, kingfish, silver perch, shrimp, eel, lookdown, least puffer, 

lizardfish, cusk-eel, black cheek, tonguefish, bay whiff, and Atlantic spadefish.

NA = not available.

Source: Devers, official communication, 2010.
Tables Tables-153

Table 4-67

Top Species Caught by Recreational Fishers in the Gulf Coast States

Number of Fish

Species 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Atlantic Croaker 4,186,990 3,589,525 3,488,464 4,342,264 2,659,716 3,905,810 3,979,556 4,245,495 5,331,132

Black Drum 1,509,119 1,586,284 1,523,614 1,686,081 1,115,153 1,346,737 1,233,862 1,728,173 1,672,719

Blackfin Tuna 50,581 35,051 38,601 73,301 60,501 64,825 83,375 92,763 91,581

Cobia 175,045 163,606 127,512 125,923 108,746 108,656 117,448 161,636 88,721

Dolphins 555,466 364,917 609,001 434,879 316,110 315,264 430,367 368,457 251,429

Gag 2,386,672 2,996,920 3,878,651 4,197,440 2,938,891 2,084,588 3,254,196 4,746,177 2,924,329

Gray Snapper 3,511,496 3,798,482 6,073,935 4,530,800 5,851,190 4,039,090 5,571,680 7,669,142 4,401,510

Great Amberjack 477,424 315,674 346,070 254,283 201,443 161,534 199,429 245,344 207,226

King Mackerel 575,699 488,142 398,234 447,247 380,793 967,378 429,562 376,508 596,232

Little Tuny 265,456 423,424 197,927 362,243 153,204 293,337 333,310 193,546 179,928

Pinfishes 14,675,911 11,664,212 8,848,476 13,813,893 10,274,164 10,324,881 11,762,014 15,942,884 11,591,996

Red Drum 8,261,019 7,351,899 8,587,461 8,387,639 7,492,498 9,838,039 9,030,204 9,700,431 8,063,967

Red Grouper 1,880,567 2,197,298 2,298,287 3,632,743 1,862,289 1,012,572 1,198,064 3,312,054 3,410,731

Red Snapper 2,654,554 3,196,853 2,934,322 3,217,643 2,732,425 3,527,145 3,872,259 2,624,982 2,910,337

Sand Seatrout 4,342,805 4,129,064 4,062,981 3,326,749 2,524,347 4,334,134 4,587,006 5,853,369 6,502,913

Sheepshead 3,126,988 3,253,252 3,945,716 4,669,176 3,961,753 2,992,718 2,397,513 3,229,301 3,189,143

Southern Flounder 902,531 622,566 911,039 917,938 692,293 738,351 802,929 691,132 757,326

Southern Kingfish 2,660,631 1,404,170 1,733,446 2,206,406 1,988,897 1,848,665 1,608,861 1,727,889 1,670,001

Spanish Mackerel 4,321,962 3,882,193 3,715,281 4,303,273 2,518,250 4,946,966 3,817,443 4,132,207 2,988,112

Spotted Seatrout 20,582,815 22,664,920 28,785,103 28,851,638 29,679,185 36,435,823 30,611,531 32,564,976 29,352,993

Striped Mullet 2,293,741 1,340,382 1,866,563 1,257,205 1,323,021 1,303,076 1,162,019 1,231,121 969,123

White Grunt 6,779,775 5,529,179 4,831,100 5,133,524 3,687,435 1,694,738 2,157,816 4,036,236 2,490,431

Pounds

Species 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Atlantic Croaker 677,890 287,934 490,887 306,179 280,489 553,449 600,690 598,106 508,967

Black Drum 2,341,032 2,531,258 2,857,730 3,057,965 1,922,411 2,531,999 2,276,953 2,907,574 2,870,621

Blackfin Tuna 526,547 294,526 580,484 830,021 525,045 863,090 286,572 868,698 660,264

Cobia 1,129,714 791,793 1,101,782 1,227,464 1,208,989 1,072,033 1,012,921 913,566 534,810

Dolphins 2,496,877 2,227,922 2,530,400 2,011,021 1,222,221 1,183,392 2,028,360 1,327,670 1,358,031

Gag 3,854,869 3,781,229 3,278,245 4,693,183 3,510,799 1,936,492 2,534,137 3,071,762 1,594,303

Gray Snapper 1,412,589 1,324,563 1,893,108 2,044,198 1,964,576 1,975,178 1,512,298 2,065,549 1,604,298

Great Amberjack 1,153,786 1,847,882 2,416,947 2,251,265 1,358,653 1,282,616 989,630 1,213,319 1,484,002

King Mackerel 2,865,226 3,043,569 2,763,371 2,434,372 1,635,507 3,374,852 2,606,005 1,894,691 3,324,003

Little Tunny 587,429 873,813 590,683 1,108,632 310,877 619,746 813,722 385,382 578,719

Pinfishes 1,560,872 1,677,357 1,739,776 3,811,171 1,215,008 742,368 1,683,034 3,510,949 2,831,692

Red Drum 13,419,400 11,575,766 13,113,186 14,290,334 10,242,490 14,215,737 13,988,083 13,910,457 11,898,383

Red Grouper 1,415,307 1,744,180 1,359,015 3,235,764 1,431,359 980,311 1,039,597 896,377 926,111

Red Snapper 3,737,264 4,369,698 3,921,340 4,162,485 3,322,074 3,232,025 3,769,388 3,128,771 3,613,267

Sand Seatrout 1,905,500 1,723,872 1,556,192 1,121,936 879,417 1,557,953 1,701,233 1,930,689 2,389,301

Sheepshead 4,385,765 3,775,195 5,002,901 6,487,492 5,288,789 4,013,009 3,836,123 4,670,992 4,388,254

Southern Flounder 1,082,858 630,928 823,083 834,794 645,835 780,468 810,986 749,674 851,999

Southern Kingfish 993,027 581,779 683,569 783,204 657,967 616,415 608,426 629,250 710,651

Spanish Mackerel 3,549,609 3,202,118 2,614,570 2,907,069 1,583,811 2,655,099 2,542,007 2,788,369 1,962,775

Spotted Seatrout 12,514,780 9,684,768 11,881,531 11,880,671 11,761,193 18,057,746 13,817,897 15,180,141 14,500,754

Striped Mullet 2,330,227 1,523,427 2,194,545 1,525,980 1,536,234 1,600,983 1,245,425 1,418,025 900,037

White Grunt 2,352,568 2,019,945 1,785,777 1,751,156 1,602,724 680,403 701,343 1,325,970 1,013,062

Notes: (1) Fish that are released alive are included in the landings data but not in the weight data.

(2) This table presents the sum of fishing data for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and West Florida.

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011b.
Tables-154 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-68

Percentage of Species Landings that are Ocean Based

Number of Fish

Species 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Atlantic Croaker 14.44 10.97 13.76 27.27 10.77 11.41 12.42 6.85 5.54

Black Drum 10.11 9.76 11.49 11.39 16.10 9.48 4.41 4.66 5.41

Blackfin Tuna 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 96.64 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Cobia 64.14 72.50 74.56 79.25 83.60 86.83 81.25 73.28 71.72

Dolphins 98.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 99.72 99.49 99.21 100.00

Gag 82.69 75.01 76.77 81.08 83.59 71.17 63.72 71.40 61.45

Gray Snapper 49.48 32.43 41.52 42.93 36.45 49.40 40.26 48.61 32.00

Great Amberjack 96.21 99.63 99.51 99.74 99.18 98.85 100.00 99.44 100.00

King Mackerel 97.34 96.94 99.20 95.87 93.48 62.50 94.85 93.83 93.00

Little Tunny 97.84 96.08 99.76 99.80 99.10 92.75 87.64 86.66 87.22

Pinfishes 36.89 31.37 48.33 30.53 43.72 44.88 26.31 37.73 24.59

Red Drum 18.34 13.25 14.44 13.50 21.46 17.50 12.96 12.48 7.45

Red Grouper 98.33 99.38 98.22 97.36 98.12 98.60 97.14 91.04 83.08

Red Snapper 99.32 99.67 99.49 99.20 98.38 98.21 97.97 96.82 98.39

Sand Seatrout 22.81 14.26 11.90 24.40 19.24 23.00 21.26 13.97 12.28

Sheepshead 30.22 23.09 19.56 22.49 24.68 28.70 32.45 19.91 13.34

Southern Flounder 14.11 15.62 5.44 15.59 12.10 8.26 12.23 6.21 4.68

Southern Kingfish 48.30 43.11 33.38 29.19 26.33 39.34 28.73 36.84 18.05

Spanish Mackerel 69.03 53.39 68.10 73.05 63.10 67.63 55.73 70.40 51.93

Spotted Seatrout 23.52 25.12 20.03 18.99 22.97 20.61 23.59 17.20 15.36

Striped Mullet 18.47 13.28 13.20 13.04 28.14 38.07 15.12 21.97 9.98

White Grunt 79.12 86.20 85.07 87.96 91.14 90.42 78.79 85.87 69.51

Pounds

Species/Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Atlantic Croaker 10.99 12.90 18.98 11.59 3.21 6.63 8.58 5.00 2.37

Black Drum 16.37 21.47 10.60 17.86 9.56 7.15 6.12 6.30 12.54

Blackfin Tuna 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 91.49 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Cobia 87.14 80.65 84.22 92.18 95.30 92.92 87.02 87.07 75.04

Dolphins 99.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 99.57 100.00

Gag 97.52 96.43 95.77 96.10 93.16 94.32 89.21 90.92 81.40

Gray Snapper 75.80 75.27 74.21 80.80 84.10 75.51 70.68 71.76 59.57

Great Amberjack 100.00 100.00 99.97 100.00 99.71 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

King Mackerel 99.08 96.50 99.46 98.06 98.58 82.52 96.19 97.61 96.20

Little Tunny 100.00 100.00 99.58 99.98 100.00 95.96 70.54 94.12 92.99

Pinfishes 41.84 34.38 56.40 26.93 48.10 54.05 19.22 25.85 22.79

Red Drum 18.82 15.84 16.08 19.52 15.07 15.14 14.94 10.93 7.22

Red Grouper 99.30 99.73 99.71 99.86 100.00 100.00 98.89 97.43 98.25

Red Snapper 99.85 99.83 99.81 98.32 99.45 98.97 96.89 98.31 98.53

Sand Seatrout 21.90 13.65 11.51 26.39 20.30 24.21 19.14 14.25 15.06

Sheepshead 43.70 30.20 26.82 26.65 34.75 39.45 47.43 23.60 13.88

Southern Flounder 16.88 16.23 6.27 14.58 9.26 7.55 9.00 6.98 3.98

Southern Kingfish 51.32 41.90 28.09 27.11 30.90 33.24 28.64 42.04 15.56

Spanish Mackerel 70.72 63.52 70.76 76.73 69.40 67.47 61.28 68.15 56.71

Spotted Seatrout 25.10 28.31 16.25 17.92 20.36 15.85 19.12 14.32 14.31

Striped Mullet 24.07 10.45 7.14 14.07 22.48 31.63 12.10 27.41 6.60

White Grunt 89.48 90.69 91.05 89.34 93.79 94.64 83.12 90.31 83.39

Notes: (1) Fish that are released alive are included in the landings data but not in the weight data.

(2) This table presents the sum of fishing data for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and West Florida.

(3) The NMFS divides fishing data into inland, State, and Federal categories. Ocean based is defined as the sum of State and Federal 

categories.

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011b.
Tables Tables-155

Table 4-69

Recreational Fishing Participation 

State Coastal Noncoastal Out of State Total

West Florida 1,551,478 0 1,670,603 3,222,081

East Florida 1,098,575 0 1,741,339 2,839,914

Alabama 205,365 151,379 208,775 565,519

Mississippi 125,048 36,496 50,328 211,872

Louisiana 668,576 108,086 139,120 915,782

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011c.

State Resident Nonresident Total

Florida 1,881 885 2,767

Texas 2,308 218 2,527

Alabama 600 206 806

Mississippi 465 80 546

Louisiana 590 112 702

Source: USDOI, FWS and USDOC, Census Bureau, 2006.
Tables-156 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-70

Angler Trips in the Gulf of Mexico by Location and Mode in 2009

State Area Number of Trips % State Total

Alabama Shore Ocean (<3 nmi) 354,043 20.6

Shore Inland 407,982 23.8

Charter Ocean (<3 nmi) 9228 0.5

Charter Ocean (>3 nmi) 36672 2.1

Charter Inland 10759 0.6

Private/Rental Ocean (<3 nmi) 154301 9.0

Private/Rental Ocean (>3 nmi) 165012 9.6

Private/Rental Inland 579033 33.7

Total 1,717,030

West Florida Shore Ocean (<9 nmi) 2,511,933 16.2

Shore Inland 3,942,920 25.4

Charter Ocean (<9 nmi) 195,688 1.3

Charter Ocean (>9 nmi) 259,622 1.7

Charter Inland 112,007 0.7

Private/Rental Ocean (<9 nmi) 2,602,581 16.8

Private/Rental Ocean (>9 nmi) 616,371 4.0

Private/Rental Inland 5,276,236 34.0

Total 15,517,358

Louisiana Shore Ocean (<3 nmi) 37,324 0.9

Shore Inland 731,676 18.3

Charter Ocean (<3 nmi) 3,283 0.1

Charter Ocean (>3 nmi) 18,031 0.5

Charter Inland 135,654 3.4

Private/Rental Ocean (<3 nmi) 75,482 1.9

Private/Rental Ocean (>3 nmi) 102,196 2.6

Private/Rental Inland 2,896,326 72.4

Total 3,999,972

Mississippi Shore Ocean (<3 nmi) 330 0.0

Shore Inland 307,856 29.0

Charter Ocean (<3 nmi) 2,831 0.3

Charter Ocean (>3 nmi) 330 0.0

Charter Inland 7,680 0.7

Private/Rental Ocean (<3 nmi) 18,602 1.8

Private/Rental Ocean (>3 nmi) 26,095 2.5

Private/Rental Inland 698,752 65.8

Total 1,062,476

Gulf Total Shore Ocean (<3 nmi) 2,903,630 13.0

Shore Inland 5,390,434 24.2

Charter Ocean (<3 nmi) 211,030 0.9

Charter Ocean (>3 nmi) 314,655 1.4

Charter Inland 266,100 1.2

Private/Rental Ocean (<3 nmi) 2,850,966 12.8

Private/Rental Ocean (>3 nmi) 909,674 4.1

Private/Rental Inland 9,450,347 42.4

Total 22,296,836

Notes: This table presents the sum of fishing data from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and West Florida.

State waters in Florida extend 9 nmi from the coast rather than the typical 3 nmi.

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011c.
Tables Tables-157

Table 4-71

Angler Trips in the Gulf of Mexico in 2009 and 2010

2009 2010

Jan/Feb Mar/April May/June July/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec Jan/Feb Mar/April May/June July/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec

Total Trips Total Trips

Alabama 134,887 309,545 454,940 405,356 129,914 282,388 85,222 280,259 397,067 356,860 466,499 220,721

Florida 2,205,141 2,588,254 3,963,196 3,422,240 1,008,840 2,329,685 1,752,419 1,932,173 3,496,514 3,070,278 1,964,296 1,750,894

Louisiana 583,195 561,112 1,058,162 838,820 463,370 495,313 367,455 561,920 923,066 590,073 743,255 581,850

Mississippi 127,336 148,993 222,623 251,448 160,440 151,636 90,498 177,568 337,034 160,719 319,407 140,642

Total 3,050,559 3,607,904 5,698,921 4,917,864 1,762,564 3,259,022 2,295,594 2,951,920 5,153,681 4,177,930 3,493,457 2,694,107

Inland Inland

Alabama 90,030 201,215 271,504 225,383 56,918 152,725 55,475 148,705 239,701 174,298 146,222 73,482

Florida 1,432,011 1,579,247 2,227,167 2,077,674 603,310 1,411,755 1,440,253 1,300,252 2,092,628 1,956,212 1,246,555 1,217,073

Louisiana 568,870 552,088 990,311 718,606 443,965 489,816 356,714 548,866 901,637 571,535 726,086 577,373

Mississippi 121,012 145,411 201,851 241,075 155,102 149,837 89,849 174,346 329,306 160,719 318,865 135,763

Total 2,211,923 2,477,961 3,690,833 3,262,738 1,259,295 2,204,133 1,942,291 2,172,169 3,563,272 2,862,764 2,437,728 2,003,691

State State

Alabama 44,218 93,732 80,117 114,938 55,200 129,367 29,187 115,547 117,122 182,207 275,313 124,292

Florida 662,919 927,192 1,423,612 1,105,167 358,351 832,960 241,036 543,613 1,169,724 946,296 620,487 458,061

Louisiana 5,302 1,728 38,986 61,425 8,648 -- 7,045 11,019 15,061 11,450 14,675 2,577

Mississippi 1,150 273 7,627 10,191 723 1,799 649 3,088 7,728 -- 77 1,334

Total 713,589 1,022,925 1,550,342 1,291,721 422,922 964,126 277,917 673,267 1,309,635 1,139,953 910,552 586,264

Federal Federal

Alabama 639 14,597 103,320 65,035 17,797 296 560 16,007 40,244 356 44,964 22,947

Florida 263,740 242,654 711,964 510,244 127,099 242,804 172,580 218,539 611,151 381,003 202,870 159,444

Louisiana 9,023 7,296 28,865 58,788 10,757 5,497 3,697 2,034 6,369 7,089 2,494 1,900

Mississippi 5,175 3,309 13,144 182 4,615 -- -- 134 -- -- 464 3,544

Total 278,577 267,856 857,293 634,249 160,268 248,597 176,837 236,714 657,764 388,448 250,792 187,835

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011c.
Tables-158 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-72

Fish Species Caught by Recreational Anglers during Certain Months of 2009 and 2010

Species 2009 2010

Jan/Feb Mar/April May/June July/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec Jan/Feb Mar/April May/June July/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec

Panel A: Number of Fish

Atlantic Croaker 145,458 809,858 1,816,279 1,625,287 685,246 249,005 51,027 388,778 1,964,697 1,051,333 1,351,938 198,446

Black Drum 161,376 164,735 325,061 224,853 363,170 433,524 226,596 226,228 371,071 278,193 221,827 294,224

Blackfin Tuna 27,354 4,581 3,530 26,771 27,981 1,364 952 1,874 4,482 13,373 6,188 505

Cobia 584 4,475 40,360 34,150 7,226 1,925 853 13,984 28,806 15,184 8,708 1,948

Dolphins 12,011 14,355 130,214 84,491 9,551 808 2,069 19,299 130,020 25,707 9,024 1,787

Gag 395,418 296,874 811,646 478,649 168,920 772,821 223,793 211,989 621,248 364,634 441,585 432,167

Gray Snapper 485,160 635,363 934,055 1,451,321 346,088 549,524 311,069 218,729 401,038 711,077 372,027 240,627

Great Amberjack 31,396 12,326 104,533 45,653 11,093 2,225 68,419 54,285 147,476 42,008 31,216 25,753

King Mackerel 19,359 63,883 202,625 188,375 79,194 42,795 5,482 29,454 144,932 40,312 62,942 15,769

Little Tunny 19,291 9,276 32,635 38,169 20,699 59,857 3,895 7,919 15,266 50,873 50,270 43,849

Pinfishes 1,371,965 1,391,786 2,470,196 4,232,636 876,435 1,248,979 532,642 699,732 4,011,772 3,172,949 2,576,343 1,251,918

Red Drum 982,472 747,513 1,361,522 1,484,450 1,395,057 2,092,954 925,670 1,210,050 1,602,272 1,464,815 1,961,171 1,681,463

Red Grouper 437,521 250,878 1,198,225 691,905 284,875 547,327 58,460 139,033 754,056 391,949 490,688 519,988

Red Snapper 84,572 106,800 1,458,523 1,018,133 225,353 16,956 161,071 126,029 625,697 174,676 337,394 235,218

Sand Seatrout 269,556 638,973 2,068,415 1,612,595 1,074,715 838,658 110,964 638,583 1,868,132 863,475 1,920,085 850,658

Sheepshead 1,272,356 901,817 135,120 169,281 75,335 635,235 743,502 999,001 180,950 110,798 162,605 795,018

Southern Flounder 36,231 57,573 143,744 213,087 146,398 160,292 18,575 85,933 271,472 317,392 213,433 98,797

Southern Kingfish 76,964 289,755 500,087 405,015 237,960 160,220 133,002 149,914 502,725 132,009 308,206 74,843

Spanish Mackerel 81,393 472,775 1,059,242 612,279 335,653 426,770 12,251 582,650 684,299 1,128,472 1,178,397 396,399

Spotted Seatrout 3,771,209 2,719,521 8,622,412 5,350,897 3,355,867 5,533,087 1,531,203 1,701,972 5,628,670 4,504,846 4,794,022 5,786,862

Striped Mullet 198,193 31,379 109,002 322,672 231,940 75,937 31,652 8,309 261,351 413,694 423,089 239,669

White Grunt 518,784 236,420 448,748 554,624 205,154 526,702 156,702 244,049 722,961 600,624 382,951 545,870
Tables Tables-159

Table 4-72. Fish Species Caught by Recreational Anglers during Certain Months of 2009 and 2010 (continued).

Species 2009 2010

Jan/Feb Mar/April May/June July/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec Jan/Feb Mar/April May/June July/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec

Panel B: Pounds

Atlantic Croaker 11,715 57,628 173,870 166,893 84,985 13,878 12,017 24,299 201,948 108,541 151,061 16,310

Black Drum 272,586 352,421 531,320 546,397 579,195 588,701 297,504 664,160 311,534 388,834 351,252 655,910

Blackfin Tuna 202,746 21,076 30,382 265,762 114,840 25,461 10,769 0 72,011 76,996 51,976 4,632

Cobia 0 65,580 133,791 297,808 35,571 2,057 15,587 192,911 174,999 88,695 52,503 25,851

Dolphins 77,512 90,040 630,635 476,560 76,145 7,141 9,791 46,760 357,130 115,025 75,320 15,053

Gag 87,005 146,676 566,695 246,203 52,189 495,532 161,449 189,119 549,591 177,792 187,883 356,367

Gray Snapper 152,724 162,960 446,707 618,699 142,580 80,631 31,164 69,081 187,287 282,365 153,513 51,206

Great Amberjack 187,900 73,076 693,653 459,602 69,771 0 75,730 323,241 552,321 105,719 275,498 74,822

King Mackerel 111,522 214,979 983,633 1,136,665 586,283 290,919 37,714 166,044 963,547 208,815 498,634 101,621

Little Tunny 68,459 41,731 87,565 165,513 58,678 156,776 11,684 43,415 39,482 211,672 86,817 36,881

Pinfishes 258 313,523 747,119 1,375,430 197,133 198,231 745,873 205,354 346,239 512,124 64,941 224,752

Red Drum 817,402 1,345,542 2,748,252 2,309,682 2,337,423 2,340,081 1,187,477 2,311,909 2,322,872 2,103,290 3,037,917 2,155,909

Red Grouper 21,369 53,245 307,916 411,885 43,748 87,946 12,934 36,363 207,175 145,356 150,563 86,484

Red Snapper 0 0 1,683,450 1,929,816 0 0 0 0 402,293 288,880 495,610 445,371

Sand Seatrout 148,892 220,669 765,417 492,922 365,977 395,424 53,887 233,857 645,370 388,398 799,220 385,066

Sheepshead 1,685,580 1,480,944 201,108 222,947 97,701 699,974 664,292 1,477,876 201,121 60,615 169,931 932,416

Southern Flounder 29,987 59,601 147,221 233,972 165,012 216,205 13,750 105,830 286,926 334,782 266,959 100,680

Southern Kingfish 39,828 125,402 216,637 228,593 34,828 65,362 68,369 57,747 159,931 47,677 85,336 36,848

Spanish Mackerel 109,864 320,961 683,805 431,326 201,492 215,328 8,170 353,254 453,978 497,642 1,053,287 245,209

Spotted Seatrout 1,445,014 1,134,580 5,358,179 2,776,994 1,413,162 2,372,826 475,179 808,557 3,357,449 1,816,288 2,047,965 2,954,113

Striped Mullet 124,267 4,899 67,245 330,619 254,422 118,588 44,804 7,551 267,067 686,146 827,871 316,087

White Grunt 272,297 115,689 140,164 180,879 51,826 252,208 91,019 119,101 227,634 252,521 150,834 190,846

Source: USDOC, NMFS, 2011c.
Tables-160 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-73

Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Florida

Panel A: Individual Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 2,874 31,078,873.96

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 56,051 367,552,780.80

Multiple Industry/Business Types 4,861 42,734,343.43

No Industry Designation 334 2,883,323.65

Rental Property 2,380 17,947,146.90

Retail, Sales, and Service 26,051 178,475,908.04

Seafood Processing and Distribution 629 5,516,938.72

Tourism and Recreation 2,288 16,112,294.55

Total 95,468 662,301,610.05

Panel B: Business Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 4,475 123,006,620.19

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 3,238 178,927,026.30

Multiple Industry/Business Types 335 6,240,072.80

No Industry Designation 573 11,999,545.22

Rental Property 12,566 226,613,506.50

Retail, Sales, and Service 12,228 355,753,091.11

Seafood Processing and Distribution 262 18,331,918.44

Tourism and Recreation 961 36,998,307.23

Total 34,638 957,870,087.79

Source: Gulf Coast Claims Facility, 2011c. 
Tables Tables-161

Table 4-74

Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Mississippi

Panel A: Individual Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 1,424 17,971,648.68

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 9,173 52,124,295.75

Multiple Industry/Business Types 688 6,427,488.76

No Industry Designation 65 528,463.29

Rental Property 78 637,700.00

Retail, Sales, and Service 9,114 63,827,739.88

Seafood Processing and Distribution 1,088 10,333,102.76

Tourism and Recreation 453 2,084,984.32

Total 22,083 153,935,423.44

Panel B: Business Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 1,293 49,453,485.98

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 610 28,486,019.64

Multiple Industry/Business Types 75 2,220,722.61

No Industry Designation 84 1,528,956.60

Rental Property 825 19,126,755.85

Retail, Sales, and Service 2,932 86,674,554.75

Seafood Processing and Distribution 147 9,891,721.03

Tourism and Recreation 76 2,428,948.54

Total 6,042 199,811,165.00

Source: Gulf Coast Claims Facility, 2011c. 
Tables-162 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-75

Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Louisiana

Panel A: Individual Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 4,546 61,682,265.31

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 47,670 308,588,964.22

Multiple Industry/Business Types 2,175 21,633,499.94

No Industry Designation 333 2,642,203.96

Rental Property 135 1,208,067.22

Retail, Sales, and Service 29,033 213,566,446.83

Seafood Processing and Distribution 3,330 31,332,493.16

Tourism and Recreation 951 6,850,404.82

Total 88,173 647,504,345.46

Panel B: Business Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 7,319 269,605,207.26

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 2,442 93,164,356.16

Multiple Industry/Business Types 215 7,442,278.45

No Industry Designation 153 3,164,537.80

Rental Property 1,277 22,722,073.55

Retail, Sales, and Service 8,838 232,889,259.53

Seafood Processing and Distribution 564 79,389,702.17

Tourism and Recreation 159 5,113,159.28

Total 20,967 713,490,574.20

Source: Gulf Coast Claims Facility, 2011c. 
Tables Tables-163

Table 4-76

Deepwater Horizon Damage Claims in Alabama

Panel A: Individual Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 1,858 22,519,133.26

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 13,096 87,420,827.79

Multiple Industry/Business Types 1,176 11,261,564.35

No Industry Designation 81 639,891.87

Rental Property 1,203 9,231,595.15

Retail, Sales, and Service 13,540 110,540,189.36

Seafood Processing and Distribution 2,410 20,005,526.20

Tourism and Recreation 397 3,403,973.53

Total 33,761 265,022,701.51

Panel B: Business Claims

Industry No. of Claims Amount Paid ($)

Fishing 1,224 41,742,620.26

Food, Beverage, and Lodging 1,008 55,186,365.91

Multiple Industry/Business Types 202 6,211,952.83

No Industry Designation 458 8,532,227.43

Rental Property 8,966 171,457,909.24

Retail, Sales, and Service 5,434 177,860,460.44

Seafood Processing and Distribution 253 16,878,074.46

Tourism and Recreation 243 15,413,745.67

Total 17,788 493,283,356.24

Source: Gulf Coast Claims Facility, 2011c. 
Tables-164 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-77

Shipwrecks in the Central Planning Area

Map Area No. of Reported Wrecks Historic Wrecks (verified)

Bay Marchand 3 1

Breton Sound 11 0

Chandeleur 8 0

East Cameron 49 1

Eugene Island 98 1

Ewing Bank 5 1

Green Canyon 15 2

Grand Isle 33 3

Lund 11 0

Mississippi Canyon 49 11

Mobile 56 2

Main Pass 65 0

South Pelto 16 0

Sabine Pass (LA) 15 0

South Marsh Island 33 1

South Pass 36 1

Ship Shoal 95 3

South Timbalier 90 2

Viosca Knoll 23 4

Vermilion 62 0

West Cameron 121 1

West Delta 62 0

Walker Ridge 3 0

Total 959 34
Tables Tables-165

Table 4-78

Peak Population Projected from a CPA Proposed Action as a Percent of Total Population

Economic Impact Area

CPA Low CPA High

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Peak Year

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Percent Peak Year Percent

Texas (TX)

TX-1 1,355 2028 2,437,910 0.1% 3,944 2028 2,437,910 0.2%

TX-2 254 2015 667,230 0.0% 505 2018 692,310 0.1%

TX-3 11,023 2015 6,736,630 0.2% 20,314 2015 6,736,630 0.3%

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 1,150 2015 344,150 0.3% 2,205 2018 350,130 0.6%

LA-2 2,359 2015 617,100 0.4% 4,936 2028 697,460 0.7%

LA-3 4,156 2015 1,195,920 0.3% 8,228 2028 1,383,290 0.6%

LA-4 2,292 2015 1,322,960 0.2% 4,416 2018 1,357,450 0.3%

Florida (FL)

FL-1 167 2015 975,020 0.0% 2,205 2018 1,023,220 0.2%

FL-2 333 2015 704,900 0.0% 4,936 2018 734,000 0.7%

FL-3 363 2015 3,879,470 0.0% 8,228 2018 4,035,620 0.2%

FL-4 264 2015 6,638,560 0.0% 4,416 2018 6,901,510 0.1%

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 419 2028 834,600 0.1% 897 2028 834,600 0.1%

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 360 2028 548,050 0.1% 969 2028 548,050 0.2%

Sources: Peak employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).

Baseline population projections based on Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (2010).
Tables-166 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-79

Low-Case Employment Projections for a CPA Proposed Action by Economic Impact Area

Economic Impact Area

Jobs (full- and part-time) from Industry Expenditure Effects

Total (40-year sum) Average 

Annual

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Direct Indirect Induced Total Year

Texas (TX)

TX-1 1,000 464 2,832 4,296 107 523 2028

TX-2 405 139 953 1,497 37 98 2015

TX-3 13,330 10,650 38,948 62,928 1,573 4,256 2015

All Texas EIA’s 14,735 11,254 42,733 68,721 1,718 4,553 2015

Rest of Texas 1,158 968 8,746 10,871 272 746 2015

Texas Total 15,893 12,221 51,479 79,593 1,990 5,299 2015

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 2,489 1,075 3,125 6,689 167 444 2015

LA-2 3,552 1,561 8,920 14,033 351 911 2015

LA-3 4,354 2,603 17,447 24,403 610 1,605 2015

LA-4 3,472 1,837 7,990 13,299 332 885 2015

All Louisiana EIA’s 13,867 7,075 37,481 58,424 1,461 3,845 2015

Rest of Louisiana 2,452 899 4,838 8,189 205 574 2015

Louisiana Total 16,320 7,974 42,319 66,613 1,665 4,419 2015

Florida (FL)

FL-1 260 135 549 944 24 64 2015

FL-2 500 203 1,163 1,867 47 128 2015

FL-3 436 268 1,359 2,063 52 140 2015

FL-4 349 236 965 1,550 39 102 2015

All Florida EIA’s 1,546 842 4,037 6,424 161 435 2015

Rest of Florida 590 451 1,812 2,852 71 193 2015

Florida Total 2,135 1,293 5,848 9,277 232 628 2015

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 425 231 1,702 2,358 59 162 2028

Rest of Alabama 1,316 747 3,316 5,379 134 371 2015

Alabama Total 1,741 978 5,018 7,737 193 531 2015

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 358 115 1,073 1,547 39 139 2028

Rest of Mississippi 1,128 423 2,527 4,078 102 286 2028

Mississippi Total 1,486 538 3,600 5,624 141 425 2028

Total All EIA’s* 30,931 19,517 87,026 137,474 3,437 9,134

Total 5 Gulf Coast States* 37,575 23,004 108,264 168,843 4,221 11,303

Rest of U.S. 5,238 6,506 41,763 53,507 1,338 3,549 2015

Total U.S. 42,813 29,510 150,027 222,351 5,559 14,792 2015

Notes: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

* Adds peak from different years.

Source: Employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).
Tables Tables-167

Table 4-80

High-Case Employment Projections for a CPA Proposed Action by Economic Impact Area

Economic Impact Area

Jobs (full- and part-time) from Industry Expenditure Effects

Total (40-year sum) Average 

Annual

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Direct Indirect Induced Total Year

Texas (TX)

TX-1 2,705 1,218 6,638 10,561 264 1,523 2028

TX-2 906 312 2,107 3,325 83 195 2018

TX-3 27,133 21,387 78,964 127,485 3,187 7,843 2015

All Texas EIA’s 30,745 22,917 87,709 141,370 3,534 8,396 2018

Rest of Texas 2,484 2,057 19,340 23,882 597 1,467 2018

Texas Total 33,229 24,974 107,049 165,252 4,131 9,863 2018

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 5,432 2,414 6,975 14,821 371 851 2018

LA-2 7,885 3,432 19,262 30,578 764 1,906 2028

LA-3 9,751 5,887 38,081 53,719 1,343 3,177 2028

LA-4 7,641 4,057 17,427 29,124 728 1,705 2018

All Louisiana EIA’s 30,709 15,789 81,744 128,242 3,206 7,418 2028

Rest of Louisiana 5,290 1,922 10,453 17,665 442 1,126 2018

Louisiana Total 35,999 17,712 92,196 145,907 3,648 8,479 2018

Florida (FL)

FL-1 577 298 1,246 2,121 53 130 2018

FL-2 1,122 452 2,652 4,226 106 260 2018

FL-3 969 586 3,093 4,648 116 285 2018

FL-4 787 525 2,239 3,551 89 211 2018

All Florida EIA’s 3,455 1,861 9,231 14,546 364 885 2018

Rest of Florida 1,325 997 4,277 6,599 165 404 2018

Florida Total 4,780 2,858 13,508 21,145 529 1,289 2018

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 957 504 3,917 5,379 134 346 2028

Rest of Alabama 2,882 1,603 7,419 11,904 298 750 2018

Alabama Total 3,839 2,108 11,336 17,283 432 1,079 2018

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 936 291 2,518 3,745 94 374 2028

Rest of Mississippi 2,544 940 5,717 9,202 230 669 2028

Mississippi Total 3,480 1,232 8,235 12,947 324 1,043 2028

Total All EIA’s* 66,802 41,363 185,118 293,283 7,332 17,420

Total 5 Gulf Coast States* 81,326 48,883 232,324 362,534 9,063 21,753

Rest of U.S. 11,204 13,696 88,447 113,347 2,834 7,143 2018

Total U.S. 92,530 29,510 150,027 222,351 5,559 14,792 2018

Notes: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

* Adds peak from different years.

Source: Employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).
Tables-168 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-81

Peak Employment Projected from a CPA Proposed Action as a Percent of Total Employment

Economic Impact Area

CPA Low CPA High

Peak 

Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent Peak Annual

Peak 

Year

Baseline in 

Peak Year Percent

Texas (TX)

TX-1 523 2028 1,119,070 0.0% 1,523 2028 1,119,070 0.1%

TX-2 98 2015 333,780 0.0% 195 2018 346,070 0.1%

TX-3 4,256 2015 3,938,830 0.1% 7,843 2015 3,938,830 0.2%

Louisiana (LA)

LA-1 444 2015 189,620 0.2% 851 2018 195,460 0.4%

LA-2 911 2015 345,700 0.3% 1,906 2028 399,710 0.5%

LA-3 1,605 2015 715,330 0.2% 3,177 2028 839,520 0.4%

LA-4 885 2015 774,110 0.1% 1,705 2018 795,740 0.2%

Florida (FL)

FL-1 64 2015 536,520 0.0% 130 2018 562,070 0.0%

FL-2 128 2015 355,620 0.0% 260 2018 368,980 0.1%

FL-3 140 2015 2,038,850 0.0% 285 2018 2,129,660 0.0%

FL-4 102 2015 3,643,040 0.0% 211 2018 3,812,150 0.0%

Alabama (AL)

AL-1 162 2028 436,690 0.0% 346 2028 436,690 0.1%

Mississippi (MS)

MS-1 139 2028 288,730 0.0% 374 2028 288,730 0.1%

Sources: Peak employment output from BOEMRE’s economic impact model (MAG-PLAN) (Kaplan et al., 2011).

Baseline population projections based on Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. (2010).
Tables Tables-169

Table 4-82

CPA Federally Listed Species to be Considered by State from the Fish and Wildlife Service

Species Endangered Species Act

Status

Louisiana

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys comacea) E

Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) TCH

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) T

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) E

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) T

West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) E

Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) E

Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) TCH

Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) TCH

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) T

Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirynchus albus) E

Whooping crane (Grus americana) PNEX

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretomochelys imbricata) E

Mississippi

Alabama red-belly turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) E

Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) T

Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) TCH

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) T

Ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera) T

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) T

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys comacea) E

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) T

Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi) TCH

Inflated heelsplitter (Potamilus inflatus) T

Louisiana quillwort (Isoetes louisianensis) E

Mississippi gopher frog (Rana capito sevosa) E, DPS

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) E

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretomochelys imbricata) E

West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) E

Pearl darter (Percina aurora) C

Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) E

Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) C

Yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) T

Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) ECH

Alabama

Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates) ECH

Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissylepsis) ECH

West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) E

Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) E

Least tern (Sterna antillarum) E

Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) TCH

Alabama red-belly turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) E

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys comacea) E

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) T

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) E
Tables-170 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table 4-82. CPA Federally Listed Species to be Considered by State from the Fish and Wildlife 

Service (continued).

Species Endangered Species Act

Status

Alabama (continued)

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) T

Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) TCH

Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) T

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretomochelys imbricata) E

Wood stork (Mycteria Americana) E

Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) C

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) T

Inflated heelsplitter (Potamilus inflatus) T

Florida

Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) TCH

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) T

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) T

Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi) TCH

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys comacea) E

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) E

West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) E

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretomochelys imbricata) E

Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys) ECH

Wood stork (Mycteria Americana) E

Telephus spurge (Euphorbia telephioides) T

Frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) T

Reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) E

Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) T

Notes: C = candidate

E = endangered

T = threatened 

P = proposed threatened or endangered

DPS = distinct vertebrate population

ECH or TCH = endangered/threatened with critical habitat 

NEX = nonessential experimental population

Source: Smith, official communication, 2011.
Tables Tables-171

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A 

 

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SETTINGS

Physical and Environmental Settings A-3 

A. PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SETTINGS

A.1. GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

General Physiographic Description

The present-day Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is a small ocean basin to the south of the North American 

continent measuring 1,600 kilometers (km) (990 miles [mi]) from east to west, 900 km (600 mi) north to 

south, and with a water-surface area of more than 1.5 million km2 (371 million acres [ac]) (Moretzsohn

et al., 2011). The greatest water depth is approximately 3,700 meters (m) (12,139 feet [ft]). The Gulf 

opens to the Atlantic Ocean through the Straits of Florida and to the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatan 

Channel. Approximately 38 percent of the GOM is comprised of shallow and intertidal areas (<20 m

[66 ft] deep). The area of the continental shelf ≤200 m (656 ft) deep covers 22 percent, the continental 

slope (200-3,000 m [656-9,843 ft] deep) covers 20 percent, and the abyssal plain (≥3,000 m [9,843 ft] 

deep) covers the final 20 percent. The Sigsbee Deep, located in the southwestern quadrant, is the deepest 

region of the GOM, and reports by different authors state maximum depths that range from 3,750 to 

4,384 m (12,303 to 14,383 ft) (Moretzsohn et al., 2011). 

The continental shelf has a gentle slope of <1 degree (Figure A-1). The continental slope has a slope 

of 1-2 degrees and extends from the shelf edge to the Sigsbee and Florida Escarpments in water about 

3,000 m (9,843 ft) deep. The transition between the continental shelf edge and abyssal depths is a broad 

to narrow continental slope. Where the Mississippi River has built its delta seaward, the continental shelf 

is narrow (Figure A-1). In the central and western GOM, the continental slope is broad and low-angle, 

underlain by an extensive canopy of mobilized salt. In contrast, in the eastern GOM, the continental slope 

is narrow and steep where there is no salt. In the central and western GOM the edge of the salt canopy is 

recognized as the Sigsbee Escarpment. In the eastern GOM the Florida Escarpment represents the ancient 

shelf edge during the Cretaceous Period (Figure A-2). The topography of the broad slope underlain by 

salt is irregular and is characterized by canyons, troughs, minibasins, and salt structures with higher relief 

than surrounding areas. The Sigsbee and Florida abyssal plains (ocean floor) are basically flat plains on 

which are subtle features having slightly higher topography.

General Geologic Description

The Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America are passive continental margins formed during the 

Triassic-Jurassic break up of the supercontinent called Pangea (Figure A-2). As the Gulf was pulled 

apart, oceanic crust formed in the basin center, and deltas built into the basin along its western and 

northern margins. Pull apart of the GOM took place along a series of northwest-southeast trending 

transform faults, interpreted on the basis of deep seismic data, that formed depositional corridors

40-64 km (25-40 mi) wide (Stephens, 2001, p. 137) that profoundly influenced the deposition history of 

younger sediments (Stephens, 2001, Figures 2, 6, and 7; Stephens, 2009, Figures 1 and 4)). 

As the GOM opened, a basin was created that was subjected to repetitive episodes of inundation by 

marine waters and evaporation of those waters that formed salt deposits beginning in the Middle Jurassic 

(Figure A-2). During the Upper Jurassic, emergent highs (horsts) were exposed and subjected to erosion, 

while adjacent lows (grabens) filled with overthickened salt and sediment (Stephens, 2009, Figure 2). 

Repeated flooding and evaporation of the shallow saline waters that filled the basin resulted in a thick, 

widespread, salt bed (Louann Salt) that was deposited thickest in grabens and thinnest on horsts 

(Stephens, 2009, Figure 2). Through time, the basin-center oceanic crust cooled, subsided, and was 

gradually filled with deeper water in which carbonates (limestone, chalk, and reefs) were deposited. The

system of transfer faults exhibited varying degrees of relative extensional (pull apart) movement and 

tectonic subsidence, the results of which are reflected in Tertiary (Figure A-2) depositional patterns on 

top of the basement. Stephens (2010) uses the analogy of a series of piano keys each related to, but 

independent of, its neighbor as an explanation for how structural corridors responded to the weight of 

sediment deposited on top of them. 

As sediments continued to be deposited atop the Louann Salt in the western and central GOM, the salt

became mobilized in response to sedimentary weight beginning in the early Tertiary. A complex suite of 

salt structures were extruded into overlying sedimentary layers to form simple piercement structures (salt 
A-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

diapirs) along the coast and modern shoreline and, farther out, an extensive salt canopy the terminal edge 

of which is expressed as the Sigsbee Escarpment (Figure A-1). Stephens (2001 and 2009) showed how 

the architecture of the basement transform fault system has influenced the modern shorelines of the 

coastal Gulf States and how the modern Mississippi River has been influenced by this basement 

architecture (Stephens, 2009, p. 746). 

Major faults that have been mapped onshore Louisiana (Gagliano et al., 2003; Gagliano, 2005) are 

extensional faults, referred to as “growth faults,” with a sense of movement that is down-to-the-basin that 

form contemporaneously with the rapid accumulation of large volumes of sediment. Growth faults up 

sedimentary dip are generally coupled to down dip compressional zones that, on the Mississippi Fan, have 

formed a complex belt of folds (Peel et al., 1995, Figure 12). Faulting caused by the formation of salt 

diapirs is the most common type of faulting on the upper slope. Faults can be concordant with growth 

faulting, called regional faults, or salt withdrawal and diapirism can form faults with an orientation in 

reverse, or counter-regional faults (Stephens, 2009).

The geology of the GOM has been studied in detail for the identification, exploration, and 

development of natural gas and oil resources. There are two major sedimentary provinces in the Gulf 

Coast region: a younger Cenozoic province in the western and central GOM; and an older Mesozoic 

province in the eastern GOM. The Cenozoic Province is a clastic regime, characterized by thick deposits 

of sand, silt, and mud of Paleocene to Holocene age (65 million years ago [Mya] to present) (Figure A-2) 

underlain by carbonate rocks (limestone, chalk, reefs) of Jurassic and Cretaceous age (205-65 Mya) (Apps 

et al., 1994; Salvador, 1991; Galloway et al., 1991). The Mesozoic Province is a largely carbonate 

(limestone and reef buildups) regime that extends eastward from the Cretaceous Shelf Edge off the coast 

of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida (Figure A-1) towards the coastline of Florida.

The Cenozoic Era is commonly divided into two geologic periods—Tertiary and Quaternary 

(Figure A-2). The Tertiary Period (65-1.77 Mya) comprises almost all of the Cenozoic with the shortest 

period represented by the Quaternary Period (1.77 Mya-Recent) (Figure A-2). Over the last 65 million 

years, the Cenozoic Era, clastic sediments (sands, silts, and clays) from the interior North American 

continent have entered the GOM basin from the west and north (Apps et al., 1994; Gallaway et al., 1991)

to form clastic deltaic systems. During the Cenozoic there were few deltaic systems in the eastern GOM 

and the terrain drained was largely carbonate rock, resulting in relatively clear water favorable to the 

formation of carbonate sediments and reef buildups in the marine environment. 

Geologists also subdivide the Cenozoic into Epochs of variable duration: from oldest, Paleocene, 

Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene, Pleistocene, and Holocene (Figure A-2). The centers of thick 

sediment deposition shifted progressively eastward and southward through time in response to changes in 

the source of sediment supply. In the Paleocene, Eocene, and Oligocene Epochs (65-24 Mya), the Rio 

Grande River and a system of smaller rivers (Brazos, Colorado, Nueces, etc.) drained the Texas coastal 

plain and were the main source of sediment supply that built small deltaic systems onto the Texas inner 

shelf. In the Miocene and Pliocene Epochs (24-1.77 Mya) (Figure A-2), the center of sediment 

deposition shifted eastward as the Mississippi River became the major source of sediments entering the 

GOM. The modern Mississippi River Delta complex is the present-day reflection of a depositional 

system that has been building and periodically abandoning successive delta lobes since the Miocene. The 

course of the river and deltaic lobes built by it were very likely influenced by the basement transform 

fault-delimited structural corridors identified by Stephens (2001 and 2009). The Mississippi River and 

Delta deposited a sequence of Tertiary-aged sediments up to 12 km (7.4 mi) thick at the coast that may be 

as much as 18 km (11.2 mi) thick offshore (Gagliano, 1999). The youngest deltaic lobes built by the 

Mississippi River over the last 7,000 years of the Holocene Epoch (Frazier, 1967) have been built and 

abandoned at intervals of about 1,000 years. The subtle topography and geomorphology of the shoreline 

in the northern GOM are products of ongoing vertical movements along basement transform faults that 

have operated over the geologic history of the basin (Stephens, 2009, p. 747). 

Hydrocarbon System 

To produce economically viable accumulations of oil and gas, five physical characteristics must occur 

in the geologic setting. First, rocks must contain an enriched supply of organic material capable of 

forming oil and gas through the chemical and physical changes that occur during burial (the source rock). 

Second, a rock with pores and openings sufficiently connected to hold and transmit oil or gas after it is 

generated (the reservoir rock). Third, the hydrocarbons must migrate to reservoir rocks from the source. 
Physical and Environmental Settings A-5 

Fourth, the reservoir rock and the layers above and below it must be structurally and/or stratigraphically 

configured so as to capture a large accumulation of hydrocarbon resource (the trap). Fifth, the trapping 

structure (e.g., a fault) or fine-grained rock must overly a reservoir rock or be configured so that the trap 

prevents the escape of oil or gas (the seal). There is often one more element invoked—timing. That is, 

these events must be in the proper sequence. For example, a trap may form after oil and gas has migrated 

through the system to be lost.

Upper Jurassic deposits are considered the major source rocks for gas and oil generation in the GOM. 

Other source rocks that have been identified in the GOM that may have generated hydrocarbons are as 

young as Pleistocene-age (approximately 2 Mya) (Figure A-2). A geologic “play” is the structural or 

stratigraphic style of a reservoir rock or trap geometry that is characteristic of a particular geologic age or 

location on the basin. Different types of hydrocarbon plays occur in each region of the GOM. 

Approximately 45,000 wells have been drilled in the GOM. Exploration and development have 

resulted in the naming of more than 1,270 fields, of which 1,053 were identified, produced, or developed 

in the GOM (USDOI, MMS, 2006). As of January 1, 2003, the mean undiscovered technically 

recoverable resources (UTRR) for all plays in the GOM’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are estimated to 

be 86.30 billion barrel of oil equivalent (BBOE). 

In the GOM and the Atlantic OCS, hydrates have been studied for two decades by academia, 

government agencies, and the oil industry. Naturally occurring gas hydrates have been observed and 

sampled from the Gulf of Mexico OCS in association with oil and gas seeps in localized deepwater areas 

of very cold temperature and high pressure at or near the seafloor, and in the shallow subsurface. Seep 

features, including hydrates, result in higher seismic amplitude (higher reflectivity) detected by seismic 

surveys. Most hydrate occurrences in the GOM are associated with faulting that provides migration 

pathways for gas to reach the zone where hydrates are stable. The geothermal gradient increases with 

depth, allowing ideal temperatures only in the upper few thousand feet of sediments for hydrates to be 

stable.

Mesozoic Plays

Mesozoic plays in the Gulf of Mexico OCS extend eastward from the Cretaceous Shelf Edge off the 

coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida towards the coastline of Florida (Figure A-1). Although this 

area has experienced limited drilling and most control points are on the shelf, some general statements 

can be made concerning resources. This province is dominated by Mesozoic carbonate rocks overlain by 

some Cenozoic clastic sediment. The hydrocarbon potential has been realized throughout the entire 

geologic interval from the very shallow, young portion of the Pleistocene (1,500-4,000 ft; 458-1,220 m) 

to the intermediate Cretaceous James Formation (14,000-16,000 ft; 4,270-4,880 m) and the deep, older 

Jurassic Norphlet Formation (15,000-24,000 ft; 4,575-7,320 m). Approximately two dozen fields in the 

Mesozoic Province produce gas from the shallow Cenozoic. In the area offshore of the Florida Panhandle 

(Pensacola and Destin Dome), a total of 34 wells have been drilled, with 18 of the wells penetrating the 

Norphlet. The depths at which the Norphlet is found in the Gulf Coast region varies from less than 

5,000 ft (1,525 m) onshore to greater than 24,000 ft (7,320 m) subsea offshore Mississippi and 15,000 ft 

(4,575 m) subsea in the Apalachicola Embayment. 

This province has several potential Mesozoic hydrocarbon plays that are downdip equivalents of 

onshore productive fields. Carbonate rocks often require favorable diagenesis (physical and chemical 

alterations to the sediments after deposition), faulting, fracturing, and stratigraphy to enhance what is 

typically the low porosity and permeability. The variability of the porosity and permeability within a 

carbonate rock increases the risk in the determination of potential drainage area, production rates, and 

resource volume when hydrocarbons are discovered. 

Approximately 350 wells have been drilled in the Mesozoic Province of the Federal offshore, and less 

is known about the subsurface geology and its natural gas and oil resource potential. To date, the only 

discovered Mesozoic fields in the OCS are the Jurassic Norphlet (14 fields), the Cretaceous James 

(9 fields), and the Cretaceous Andrew (1 field). Most of these fields are located in the northeastern 

portion of the Central Planning Area (CPA). The BOEM has identified 24 plays in the Mesozoic 

Province: 3 proven and 21 conceptual. 
A-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Cenozoic Plays

Plays of the Cenozoic Province extend from offshore Texas eastward across the north-central GOM to 

the edge of the Cretaceous Shelf Edge (commonly known as the Florida Escarpment) offshore 

Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida (Figure A-1). It incorporates all of the Western Planning Area 

(WPA), a large portion of the CPA, and the southwestern portion of the Eastern Planning Area (EPA). To 

date, hydrocarbon production on the OCS in the Cenozoic Province is from reservoir sands ranging in age 

from Oligocene to Pleistocene (approximately 34-0.2 Mya) (Figure A-2).

The hydrocarbon plays in the western and central GOM are typically influenced by salt piercement 

structures. Because salt is less dense than sand, silt, or clay, it tends to become mobilized as denser 

sediments are deposited over it. The loading of sediment on the continental shelf in the early Tertiary and 

and the upward movement of salt during the later Tertiary has formed a vast canopy of mobilized salt that 

has essentially been extruded up and now lie over most of the OCS and slope sediments. The 

requirements for a good hydrocarbon province are met in the western and central GOM. First, the 

movement of salt upward pierces overlying sedimentary layers to form structures capable of trapping oil 

and gas. Piercement structures create pathways for migration of hydrocarbon from Upper Jurassic, Lower 

Cretaceous, and/or Lower Tertiary source beds to younger reservoir sands. Second, thick sands deposited 

by deltas or deep-sea fans have been deposited with good porosity (pore space between the sand grains 

where oil and gas can accumulate) and permeability (connections between the pore spaces through which 

oil and gas can flow) are good reservoir rocks. Third, impermeable shales, salt, and/or faults serve as 

seals for trapping oil and gas in reservoir rock pore spaces. 

One prolific Cenozoic play is the Mississippi fan fold belt (Peel et al., 1995, Figure 12). The fold belt 

is formed by down dip compression caused by sediment loading from the Mississippi Delta up 

sedimentary dip. In the Mississippi Canyon and Atwater protraction areas lie some of the largest fields in 

the GOM that are part of this play, among them Thunder Horse, the largest single reservoir yet found in 

the GOM.

The age of rock from where most hydrocarbon production occurs on the continental shelf and slope 

are mainly Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene. The BOEM has assessed 28 plays in the Cenozoic 

Province: 27 proven and 1 conceptual play. The Cenozoic productive intervals become thinner with less 

hydrocarbon potential eastward in the direction of the Cretaceous shelf edge (Mesozoic Province)

(Figure A-2). The Mesozoic section has been penetrated by wells in the overlap area of the Cenozoic/

Mesozoic Provinces, with commercial hydrocarbons being identified in several fields. 

Deep Gas (Continental Shelf)

The clastic sediments (sands and shales) of the GOM were deposited mostly in deltaic depositional 

systems that are influenced by the location of the sediment source, morphology of the seabed, and the 

edge of the shelf. Usually the most abundant reservoir rocks are deposited as channel or delta front sands 

on the shelf. Shifting of the delta complex and ocean currents tend to widely disperse these sands 

laterally along the shelf. On the shelf, in shallower water, early GOM exploration targeted these sands as 

potential hydrocarbon traps. In deeper water on the continental slope and abyssal plains, the sands were

deposited by turbidite fans are finer-grained and gradually become thinner and less depositionally 

continuous farther from the continental shelf margin. 

The present-day shelf was once the slope environment during the Oligocene and Miocene age 

(approximately 34-5.3 Mya) (Figure A-2) when sea level was higher. The shelf area holds the potential 

for deepwater delta systems with channels, distributary bars, levees, overbank deposits, and large fan 

lobes that have been buried, sometimes deeply, by younger Pliocene and Pleistocene depositional 

systems. Subsequent faulting and salt movement created traps and supplied conduits for the migration of 

hydrocarbons. Pore pressure increases with depth because of the overburden of the sediments and the 

amount of water trapped within the sediments. Temperature also increases with depth and can be even 

higher in areas with less salt intrusions into the sediments. The presence of salt has a cooling effect on 

the surrounding sediments, causing areas with salt intrusions to have lower temperatures. It is anticipated 

that these older, deeper reservoirs will be more likely located adjacent to or under the present shelf fields. 

Deeply buried reservoirs would be subjected to high pressures (HP) and high temperatures (HT). The 

so-called HPHT environment is one challenging the limits for drilling and strength tolerances of steel.
Physical and Environmental Settings A-7 

The shelf off the western and central Louisiana coast is also prospective for the older and deeper 

Mesozoic age reservoir rocks. These rocks would also be under HPHT conditions because of their depth. 

The Mesozoic environment of deposition on the shelf is projected to be shallow-water carbonates and 

reefs.

Deep Water (Continental Slope and Abyssal Plain) 

The continental slope in the GOM extends from the shelf edge to approximately 2,000 m (6,562 ft) 

water depth. The seafloor gradient on the slope varies from 3 to 6 degrees to in excess of 20 degrees in 

places along the escarpments. At the base of the Cenozoic Province slope is an apron of thick sediment 

accumulation referred to as the continental rise, inclining seaward from the Sigsbee Escarpment in

transition to the abyssal plain.

Bathymetric maps of the continental slope in the northwestern GOM (Bryant et al., 1990; Bouma and 

Bryant, 1994) reveal the presence of over 105 intraslope basins with relief in excess of 150 m (492 ft), 

28 mounds, and 5 major and 3 minor submarine canyons. These intraslope basins occupy much of the 

area of the continental slope. Hydrocarbon traps adjacent to minibasins and below the salt canopy are 

common plays on the continental slope.

The middle and lower portions of the Cenozoic Province continental slope contain a canopy of salt, 

which has moved down-slope in response to sediment loading on the shelf and upper slope. The Sigsbee 

Escarpment is the southern edge of the canopy within the GOM. Prominent submarine canyons occur 

along the lower continental slope and rise and the Sigsbee Escarpment (Alaminos, Keathley, Bryant, 

Cortez, Farnella, and Green Canyons), each evolving from, in part, the coalescing and migration of salt 

canopies, an unusual process for the formation of submarine canyons (Bouma and Bryant, 1994; Bryant et 

al., 1990; Bryant et al., 1991). Buried turbidite fans from the slope and rise spilling onto the abyssal plain 

have been play types in ultra-deepwater (≥5,000 ft; 1,525 m). Submarine fans of various sizes extend 

seaward of the edge of the Sigsbee Escarpment onto the continental rise. Although slopes in excess of 

15 degrees are found, the majority of the slopes along the canyon walls and the escarpment range from 

5 to 10 degrees.

Geologic Hazards

The Mississippi River Delta presents a unique set of geologic hazards because of high sedimentation 

rates that resulted in sediments with high-water-content and low-strength. Under these conditions, the 

sediments can be unstable, and slope failure or mass transport of sediments can result. These failures can 

be triggered by cyclic leading associated with hurricanes, overloading or oversteepening of the slope 

sediments, or uplift associated with movement of salt. These failures can form mudflow gullies, 

overlapping mudflow lobes, collapse depressions, slumps, and slides. Small, buried, river channels can 

result in differential sediment compaction and pose a hazard to jackup rigs.

Over-pressure conditions in a sedimentary section can result from loading by rapid deposition, sand 

collapse, in-leaking gas, or salt tectonics. Drilling through an over-pressured, shallow-gas pocket can 

cause loss of mud circulation or a blowout (a blowout occurs when improperly balanced well pressure 

results in sudden uncontrolled release of fluids from a wellbore or wellhead). A shallow-water flow can 

cause similar drilling problems. Over-pressured conditions can develop in deep water when “water sand” 

is trapped by a shale seal. Over-pressured formation water may escape around or through the wellbore to 

the seafloor and wash out the well foundation. No shallow-water flow event in the GOM has resulted in 

an oil spill. Over-pressured conditions may be found while penetrating naturally occurring gas hydrates 

below which lies free gas that can cause a loss of well control incident.

Deep drilling may encounter abnormally high geopressures. Deep drilling may also encounter 

hydrogen sulfide, which can occur near salt domes overlain by caprock and is the product of sulfate 

reducing microbes. 

Potential Mitigation Measures 

The best mitigation for most hazards is avoidance after detection by a geophysical survey. 

Leaseholders are required to run geophysical surveys before drilling in order to locate potential geologic 

or manmade hazards (30 CFR 250.214). In deep water, most companies do a remotely operated vehicle 

(ROV) inspection of the seafloor before drilling begins. Companies are also required to take and analyze 
A-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

sediment borings for platform sites. Areas of hydrogen sulfide occurrences can be predicted and sensors 

installed on drilling rigs to warn operators. Certain leases also require archaeological surveys and livebottom surveys to protect sensitive areas. Every application for permit to drill a well in the GOM is 

reviewed by BOEM geologists, geophysicists, and engineers to ensure compliance with standard drilling 

practices and BOEM regulations. All rigs and platforms are inspected by the Bureau of Safety 

Environmental Enforcement on a regular basis to ensure all equipment and procedures comply with 

Federal regulations for safety and environmental protection. 

Geologic Condition Hazard Mitigations

Fault Bend/shear casing Stronger casing/heavier cement

Lost circulation

Gas conduit

Shallow Gas Lost circulation Kill mud

Pilot hole

Blowout Circulate mud/drill slower

Crater Blow-out preventer/diverter

Pressure while drilling log

Buried Channel Jack-up leg punch through Pre-load rig

Mat support

All rig legs in same type of sediment

Slump Bend/shear casing Thicker casing

Coil/flexible pipeline

Water Flow Erosion/washout Kill mud, foam cement

Lost circulation Pilot hole

Pressure while drilling

A.2. PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

Introduction

The Gulf of Mexico is a semienclosed, subtropical sea with an area of approximately 1.5 million 

square kilometers (km2

) (371 million acres). The main physiographic regions of the Gulf Basin are the 

continental shelf (including the Campeche, Mexican, and U.S. shelves), continental slopes and associated 

canyons, abyssal plains, the Yucatan Channel, and Florida Straits. The continental shelf width along the 

U.S. coastline is about 10 miles (mi) (16 km) off the Mississippi River, and 97 mi (156 km) off 

Galveston, Texas, decreasing to 55 mi (88 km) off Port Isabel near the Mexican border. The depth of the 

central abyss ranges to approximately 3,700 m (12,139 ft). The water volume of the entire Gulf, 

assuming a mean water depth of 1 mi (2 km), is 2 million km3

. The water volume of the continental shelf, 

assuming a mean water depth of 50 m (164 ft), is 25,000 km3

. 

The origins of the principal watermasses in the GOM have been identified and include subtropical 

underwater, Sargasso Sea water, Tropical Atlantic Central Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water, and a 

deepwater mixture of watermasses (Table A-1). This table excludes the highly variable surface waters 

observed in the eastern and western GOM (e.g., Nowlin and McLellan, 1967). Watermass property 

extremes are closely associated with specific density surfaces. All of these subsurface waters derive from 

outside the Gulf and enter from the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatan Channel. Below about 1,800 m 

(5,906 ft), horizontal distributions of temperature and salinity within the Gulf are essentially uniform 

(Nowlin, 1972). 

Shelf Circulation

Shelf water temperature and salinity varies seasonally based on changes in river inflow, surface solar 

heating, winds and related mixing, and downwelling and upwelling processes. Summer heating and 

stratification affect continental-shelf waters in the GOM and are factors contributing to summertime 

hypoxia on the Louisiana-Texas shelf. Salinity is generally lower nearshore due to freshwater inputs from 

the Mississippi and other rivers. However, these fresh waters occasionally move into outer shelf waters 
Physical and Environmental Settings A-9 

and even out over deep waters of the Gulf, as when entrained by the Loop Current (Weisberg et al., 

2005). Cold water from deeper off-shelf regions moves onto and off of the continental shelf by crossshelf flow associated with upwelling and downwelling processes. 

Continental shelf waves may propagate along the continental slopes of the GOM. These are long 

waves similar to topographic Rossby Waves (TRW’s), but their energy is concentrated along a sloping 

bottom with shallow water to the right of the direction of propagation and, because of this constraint, they 

are effectively “trapped” by the sloping bottom topography (Hamilton, 1990). 

A class of energetic surface currents was found over the Texas and Louisiana shelves during the 

Agency-sponsored Texas-Louisiana Shelf Circulation and Transport Process (LATEX) program of the 

early 1990’s (Nowlin et al., 1998). July 1992 observations in 200-m (656-ft) water depth offshore of 

Louisiana were of maximum amplitudes of 40-60 cm/s (16-27 in/s) at a depth of 12 m (39 ft) during 

conditions of light winds. The period of diminished amplitudes followed an atmospheric frontal passage. 

These are near-circular, clockwise-rotating oscillations with a period near 24 hours. They seem to be an 

illustration of thermally induced cycling (DiMarco et al., 2000) in which high-amplitude rotary currents 

can exist in thin mixed layers typical of summer. Many examples of such currents, in phase at distinct 

locations, exist for the Texas-Louisiana shelf and, by implication, farther offshore. Currents at a depth of 

1 m (3 ft) have been observed to reach 100 cm/s (40 in/s).

Inner-shelf currents on the Louisiana-Texas continental shelf flow in the downcoast (south or west) 

direction during nonsummer months, reversing to upcoast flow in the summer (Cochrane and Kelly, 

1986; Nowlin et al., 2005). Modeling results show that the spring and fall reversals in alongshore flow 

can be accounted for by local wind stress alone (Current, 1996). Monthly averaged alongshore currents 

on the outer shelf are upcoast in the mean, but they showed no coherent pattern in the annual signal and 

were not often in the same alongshore direction at different outer-shelf locations (Nowlin et al., 1998). 

Mean cross-shelf geostrophic transport observed at the Louisiana-Texas shelf break was offshore during 

the winter (particularly in the upper 70 m (230 ft) of the water column), and onshore during the summer 

(Current and Wiseman, 2000). 

Circulation on the continental shelf in the northeastern GOM has been observed to follow a cyclonic 

pattern, with westward alongshore currents prevailing on the inner and middle shelf and opposing 

alongshore flow over the outer shelf and slope (Brooks, 1991). Inner shelf currents are primarily wind 

driven and are also influenced by river outflow and buoyancy forcing from water discharged by the 

Mississippi, Apalachicola, Tombigbee, Alabama, and other rivers in the region. Cold water from deeper 

off-shelf regions moves onto and off of the continental shelf by cross-shelf flow associated with 

upwelling and downwelling processes. Upwelling of nutrient rich, cold water onto the shelf in 1998 was 

correlated with hypoxia, anoxia, and mass mortalities of fishes and invertebrates in the region, although 

causation has not been established (Collard and Lugo-Fernandez, 1999). 

Mean circulation on the West Florida inner shelf tends to be along the coast towards the southeast 

during the winter, and it reverses to be along coast towards the northwest during the summer. These 

seasonal means in flow direction are because of the influence of seasonal local winds and heat flux 

forcing. Midshelf flow (around the 50-m [164-ft] isobath) can be in the opposite direction from inner 

shelf flow on the broad, gently sloping West Florida shelf because of the partial closure imposed by the 

Florida Keys to the south. The outer shelf is an area of transition between deepwater currents over the 

continental slope and the shelf regime. The nearshore regions are influenced by freshwater outflow from 

rivers and estuaries. Mississippi River water is advected onto the West Florida shelf at times in spring 

and summer because of strong currents along the shelf break. Fresh water from the Mississippi River is 

sometimes entrained by the Loop Current as well (Weisberg et al., 2005).

Loop Current and Eddies

The Loop Current, the dominant circulation feature in the Gulf, enters through the Yucatan Channel 

and exits through the Florida Straits. The sill depth at the Florida Straits is about 700 m (2,300 ft); the 

effective sill depth at the Yucatan Channel is nearly 2,000 m (6,560 ft) (Badan et al., 2005). Watermasses 

in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea that occur at greater depths cannot enter the GOM. The Loop 

Current is a part of the western boundary current system of the North Atlantic. This is the principal 

current and source of energy for the circulation in the Gulf. The Loop Current has a mean area of 

142,000 km2 (35 million ac) (Hamilton et al., 2000). It may be confined to the southeastern GOM or it 
A-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

may extend well into the northeastern or north-central Gulf (Figure A-3), with intrusions of Loop Current 

water northward and on to the West Florida Shelf (Vukovich, 2005). 

Closed rings of clockwise-rotating (anticyclonic) water, called Loop Current Eddies (LCE’s) separate 

from the Loop Current at intervals of 5 to 19 months (Vukovich, 2005). These LCE’s are also called 

warm-core eddies, since they surround a central core of warm Loop Current water. The LCE’s have 

diameters of 200-400 km (124-248 mi), rotate with periods of 8-15 days, and travel on average at 

4.4 km/day ± 2.9 km/day (2.7 mi/day ± 2.8 km/day) into the western Gulf (Vukovich, 2007). The Loop 

Current usually penetrates about as far north as 27o

N. latitude just prior to shedding an LCE (Vukovich, 

2005). A recent study of satellite-derived Loop Current metrics demonstrated a linear correlation 

between the retreat latitude of the Loop Current following eddy separation and the subsequent eddy 

separation period (Lugo-Fernández and Leben, 2010). This study provided a recommended forecasting 

tool for Loop Current eddy separation in the Gulf of Mexico. Currents associated with the Loop Current 

and its eddies extend to at least depths of 700 m (2,300 ft), the sill depth of the Florida Straits, and 

geostrophic shear is observed to extend to the sill depth of the Yucatan Channel. Warm-core eddies can 

have life spans of 1 year or more (Elliot, 1982). Therefore, their effects can persist at one location for 

long periods—weeks or even months (e.g., Nowlin et al., 1998). Energetic, high-frequency currents have 

been observed when LCE’s flow past structures, but they are not well documented. Such currents would 

be of concern to offshore operators because they could induce structural fatigue of materials. Loop 

Current eddies decay and generate secondary cyclones and anticyclones (Science Applications 

International Corporation, 1988) by interactions with boundaries, ring shedding, and ring-ring 

interactions. The net result is that, at almost any given time, the Gulf is populated with numerous eddies, 

which are interacting with one another and with the margins (Science Applications International 

Corporation, 1988; Hamilton and Lee, 2005). 

Cold-core cyclonic (counter-clockwise rotating) eddies have been observed in the study region as 

well. These cyclones are often called cold-core eddies, since they surround a central core of seawater that 

is cooler and fresher than adjacent waters. Cyclonic circulation is associated with upwelling, which 

brings cooler, deeper water towards the surface. Frontal or cold cyclonic waves form along the edge of 

the Loop Current, and similar cold cyclones have also been observed on the periphery of LCE’s 

(Vukovich, 2007). Statistics of cold cyclones include spatial scales of 30-150 km (19-93 mi) in diameter 

and speeds of 4-26 km/day (~2-16 mi/day) (e.g., Walker et al., 2009). Small cyclonic eddies around 

50-100 km (31-62 mi) in diameter have been observed over the continental slope off Louisiana 

(Hamilton, 1992). These eddies can persist for 6 months or longer and are relatively stationary. 

Near the bottom of the Loop Current, velocities are low and fairly uniform in the vertical although 

with bottom intensification, a characteristic of topographic Rossby Waves (TRW’s). This indicates that 

the Loop Current is in fact a source of the TRW’s, which are a major component of deep circulation 

below 1,000 m (3,281 ft) in this part of the Gulf (Sturges et al., 1993; Science Applications International 

Corporation, 1989; Hamilton, 1990). Exchange of surface and deep water occurs with descent of surface 

water beneath the Loop Current in the eastern GOM and with the ascent of deep water in the northwestern 

GOM where LCE’s spin down (Welsh and Inoue, 2002). The Sturges et al. (1993) model suggests a 

surprisingly complex circulation pattern beneath LCE’s, with vortex-like and wave-like features that 

interact with the bottom topography (Welsh and Inoue, 2000). These model findings are consistent with 

Hamilton’s (1990) interpretation of observations.

The major large-scale, permanent circulation feature present in the WPA and CPA is an anticyclonic 

(clockwise-rotating) feature oriented about east-northeast, west-southwest with its western extent near 

24o N. latitude off Mexico. There has been debate regarding the mechanism for this anticyclonic 

circulation and the possible associated western boundary current along the coast of Mexico. Elliott 

(1982) attributed LCE’s as the primary source of energy for the feature, but Sturges (1993) argued that 

wind stress curl over the western Gulf is adequate to drive an anticyclonic circulation with a western 

boundary current. Sturges (1993) found annual variability in the wind stress curl corresponding to the 

strongest observed boundary current in July and the weakest in October. Based on ship-drift data, Sturges 

(1993) showed the maximum northward surface speeds in the western boundary current were 25-30 cm/s 

(10-12 in/s) in July and about 5 cm/s (2 in/s) in October; the northward transport was estimated to vary 

from 2.5 to 7.5 m3

/s (8.2 to 24.6 ft/s). He reasoned that the contribution of LCE’s to driving this 

anticyclonic feature must be relatively small. Others have attributed the presence of a northward flow 

along the western Gulf boundary to ring-slope-ring interactions (Vidal et al., 1999). 
Physical and Environmental Settings A-11

Deepwater Currents

Mean deep (~2,000 m; ~6,562 ft) flow around the edges of the GOM circulates in a cyclonic 

(counterclockwise) direction (Sturges et al., 2004). A net counterclockwise circulation pattern was also 

observed at about 900-m (2,953 ft) water depth around the borders of the GOM (Weatherly, 2004).

Occasionally, currents have been directly measured at abyssal depths exceeding 3,000 m (9,843 ft) in 

the GOM. The major low-frequency fluctuations in velocity of these currents in the bottom 

1,000-2,000 m (3,281-6,562 ft) of the water column have the characteristics of TRW’s. These long waves 

have wavelengths of 150-250 km (93-155 mi), periods greater than 10 days, and group velocities 

estimated at 9 km/day (~6 mi/day). They are characterized by columnar motions that are intensified near 

the seafloor. They move westward at higher group velocities than the translation velocity of 3-6 km/day 

(2-4 mi/day) that is typical of anticyclonic eddies. The Loop Current and LCE’s are thought to be major 

sources of these westward propagating TRW’s (Hamilton, 1990; Oey et al., 2004). These TRW’s 

transition from short to longer period in going from east to west over the GOM basin, probably because of 

bottom slope and regional bathymetric conditions (Donohue et al., 2006). 

In general, past observations of currents in the deepwater GOM have revealed decreases in current 

speed with depth. During late 1999, a limited number of high-speed current events, at times approaching 

100 cm/s (39 in/s), were observed at depths exceeding 1,500 m (4,921 m) in the northern GOM (Hamilton 

and Lugo-Fernandez, 2001; Hamilton et al., 2003). Furrows oriented nearly along depth contours were 

observed in the region of 90o W. longitude just off the Sigsbee Escarpment and near the Bryant Fan, south 

of Bryant Canyon, from 91o to 92.5o W. longitude. Depths in those regions range from 2,000 to 3,000 m 

(6,562 to 9,843 ft). Speculation based partly on laboratory experimentation is that near-bottom speeds of 

currents responsible for the furrows that are closest to shore might be 50 cm/s (20 in/s), and possibly in 

excess of 100 cm/s (39 in/s), and these currents may be oriented along isobaths and increase in strength 

toward the escarpment. These currents might be sporadic or quasi-permanent. 

In deep water, several oil and gas operators have observed very high-speed currents in the upper 

portions of the water column. These high-speed currents can last as long as a day. Such currents may 

have vertical extents of less than 100 m (328 ft), and they generally occur within the depth range of 

100-300 m (328-984 ft) in total water depths of 700 m (2,297 ft) or less over the upper continental slope. 

Maximum speeds exceeding 150 cm/s (59 in/s) have been reported. The mechanisms by which these 

currents are generated may include motions derived from the Loop Current and associated eddies, 

motions due to eddy-eddy and/or slope-shelf/eddy interaction, internal/inertial wave motions, instabilities 

along eddy frontal boundaries, and biases in the data record related to instrument limitations (DiMarco et 

al., 2004). 

Storm Events

Tropical conditions normally prevail over the Gulf from May or June until October or November. 

Hurricanes increase surface current speeds to 100-150 cm/s (40-59 in/s) over the continental shelves and 

cool the surface waters in much the same way as do cold fronts, but they may stir the mixed layer to an 

even greater depth. Wind events such as tropical cyclones (especially hurricanes), extra tropical cyclones, 

and cold-air outbreaks can result in extreme waves and cause currents with speeds of 100-150 cm/s 

(40-59 in/s) over the continental shelves. Examples for the Texas-Louisiana shelf and upper slope are 

given in Nowlin et al. (1998) and for the Alabama shelf during Hurricane Ivan in Mitchell et al. (2005). 

Other researchers (e.g., Brooks, 1983 and 1984) have measured the effects of such phenomena down to 

depths of 700 m (2,297 ft) over the continental slope in the northwestern Gulf. Hurricanes can trigger a 

series of internal waves with near inertial period. Surface waves and sea state may limit normal oil and 

gas operations as well as oil-spill-response activities (French et al., 2005; Fingas, 2001). Waves as high 

as 91 ft (28 m) were measured under Hurricane Ivan (Wang et al., 2005). Recently, a new mode was 

found to transport hurricane energy downward related to the sea-level rise near the storm eye (Welsh 

et al., 2009; Cole and DiMarco, 2010). 

Cold fronts, as well as diurnal and seasonal cycles of heat flux at the air/sea interface, affect nearsurface water temperatures, although water at depths greater than about 100 m (328 ft) remains unaffected 

by surface boundary heat flux. Water temperature is greater than air temperature at the air/sea interface 

during all seasons. Frontal passages over the region can cause changes in temperature and velocity 

structure in the upper layers, specifically increasing current speeds and variability. These fronts tend to 
A-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

occur with frequencies from 3 to 10 days (weatherband frequency). In the winter, the shelf water is 

nearly homogeneous due to wind stirring and cooling by fronts and winter storms. 

A.3. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The GOM is influenced by a maritime subtropical climate controlled mainly by the clockwise 

circulation around the semipermanent area of high barometric pressure commonly known as the Bermuda 

High. The GOM is located to the southwest of this center of circulation. This proximity to the highpressure system results in a predominantly southeasterly flow in the GOM region. Two important classes 

of cyclonic storms are occasionally superimposed on this circulation pattern. During the winter months, 

December through March, cold fronts associated with cold continental air masses influence mainly the 

northern coastal areas of the GOM. Behind the fronts, strong north winds bring drier air into the region. 

Tropical cyclones may develop or migrate into the GOM during the warmer months. These storms may 

affect any area of the GOM and substantially alter the local wind circulation around them. In coastal 

areas, the sea breeze effect may become the primary circulation feature during the summer months of 

May through October. In general, however, the subtropical maritime climate is the dominant feature in 

driving all aspects of the weather in this region; as a result, the climate shows very little diurnal or 

seasonal variation.

Selected climatological data for a few selected Gulf coastal locations can be found in Table A-2. The 

western extension of the Bermuda High dominates the circulation throughout the year, weakening in the 

winter and strengthening in the summer. The average monthly pressure shows a west to east gradient 

along the northern Gulf during the summer. In the winter, the monthly pressure is more uniform along 

the northern Gulf. The minimum average monthly pressure occurs during the summer. The maximum 

pressure occurs during the winter as a result of the presence and influence of transitional continental cold 

air.

Average air temperatures at coastal locations vary with latitude and exposure. Air temperature ranges 

from highs in the summer of 24.7-28.0 o

C (76.5-82.4 oF) to lows in the winter of 2.1-21.7 oC 

(35.8-71.1 o

F). Winter temperatures depend on the frequency and intensity of penetration by polar air 

masses from the north. Air temperatures over the open Gulf exhibit narrower limits of variations on a 

daily and seasonal basis due to the moderating effect of the large bodies of water. The average 

temperature over the center of the Gulf is about 29 o

C (84 oF) in the summer and between 17 and 23 oC 

(63 and 73 o

F) in the winter.

The relative humidity over the Gulf is high throughout the year. Minimum humidities occur during 

the late fall and winter when cold, continental air masses bring dry air into the northern Gulf. Maximum 

humidities occur during the spring and summer when prevailing southerly winds bring in warm, moist air. 

The climate in the southwestern GOM is relative dry.

Winds are more variable near the coast than over open waters because coastal winds are more directly 

influenced by the moving cyclonic storms that are characteristic of the continent and because of the land 

and sea breeze regime. During the relatively constant summer conditions, the southerly position of the 

Bermuda High generates predominantly southeasterly winds, which become more southerly in the 

northern Gulf. Winter winds usually blow from easterly directions with fewer southerlies but more 

northerlies.

Precipitation is frequent and abundant throughout the year but does show distinct seasonal variation. 

Stations along the entire coast record the highest precipitation values during the warmer months of the 

year. The warmer months usually have convective cloud systems that produce showers and 

thunderstorms; however, these thunderstorms rarely cause any damage or have attendant hail (USDOC, 

1967; Brower et al., 1972). The month of maximum rainfall for most locations is July. Winter rains are 

associated with the frequent passage of frontal systems through the area. Rainfalls are generally slow, 

steady, and relatively continuous, often lasting several days. Snowfalls are rare, and when frozen 

precipitation does occur, it usually melts on contact with the ground. Incidence of frozen precipitation 

decreases with distance offshore and rapidly reaches zero.

Warm, moist Gulf air blowing slowly over chilled land or water surfaces brings about the formation 

of fog. Fog occurrence decreases seaward, but visibility has been less than 800 m (2,625 ft) due to 

offshore fog. Coastal fogs generally last 3-4 hours, although particularly dense sea fogs may persist for 

several days. The poorest visibility conditions occur during winter and early spring. The period from 
Physical and Environmental Settings A-13

November through April has the lowest visibility. Industrial pollution and agricultural burning also 

impact visibilities.

The mixing height is very important because it determines the volume available for dispersing 

pollutants. Because the mixing height is directly related to vertical mixing in the atmosphere, a mixed 

layer is expected to occur under neutral and unstable atmospheric conditions. The mixing height tends to 

be lower in winter, and daily changes are smaller than in summer.

The GOM is part of the Atlantic tropical cyclone basin. Tropical cyclones generally occur in summer 

and fall seasons; however, the Gulf also experiences winter storms or extratropical storms. These winter 

storms generally originate in middle and high latitudes and have winds that can attain speeds of 15-26 m/

sec (11.2-58.2 mph). The Gulf is an area of cyclone development during cooler months due to the 

contrast of the warm air over the Gulf and the cold continental air over North America. Cyclogenesis, or 

the formation of extratropical cyclones, in the GOM is associated with frontal overrunning (Hsu, 1992). 

The most severe extratropical storms in the Gulf originate when a cold front encounters the subtropical 

jetstream over the warm waters of the Gulf. Statistics of 100-year data of extratropical cyclones reveal 

that most activity occurs above 25o N. latitude in the western GOM. The mean number of these storms 

ranges from 0.9 near the southern tip of Florida to 4.2 over central Louisiana (Ford et al., 1988). 

The frequency of cold fronts in the Gulf exhibits similar patterns during the 4-month period of 

December through March. During this time the area of frontal influence reaches 10o N. latitude. Frontal 

frequency is about nine fronts per month (1 front every 3 days on the average) in February and about 

seven fronts per month in March (1 front every 4-5 days on the average). By May, the frequency 

decreases to about four fronts per month (1 front every 7-8 days) and the region of frontal influence 

retreats to about 15o N. latitude. During June-August frontal activity decreases to almost zero and fronts 

seldom reach below 25o N. latitude (Ford et al., 1988). 

Tropical cyclones affecting the Gulf originate over the equatorial portions of the Atlantic Ocean, the 

Caribbean Sea, and the GOM. Tropical cyclones occur most frequently between June and November. 

Based on 50 years of data, there are about 9.6 storms per year with about 5.9 of those becoming 

hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean. Data from 1950 to 2000 show that 79 percent of these storms, or 

4.7 storms per year, will affect the GOM (Klotzbach and Gray, 2005). The Yucatan Channel is the main 

entrance of Atlantic storms into the GOM, and a reduced translation speed over Gulf waters leads to 

longer residence times in this basin.

There is a high probability that tropical storms will cause damage to physical, economic, biological, 

and social systems in the Gulf. Tropical storms also affect OCS operations and activities; platform design 

needs to consider the storm surge, waves, and currents generated by tropical storms. Most of the damage 

is caused by storm surge, waves, and high winds. Storm surge depends on local factors, such as bottom 

topography and coastline configuration, and storm intensity. Water depth and storm intensity control 

wave height during hurricane conditions. Sustained winds for major hurricanes (Saffir-Simpson 

Category 3 and above) are higher than 49 m/sec (109.6 mph). During the past few years the Gulf Coast 

States have been impacted by several major hurricanes—Hurricanes Lili (2002), Ivan (2004), Katrina

(2005), Rita (2005), Gustav (2008), and Ike (2008). 

A.4. ARTIFICIAL REEFS AND RIGS-TO-REEFS DEVELOPMENT

Artificial reefs have been used along the coastline of the U.S. since the early nineteenth century. 

Stone (1974) documented that the use of obsolete materials to create artificial reefs has provided valuable 

habitat for numerous species of fish in areas devoid of natural hard bottom. Stone et al. (1979) found 

reefs in marine waters not only attract fish, but in some instances also enhance the production of fish. 

The long-standing debate as to whether artificial reefs contribute to biological production or merely 

attract the associated marine resources still continues within the scientific arena. The generally accepted 

conclusion is that artificial reefs both attract and produce fish. This conclusion depends on a variety of 

factors, such as associated species, limiting environmental factors, fishing pressure, and type of materials 

used. The degree to which any of the above factors can be controlled will dictate whether any particular 

artificial reef attract fish or produce fish. In reality, many artificial reefs probably do both attract and 

produce fish at the same time.

The U.S. Congress passed the National Fishing Enhancement Act (NFEA) in 1984. The NFEA called 

for the development of a national plan to provide guidance to those individuals, organizations, and 

agencies interested in artificial reef development and management. The NFEA directed the Secretary of 
A-14 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Commerce to develop and publish a long-term National Artificial Reef Plan (NARP) to promote and 

facilitate responsible and effective use of artificial reefs using the best scientific information available. In 

1985, the NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) wrote and completed the 

NARP. The NARP states that properly designed, constructed, and located artificial reefs can enhance the 

habitat and diversity of fishery resources; enhance U.S. recreational and commercial fishing 

opportunities; increase the energy efficiency of recreational and commercial fisheries; and contribute to 

the U.S. coastal economies. 

The NARP provides general criteria for selection of materials for artificial reefs. These criteria 

include the following: (1) function, which is related to how well a material functions as reef habitat; 

(2) compatibility, which is related to how compatible a material is with the environment; (3) durability, 

which is related to how long a material will last in the environment; (4) stability, which is related to how 

stable a material will be when subject to storms, tides, currents, and other external forces; and 

(5) availability, which is related to how available a material is to an artificial reef program.

One of the most significant recommendations in the NARP was to encourage the development of 

State-specific artificial reef plans. The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) and Atlantic 

States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) began to coordinate State artificial reef program activities 

for States along the coast of the GOM and Atlantic Ocean, respectively. Most of the States along the Gulf 

and Atlantic Coasts have taken a leadership role in artificial reef development and management, having 

developed state-specific plans, and established protocols for siting, deployment, and evaluation of 

materials for artificial reefs. Each commission formed working committees comprised of State artificial 

reef program personnel, and representatives from appropriate Federal agencies, including the BOEM. 

Artificial Reef Working Committees of the GSMFC and ASMFC meet jointly to discuss artificial reef 

issues of a national scope, and separately to discuss issues specific to the Gulf and Atlantic regions. As a 

result, these committees have been influential in shaping regional and national artificial reef policies and 

effecting future positive program changes within State and Federal agencies. The working committees 

have developed guidelines for marine artificial reef materials. The guidelines provide State and Federal 

agencies and the general public information related to the history, identification of the benefits, 

drawbacks, and limitations, and use of selected materials for use in the development of marine artificial 

reefs. The working committees have also produced the document titled Coastal Artificial Reef Planning 

Guide. The document reflects the working committee’s recommendations to NOAA Fisheries Service for 

revisions to the National Artificial Reef Plan.

State Artificial Reef Programs

All of the five Gulf Coast States—Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida—have 

artificial reef programs and plans. The following are brief descriptions of each State’s artificial reef 

program. The States’ artificial reef planning areas, general permit areas, and permitted artificial reef sites 

within the area of influence considered in this EIS are shown in Figure A-4. 

Texas 

In 1989, the Texas State legislature passed the State’s Artificial Reef Act. The Act provided guidance 

for planning and developing artificial reefs in a cost-effective manner to minimize conflicts and risk to the 

environment. The Act also directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to promote, develop, 

maintain, monitor, and enhance the artificial reef potential in State waters and Federal waters adjacent to 

Texas. The Act defined an artificial reef as a structure constructed, placed, or permitted in the navigable 

water of Texas or water of the Federal exclusive economic zone adjacent to Texas for the purpose of 

enhancing fishery resources and commercial and recreational fishing opportunities. To fulfill these 

purposes, the Department was directed to develop a State artificial reef plan in accordance with Chapter 

89 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife code. Texas artificial reefs are mostly retired oil and gas platforms, 

liberty ships, and military hardware (battle tanks and armored vehicles).

Louisiana 

In response to the NFEA, the Louisiana Artificial Reef Initiative (LARI) combined the talents of 

university, State, Federal, and industry representatives to develop an artificial reef program for the State 

of Louisiana. As a result, the Louisiana Fishing Enhancement Act (Act 100) became law in 1986. 
Physical and Environmental Settings A-15

Subsequently, the Louisiana Artificial Reef Plan was written and contains the rationale and guidelines for 

implementation and maintenance of the State artificial reef program. The State plan is implemented 

under the leadership of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. 

The LARI approved nine artificial reef planning areas where artificial reefs can be sited (Kasprzak 

and Perret, 1996). Artificial reef complexes are established within the planning areas on the basis of the 

best available information regarding bottom type, currents, bathymetry, and other factors affecting 

performance and productivity of the reefs. Retired oil and gas platforms are the primary materials that 

have been use within the Louisiana artificial reef program. Military battle tanks have also been deployed 

offshore Louisiana for artificial reefs.

Mississippi

Mississippi’s artificial reef efforts began in the 1960’s. A group consisting primarily of charter boat 

operators and recreational fishermen obtained funding from their local coastal counties and constructed a 

car body reef site in the early 1960’s. In 1972, the Mississippi Marine Conservation Commission, the 

organizational predecessor of the current Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, acquired five 

surplus liberty ships for artificial reefs. This liberty ship project was completed in 1978. The excess 

funds from the project and the reef permits were transferred to the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks, Inc., a 

private reef building organization made up of conservationists, charter boat operators, and recreational 

fishermen.

Presently, Mississippi has 47 nearshore, low-profile fishing reefs and 12 offshore reefs. Most of the 

offshore sites are located within 16-23 km (10-14 mi) from shore. Artificial reef materials used on these 

sites include liberty ships, rig quarters, tugboats, barges, boxcars, buses, dumpsters, concrete modules, 

tires, and oil and gas platforms. All of Mississippi’s reef sites have active reef permits and suitable 

material can be deployed at these sites, as they become available (Brainard, 1996).

Alabama 

Alabama’s artificial reef efforts began in 1953. The first reef project resulted in placement of 250 

automobile bodies in water depths of 20-30 m (66-98 ft) offshore Baldwin County. Alabama Department 

of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is the responsible State agency for artificial reef 

development in State and Federal waters. Alabama’s most impressive and lasting contribution to artificial 

reef activities is the acquisition and placement of five liberty ships in five locations in Alabama’s offshore 

waters, which provide excellent offshore fishing opportunities for recreational fisherman. In 1986 and 

1987, the ADCNR was granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) two artificial reef, general 

permit areas (Don Kelly North and Don Kelly South) offshore Baldwin County. In 1991, a third artificial 

reef general-permit area (Hugh Swingle) was granted by the COE offshore Mobile County. In 1997, a 

proposal for extension of the three general permit areas was requested by the ADCNR and permits were 

issued that year by COE (Tatum, 1993). Alabama has used a large variety of materials (e.g., shell, 

concrete, automobile, vehicle tires, aircraft, railroad cars, steel and wooden vessels, oil and gas platforms, 

and military battle tanks) for reefs in its artificial reef program.

Florida 

Florida’s first permitted artificial reef site was issued in 1918 (Pybas, 1991). A rapid proliferation of 

artificial reef sites began in 1980. In the past 25 years, over 300 reef sites were established in State and 

Federal waters off 34 of Florida’s 35 coastal counties on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and more than 

2,000 documented artificial reefs have been placed off Florida’s coastal counties. Artificial reefs were 

built at water depths ranging from less than 3 m (10 ft) to greater than 200 m (656 ft). For the past 

25 years, Florida’s artificial reef program has been a cooperative effort of local governments and State 

agencies with additional input provided by nongovernmental fishing and diving interests. The Florida 

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Marine Fisheries, manages the State’s artificial 

reef program. The primary objective of the State’s program has been to provide grants-in-aid to local 

coastal governments to develop artificial fishing reefs in State and adjacent Federal waters to increase 

local sportfishing resources and enhance sportfishing opportunities (Dodrill and Horn, 1996; Maher, 

1999). Florida has used a large variety of materials previously mentioned for reefs within their artificial 

reef program.
A-16 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Rigs-to-Reefs Development

Rigs-to-Reefs (RTR) is a catchy term for converting obsolete, nonproductive, offshore oil and gas 

platforms to designated artificial reefs (Dauterive, 2000). Offshore oil and gas platforms began 

functioning as artificial reefs in 1947 when Kerr-McGee completed the world’s first commercially 

successful oil well in 5.6 m (18 ft) of water, 70 km (44 mi) south of Morgan City, Louisiana. 

Approximately 4,000 offshore oil and gas platforms exist on the Gulf of Mexico OCS beyond State 

territorial waters, with most (>90%) occurring offshore the States of Louisiana and Texas. Distribution of 

offshore platforms across the GOM is shown in Figure A-5. Placed with the primary intent of producing 

oil and/or gas, offshore platforms also provide artificial substrate and marine habitat where natural hardbottom habitat is at a minimum. These platforms form the largest artificial reef complex in the world 

(Stanley and Wilson, 2000). 

The BOEM regulations require that platforms be removed within one year after termination of the 

lease and the platform disposed onshore. Disposal of obsolete offshore oil and gas platforms is not only a 

financial liability for the oil and gas industry but can be a loss of productive marine habitat (Kasprazak 

and Perret, 1996). The use of obsolete oil and gas platforms for reefs has proven to be highly successful. 

Their availability, design profile, durability, and stability provide a number of advantages over the use of 

traditional artificial reef materials. To capture this valuable fish habitat, the States of Louisiana, Texas, 

and Mississippi in 1986, 1989, and 1999, respectively, passed enabling legislation and signed into law 

RTR plans for their respective States. Alabama and Florida have no RTR legislation; however, both 

States have oil and gas platforms in their programs. The distribution of RTR locations across the GOM is 

shown in Figure A-6. 

The State laws set up a mechanism to transfer ownership and liability of the platform from oil and gas 

companies to the State when the platform ceases production and the lease is terminated. The company 

(donor) saves money by donating a platform to the State (recipient) for use as a reef rather than scrapping 

the platform onshore. The industry then donates 50 percent of the savings to the State to run the State’s 

artificial reef program. Since the inception of the RTR plans, more than 240 retired platforms have been 

donated and used for reefs offshore of the Gulf Coast States. Table A-3 shows the RTR donations by 

State.

A.5. OCS LEASE AND PERMITTING ACTIVITY AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE

As a matter of disclosure, BOEM’s level of lease activity, approved applications to drill, permitting 

activity since the Deepwater Horizon event, and existing OCS offshore infrastructure are shown in 

Figure A-5 and in Tables A-4 through A-6. 

In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon event, BOEM has put in place significant new safeguards to 

protect the environment beyond what has ever existed. These new safety measures include heightened 

drilling safety standards to reduce the chances that a loss of well control might occur in the first place, as 

well as a new focus on containment capabilities in the event of an oil spill.

Deepwater drilling applications fall into two categories for the implementation of BOEM’s new 

regulations. To clarify these differences, BOEM has included the narrative below. The deepwater 

moratorium was lifted on October 12, 2010, and is the point at which new rules were applicable in the 

applications. 

• Deepwater Permits Requiring Subsea Containment: Since an applicant first 

successfully demonstrated containment capabilities in mid-February, BOEM has

approved 90 of these permits for 27 unique wells, with 15 permits pending, and 

28 permits returned to the operator with requests for additional information, 

particularly information regarding containment. 

• Deepwater Activities Not Requiring Subsea Containment: Since the implementation 

of new safety and environmental standards, 45 of these permits have been approved, 

with 1 permit returned to the operator with requests for additional information. 

These activities include water injection wells and procedures using surface blowout 

preventers.
Physical and Environmental Settings A-17

The distribution of OCS active platforms by water depth and structure type is shown in Table A-6, 

and their locations are shown on Figure A-5. 

A.6. CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is included as an impacting factor in the cumulative analysis of some resources. The 

resources that include climate change as a cumulative impact factor meet one or both of the following two 

criteria: 

• the resource is already experiencing impacts from climate change, so the effects are 

observable and not speculative; and 

• the resource will be directly or indirectly affected by warming temperatures that can 

be projected. 

Warming of the Earth’s climate system is occurring, and most of the measured increase in average 

global temperature since the mid-20th century is attributed to the measured increase in anthropogenic 

greenhouse gas concentrations (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007). The NOAA’s State 

of the Climate reports 10 indicators for a warming climate (Blunden et al., 2011; Cook, 2010a). All of 

these indicators are moving in the direction of the 10 indicators (up or down) and show conditions on the 

Earth’s surface consistent with that of a warming planet.

1. Sea ice: down 

2. Snow cover: down

3. Glaciers: down

4. Humidity: up 

5. Temperature over oceans: up 

6. Sea-surface temperature: up

7. Ocean heat content: up

8. Sea level: up

9. Temperature over land: up 

10. Air temperature near surface (troposphere): up

The full body of evidence in climate science shows a number of distinct and discernable human 

fingerprints on climate change (Cook, 2010b). Among these would be 

• cooling and shrinking upper atmosphere (satellite measurements show warming 

lower atmosphere, less heat to warm upper atmosphere, symptom of greenhouse gas 

trapping); 

• less oxygen in the air (ratio of O2/CO2 decreasing); 

• less heat escaping to space and more heat returning to Earth (satellite measurement of 

infrared radiation, greenhouse gases returning infrared radiation to Earth); 

• nights warming faster than days and winter warming faster than summer (greenhouse 

gases inhibit heat radiating out to space); 

• more fossil-fuel carbon in the air and in sea coral (ratio of Carbon13 to Carbon12 

decreasing); and

• pattern of ocean warming (world’s oceans warming from surface downward). 

Globally, many environmental effects have been documented, including widespread changes in snow 

melt and ice cap extent; spatial changes in precipitation patterns; changes in the frequency of extreme 

weather events; changes in stream flow and runoff patterns in snow-fed rivers; warming of lakes and 

rivers, with effects on thermal structure and water quality; changes in the timing of spring events such as 
A-18 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

bird migration and egg laying; and poleward or altitude shifts in ranges of plant and animal species 

(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007). Documented changes in marine and freshwater 

biological systems are associated with rising water temperatures, as well as changes in salinity, oxygen 

levels, and circulation. These changes include shifts in ranges and changes in algal, plankton, and fish 

abundance in high-latitude oceans; increases in algal and zooplankton abundance in high-latitude and 

high-altitude lakes; and range changes and earlier fish migrations in rivers (Intergovernmental Panel on 

Climate Change, 2007). 

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009) has summarized regional climate changes for the 

southeastern U.S. (including the Gulf Coast States). Since 1970, average annual temperature has risen 

approximately 2 °F (1.1 °C) and the number of freezing days has declined by 4-7 days per year. Average 

autumn precipitation has increased 30 percent since 1901. There has been an increase in heavy 

downpours in many parts of the region, while the percentage of the region experiencing moderate to 

severe drought increased over the past three decades. The area of moderate to severe spring and summer 

drought has increased by 12 percent and 14 percent, respectively, since the mid-1970’s. Texas, 

Louisiana, and Oklahoma experienced severe drought conditions in 2011 (Blunden et al., 2011). 

Continuing changes in precipitation could affect the water quality and marine ecology of the GOM by 

altering the quantity and quality of runoff into estuaries. 

Over the next century, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) projects that global 

temperature increases will cause significant global environmental changes, including the following: 

reductions in snow cover and sea ice; more frequent extreme heat waves and heavy precipitation events; 

an increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones (hurricanes); and numerous hydrological, ecological, 

social, and health effects. Regionally, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009) predicts similar 

long-term changes for the southeastern U.S., including increased shoreline erosion because of sea-level 

rise and increases in hurricane intensity; heat-related stresses for people, plants, and animals; and 

decreased water availability because of increased temperature and longer intervals between rainfall 

events. The resilience of many ecosystems is likely to be stressed because of major changes in ecosystem 

structure and function, species’ ecological interactions, and shifts in species’ geographical ranges, with 

predominantly negative consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem function (Intergovernmental Panel 

on Climate Change, 2007). 

Reasonably foreseeable marine environmental changes in the GOM that could result from climate 

change over the next century include changes in sea level and shoreline configuration; increased levels of 

beach restoration activity (and increased use of OCS sand sources); changes in estuaries and coastal 

habitats due to interactive effects of climate change, along with development and pollution; and impacts 

on calcification in plankton, corals, crustaceans, and other marine organisms because of ocean 

acidification (The Royal Society, 2005). 

Over the next two decades, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) projected a 

warming of about 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) per decade; environmental changes in the GOM that result from 

climate change are likely to be small, incremental, and difficult to discern from effects of other natural 

and anthropogenic factors. While continuing climate change could result in changing regional ecological 

and socioeconomic patterns and distributions in the GOM, the rates and direction of many of these 

changes are somewhat speculative. The effects of climate change tend to be more pronounced at higher 

latitudes. These effects can be more subtle in the GOM with its subtropical climatic regime.

A.6.1. Physical Resources

Physical resources include (1) water quality, (2) air quality, and (3) acoustic environment. Climate 

change predictions are based on models that simulate all relevant physical processes under a variety of 

projected greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Because the complexity of modeling global and regional 

climate systems is so great, uncertainty in climate projections can never be eliminated. The 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (2007) projections relating generally to water and water 

quality include the following:

• sea level will rise by 0.18-0.59 m (0.59-1.94 ft) by the end of the 21st century; 

• sea ice, glaciers, and ice sheets in polar regions will continue melting;

• ocean pH will decrease by 0.14 to 0.35 over the 21st century;
Physical and Environmental Settings A-19

• tropical cyclones will become more intense (>66% likely);

• precipitation will increase at high latitudes (>90% likely); and

• annual river discharges (runoff) will increase by 10-40 percent at high latitudes and 

decrease by 10-30 percent in the dry regions at mid-latitudes.

The Gulf of Mexico region has already experienced increasing atmospheric temperatures since the 

1960’s. From 1900 to 1991, sea-surface temperatures increased in coastal areas and decreased in offshore 

areas. Sea-level rise along the northern coast is as high as 0.01 m/yr (0.03 ft/yr), and it has contributed to 

the loss of coastal wetland and mangroves and increased the rates of shoreline erosion. Future sea-level 

rise is expected to cause saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers, potentially making some unsuitable as 

potable water supplies. Significant changes (increases or decreases) in precipitation and river discharges 

to the Gulf of Mexico would affect salinity and water circulation, which, in turn, affects water quality. 

Water quality impacts associated with increased river discharges result from increases in nutrients 

(nitrogen and phosphorous) and contaminants to estuaries, increases in harmful algal blooms, and an 

increase in stratification. Such changes could also affect dissolved oxygen content and the extent of the 

Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. Decreased discharge would diminish the flushing of estuaries and increase 

concentrations of pathogens. 

Air quality and the acoustic environment will not be directly or indirectly affected by warming 

temperatures of climate change.

A.6.2. Coastal and Estuarine Habitats

Coastal and estuarine habitats include (1) barrier islands, beaches, and dunes; (2) wetlands; and 

(3) submerged seagrass communities.

Indirect effects from global climate change include changes in temperature, rainfall, alteration in 

stream flow and river discharge, sea-level rise, changes in hurricane frequency and strength, sediment 

yield, mass movement frequencies and coastal erosion, and subsidence (Yanez-Arancibia and Day, 2004). 

Potential thermal expansion of ocean water and the melting of glaciers and ice caps could result in a 

global rise in mean sea level according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s projections. 

Recent rates of sea-level rise have been approximately 3 mm/yr (0.12 in/yr), but this rate may increase to 

4 mm/yr (0.16 in/yr) by 2100 (Blum and Roberts 2009). Sea-level rise could result in increased 

inundation of barrier beaches and increases in losses of beach habitat. Effects of sea-level rise include 

damage from inundation, floods and storms, and erosion (Nicholls et al., 2007). Effects of increased 

storm intensity include increases in extreme water levels and wave heights; increases in episodic erosion, 

storm damage, risk of flooding, and defense failure (Nicholls et al., 2007). The small tidal range of the 

Gulf Coast increases the vulnerability of coastal habitats to the effects of climate change.

Patterns of erosion and accretion can also be altered along coastlines (Nicholls et al., 2007). Sea-level 

rise would result in greater inundation of coastal wetlands and likely result in an acceleration of coastal 

wetland losses, particularly in Louisiana, as wetlands are converted to open water. In addition, large

changes in river flows into the Gulf could affect salinity and water circulation in estuaries, which, in turn, 

could impact estuarine wetland communities. 

A study of coastal vulnerability along the entire U.S. Gulf Coast found that 42 percent of the mapped 

shoreline was classified as being at very high risk of coastal change due to factors associated with future 

sea-level rise (Thieler and Hammar-Klose, 2000). A revised coastal vulnerability index study of the coast 

from Galveston, Texas, to Panama City, Florida, indicated that 61 percent of that mapped coastline was 

classified as being at very high vulnerability, with coastal Louisiana being the most vulnerable area of this 

coastline (Pendleton et al., 2010).

A.6.3. Marine Benthic and Pelagic Habitats

Marine benthic and pelagic habitats include (1) topographic features and (2) chemosynthetic and 

nonchemosynthetic benthic communities. 

In the benthic and pelagic habitats of the Gulf of Mexico, climate change may cause the temporal 

variability of key chemical and physical parameters—particularly hydrology, dissolved oxygen, salinity, 

and temperature—to change or increase, which could significantly alter the existing structure of the 

benthic and phytoplankton communities (Rabalais et al., 2010). For example, freshwater discharge into 
A-20 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

the Gulf of Mexico has been increasing, and it is expected to continue to increase as a result of the 

increased rainfall in the Mississippi River Basin (Dai et al., 2009). Such changes could result in severe 

long-term or short-term fluctuations in temperature and salinity that could reduce or eliminate sensitive 

species. Such changes are most likely to occur in the Mississippi Estuarine Ecoregion, where freshwater 

inputs are highest. In addition, greater rainfall may increase inputs of nutrients into the Gulf of Mexico, 

potentially resulting in more intense phytoplankton blooms that could promote benthic hypoxia (Rabalais 

et al., 2010). Hypoxic or anoxic conditions can reduce or eliminate the suitability of benthic habitat for 

marine organisms.

Climate change has the potential to profoundly affect coral communities in several ways including the 

following: 

• increased frequency of bleaching as a stress response to warming water temperatures 

(Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2007);

• excessive algal growth on reefs and an increase in bacterial, fungal, and viral agents 

(Boesch et al., 2000; Twilley et al., 2001); 

• greater frequency of mechanical damage to corals from greater severity of tropical 

storms and hurricanes (Janetos et al., 2008); 

• decreases in the oceanic pH and carbonate concentration are expected to reduce the 

reef formation rate, weaken the existing reef structure, and alter the composition of 

coral communities (Janetos et al., 2008); and 

• platforms could accelerate the spread of invasive species that increase their range due 

to climate change.

As climate change has the potential to affect warm water corals, it could affect coldwater Lophelia 

reefs. The saturation depth of aragonite (the primary carbonate formed used by hard corals) appears to be 

a primary determinant of deepwater coral distribution, with reefs forming in areas of high aragonite 

solubility (Orr et al., 2005). The depth at which the water is saturated with aragonite is projected to 

become shallower over the coming century, and most coldwater corals may be in undersaturated waters 

by 2100 (Orr et al., 2005). Consequently, the spatial extent, density, and growth of deepwater corals may 

decrease, diminishing their associated ecosystem functions (Orr et al., 2005). 

Chemosynthetic and nonchemosynthetic benthic communities will not be directly or indirectly 

affected by warming temperatures of climate change.

A.6.4. Marine and Coastal Fauna

Marine and coastal fauna include (1) marine mammals, (2) beach mice, (3) sea turtles, (4) fish and 

essential fish habitat, (5) coastal and marine birds, and (6) Sargassum. 

Marine mammal populations throughout the Gulf may be adversely affected by climate change and, 

to a lesser extent, by hurricane events. There is growing evidence that climate change is occurring, and 

potential effects in the Gulf may include a change (i.e., rise) in sea level or a change in water 

temperatures. Such changes could affect the distribution, availability, and quality of feeding habitats and 

the abundance of food resources. The U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009) predicts increased 

shoreline erosion because of sea-level rise and increases in hurricane intensity and a precipitous decline in 

wetland-dependent fish and shellfish populations as a result of coastal marsh landlosses. Changes in sea 

level and shoreline configuration could adversely affect sea turtle nesting beaches, along with attempts to 

restore beaches.

Potential impacts on pelagic and water column invertebrates resulting from climate change include

the following: 

• an increase in the range and temporal variability of a water column’s oxygen, 

salinity, and temperature;

• a reduction in important estuarine habitats from sea-level rise;

• a range expansion of new species into the Gulf of Mexico; 
Physical and Environmental Settings A-21

• an increase in the extent and duration of Gulf of Mexico hypoxia that could kill or 

displace existing and suitable habitat areas; and

• reduced oceanic pH that could reduce the fitness of calcifying marine organisms such 

as echinoderms, zooplankton, and mollusks. 

Beach mice populations may be affected by habitat fragmentation or inundation of the supratidal 

dunes where they live from rising sea levels. Fish and essential fish habitat, coastal and marine birds, and 

Sargassum will not be directly or indirectly affected by warming temperatures of climate change.

A.6.5. Social, Cultural, and Economic Resources

Social, cultural, and economic resources include (1) commercial and recreational fishing, 

(2) archaeological resources, (3) recreational resources, (4) human resources and land usage, and 

(5) environmental justice.

Rising relative sea levels and increased erosion have been observed all along the coast (Field et al., 

2007). It is anticipated that climate change will result in increased temperatures and rising relative sea 

levels along the Gulf Coast, accompanied by an increase in severe storms in the coming decades. People 

who rely on commercial and recreational fishing are predicted to be most vulnerable to adverse effects 

resulting from these changes (Nicholls et al., 2007). 

Archaeological resources, recreational resources, human resources and land usage, and environmental 

justice will not be directly or indirectly affected by warming temperatures of climate change.

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47:(11-12). 
A-28 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure A-1. Major Physiographic and Geologic Provinces of the Gulf of Mexico.
Physical and Environmental Settings A-29

Figure A-2. Geologic Time Scale (Palmer, 1983).
A-30 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure A-3. Spatial Frequency (%) of the Watermass Associated with the Loop Current in 

the Eastern Gulf of Mexico based on Data for the Period 1976-2003 (Vukovich, 

2005).
Eastern Planning Area Central Planning Area Western Planning Area TEXAS GEORGIA 

LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA VENICE MORGAN CITY HOUMA BROWNSVILLE CORPUS CHRISTI 

HOUSTON PORT ARTHUR BEAUMONT NEW ORLEANS LAKE CHARLES LAFAYETTE PANAMA CITY PENSACOLA MOBILE TALLAHASSEE 

Planning Area Proposed Sale Area 0 100 200 Kilometers 0 100 200 Miles Figure A-4. Locations of Artificial Reef Planning Areas in the Gulf of Mexico. 
Eastern Planning Area Central Planning Area Western Planning Area TEXAS GEORGIA 

LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA 60 m 800 m 200 m400 m 1600 m 2400 m VENICE MORGAN CITY HOUMA BROWNSVILLE CORPUS CHRISTI 

HOUSTON PORT ARTHUR BEAUMONT NEW ORLEANS LAKE CHARLES LAFAYETTE PANAMA CITY PENSACOLA MOBILE TALLAHASSEE 

Planning Area Proposed Sale Area OCS Active Platforms 0 100 200 Kilometers 0 100 200 Miles Figure A-5. OCS Platform Distribution across the Gulf of Mexico. 
Physical and Environmental Settings

A-33

Eastern

 Planning

 Area

Central Planning Area

Western Planning Area

TEXAS

GEORGIA

FLORIDA

LOUISIANA

MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA

VENICE

MORGAN

CITY

HOUMA

BROWNSVILLE

CORPUS

CHRISTI TAMPA

HOUSTON

PORT

ARTHUR

BEAUMONT NEW

ORLEANS LAKE

CHARLES

LAFAYETTE PANAMA

CITY

PENSACOLA

MOBILE

TALLAHASSEE

NAPLES

Planning Area Proposed Sale Area Rigs to Reef

0 100 200Kilometers

0 100 200 Miles

Figure A-6. Locations of Rigs-to-Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.
A-34 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table A-1 

Watermasses in the Gulf of Mexico

Watermass

Eastern Gulf of Mexico Western Gulf of Mexico

Depth (m) Feature(s) Sigma-theta

(m) (mg/cm3) 

Depth 

(m) Feature(s) Sigma-theta(m) (mg/cm3) 

SUW-LC

SUW

18°C W

TACW

AAIW

AAIW

AAIW

UNADW

150-250

150-250

200-400

400-700

NA

700-900

800-1,000

900-1,200

Smax

Smax

O2max

O2min

NA

PO4max

Smin

SiO2max

SiO2max

25.40

25.40

26.50

27.15 

NA

27.40

27.50

NA

27.70

NA

0-250

NA

250-400

500-700

600-800

700-800

1,000-1,100

NA

Smax

NA

O2min

NO3max

PO4max

Smin

SiO2max

SiO2max

NA

25.40

NA

27.15

27.30

27.40

27.50

NA

27.70

18oC W = 18 degrees Centigrade Sargasso Sea Water

AAIW = Antarctic intermediate water

NA = information not available

NO3max = nitrate maximum

O2max = dissolved oxygen maximum

O2min = dissolved oxygen minimum

PO4max = phosphate maximum

SiO2max = silicate maximum

Smax = salinity maximum

Smin = salinity minimum

SUW = subtropical underwater in the Gulf but outside the Loop Current

SUW-LC = subtropical underwater in the Loop Current and new Loop Current eddies

TACW = tropical Atlantic central water

UNADW = mixture of upper North Atlantic deep water and high-silicate Caribbean mid-water.

Table A-2 

Climatological Data for Selected Gulf Coast Locations

Location

Precipitation

(annual 

average) 

(m)

Temperature

(mean 

annual)

(

o

C)

Wind Speed

(average 

annual 

mean) 

(m/sec)

Humidity 

(average 

percent)

Barometric

Pressure

(average 

annual) 

(millibars)

Stability Conditions

(Annual Percent)

Unstable Neutral Stable

Corpus Christi, TX 0.82 21.9 5.4 66-89 1,014 11.0 61.0 28.0

Galveston, TX 1.11 21.8 4.9 72-83 1,015 16.0 61.4 22.6

Lake Charles, LA 1.45 19.9 3.7 67-91 1,016 23.0 44.0 33.0

Gulfport, MS 1.65 20.1 3.9 62-87 1,016 17.5 47.4 35.1

Pensacola, FL 1.63 20.1 3.7 62-84 1,013 18.0 22.0 60.0

Key West, FL 0.99 25.6 4.9 68-80 1,014 80.0 18.0 2.0

Source: USDOC, NOAA, 2011.
Physical and Environmental Settings A-35

Table A-3 

Rigs-to-Reefs Donations and Methods of Removal and Reefing by State as of September 2011

State Rigs-to-Reefs

Donations

Tow-and-Place

Platforms

Topple-in-Place

Platforms

Partial Removal

Platforms

Louisiana 270 167 56 47

Texas 154 85 31 38

Florida 3 3 0 0

Alabama 6 6 0 0

Mississippi 8 3 5 0

Total 441 264 92 85

Table A-4

Active Leases, Approved Applications to Drill, and Active Platforms by Water Depth

Water Depth

(m) Active Leases Approved Applications to Drill Active Platforms

0-200 1,919 33,833 3,167

201-400 129 1,111 20

401-800 287 835 10

801-1,000 391 512 7

≥1,000 3,271 1,657 26

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011a (data through August 8, 2011).
A-36 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table A-5

Summary of Approvals for Permits to Drill by Water Depth

Shallow Permits to Drill1

(water depth ≤500 ft)

Permit Type

Submitted

Before

June 8, 2010

Submitted

Since

June 8, 2010

Returned2 Withdrawn3 Pending4

Approved

Since

June 8, 20105

New Well 13 74 8 5 7 67

Revised New Well 9 124 2 131

Bypass 29 1 28

Revised Bypass 20 20

Sidetrack 16 109 7 3 12 103

Revised Sidetrack 6 116 1 121

Deepwater Permits to Drill6

(water depth >500 ft)

Permit Type

Submitted

Before

Oct. 12, 2010

Submitted

Since

Oct. 12, 2010

Returned2 Withdrawn3 Pending7

Approved

Since

Oct. 12, 20108

New Well 15 28 18 2 8 15

Revised New Well 2 67 5 3 4 57

Bypass 13 13

Revised Bypass 1 21 1 2 19

Sidetrack 4 14 4 1 3 10

Revised Sidetrack 4 19 1 1 21 1

Shallow-water drilling operations became subject to new rules and information requirements as of June 8, 2010. 2

Submitted permit applications may be returned to the operator for further information or clarification. These 

applications are not counted as pending applications. 3

Applications may be withdrawn by an operator at any time in the application process.

4

Pending permit numbers include applications submitted before and after June 8, 2010. They do not include 

applications that have been returned. 5

Approved permit numbers include applications submitted before and after June 8, 2010.

6

The deepwater moratorium was lifted on October 12, 2010, and is the reference for inclusion of new rules in the 

applications. 7

Pending permit numbers include applications submitted before and after October 12, 2010. They do not include 

applications that have been returned. 8

Approved permit numbers include applications submitted before and after October 12, 2010.

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011b.
Physical and Environmental Settings A-37

Table A-6

Number of Active Platforms by Structure Type and Water Depth

Platform Type Water Depth

0-60 m 60-200 m 200-400 m 400-800 m 800-1,600 m 1,600-2,400 m

Caisson 918 2

Compliant Tower 1 2 

Fixed Leg Platform 1,632 405 19 1

Mobile Production Unit 1 1 

Mini Tension-Leg 

Platform 1 4 

Semisubmersible Floating 

Production System 2 6*

Subsea Manifold

Subsea Template

SPAR Platform 3 9 4

Tension-Leg Platform 2 8 

Underwater Completion or 

Subsea Caisson

Well Protector 284 14

* One semisubmersible production system is in water depth of 2,038 m.

Source: USDOI, BOEMRE, 2011c.

APPENDIX B 

 

CATASTROPHIC SPILL EVENT ANALYSIS

Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-iii

CATASTROPHIC SPILL EVENT ANALYSIS: 

HIGH-VOLUME, EXTENDED-DURATION OIL SPILL RESULTING 

FROM LOSS OF WELL CONTROL 

ON THE GULF OF MEXICO OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. B-1

1.1. What is a Catastrophic Event? ................................................................................................ B-1

1.2. Methodology ........................................................................................................................... B-2

1.2.1. Geographic Scope .................................................................................................... B-2

1.2.2. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario ................................................................... B-2

1.2.3. Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts ............................................................ B-2

1.3. How to Use This Analysis ...................................................................................................... B-3

2. INITIAL EVENT (PHASE 1)............................................................................................................. B-3

2.1. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario ................................................................................. B-3

2.2. Most Likely and Most Significant Impacts ............................................................................. B-4

2.2.1. Physical Resources ................................................................................................... B-4

2.2.1.1. Air Quality .............................................................................................. B-4

2.2.1.2. Offshore Water Quality ........................................................................... B-5

2.2.2. Biological Resources ................................................................................................ B-6

2.2.2.1. Marine and Migratory Birds.................................................................... B-6

2.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat .............................................. B-6

2.2.2.3. Marine Mammals .................................................................................... B-6

2.2.2.4. Sea Turtles ............................................................................................... B-6

2.2.2.5. Offshore Benthic Habitats ....................................................................... B-7

2.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources ........................................................................................ B-9

2.2.3.1. Offshore Archaeological Resources ........................................................ B-9

2.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing .............................................................................. B-10

2.2.3.3. Recreational Resources and Fishing ..................................................... B-10

2.2.3.4. Human Resources, Land Use, and Environmental Justice .................... B-10

3. OFFSHORE SPILL (PHASE 2) ....................................................................................................... B-11

3.1. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario ............................................................................... B-11

3.1.1. Duration of Spill ..................................................................................................... B-11

3.1.1.1. Shallow Water ....................................................................................... B-11

3.1.1.2. Deep Water ........................................................................................... B-11

3.1.2. Area of Spill ........................................................................................................... B-11

3.1.3. Volume of Spill ...................................................................................................... B-11

3.1.3.1. Shallow Water ....................................................................................... B-11

3.1.3.2. Deep Water ........................................................................................... B-12

3.1.4. Oil in the Environment: Properties and Persistence .............................................. B-12

3.1.5. Release of Natural Gas ........................................................................................... B-13
B-iv Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

3.1.6. Offshore Cleanup Activities ................................................................................... B-14

3.1.6.1. Shallow Water ....................................................................................... B-14

3.1.6.2. Deep Water ........................................................................................... B-14

3.1.6.3. Vessel Decontamination Stations .......................................................... B-15

3.1.7. Severe Weather ...................................................................................................... B-15

3.2. Most Likely and Most Significant Impacts ........................................................................... B-15

3.2.1. Physical Resources ................................................................................................. B-15

3.2.1.1. Air Quality ............................................................................................ B-15

3.2.1.2. Offshore Water Quality ......................................................................... B-16

3.2.2. Biological Resources .............................................................................................. B-17

3.2.2.1. Marine and Migratory Birds.................................................................. B-17

3.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat ............................................ B-17

3.2.2.3. Marine Mammals .................................................................................. B-18

3.2.2.4. Sea Turtles ............................................................................................. B-19

3.2.2.5. Offshore Habitats .................................................................................. B-19

3.2.2.6. Continental Shelf Benthic Resources .................................................... B-20

3.2.2.7. Deepwater Benthic Communities ......................................................... B-24

3.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources ...................................................................................... B-25

3.2.3.1. Offshore Archaeological Resources ...................................................... B-25

3.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing .............................................................................. B-26

3.2.3.3. Recreational Fishing.............................................................................. B-27

3.2.3.4. Tourism and Recreational Resources .................................................... B-27

3.2.3.5. Employment and Demographics ........................................................... B-27

3.2.3.6. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure ..................................................... B-27

3.2.3.7. Environmental Justice ........................................................................... B-28

4. ONSHORE CONTACT (PHASE 3)................................................................................................. B-28

4.1. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario ............................................................................... B-28

4.1.1. Duration .................................................................................................................. B-28

4.1.1.1. Shallow Water ....................................................................................... B-28

4.1.1.2. Deep Water ........................................................................................... B-28

4.1.2. Volume of Oil ......................................................................................................... B-29

4.1.3. Length of Shoreline Contacted ............................................................................... B-29

4.1.3.1. Shallow Water ....................................................................................... B-29

4.1.3.2. Deep Water ........................................................................................... B-30

4.1.4. Severe Weather ...................................................................................................... B-30

4.1.5. Onshore Cleanup Activities .................................................................................... B-30

4.1.5.1. Shallow Water ....................................................................................... B-30

4.1.5.2. Deep Water ........................................................................................... B-30

4.2. Most Likely and Most Significant Impacts ........................................................................... B-30

4.2.1. Physical Resources ................................................................................................. B-31

4.2.1.1. Air Quality ............................................................................................ B-31

4.2.1.2. Coastal Water Quality ........................................................................... B-31

4.2.2. Biological Resources .............................................................................................. B-32

4.2.2.1. Coastal and Marine Birds ...................................................................... B-32

4.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat ............................................ B-33

4.2.2.3. Marine Mammals .................................................................................. B-34

4.2.2.4. Sea Turtles ............................................................................................. B-34

4.2.2.5. Terrestrial Mammals and Reptiles ........................................................ B-35

4.2.2.6. Coastal Habitats .................................................................................... B-36
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-v 

4.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources ...................................................................................... B-38

4.2.3.1. Onshore Archaeological Resources ...................................................... B-38

4.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing .............................................................................. B-38

4.2.3.3. Recreational Fishing.............................................................................. B-38

4.2.3.4. Tourism and Recreational Resources .................................................... B-39

4.2.3.5. Employment and Demographics ........................................................... B-39

4.2.3.6. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure ..................................................... B-40

4.2.3.7. Environmental Justice ........................................................................... B-40

5. POST-SPILL, LONG-TERM RECOVERY (PHASE 4).................................................................. B-40

5.1. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario ............................................................................... B-40

5.2. Most Likely and Most Significant Impacts ........................................................................... B-41

5.2.1. Physical Resources ................................................................................................. B-41

5.2.1.1. Air Quality ............................................................................................ B-41

5.2.1.2. Coastal and Offshore Water Quality ..................................................... B-41

5.2.2. Biological Resources .............................................................................................. B-42

5.2.2.1. Coastal and Marine Birds ...................................................................... B-42

5.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat ............................................ B-42

5.2.2.3. Marine Mammals .................................................................................. B-42

5.2.2.4. Sea Turtles ............................................................................................. B-43

5.2.2.5. Terrestrial Mammals and Reptiles ........................................................ B-43

5.2.2.6. Coastal Habitats .................................................................................... B-43

5.2.2.7. Open-Water Habitats ............................................................................. B-44

5.2.2.8. Benthic Habitats .................................................................................... B-45

5.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources ...................................................................................... B-46

5.2.3.1. Offshore and Onshore Archaeological Resources ................................ B-46

5.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing .............................................................................. B-46

5.2.3.3. Recreational Fishing.............................................................................. B-46

5.2.3.4. Tourism and Recreational Resources .................................................... B-46

5.2.3.5. Employment and Demographics ........................................................... B-47

5.2.3.6. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure ..................................................... B-47

5.2.3.7. Environmental Justice ........................................................................... B-47

6. CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT ................................. B-49

7. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS ............................................................................................................. B-49

7.1. Summary of Impacts from Phase 1 (Initial Event) ................................................................ B-49

7.2. Summary of Impacts from Phase 2 (Offshore Spill) ............................................................. B-50

7.3. Summary of Impacts from Phase 3 (Onshore Contact) ........................................................ B-50

7.4. Summary of Impacts from Phase 4 (Long-Term Impacts) ................................................... B-51

8. PREPARERS .................................................................................................................................... B-51

9. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. B-52

Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-1 

1. INTRODUCTION

In 1986, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations were amended to rescind the 

requirement to prepare a “worst-case analysis” for an environmental impact statement (EIS) (see 

40 CFR 1502.22(b)(4)). The regulation, as amended, states that catastrophic, low-probability impacts 

must be analyzed if the analysis is “supported by credible scientific evidence, is not based on pure 

conjecture, and is within the rule of reason.”

The August 16, 2010, CEQ report, prepared following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) event and spill

in the Gulf of Mexico (CEQ, 2010), recommended that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

(BOEM), formerly the Minerals Management Service (MMS), should “ensure that NEPA documents 

provide decisionmakers with a robust analysis of reasonably foreseeable impacts, including an analysis of 

reasonably foreseeable impacts associated with low probability catastrophic spills for oil and gas 

activities on the Outer Continental Shelf” (CEQ, 2010). This analysis provides that robust analysis of the 

impacts from low-probability catastrophic spills for all applicable decisionmakers including, but not 

limited to, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (USDOI) for the National Five-Year Program, 

the Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management for an oil and gas lease sale, and the Gulf of 

Mexico Regional Supervisors, Office of Environment and Office of Leasing and Plans, for an exploration 

or development plan. 

It should be noted that the analysis presented here is intended to be a general overview of potential 

effects of a catastrophic spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The analysis does not include detailed sale-specific 

or site-specific analyses nor is it intended to replace such analyses for individual resources in this EIS. As 

such, the Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis should be read with the understanding that further detail about 

accidental oil impacts on a particular resource may be found in the EIS analysis. 

1.1. WHAT IS A CATASTROPHIC EVENT? 

As applicable to NEPA, Eccleston (2008) defines a catastrophic event as “large-scale damage 

involving destruction of species, ecosystems, infrastructure, or property with long-term effects, and/or 

major loss of human life.” For oil and gas activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a catastrophic 

event is a high-volume, long-duration oil spill regardless of the cause, whether natural disaster (i.e., 

hurricane) or manmade (i.e., human error and terrorism). This high-volume, long-duration oil spill, or 

catastrophic spill, has been further defined by the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution 

Contingency Plan as a “spill of national significance” or “a spill which, because of its severity, size, 

location, actual or potential impact on the public health and welfare or the environment, or the necessary 

response effort, is so complex that it requires extraordinary coordination of federal, state, local, and 

responsible party resources to contain and cleanup the discharge” (40 CFR 300, Appendix E). 

Each oil-spill event is unique; its outcome depends on several factors, including time of year and 

location of release relative to winds, currents, land, and sensitive resources, specifics of the well (i.e., 

flow rates, hydrocarbon characteristics, and infrastructure damage), and response (i.e., speed and 

effectiveness). For this reason, the severity of impacts from of an oil spill cannot be predicted based on 

volume alone, although a minimum volume of oil must be spilled to reach catastrophic impacts. 

Though large spills may result from a pipeline rupture, such events will not result in a catastrophic 

spill because the ability to detect leaks and shut off pipelines limits the amount of the spill to the contents 

of the pipeline. The largest, non-blowout-related spill on the Gulf of Mexico OCS occurred in 1967, a 

result of internal pipeline corrosion following initial damage by an anchor. In 13 days, 160,638 barrels of 

oil leaked (USDOI, BOEMRE, 2010a); however, no significant environmental impacts were recorded as a 

result of this spill.

Although loss of well control is defined as the uncontrolled flow of reservoir fluid that may result in 

the release of gas, condensate, oil, drilling fluids, sand, or water, it is a broad term that includes very 

minor well control incidents as well as the most severe well control incidents. Historically, loss of well 

control incidents occurred during development drilling operations, but loss of well control incidents can 

occur during exploratory drilling, production, well completions, or workover operations. These losses of 

well control incidents may occur between formations penetrated in the wellbore or at the seafloor. 

Blowouts are a more severe loss of well control incident that creates a great risk of a large oil spill 

and serious human injury. Two blowouts that resulted in catastrophic spills have occurred in U.S. and 
B-2 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In 1979, the Ixtoc blowout in shallow water (water depth of

164 feet [ft]; 50 meters [m]; and 50 miles [mi]; 80 kilometers [km] offshore in the Bay of Campeche, 

Mexico) spilled 3.5 million barrels of oil in 10 months (USDOC, NOAA, Office of Response and 

Restoration, 2010a; USDOC, NOAA, Hazardous Materials Response and Assessment Division, 1992; 

ERCO, 1982). On April 20, 2010, the DWH event, in deep water (4,992 ft; 1,522 m) 48 mi (77 km) 

offshore in Mississippi Canyon Block 252, spilled an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil until it was 

capped almost 3 months later. 

Prior to the DWH event, the two largest spills resulting from a loss of well control in U.S. waters of 

the Gulf of Mexico occurred in 1970 and released 30,000 and 53,000 barrels of oil, respectively (USDOI, 

BOEMRE, 2010b). These incidents resulted in four human fatalities. Although these incidents occurred 

only 8-14 mi (13-26 km) from shore, there was minor shoreline contact with oil (USDOC, NOAA, Office 

of Response and Restoration, 2010b and 2010c). In 1987, a blowout of the Mexican exploratory oil well, 

YUM II, resulted in a spill of 58,640 barrels and 75 mi of impacted shoreline (USDOC, NOAA, 

Hazardous Materials Response and Assessment Division, 1992). None of these spills met the definition 

of a catastrophic event or spill. For this reason, only the Ixtoc and DWH blowouts and spills are analyzed 

below. 

1.2. METHODOLOGY

Two general approaches are utilized to analyze a catastrophic event under NEPA. The first approach 

is a bounding analysis for each individual resource category (e.g., marine mammals, sea turtles, etc.). A 

bounding analysis involves selecting and evaluating a different set of factors and scenarios for each 

resource in the context of a worst-case analysis. The second approach involves the selection of a single 

set of key circumstances that, when combined, result in catastrophic consequences. The second approach 

is used for a site-specific analysis and, consequently, it is possible application is more limited. 

Accordingly, this analysis combines the two approaches, relying on a generalized scenario while 

identifying site-specific severity factors for individual resources. This combined approach allows for the 

scientific investigation of a range of possible, although not necessarily probable, consequences of a 

catastrophic blowout and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. 

1.2.1. Geographic Scope

The Gulf of Mexico is a semi-enclosed basin with an extensive history of oil and gas activities and 

with unique environmental conditions and hydrocarbon reservoir properties; consequently, this analysis is 

only applicable to the Gulf of Mexico OCS and is not intended for other OCS regions. 

When possible, this analysis distinguishes between shallow water (<1,000 ft; 305 m) and deep water 

(≥1,000 ft; 305 m).

1.2.2. Impact-Producing Factors and Scenario

A hypothetical, yet feasible, scenario was developed to provide a framework for identifying the 

impacts of an extended oil spill from an uncontrolled blowout in both shallow and deep water. Unless 

noted, this scenario is based on the larger magnitude, blowout-related oil spills that have occurred in the 

Gulf of Mexico (discussed in Section 1.1). As noted above, because each spill event is unique, its 

outcome depends on many factors. Therefore, the impacts from present or future spills cannot be 

predicted based on this scenario.

1.2.3. Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts

This analysis evaluates the impacts to the Gulf of Mexico’s coastal, marine, environmental, and 

socioeconomic resources from a catastrophic blowout, oil spill, and associated cleanup activities. 

Although the most recent EIS’s prepared by this Agency for oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of 

Mexico analyze the potential impacts from smaller oil spills that are more reasonably foreseeable 

(USDOI, MMS, 2007 and 2008), the analysis below focuses on the most likely and most significant 

impacts created by a high-volume, extended-duration spill. Because catastrophic consequences may not 

occur for all resources, factors affecting the severity of impacts are identified by individual resource.
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-3 

1.3. HOW TO USE THIS ANALYSIS

The purpose of this technical analysis is to assist BOEM in meeting CEQ requirements. The CEQ 

regulations address impacts with catastrophic consequences in the context of evaluating reasonably 

foreseeable significant adverse effects in an EIS when they address the issue of incomplete or unavailable 

information (40 CFR 1502.22). “‘Reasonably foreseeable’ impacts include impacts which have 

catastrophic consequences even if their probability of occurrence is low, provided that the analysis of the 

impacts is supported by credible scientific evidence, is not based on pure conjecture, and is within the rule 

of reason” (40 CFR 1502.22(b)(4)). Therefore, this analysis, based on credible scientific evidence, 

identifies the most likely and most significant impacts from a high-volume blowout and oil spill that 

continues for an extended period of time. The scenario and impacts discussed in this analysis should not 

be confused with the scenario and impacts anticipated to result from routine activities or more reasonably 

foreseeable accidental events of a proposed action.

This technical analysis is designed to be incorporated by reference in future NEPA documents and 

consultations. Therefore, factors that affect the severity of impacts of a high-volume, extended-duration 

spill are highlighted throughout the analysis for use in subsequent site-specific analyses.

To analyze a hypothetical catastrophic event in an area such as the Gulf of Mexico, several 

assumptions and generalizations were made. However, future project-specific analyses should also 

consider specific details such as potential flow rates for the specific proposed activity, the properties of 

the targeted reservoir, and distance to shore of the proposed activities. 

The life cycle of a catastrophic blowout and spill is divided into four geographic areas and/or time 

periods, some of which may overlap:

• Phase 1: Initial event (Section 2)

• Phase 2: Offshore spill (Section 3)

• Phase 3: Onshore contact (Section 4) 

• Phase 4: Post-spill, long-term recovery (Section 5)

Each phase of a catastrophic oil spill is addressed in this analysis. For each phase, the scenario is 

described, factors that could produce environmental impacts are listed, and the most likely and most 

significant impacts are discussed.

2. INITIAL EVENT (PHASE 1)

While most of the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of a catastrophic blowout would occur 

during the ensuing high-volume, extended-duration spill (see Sections 3, 4, and 5), it is important to 

acknowledge the deadly events that could occur in the initial phase of a catastrophic blowout. The 

following scenario was developed to provide a framework for identifying the most likely and most 

significant impacts during the initial phase.

2.1. IMPACT-PRODUCING FACTORS AND SCENARIO

Phase 1 of the scenario is the initiation of a catastrophic blowout incident. Impacts, response, and 

intervention depend on the spatial location of the blowout and leak. While there are several points where 

a blowout could occur, four major distinctions that are important to the analysis of impacts are described 

in Table 1 below.

For this analysis, an explosion and subsequent fire are assumed to occur. If a blowout associated with 

the drilling of a single exploratory well occurs, this could result in a fire that would burn for 1 or 2 days. 

If a blowout occurs on a production platform, other wells could feed the fire, allowing it to burn for over a 

month (USDOC, NOAA, Office of Response and Restoration, 2010c). The drilling rig or platform may 

sink. If the blowout occurs in shallow water, the sinking rig or platform may land in the immediate 

vicinity; if the blowout occurs in deep water, the rig or platform could land a great distance away, beyond 

avoidance zones. For example, the DWH drilling rig sank, landing 1,500 ft (457 m) away on the seafloor. 

Regardless of water depth, the immediate response would be from search and rescue vessels and aircraft, 
B-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

such as United States Coast Guard (USCG) cutters, helicopters, and rescue planes, and firefighting 

vessels. 

Table 1

 

Blowout Scenarios and Key Differences in Impacts, Response, and/or Intervention

Location of Blowout and Leak Key Differences in Impacts, Response, and/or Intervention

Blowout occurs at the sea surface 

(i.e., at the rig)

Offers the least chance for oil recovery because of the restricted access to the 

release point; therefore, greater impacts to coastal ecosystems. In addition to 

relief wells, there is potential for other intervention measures such as capping 

and possible manual activation of blowout-preventer (BOP) rams.

Blowout occurs along the riser 

anywhere from the seafloor to the 

sea surface. However, a severed 

riser would likely collapse, 

resulting in a leak at the seafloor.

In deep water, the use of subsea dispersants may reduce impacts to coastal 

ecosystems; however, their use may increase exposure of marine resources to 

oil. There is a possibility for limited recovery of oil at the source. In addition 

to relief wells, there is potential for other intervention measures, such as 

capping and possible manual activation of BOP rams.

At the seafloor, through leak paths 

on the BOP/wellhead

In deep water, the use of subsea dispersants may reduce impacts to coastal 

ecosystems; however, their use may increase exposure of deepwater marine 

resources to dispersed oil.

With an intact subsea BOP, intervention may involve the use of drilling mud to 

kill the well. If the BOP and well stack are heavily compromised, the only 

intervention method may be relief wells. Greatest possibility for recovery of oil 

at the source, until the well is capped or killed.

Below the seafloor, outside the 

wellbore (i.e., broached)

Disturbance of a large amount of sediments resulting in the burial of benthic 

resources in the immediate vicinity of the blowout. The use of subsea 

dispersants would likely be more difficult (PCCI, 1999). Stopping this kind of 

blowout would probably involve relief wells. Any recovery of oil at the seabed 

would be very difficult.

2.2. MOST LIKELY AND MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

Impacts during Phase 1 would be limited to environmental resources in the immediate vicinity of the 

blowout. The most recent EIS’s prepared by this Agency for oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico 

detail the potential impacts from reasonably foreseeable blowouts (USDOI, MMS, 2007 and 2008). In 

addition to the impacts described in those documents, the most likely and most significant impacts 

resulting from a catastrophic blowout outside the wellbore are described below. 

2.2.1. Physical Resources

2.2.1.1. Air Quality

A catastrophic blowout close to the water surface would initially emit large amounts of methane and 

other gases into the atmosphere. If high concentrations of sulfur are present in the produced gas, 

hydrogen sulfide (H2S) could present a hazard to personnel. The natural gas H2S concentrations in the 

Gulf of Mexico OCS are generally low; however, there are areas such as the Norphlet formation in the 

northeastern Gulf of Mexico, for example, that contain levels of H2S up to 9 percent. Ignition of the 

blowout gas and subsequent fire would result in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), 

carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), particulate matter (PM10), and fine 

particulate matter (PM2.5). The fire could also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s), which 

are known to be hazardous to human health. The pollutant concentrations would decrease with downwind 

distance. A large plume of black smoke would be visible at the source and may extend a considerable 

distance downwind. However, with increasing distance from the fire, the gaseous pollutants would 

undergo chemical reactions, resulting in the formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that includes 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-5 

nitrates, sulfates, and organic matter. The PM2.5 concentrations in the plume would have the potential to 

temporarily degrade visibility in any affected Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Class I areas 

(i.e., National Wilderness Areas and National Parks) and other areas where visibility is of significant 

value. Organic aerosols formed downwind from the DWH oil spill (de Gouw et al., 2011), during which 

the lightest compounds, the VOC’s, in the oil from the DWH blowout evaporated within hours and during 

which the heavier compounds took longer to evaporate, contributing to the formation of air pollution 

particles downwind.

2.2.1.2. Offshore Water Quality

During the initial phase of a catastrophic blowout, water quality impacts include disturbance of 

sediments and release and suspension of oil and natural gas (methane) into the water column. These 

potential impacts are discussed below. As this section deals with the immediate effects of a blowout that 

would be located at least 3 nautical miles from shore, it is assumed that there would be no impacts on 

coastal water quality during this initial stage. 

Disturbance of Sediments

A catastrophic blowout below the seafloor, outside the wellbore (Table 1) has the potential to 

resuspend sediments and disperse potentially large quantities of bottom sediments. Some sediment could 

travel several kilometers, depending on particle size and subsea current patterns. In the deep Gulf of 

Mexico, surficial sediments are mostly composed of silt and clay, and, if resuspended, could stay in the 

water column for several hours to even days. Bottom currents in the deep Gulf of Mexico have been 

measured to reach 30 centimeters/second (cm/sec) (12 inches/second [in/sec]) with mean flows of 

1.5-2.5 cm/sec (0.6-0.9 in/sec) (Hamilton, 1990). At these mean flow rates, resuspended sediment could 

be transported 1.3-2.1 kilometers/day (0.8-1.3 miles/day). Sediment resuspension can lead to a temporary 

change in the oxidation-reduction chemistry in the water column, including a localized and temporal 

release of any formally sorbed metals, as well as nutrient recycling (Caetano et al., 2003; Fanning et al., 

1982). Sediments also have the potential to become contaminated with oil components. 

A subsea release also has the potential to destabilize the sediments and create slumping or larger scale 

sediment movements along depth gradients. These types of events would have the potential to move 

and/or damage any infrastructure in the affected area.

Release and Suspension of Oil into the Water Column

As the DWH event showed, a subsea release of hydrocarbons at a high flow rate has the potential to 

disperse and suspend plumes of oil droplets (chemically dispersed or otherwise) within the water column 

and to induce large patches of sheen and oil on the surface. These dispersed hydrocarbons may adsorb 

onto marine detritus (marine snow) or may be mixed with drilling mud and deposited near the source. 

Mitigation efforts such as burning may introduce hydrocarbon byproducts into the marine environment, 

which would be distributed by surface currents. The acute and chronic sublethal effects of these dilute 

suspended “plumes” are not well understood and require future research efforts. 

Large quantities of oil put into offshore water may alter the chemistry of the sea with unforeseeable 

results. The VOC’s, including benzene, can have acutely toxic effects. The components of crude oil that 

are water soluble are more available than some of the heavier components to exert a toxic effect on 

marine life. The PAH’s are present in crude oil and include carcinogenic compounds and compounds that 

pose various risks to marine organisms and possibly to the higher trophic level species, including humans 

that feed on these organisms. The PAH’s are also persistent in the environment. Impacts from the 

subsequent extended oil spill on offshore water quality are discussed further in Section 3.2.1.2. 

Release of Natural Gas (Methane) into the Water Column

A catastrophic blowout could release natural gas into the water column; the amount of gas released is 

dependent upon the water depth, the natural gas content of the formation being drilled, and its pressure. 

Methane is the primary component of natural gas (NaturalGas.org, 2010). Methane may stay in the 

marine environment for long periods of time (Patin, 1999; p. 237), as methane is highly soluble in 

seawater at the high pressures and cold temperatures found in deepwater environments (NRC, 2003; 
B-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

p. 108). However, methane diffusing through the water column would likely be oxidized in the aerobic 

zone and would rarely reach the air-water interface (Mechalas, 1974; p. 23). In addition to methane, 

natural gas contains smaller percentages of other gases such as ethane and propane. It may also contain 

VOC’s (including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) and H2S, which have individual toxic 

characteristics. Methane and other natural gas constituents are carbon sources, and their introduction into 

the marine environment could result in reducing the dissolved oxygen levels because of microbial 

degradation of the methane potentially creating hypoxic or “dead” zones. Depletion of dissolved oxygen 

in the Gulf of Mexico because of the release of natural gas from the Macondo well (DWH event) is 

currently being examined as a result of the DWH event (Schenkman, 2010). Unfortunately, little is 

known about methane toxicity in the marine environment, but there is concern as to how methane in the 

water column might affect fish (see Section 3.2.2.2). 

2.2.2. Biological Resources

Impacts during the initial event would be limited to environmental resources in the immediate vicinity 

of the blowout as described below. 

2.2.2.1. Marine and Migratory Birds

Many migratory birds use offshore platforms or rigs as rest sites during migration (Russell, 2005). In 

addition, seabirds are attracted to offshore platforms and rigs (Tasker et al., 1986; Wiese et al., 2001). 

The numbers of birds present at a platform or rig are greater when platforms or rigs are closer to shore 

during drilling operations (Baird, 1990). Birds resting on the drilling rig or platform during a catastrophic 

blowout are likely to be killed by an explosion. While it is assumed that most birds in trans-Gulf 

migration would likely avoid the fire and smoke plume during the day, it is conceivable that the light 

from the fire could interfere with nocturnal migration, especially during poor visibility conditions. It has 

been documented that seabirds are attracted to natural gas flares at rigs and platforms (Russell, 2005; 

Wiese et al., 2001); therefore, additional bird fatalities could result from the fire following the blowout. 

Though different species migrate throughout the year, the largest number of species migrates from March 

through November. A blowout during this time would cause a greater number of bird fatalities. While 

the number and species of birds killed depends on the blowout location and time of year, these initial 

fatalities would likely not result in population-level impacts for species present at the time of the blowout 

and resulting fire (Russell, 2005, Table 6.12). 

2.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat

Depending on the type of blowout and the proximity of marine life to it (Table 1), an eruption of 

gases and fluids may generate not only a toxic effect but also pressure waves and noise significant enough 

to injure or kill local biota. Within a few thousand meters of the blowout, resuspended sediments may 

clog fish gills and interfere with respiration. Settlement of resuspended sediments may, in turn, smother 

invertebrates or interfere with their respiration. Offshore benthic habitats that support fisheries could also 

be impacted, as discussed below. 

2.2.2.3. Marine Mammals

Depending on the type of blowout, the pressure waves and noise generated by the eruption of gases 

and fluids would likely be significant enough to harass, injure, or kill marine mammals, depending on the 

proximity of the animal to the blowout. A high concentration of response vessels could result in 

harassment or displacement of individuals and could place marine mammals at a greater risk of vessel 

collisions, which would likely cause fatal injuries. 

2.2.2.4. Sea Turtles

Five species of sea turtles are found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico: green, leatherback, 

hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, and loggerhead. All species are protected under the Endangered Species Act 

(ESA), and all are listed as endangered except the loggerhead turtle, which is listed as threatened. 

Depending on the type of blowout (Table 1), an eruption of gases and fluids may generate significant 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-7 

pressure waves and noise that may harass, injure, or kill sea turtles, depending on their proximity to the 

accident. A high concentration of response vessels could place sea turtles at a greater risk of fatal injuries 

from vessel collisions.

Further, mitigation by burning puts turtles at risk because they tend to be gathered up in the corralling 

process necessary to concentrate the oil in preparation for the burning. Trained observers should be 

required during any mitigation efforts that include burning. 

2.2.2.5. Offshore Benthic Habitats

Gulf of Mexico benthic resources are divided into shelf habitats and deepwater habitats. Shelf 

habitats of the Gulf of Mexico include soft-bottom habitats (sandy and muddy substrate) and hard-bottom 

habitats (rock or salt outcroppings that provide habitat for encrusting organisms). Deepwater benthic 

communities of the Gulf of Mexico include soft-bottom, coral, and chemosynthetic habitats. The impacts 

to these benthic communities depend on the location and the type of catastrophic blowout that occurs. 

Introduction

Sediment disturbance as a result of the blowout above the seafloor would not occur. A catastrophic 

blowout that occurs above the seabed (at the rig, along the riser between the seafloor and sea surface, or 

through leak paths on the BOP/wellhead) would result in released oil rising to the sea surface. However, 

if the leak is deep in the water column and the oil is ejected under pressure, oil droplets may become 

entrained deep in the water column. The upward movement of the oil may be reduced if methane in the 

oil is dissolved at the high underwater pressures, reducing the oil’s buoyancy (Adcroft et al., 2010). The 

large oil droplets will rise to the sea surface, but the smaller droplets, formed by vigorous turbulence in 

the plume or the injection of dispersants, may remain neutrally buoyant in the water column, creating a

subsurface plume (Adcroft et al., 2010). Oil droplets less than 100 micrometers in diameter may remain 

in the water column for several months (Joint Analysis Group, 2010a), where they will not be in contact 

with benthic habitats; similarly, large oil drops on the sea surface will not be in contact with benthos. 

However, oil in the water column or at the sea surface may sometimes sink, contact benthos, and have 

impacts, as discussed below. 

As discussed below, a catastrophic blowout outside the well casing and below the seafloor or at the 

seafloor water interface could resuspend large quantities of bottom sediments and create a large crater, 

destroying many organisms within a few hundred meters of the wellhead. Some of the sediment could 

travel up to a few thousand meters before redeposition, negatively impacting a localized area of benthic 

communities. 

The use of subsea dispersants would increase the exposure of offshore benthic habitats to dispersed 

oil droplets in the water column, as well as the chemicals used in the dispersants. The use of subsea 

dispersants is not likely to occur for seafloor blowouts outside the well casing. 

Soft-Bottom Shelf Habitats

The vast majority of the Gulf of Mexico seabed is comprised of soft sediments. Microbes to 

metazoans (e.g., polychaete worms and crabs) inhabit the soft-bottom benthos, many forming the base of 

the food chain for several species. When soft-bottom infaunal communities are physically impacted by a 

blowout (either lost to the crater formation or smothered by sediment), recolonization by populations 

from neighboring soft-bottom substrate is expected within a relatively short period of time. Many of the 

organisms on soft bottoms live within the sediment and have the ability to migrate upward in response to 

burial by sedimentation. A blowout that occurs outside the well casing can rapidly deposit 30 cm (12 in) 

or more of sediment within a few hundred meters and may smother much of the soft-bottom community 

in a localized area. In situations where soft-bottom infaunal communities are negatively impacted, 

recolonization by populations from neighboring soft-bottom substrate would be expected over a relatively 

short period of time for all size ranges of organisms, in a matter of days for bacteria, and probably less 

than 1 year for most macrofauna and megafauna species. Recolonization could take longer for areas 

affected by direct contact of concentrated oil. Initial repopulation from nearby stocks of pioneering 

species, such as tube-dwelling polychaetes or oligochaetes, may begin with the next recruitment event 

(Rhodes and Germano, 1982). Full recovery would follow as later stages of successional communities 

overtake the pioneering species (Rhodes and Germano, 1982). The time it takes to reach a climax 
B-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

community may vary depending on the species and degree of impact. Full benthic community recovery 

may take years to decades if the benthic habitat is heavily oiled (Gesteira and Dauvin, 2000; Sanders et 

al., 1980; Conan, 1982). A slow recovery rate will result in a community with reduced biological 

diversity and possibly a lesser food value for predatory species.

Hard-Bottom Shelf Habitats

The Gulf of Mexico has several hard-bottom features on the continental shelf in water depths less 

than 300 m (984 ft), features upon which encrusting and epibenthic organisms attach. Though there are 

varying degrees of relief on the hard bottom, the impacts from a catastrophic blowout are similar for the 

banks of varying relief because similar organisms occur on these features. Thus, they are discussed as a 

single grouping under “hard-bottom communities,” with references to specific communities where 

impacts may differ.

Topographic features are isolated areas of moderate to high relief that provide habitat for hard-bottom 

communities of high biomass and moderate diversity. These features provide shelter and food for large 

numbers of commercially and recreationally important fish. There are 37 named topographic features in 

the Gulf of Mexico with specific BOEM protections, including the Flower Garden Banks National Marine 

Sanctuary. The BOEM has created “No Activity Zones” around topographic features in order to protect 

these habitats from disruption because of oil and gas activities. A “No Activity Zone” is a protective 

perimeter drawn around each feature that is associated with a specific isobath (depth contour) surrounding 

the feature in which structures, drilling rigs, pipelines, and anchoring are not allowed. These 

“No Activity Zones” are areas where activity is prohibited based on BOEM policy. Notice to Lessees and 

Operators (NTL) 2009-G39 recommends that drilling should not occur within 152 m (500 ft) of a 

“No Activity Zone” of a topographic feature. 

The northeastern portion of the central Gulf of Mexico is a region of low to moderate relief known as 

the “Pinnacle Trend” at the outer edge of the Mississippi-Alabama shelf between the Mississippi River 

and De Soto Canyon. Fish are attracted to these outcrops that provide hard substrate for sessile 

invertebrates to attach. The NTL 2009-G39 recommends that no bottom-disturbing activities occur 

within 30 m (100 ft) of any hard bottoms/pinnacles with a relief of 8 ft (2 m) or greater. 

Potentially sensitive biological features are features that have moderate to high relief (8 ft [2 m] or 

higher), provide hard surface for sessile invertebrates, attract fish, but are not located within Pinnacledesignated blocks or the “No Activity Zone” of topographic features. No bottom-disturbing activities that 

may cause impact to these features are permitted.

Impacts that occur to hard-bottom shelf habitats as a result of a blowout would depend on the type of 

blowout, distance from the blowout, relief of the biological feature, and surrounding physical 

characteristics of the environment (e.g., turbidity). The NTL 2009-G39 recommends the use of buffers to 

prevent blowouts in the immediate vicinity of a hard-bottom habitat or its associated biota. Much of the 

oil released from a blowout would rise to the sea surface, therefore minimizing the impact to benthic 

communities by direct oil exposure. However, small droplets of oil that are entrained in the water column 

for extended periods of time may migrate into “No Activity Zones.” Although these small oil droplets 

will not sink themselves, they may attach to suspended particles in the water column and then be 

deposited on the seafloor (McAuliffe et al., 1975). These long-term impacts, such as reduced recruitment 

success, reduced growth, and reduced coral cover, as a result of impaired recruitment, are discussed in 

Section 3.2.2.6. Also, if the blowout were to occur beneath the seabed, suspension and subsequent 

deposition of disturbed sediment may smother localized areas of benthic communities, possibly including 

organisms within No Activity Zones or other hard-bottom substrate. 

Benthic communities on a hard-bottom feature exposed to large amounts of resuspended and 

deposited sediments following a catastrophic, subsurface blowout could be subject to sediment 

suffocation, exposure to resuspended toxic contaminants, and reduced light availability. Impacts to corals 

as a result of sedimentation would vary based on coral species, the height to which the coral grows, 

degree of sedimentation, length of exposure, burial depth, and the coral’s ability to clear the sediment. 

Impacts may range from sublethal effects such as reduced growth, alteration in form, and reduced 

recruitment and productivity to slower growth to death (Rogers, 1990). 

The initial blowout impact would be greatest to communities located in clear waters that experience 

heavy sedimentation. Reef-building corals are sensitive to turbidity and may be killed by heavy 

sedimentation (Rogers, 1990; Rice and Hunter, 1992). However, it is unlikely that reef-building corals 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-9 

would experience heavy sedimentation as a result of a blowout because drilling activity would not be 

allowed near sensitive organisms in the “No Activity Zones,” based on the lease stipulations as described 

in NTL 2009-G39. The most sensitive organisms are also typically elevated above soft sediments, 

making them less likely to be buried. It is possible, however, for potentially sensitive biological features 

outside of “No Activity Zones” or Pinnacle-designated blocks to experience some turbidity or 

sedimentation impacts. Corals may also experience discoloration or bleaching as a result of sediment 

exposure, although recovery from such exposure may occur within 1 month (Wesseling et al., 1999). 

Initial impacts would be much less extreme in a turbid environment (Rogers, 1990). For example, the 

Pinnacle Trend community exists in a relatively turbid environment, starting just 65 km (40 mi) east of 

the mouth of the Mississippi River and trending to the northeast. Sediment from a blowout, if it occurred 

nearby, may have a reduced impact on these communities compared with an open-water reef community, 

as these organisms are more tolerant of suspended sediment (Gittings et al., 1992). Many of the 

organisms that predominate in this community also grow tall enough to withstand the sedimentation that 

results from their turbid environment or they have flexible structures that enable the passive removal of 

sediments (Gittings et al., 1992). 

A portion or the entire rig may sink to the seafloor as a result of a blowout. The benthic communities 

(hard- or soft-bottom communities) on the seafloor upon which the rig settles would be destroyed or 

smothered. A settling rig may suspend sediments, which may smother nearby benthic communities as the 

sediment is redeposited on the seafloor. The habitats beneath the rig may be permanently lost; however, 

the rig itself may become an artificial reef upon which epibenthic organisms may settle. The surrounding 

benthic communities that were smothered by sediment would repopulate from nearby stocks through 

spawning recruitment and immigration.

Deepwater Habitats

The effects of a catastrophic blowout event on Gulf of Mexico benthic resources in deep water 

(>1,000 ft; 300 m) are similar to those on the shelf communities. The main factors are the type of 

blowout and the proximity to the habitat. Known deepwater communities include soft bottoms and two 

types of hard-bottom communities: chemosynthetic communities and deep coral communities. Many of 

the organisms on soft bottoms live within the sediment and have the ability to migrate upward in response 

to burial by sedimentation. A blowout that occurs outside the well casing can rapidly deposit 30 cm 

(12 in) or more of sediment within a few hundred meters and may smother much of the soft-bottom 

community in a localized area. In situations where soft-bottom infaunal communities are negatively 

impacted, recolonization by populations from neighboring soft-bottom substrate would be expected over a 

relatively short period of time for all size ranges of organisms, in a matter of days for bacteria, and 

probably less than 1 year for most macrofauna and megafauna species. Recolonization could take longer 

for areas affected by direct contact of concentrated oil. 

The BOEM’s restrictions applicable to work near deepwater hard-bottom areas (as described in NTL 

2009-G40) would prevent direct negative effects from a seafloor blowout. The established policy 

prohibits location of wells within 2,000 ft (610 m) of a suspected hard-bottom habitat. Geophysical 

analyses have achieved a high degree of reliability in detecting the potential presence of hard-bottom 

communities in the Gulf of Mexico. In rare instances, the subtle geophysical signatures of hydrocarbon 

seepage that are a probable indicator of a hard-bottom community are not discovered during routine 

environmental analysis. Therefore, it is possible that a well could be drilled close enough for a hardbottom community to be damaged in the event of a catastrophic blowout. 

Blowouts at points above the seafloor (in the riser or on the drill platform) would have little 

immediate effect on deepwater seafloor communities unless the structure sinks and physically impacts the 

seafloor. If a structure sank directly on a hard-bottom community, at least 2,000 ft (610 m) from the well, 

organisms could be crushed and smothered. 

2.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources

2.2.3.1. Offshore Archaeological Resources

The BOEM protects all known, discovered, and potentially historic and prehistoric archaeological 

resources on the OCS by requiring appropriate avoidance criteria as well as directives to investigate these 

resources. 
B-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Onshore archaeological resources, prehistoric and historic sites, would not be immediately impacted 

during the initial phase of a catastrophic blowout because the distance of a blowout site from shore is at 

least 3 nautical miles. However, offshore catastrophic blowouts, when compared with spills of lesser 

magnitude, may initially impact multiple archaeological resources. Resources adjacent to a catastrophic 

blowout could be damaged by the high volume of escaping gas, buried by large amounts of dispersed 

sediments, crushed by the sinking of the rig or platform, destroyed during emergency relief well drilling, 

or contaminated by the hydrocarbons. 

Based on historical information, over 2,100 potential shipwreck locations have been identified in the 

Gulf of Mexico OCS (USDOI, MMS, 2007). This number is a conservative estimate and is heavily 

weighted toward post-19th century, nearshore shipwrecks, where historic records documenting the loss of 

the vessels were generated more consistently. Of the 2,100 recorded wrecks, only 233 records were 

determined to have associated spatial data possessing sufficient accuracy for BOEM’s needs.

In certain circumstances, BOEM’s Regional Director may require the preparation of an 

archaeological report to accompany the EP, DOCD, or DPP, under 30 CFR 550.194, and BSEE’s

Regional Director may do likewise under 30 CFR 250.194 if a potential wreck is encountered during 

operations. As part of the environmental reviews conducted for postlease activities, available information 

will be evaluated regarding the potential presence of archaeological resources within the proposed action 

area to determine if additional archaeological resource surveys and mitigations are warranted.

2.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing

The initial explosion and fire could endanger commercial fishermen in the immediate vicinity of the 

blowout. Although commercial fishing vessels in the area would likely aid in initial search-and-rescue 

operations, the subsequent fire could burn for over a month, during which time commercial vessels would 

be expected to avoid the area so as to not interfere with response activities. This could impact the 

livelihood and income of these commercial fishermen.

2.2.3.3. Recreational Resources and Fishing

A substantial amount of recreational activity is associated in the immediate area around shallow water 

oil and gas structures because these structures function as artificial reefs, promote coral growth, and 

attract fish. About 20 percent of the recreational fishing activity and 90 percent of the recreational diving 

activity in the Gulf of Mexico occurs within 300 ft (91 m) of oil and gas structures (Hiett and Milon, 

2002). Therefore, an explosion and fire within 100 mi (161 km) of shore could endanger recreational 

fishermen and divers in the immediate vicinity of the blowout, especially if the blowout is located 

between water depths of 100 and 200 ft (30 and 61 m). Recreational vessels in the area would likely aid 

in initial search-and-rescue operations but would also be in danger during the explosion and subsequent 

fire. The subsequent fire could burn for more than a month, during which recreational vessels would be 

expected to avoid the area and not interfere with response activities. This will impact the income of 

recreational fishing and diving businesses. Also, if the fire and smoke is visible from recreational 

beaches, their recreational use may be impacted.

2.2.3.4. Human Resources, Land Use, and Environmental Justice

Fatalities and serious injuries would likely occur during the initial explosion and/or fire. Due to the 

large number of people (>100) working on a deepwater drilling rig or platform, dozens of fatalities and 

serious injuries could occur. 

With the explosion >3 nautical miles from the shore and the likelihood that the resulting fire will burn 

for a short duration, the initial fire and/or explosion is not expected to impact land use, demographics, or 

economics, although some recreational beach use may be impacted (Section 2.2.2.3). Thus, the initial fire 

and explosion should not disproportionately affect low-income persons or minorities, and therefore, will 

not raise environmental justice concerns. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-11

3. OFFSHORE SPILL (PHASE 2)

3.1. IMPACT-PRODUCING FACTORS AND SCENARIO

Phase 2 of the analysis focuses on the spill and response in Federal and State offshore waters.

3.1.1. Duration of Spill

The duration of the offshore spill from a blowout depends on the time needed for intervention and the 

time the remaining oil persists offshore. If a blowout occurs and the damaged surface facilities preclude 

well reentry operations, a relief well may be needed to regain control. The time required to drill the relief 

well depends on the complexity of the intervention, the location of a suitable rig, the type of operation 

that must be terminated to release the rig (e.g., casing may need to be run before releasing the rig), and 

problems mobilizing personnel and equipment to the location. A blown-out well may also be 

successfully capped prior to completion of relief wells, as occurred in the DWH event. Assuming the 

duration of previous spills including the DWH and the type of oil and water temperatures found in the 

Gulf of Mexico, the majority of visibly spilled oil on the surface of the water would not persist more than 

30 days after the oil flow stopped (Lubchenco et al., 2010).

3.1.1.1. Shallow Water

If a blowout occurs in shallow water, the entire intervention effort including drilling relief wells could 

take 1-3 months. This includes 1-3 weeks to transport the drilling rig to the well site. Spilled surface oil 

is not expected to persist more than 1 month after the flow is stopped. Therefore, the estimated spill 

duration resulting from a shallow water blowout is 2-4 months.

3.1.1.2. Deep Water

If a blowout occurs in deep water, the entire intervention effort including drilling relief wells could 

take 3-4 months (USDOI, MMS, 2000; Regg, 2000). This includes 2-4 weeks to transport the drilling rig 

to the well site. Spilled surface oil is not expected to persist more than 1 month after the flow is stopped. 

Therefore, the estimated spill duration from a deep water blowout is 4-5 months.

3.1.2. Area of Spill

When oil reaches the sea surface, it spreads. The speed and extent of spreading depends on the type 

and volume that is spilled. However, a catastrophic spill would likely spread hundreds of square miles. 

Also, the oil slick may break into several smaller slicks, depending on local wind patterns that drive the 

surface currents in the spill area.

3.1.3. Volume of Spill

For this analysis, a higher flow rate is assumed for a blowout in deep water for the following reasons. 

After 50 years of Gulf of Mexico development, most, if not all, of the largest shallow-water prospects 

have been developed. As a result, reservoir pressures in shallow water are generally reduced. Although 

under certain conditions oil may be present with the natural gas, deeper shelf wells target natural gas. 

Also, because deepwater development is costly, only larger prospects with higher flow rates are currently 

targeted for exploration. 

3.1.3.1. Shallow Water

For this analysis, an uncontrolled flow rate of 30,000 barrels per day is assumed for a catastrophic 

blowout in shallow water. This assumption is based upon the results of well tests in shallow water (see 

Section 3.1.3 above) and the maximum flow rate from the 1979 Ixtoc blowout, which occurred in shallow 

water. Using this flow rate, the total volume of oil spilled from a catastrophic blowout in shallow water is 

estimated at 900,000 to 3 million barrels for a spill lasting 1-3 months. In addition to the flow rate, it is 

assumed that any remaining diesel fuel from a sunken drilling rig or platform would also leak.
B-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

3.1.3.2. Deep Water

For the purposes of this analysis, an uncontrolled flow rate of 30,000-60,000 barrels per day is 

assumed for a catastrophic blowout in deep water. This flow rate is based on the assumption in Section 

3.1.3 above, well test results, and the maximum flow rate estimated for the 2010 DWH event, which 

occurred in deep water. Therefore, total volume of oil spilled is estimated to be 2.7-7.2 million barrels 

over 3-4 months. In addition, deepwater drilling rigs or platforms hold a large amount of diesel fuel 

(10,000-20,000 barrels). Therefore, it is assumed that any remaining diesel fuel from a sunken structure 

would also leak and add to the spill. 

3.1.4. Oil in the Environment: Properties and Persistence

The fate of oil in the environment depends on many factors, such as the source and composition of the 

oil, as well as its persistence (NRC, 2003). Persistence can be defined and measured in different ways 

(Davis et al., 2004), but the National Research Council (NRC) generally defines persistence as how long 

oil remains in the environment (NRC, 2003; p. 89). Once oil enters the environment, it begins to change 

through physical, chemical, and biological weathering processes (NRC, 2003). These processes may 

interact and affect the properties and persistence of the oil through

• evaporation (volatilization),

• emulsification (the formation of a mousse), 

• dissolution,

• oxidation, and 

• transport processes (NRC, 2003; Scholz et al., 1999). 

Horizontal transport takes place via spreading, advection, dispersion, and entrainment, while vertical 

transport takes place via dispersion, entrainment, Langmuir circulation, sinking, overwashing, 

partitioning, and sedimentation (NRC, 2003). The persistence of an oil slick is influenced by the 

effectiveness of oil-spill response efforts and affects the resources needed for oil recovery (Davis et al., 

2004). The persistence of an oil slick may also affect the severity of environmental impacts as a result of 

the spilled oil. 

Crude oils are not a single chemical, but instead are complex mixtures with varied compositions. 

Thus, the behavior of the oil and the risk the oil poses to natural resources depends on the composition of 

the specific oil encountered (Michel, 1992). Generally, oils can be divided into three groups of 

compounds: (1) light-weight; (2) medium-weight; and (3) heavy-weight components. On average, these 

groups are characterized as outlined below in Table 2. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-13

Table 2

 

Properties and Persistence by Oil Component Group

Properties and 

Persistence Light-Weight Medium-Weight Heavy-Weight

Hydrocarbon 

compounds

Up to 10 carbon atoms 10-22 carbon atoms >20 carbon atoms

API o >31.1o 31.1o-22.3o <22.3o

Evaporation rate Rapid (within 1 day) 

and complete

Up to several days; not 

complete at ambient 

temperatures

Negligible

Solubility in water High Low (at most a few mg/L) Negligible

Acute toxicity High because of

monoaromatic 

hydrocarbons (BTEX)

Moderate because of

diaromatic hydrocarbons 

(naphthalenes—2 ring 

PAH’s)

Low except because of

smothering (i.e., heavier oils 

may sink)

Chronic toxicity None, does not persist 

because of evaporation

PAH components (e.g., 

naphthalenes—2 ring 

PAH’s)

PAH components (e.g., 

phenanthrene, anthracene—

3 ring PAH’s)

Bioaccumulation 

potential

None, does not persist 

because of evaporation

Moderate Low, may bioaccumulate 

through sediment sorption

Compositional 

majority

Alkanes and 

cycloalkanes

Alkanes that are readily 

degraded

Waxes, asphaltenes, and 

polar compounds (not 

significantly bioavailable or 

toxic)

Persistence Low because of

evaporation

Alkanes readily degrade, but 

the diaromatic hydrocarbons 

are more persistent

High; very low degradation 

rates and can persist in 

sediments as tarballs or 

asphalt pavements

Sources: Michel, 1992; Canadian Center for Energy Information, 2010.

Of the oil reservoirs sampled in the Gulf of Mexico OCS, the majority fall within the light-weight 

category, while less than one quarter are considered medium-weight and a small portion are considered 

heavy-weight. Oil with an API gravity of 10.0 or less would sink and has not been encountered in the 

Gulf of Mexico OCS and, therefore, it is not analyzed in this paper (USDOI, BOEMRE, 2010c).

Heavy-weight oil may persist in the environment longer than the other two types of oil, but the 

medium-weight components within oil present the greatest risks to organisms because, with the exception 

of the alkanes, these medium-weight components are persistent, bioavailable, and toxic (Michel, 1992). 

Previous studies (e.g., Johansen et al., 2001) supported the theory that most, if not all, released oil 

would reach the surface of the water column. However, data and observations from the DWH event 

challenge that theory. While analyses are in their preliminary stages, it appears that measurable amounts 

of hydrocarbons (dispersed or otherwise) are being detected in the water column as subsurface “plumes” 

and on the seafloor in the vicinity of the release. While not all of these hydrocarbons have been 

definitively traced back to releases from the Macondo well (DWH event), these early measurements and 

results warrant a reassessment of previous theories of the ultimate fate of hydrocarbons from unintended 

subsurface releases. It is important to note that the North Sea experiment (Johansen et al., 2001) did not 

include the use of dispersants at or near the source of the subsea oil discharge.

3.1.5. Release of Natural Gas

The quality and quantity of components in natural gas vary widely by the field, reservoir, or location 

from which the natural gas is produced. Although there is not a “typical” makeup of natural gas, it is 

primarily composed of methane (NaturalGas.org, 2010). 
B-14 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

3.1.6. Offshore Cleanup Activities

As demonstrated by the Ixtoc and DWH spill responses, a large-scale response effort is certain to 

follow a catastrophic blowout. The number of vessels and responders would increase exponentially as the 

spill continued. 

3.1.6.1. Shallow Water

Within the first week of an oil spill originating in shallow water, 25 vessels are estimated to respond, 

which would steadily increase to over 3,000 by the end of the spill. This includes about 25 skimmers in 

the vicinity of the well at a time. In addition, recovered oil may be barged to shore from recovery vessels.

Within the first week, over 500 responders are estimated to be deployed to a spill originating in 

shallow water, which would steadily increase up to 25,000 before the well is capped or killed within 

2-4 months. 

Response to an oil spill in shallow water is expected to involve over 10,000 ft (3,048 m) of boom 

within the first week and would steadily increase up to 5 million feet (950 mi; 1,520 km) for use offshore 

and nearshore, the amount dependent upon the location of the potentially impacted shoreline, 

environmental considerations, and agreed upon protection strategies involving the local potentially 

impacted communities. 

Up to 25 planes and 50 helicopters are estimated to respond per day by the end of a shallow-water 

spill.

Along the Gulf Coast, dispersants are preapproved for use greater than 3 nautical miles from shore 

and in water depths greater than 33 ft (10 m), with the exception of Florida where the water depth must be 

65 ft (20 m) (U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security,(USDHS), CG, 2010). However, the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (USEPA) is presently examining these preapprovals, and restrictions are anticipated 

regarding the future use of dispersants for ongoing spills as a result. Changes to the dispersant use 

preapprovals would be expected to limit this use in the future. Under the preapprovals, it is estimated that 

up to a total of 35,000 barrels of dispersant would be used.1

 Aerial dispersants would likely be applied 

from airplanes as a mist, which settles on the oil on the water’s surface. In addition to dispersants, 

controlled burns may also occur. 

3.1.6.2. Deep Water

Within the first week of oil spill originating in deep water, 50 vessels are estimated to respond, which 

would steadily increase to over 7,000 by the end of the spill. This includes about 25 skimmers in the 

vicinity of the well at a time. In addition, recovered oil may be shuttle tankered to shore from recovery 

vessels.

For an oil spill in deep water, over 1,000 responders are estimated to be deployed within the first 

week, which would steadily increase up to 50,000 before capping or killing the well within 4-5 months.

Over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) of boom is estimated to be deployed within the first week of a deepwater 

spill, which would steadily increase up to 11 million feet (2,100 mi; 3,350 km) offshore and nearshore, 

the amount dependent upon the location of the potentially impacted shoreline, environmental 

considerations, and agreed upon protection strategies involving the local potentially impacted 

communities. 

Up to 50 planes and 100 helicopters are estimated to respond per day by the end of a deepwater spill.

With the exception of special Federal management areas or designated exclusion areas, dispersants 

have been preapproved in the vicinity of a deepwater blowout (USDHS, CG, 2010). However, USEPA is 

presently examining these preapprovals, and restrictions are anticipated regarding the future use of 

dispersants as a result. Under preexisting preapprovals, it is estimated that up to 50,000 barrels of 

dispersant could be applied (2/3 on the water surface and 1/3 subsurface, if possible). Changes to the 

dispersant use preapprovals would be expected to limit this use. No preapproval presently exists for the 

use of subsea dispersants, and approval must be obtained before each use of this technology. The use of 

subsea dispersants depends on the location of the blowout, as discussed in Table 1. Aerial dispersants are 

 

1 At the Ixtoc-I well blowout in 1979, between 1 million and 2.5 million gallons of mostly Corexit dispersant 

products were applied over a 5-month period on the oil discharge. However, this scenario assumes a spill from a 

blowout in shallow water would last up to 3 months. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-15

applied from airplanes as a mist, which settles on the oil on the water’s surface. In addition to 

dispersants, it is estimated that 5-10 controlled burns would be conducted per day in suitable weather. 

About 500 burns in all would remove 5-10 percent of the oil. 

3.1.6.3. Vessel Decontamination Stations

To avoid contaminating inland waterways, multiple vessel decontamination stations may be 

established offshore in Federal and State waters. Vessels responding to the spill and commercial and 

recreational vessels passing through the spill would anchor, awaiting inspection. If decontamination is 

required, work boats would use fire hoses to clean oil from the sides of the vessels. This could result in 

some oiling of otherwise uncontaminated waters. While these anchorage areas would be surveyed for 

buried pipelines that could be ruptured by ship anchors, they may not be surveyed adequately for benthic 

communities or archaeological sites. Therefore, some damage to benthic communities or archaeological 

sites may occur because of vessel decontamination activities associated with an oil spill in deep water 

(Alabama State Port Authority, 2010; State of Florida, Office of the Governor, 2010; Nodar, 2010; 

Unified Incident Command, 2010a-c; USDOC, NOAA, 2010a; USEPA, 2010a).

3.1.7. Severe Weather

A hurricane could accelerate biodegradation, increase the area affected by the spill, and/or slow the 

response effort. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, peaking in 

September. In an average Atlantic season, there are 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 Category 3 or 

higher storms (USDOC, NOAA, National Weather Service, 2010a). As a result of a hurricane, high 

winds and seas would mix and “weather” the oil from an oil spill. This can help accelerate the 

biodegradation process (USDOC, NOAA, National Weather Service, 2010b). The high winds may 

distribute oil over a wider area (USDOC, NOAA, National Weather Center, 2010b). In the event of a 

hurricane, vessels would evacuate the area, delaying response efforts, including the drilling of relief wells 

and any well capping or collection efforts. 

3.2. MOST LIKELY AND MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

The most recent EIS’s prepared by this Agency for oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico 

identify in detail the potential impacts from reasonably foreseeable oil spills (USDOI, MMS, 2007 and 

2008). In addition to the impacts described in those documents, the most likely and most significant 

impacts because of the magnitude of shoreline oil as a result of a catastrophic spill are described below.

3.2.1. Physical Resources

3.2.1.1. Air Quality

In the Gulf of Mexico, evaporation from the oil spill would result in concentrations of VOC’s in the 

atmosphere, including chemicals that are classified as being hazardous. The VOC concentrations would 

occur anywhere where there is an oil slick, but they would be highest at the source of the spill because the 

rate of evaporation depends on the volume of oil present at the surface. The VOC concentrations would 

decrease with distance as the layer of oil gets thinner. The lighter fractions of VOC’s would be most 

abundant in the immediate vicinity of the spill site. The heavier compounds would be emitted over a 

longer period of time and over a larger area. Some of the compounds emitted could be hazardous to 

workers in close vicinity of the spill site. The hazard to workers can be reduced by monitoring and using 

protective gear, including respirators, as well as limiting exposure through limited work shifts, rotating 

workers out of high exposure areas, and pointing vessels into the wind. During the DWH event, air 

samples collected by individual offshore workers of British Petroleum (BP), the Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration (OSHA), and U.S. Coast Guard showed levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, 

and xylene that were mostly under detection levels. All samples had concentrations below the OSHA 

Occupational permissible exposure limits and the more stringent ACGIH (American Conference of 

Governmental Industrial Hygienists) threshold limit values (U.S. Dept. of Labor, OSHA, 2010a). 

The VOC emissions that result from the evaporation of oil contribute to the formation of particulate 

matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere. In addition, VOC’s could cause an increase in ozone levels, especially 
B-16 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

if the release were to occur on a hot, sunny day with sufficient concentrations of NOx present in the lower 

atmosphere. However, because of the distance from shore, the oil slick would not normally have any 

effects on onshore ozone concentrations. 

It is assumed that response efforts would include hundreds of in-situ or controlled burns, which would 

remove an estimated 5-10 percent of the volume of oil spilled. This could be as much as 720,000 barrels 

of oil for a spill of 60,000 barrels per day for 120 days. In-situ burning would result in ambient 

concentrations of CO, NOx, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 very near the site of the burn and would generate a 

plume of black smoke. The levels of PM2.5 could be a hazard to personnel working in the area, but this 

could be effectively mitigated through monitoring and relocating vessels to avoid areas of highest 

concentrations. In an experiment of an in-situ burn off Newfoundland, it was found that CO, SO2, and 

NO2 were measured only at background levels and were frequently below detection levels (Fingas et al., 

1995). Limited amounts of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were measured, but concentrations were 

close to background levels. Measured values of dioxins and dibenzofurans were at background levels. 

Measurements of PAH in the crude oil, the residues, and the air indicated that the PAH in the crude oil are 

largely destroyed during combustion (Fingas et al., 1995). 

While containment operations may be successful in capturing some of the escaping oil and gas, 

recovery vessels may not be capable of storing the crude oil or may not have sufficient storage capacity. 

In this case, excess oil would be burned; captured gas cannot be stored or piped to shore so it would be 

flared. For example, in the DWH event, gas was flared at the rate of 100-200 million cubic feet per day 

and oil burned at the rate of 10,000-15,000 barrels per day. The estimated NOx emissions are about 

13 tons per day. The SO2 emissions would be dependent on the sulfur content of the crude oil. For crude 

oil with a sulfur content of 0.5 percent, the estimated SO2 emissions are about 16 tons per day. Particulate 

matter in the plume would also affect visibility. Flaring or burning activities upwind of a PSD Class I 

area, e.g., the Breton National Wilderness Area, could adversely affect air quality there because of

increased levels of SO2, PM10, and PM2.5, and because of reduced visibility.

3.2.1.2. Offshore Water Quality

The water offshore of the Gulf’s coasts can be divided into two regions: the continental shelf and 

slope (<1,000 ft; 305 m) and deep water (>1,000 ft; 305 m). Waters on the continental shelf and slope are 

heavily influenced by the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, the primary sources of freshwater, 

sediment, nutrients, and pollutants from a huge drainage basin encompassing 55 percent of the continental 

U.S. (Murray, 1998). Lower salinities are characteristic nearshore where freshwater from the rivers mix 

with Gulf waters. The presence or extent of a nepheloid layer, a body of suspended sediment at the sea 

bottom (Kennett, 1982; p. 524), affects water quality on the shelf and slope. Deep waters east of the 

Mississippi River are affected by the Loop Current and associated warm-core (anti-cyclonic) eddies, 

which flush the area with clear, low-nutrient water (Muller-Karger et al., 2001). However, cold-core 

cyclonic eddies (counter-clockwise rotating) also form at the edge of the Loop Current and are associated 

with upwelling and nutrient-rich, high-productivity waters, although the extent of this flushing can vary 

seasonally.

While response efforts would decrease the fraction of oil remaining in Gulf waters, significant 

amounts of oil would remain (The Federal Interagency Solutions Group, 2010). Natural processes will 

physically, chemically, and biologically aid the degradation of oil (NRC, 2003). The physical processes 

involved include evaporation, emulsification, and dissolution, while the primary chemical and biological 

degradation processes include photooxidation and biodegradation (i.e., microbial oxidation). Water 

quality would not only be impacted by the oil, gas, and their respective components but also to some 

degree from cleanup and mitigation efforts, such as from increased vessel traffic and the addition of 

dispersants and methanol to the marine environment. 

In the case of a catastrophic subsea blowout in deep water, it is assumed that large quantities of 

subsea dispersants would be used. As a result, clouds or plumes of dispersed oil may occur near the 

blowout site. Reports following the DWH event have found such plumes and have shown that the 

concentrations of these clouds decrease to undetectable levels within a few miles of the source (USDOC, 

NOAA, 2010b). Additional reporting in the coming months will enhance the understanding of the effects 

of subsurface plumes. Dissolved oxygen levels are a concern with any release of a carbon source, and 

these levels became a particular concern during the DWH event, since dispersants were used in deep 

waters for the first time. Thus, USEPA required monitoring protocols in order to use subsea dispersants 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-17

(USDOC, NOAA, 2010c). In areas where plumes of dispersed oil were previously found, dissolved 

oxygen levels decreased by about 20 percent from long-term average values in the Gulf of Mexico; 

however, scientists reported that these levels have stabilized and are not low enough to be considered 

hypoxic (USDOC, NOAA, 2010d). The temporary decrease in oxygen content has been attributed to 

microbial degradation of the oil. Over time, as the oil continues to be degraded and diffuses, hypoxia 

becomes less of a concern. As reported for the DWH event, dissolved oxygen levels would likely remain 

above levels of immediate concern, but there would still be a need to monitor dissolved oxygen levels 

over time. 

Toxicity of dispersed oil in the environment would depend on many factors, including the 

effectiveness of the dispersion, temperature, salinity, degree of weathering, type of dispersant, and degree 

of light penetration in the water column (NRC, 2005). The toxicity of dispersed oil is primarily because 

of the toxic components of the oil itself (Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 2010). 

3.2.2. Biological Resources

The most recent EIS’s prepared by this Agency for oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico 

details potential localized impacts to specific species from reasonably foreseeable oil spills (USDOI, 

MMS, 2007 and 2008). However, a catastrophic event, such as a high-volume, extended-duration spill 

resulting from a blowout, has the potential to cause population-level impacts. Multiple Federal and Statelisted, threatened and endangered species could be impacted from an extended offshore spill (USDOI, 

FWS, 2010a and 2010b). 

3.2.2.1. Marine and Migratory Birds

During Phase 2 of a catastrophic spill, the primary concern for marine and migratory birds would be 

their vulnerability to oiling or ingesting oil, which is related to their behavior. Wading birds (e.g., herons, 

egrets, etc.) and species that feed by plunge-diving into the water to catch small fish (e.g., pelicans, 

gannets, terns, gulls, and pelagic birds) and those that use water as a primary means of locomotion, 

foraging, or resting and preening (e.g., diving ducks, cormorants, pelicans, etc.) are highly vulnerable to 

becoming oiled and also to ingesting oil, as are black skimmers. These birds tend to feed and concentrate 

in convergence zones, places in the ocean where strong opposing currents meet. In addition to 

concentrating prey, these zones also aggregate oil (Unified Incident Command, 2010d). Oiling interferes 

with the birds’ ability to fly (thus to obtain food) and compromises the insulative characteristics of down 

and contour feathers making it difficult to maintain body heat. Attempts by the birds to remove the oil by 

preening causes oiled birds to ingest oil and may result in mortality.

3.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat

Early life stages of animals are usually more sensitive to oil than adults (Boesch and Rabalais, 1987; 

NRC, 2005). Weathered crude oil has been shown in laboratory experiments to cause malformation, 

genetic damage, and even mortality at low levels in fish embryos of Pacific herring (Carls et al., 1999). 

There is a high probability of mortality for the eggs and larvae of Gulf fishes that come in contact with 

spilled oil. 

Adult fish may be less at risk than earlier life stages in part because they are less likely to concentrate 

at the surface and may avoid contact with floating oil. There were, however, sightings of whale sharks 

(which are defined as “threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature) swimming 

among slicks from the DWH spill. They were not visibly oiled, but there was concern that they could be 

affected because they are surface feeders (Howell, 2010). Effects of oil on organisms can include direct 

lethal toxicity, sublethal disruption of physiological processes (internal lesions), effects of direct coating 

by oil (suffocation by coating gills), incorporation of hydrocarbons in organisms causing tainting or 

accumulation in the food chain, and changes in biological habitat (decreased dissolved oxygen) (Moore 

and Dwyer, 1974). 

Because natural crude oil found in the Gulf of Mexico would generally float on the surface, fish 

species whose eggs and larvae are found at or near the water surface are most at risk from an offshore 

spill. Species whose spawning periods coincide with the timing of the highest oil concentrations would 

be at greatest risk. If there is a subsea catastrophic blowout, it is assumed dispersants would be used. 

Then there could be effects on multiple life history stages and trophic levels. There is limited knowledge 
B-18 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

of the toxicity of dispersants mixed with oil to specific species or life stages of ichthyoplankton, and the 

likely extent of mortality because of the combination of factors is difficult to determine. The combined 

toxic effects of the oil and any dispersants that may be used may not be apparent unless a significant 

portion of a year-class is absent from next year’s fishery (e.g., shrimps, crabs, snapper, and tuna). 

Recent studies by USEPA using representative species provide some indication of the relative toxicity 

of Louisiana sweet crude oil, dispersants, and oil/dispersant mixes. Bioassays were conducted using two 

Gulf species—a mysid shrimp (Amercamysis bahia) and a small estuarine fish, the inland silverside 

(Menidia beryllinina)—to evaluate the acute toxic effects of oil, eight dispersants, and oil/dispersant 

mixtures. In addition, USEPA used standard in vitro techniques using the same dispersants to 

(1) evaluate acute toxicity on three cell lines over a range of concentrations and (2) evaluate effects of 

these dispersants on androgen and estrogen function using human cell lines (to see if they are likely to 

disrupt hormonal systems). All dispersants showed cytotoxicity in at least one cell type at concentrations 

between 10 and 110 parts per million (ppm). Results of the in vitro toxicity tests were similar to the 

whole animal tests, showing generally low dispersant toxicity. Lethal concentration (LC50) values (the 

concentration at which half of the test subjects die) were lower than the cell-based assays. For all eight 

dispersants, for both species, the dispersants alone were less toxic than the dispersant/oil mixture. 

Louisiana sweet crude oil alone was determined to be more toxic to both the silverside fish and the mysid 

shrimp than the dispersants alone. The results of the testing for disruption of androgen and estrogen 

function indicate that the dispersants do not show biologically significant endocrine activity via androgen 

or estrogen pathways (USEPA, Office of Research and Development, 2010a and 2010b). 

The North Atlantic bluefin tuna is an example of a fish/fishery in the Gulf of Mexico that could be at 

risk to lose a year-class. It has a relatively narrow peak spawning period in April and May and floating 

eggs. A catastrophic blowout during the spring season could cause a negative effect to this population. 

The Gulf of Mexico is one of only two documented spawning grounds for the Atlantic bluefin tuna; the 

other is in the Mediterranean Sea. Spawning is clustered in a specific type of habitat along the continental 

slope. Bluefin tuna are among the most valuable fish in global markets. The International Commission 

for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ScienceDaily, 2010) currently manages the Atlantic bluefin tuna 

as two distinct populations, with western Atlantic spawners of the Gulf of Mexico forming a population 

genetically distinct from the eastern spawners of the Mediterranean Sea. The western Atlantic stock has 

suffered, and a long-term rebuilding plan has failed to revive the population or the fishery. The failure of 

the Gulf of Mexico spawning population to rebuild and the scope of illegal and under-reported catches are 

of such concern that the species was considered for Appendix 1 listing (most endangered status) by the 

Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in March 2010. The NOAA made a 

determination on May 27, 2011, that Atlantic bluefin tuna did not warrant species protection under the 

ESA at that time. However, NOAA does plan to revisit this decision by early 2013 when more 

information will be available concerning any effects of the DWH spill (76 FR 31556). In addition, a new 

stock assessment will be available from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic 

Tunas.

A catastrophic deepwater spill could release natural gases with methane as the primary component 

(NaturalGas.org, 2010) into the water column, but little is known about the effects of elevated methane 

levels on fish. Patin (1999) studied the elevated concentrations of methane resulting from a gas blowout 

from drilling platforms in the Sea of Asov, Ukraine, on fish. The pathological changes reported were 

species specific and included damages to cell membranes, organs, and tissues; modifications of protein 

synthesis; and other anomalies typical for acute poisoning of fish. These impacts, however, were 

observed at levels of 4-6 milligrams/liter of methane near the accident well. The full effect of elevated 

methane levels on Gulf of Mexico fishes is currently unknown.

3.2.2.3. Marine Mammals

An oil spill and related spill-response activities can impact marine mammals that come into contact 

with oil and remediation efforts. The marine mammals’ exposure to hydrocarbons persisting in the sea 

may result in sublethal impacts (e.g., decreased health, reproductive fitness, longevity, and increased 

vulnerability to disease), some soft tissue irritation, respiratory stress from inhalation of toxic fumes, food 

reduction or contamination, direct ingestion of oil and/or tar, and temporary displacement from preferred 

habitats or migration routes. More detail on the potential range of effects to marine mammals from 

contact with spilled oil can be found in Geraci and St. Aubin (1990). The best available information does 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-19

not provide a complete understanding of the effects of the spilled oil and active response/cleanup 

activities on marine mammals. For example, it is expected that the large amount of chemical dispersants 

being used on the oil may act as an irritant on the marine mammals’ tissues and sensitive membranes. 

The increased human presence after an oil spill (e.g., vessels) would likely add to changes in behavior 

and/or distribution, thereby potentially stressing marine mammals further and perhaps making them more 

vulnerable to various physiologic and toxic effects. In addition, the large number of response vessels 

could place marine mammals at a greater risk of vessel collisions, which could cause fatal injuries. 

The potential biological removal (PBR) level is defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act 

(MMPA) as the maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities that may be removed 

from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable 

population. However, in the Gulf of Mexico, many marine mammal species have either entirely unknown 

PBR’s or population size estimates that are more than 8 years old and therefore considered unknown. The 

biological significance of any injury or mortality would depend, in part, on the size and reproductive rates 

of the affected stocks, as well as the number, age, and size of the marine mammals affected. 

According to the Consolidated Fish and Wildlife Collection Reports from the DWH event, 170 

marine mammals have been collected (13 alive, 157 deceased as of April 20, 2011). Due to known low 

detection rates of carcasses, it is possible that the number of deaths of marine mammals is underestimated 

(Williams et al., 2011). The mortality estimates from the DWH event are just an example of the potential 

losses because of a high-volume oil spill. It is also important to note that evaluations have not yet 

confirmed the cause of death, and it is possible that not all carcasses were related to the DWH event. 

Thus, a high-volume oil spill lasting 120 days could directly impact as many individuals or more. The 

majority would likely be coastal or estuarine bottlenose dolphins, as was the case with the DWH event. 

This number represents only those marine mammals collected (either dead or alive) and does not address 

all potential impacts to the population. Based on these data, it is reasonable to assume that a catastrophic 

oil spill lasting up to 120 days could have population-level effects on many species of marine mammals 

(e.g., sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, etc.). 

3.2.2.4. Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are more likely to be affected by a catastrophic spill in shallow water than in deep water 

because not all sea turtles occupy a deepwater habitat. For example, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are 

unlikely to be in water depths of 160 ft (49 m) or greater. Hawksbill sea turtles are commonly associated 

with coral reefs, ledges, caves, rocky outcrops, and high energy shoals. Green sea turtles are commonly 

found in coastal benthic feeding grounds, although they may also be found in the convergence zones of 

the open ocean. Convergence zones are areas that also may collect oil. Leatherback sea turtles are 

commonly pelagic and are the sea turtle species most likely to be affected by a deepwater oil spill. As the 

spilled oil moves toward land, additional species of sea turtles are more likely to be affected.

Based on the Consolidated Fish and Wildlife Collection Reports from the DWH event, a few to over 

two dozen sea turtles could be impacted daily through oiling and/or collection. According to the 

Consolidated Fish and Wildlife Collection Report, after the DWH event, 1,149 sea turtles have been 

collected (536 alive, 613 deceased as of April 20, 2011). These mortality estimates from the DWH event

are just an example of the potential losses because of a high-volume oil spill. It is also important to note 

that evaluations have not yet confirmed the cause of death, and it is possible that not all carcasses were 

related to the DWH event. A high-volume oil spill lasting 120 days could impact greater than 1,000 sea 

turtles, and the majority could be Kemp’s ridley turtles, which are listed as endangered under the ESA 

(USDOC, NOAA, NMFS, 2010a; Unified Incident Command, 2010e). In addition, the large number of 

response vessels could place sea turtles at a greater risk of vessel collisions, which could cause fatal 

injuries.

3.2.2.5. Offshore Habitats

Sargassum mats, which are mats made from a free-floating seaweed, provide habitat for juvenile sea 

turtles and developing invertebrates, spawning sites for hundreds of fish species, and feeding sources for 

manatees. In offshore waters, both free-floating patches of Sargassum seaweed and spilled oil tend to 

accumulate in convergence zones, places in the ocean where strong opposing currents meet. Sea turtles, 

especially juveniles, use these areas for food and cover. Burn operations sometime occurred there 
B-20 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

because of the aggregated oil (Unified Incident Command, 2010d). Benthic resources are discussed 

below. 

Open-water organisms, such as phytoplankton and zooplankton, are essential to the marine food web. 

They play an important role in regulating climate, contribute to marine snow, and are an important source 

of nutrients for mesopelagic and benthic habitats. An offshore oil spill would not only have an impact on 

these populations but also on the species that depend on them. The microbial community can also be 

affected by an offshore oil spill. The microbial loop is an essential part of the marine ecosystem. 

Changes in the microbial community because of an oil spill could have significant impacts on the rest of 

the marine ecosystem. 

However, several laboratory and field experiments and observations have shown that impacts to 

planktonic and marine microbial populations are generally short lived and do not affect all groups evenly, 

and in some cases stimulate growth of important species (Gonzalez et al., 2009; Graham et al., 2010; 

Hing et al., 2011). A study by Widger et al. (2011) does not support an argument of lasting effects 

because of the DWH spill on coastal microbial communities and pathogens. The study had only one prespill and one during-spill-time point each, with no post-spill component to monitor trends. Further, the 

pathogens noted are commonly found in coastal waters after significant rain events and occur as a result 

of untreated freshwater reaching the coast (Stumpf et al., 2010; Wetz et al., 2008; Hsieh et al., 2007). The 

study does not address the potential that the increase in microbial pathogens are a result of storm-water 

runoff, and it does not address if there was a significant rain event upstream, which could have carried 

these terrestrial derived pathogens to the coastal zone. 

3.2.2.6. Continental Shelf Benthic Resources

A spill from a shallow-water blowout could impact benthic communities on the continental shelf 

because of the blowout’s proximity to these habitats. A spill from a deepwater blowout could also impact 

shelf communities if oil that was chemically dispersed at the seafloor is transported to these areas.

Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities

Soft-bottom infaunal communities that come into direct contact with oil or dispersed oil may 

experience sublethal and/or lethal effects. Localized areas of lethal effects would be recolonized by 

populations from neighboring soft-bottom substrate once the oil in the sediment has been sufficiently 

reduced to a level able to support marine life (Sanders et al., 1980; Lu and Wu, 2006; Ganning et al., 

1984; Gesteira and Dauvin, 2000; Dean and Jewett, 2001). This initial recolonization process may be 

fairly rapid, but full recovery may take up to 10 years depending on the species present, substrate in the 

area, toxicity of oil spilled, concentration and dispersion of oil spilled, and other localized environmental 

factors that may affect recruitment (Kingston et al., 1995; Gesteira and Dauvin, 2000; Sanders et al., 

1980; Conan, 1982). Opportunistic species would take advantage of the barren sediment, repopulating 

impacted areas first. These species may occur within the first recruitment cycle of the surrounding 

populations or from species immigration from surrounding stocks and may maintain a stronghold in the 

area until community succession begins (Rhodes and Germano, 1982; Sanders et al., 1980). 

Long-term or low-level exposure may occur to benthic infauna as a result of oil adhering to sediment. 

Mesocosm experiments using long-term, low-level concentrations of No. 2 fuel oil indicate acute toxicity 

to meiofauna because of direct oil contact and sublethal effects from sedimented oil and byproducts of the 

decomposition of the sedimented oil (Frithsen et al., 1985). Long-term exposure to low levels of fuel oil 

was shown to affect recruitment success; meiofaunal population recovery took between 2 and 7 months 

(Frithsen et al., 1985). Oil entrained within sediments at the seafloor could create a layer toxic to infaunal 

species. This layer will persist through burial unless it is sufficiently degraded over time. Continued 

deposition of pelagic material could bury the layer, but it will remain intact over some timeframe as a 

potentially toxic or lethal horizon. 

Continued localized disturbance of soft-bottom communities may occur during oil-spill response 

efforts. Anchors used to set booms to contain oil or vessel anchors in decontamination zones may affect 

infaunal communities in the response activity zone. Infaunal communities may be altered in the anchor 

scar, and deposition of suspended sediment may result from the setting and resetting of anchors. The 

disturbed benthic community should begin to repopulate from the surrounding communities during their 

next recruitment event and through immigration of organisms from surrounding stocks. Any 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-21

decontamination activities, such as cleaning vessel hulls of oil, may also contaminate the sediments of the 

decontamination zone, as some oil may settle to the seabed, impacting the underlying benthic community. 

If a blowout occurs at the seafloor, drilling muds (primarily barite) may be pumped into a well in 

order to “kill” it. If a kill is not successful, the mud (possibly tens of thousands of barrels) may be forced 

out of the well and deposited on the seafloor near the well site. Any organisms beneath heavy layers of 

the extruded drilling mud would be buried. Base fluids of drilling muds are designed to be low in toxicity 

and biodegradable in offshore marine sediments (Neff et al., 2000). However, as bacteria and fungi break 

down the drilling fluids, the sediments may be come anoxic (Neff et al., 2000). Benthic macrofaunal 

recovery would occur when drilling mud concentrations are reduced to levels that enable the sediment to 

become re-oxygenated (Neff et al., 2000). Complete community recovery from drilling mud exposure 

may take 3-5 years, although microbial degradation of drilling fluids, followed by an influx of tolerant 

opportunistic species, is anticipated to begin almost immediately (Neff et al., 2000). In addition, the 

extruded mud may bury hydrocarbons from the well, making them a hazard to the infaunal species and 

difficult to remove.

If dispersants are used at the sea surface, oil may mix into the water column, and if they are applied 

subsea, they can travel with currents through the water and may settle on the seafloor. If near the source, 

the dispersed oil could be concentrated enough to harm the benthic community. If the oil remains 

suspended for a longer period of time, it would be more dispersed and present at lower concentrations. 

Reports on dispersant usage on surface plumes indicate that a majority of the dispersed oil remains in the 

top 10 m (33 ft) of the water column, with 60 percent of the oil in the top 2 m (6 ft) (McAuliffe et al., 

1981). Dispersant usage also reduces the oil’s ability to stick to particles in the water column, minimizing 

sedimented oil traveling to the seafloor (McAuliffe et al., 1981). There is very little information on the 

behavior of subsea dispersants. 

Dispersed oil reaching the benthic communities in the Gulf of Mexico would be expected to be at 

very low concentrations (<1 ppm) (McAuliffe et al., 1981). Such concentrations would not be life 

threatening to larval or adult stages at depth based on experiments conducted with benthic and pelagic test 

species (Scarlett et al., 2005; Hemmer et al., 2010; George-Ares and Clark, 2000). Any dispersed oil in 

the water column that comes in contact with benthic communities may evoke short-term negative 

responses by the organisms (Scarlett et al., 2005). Sublethal responses may include reduced feeding rate, 

erratic movement, and tentacle retraction (Scarlett et al., 2005). In addition, although dispersants were 

detected in waters off Louisiana after the DWH event, they were below USEPA benchmarks of chronic 

toxicity (OSAT, 2010). The rapid dilution of dispersants in the water column and lack of transport to the 

sea floor was also reported by OSAT (2010) where no dispersants were detected in sediment on the Gulf 

floor following the DWH event. 

Oil-degrading bacteria may ameliorate the effects of oil in the water column and benthic 

environments. Oil-degrading bacteria was detected in the subsea oil plume following the DWH event, 

and although this bacteria had reduced some oxygen in the water column when it degraded the oil, the 

decrease in oxygen was small compared with the surrounding water column (Hazen at al., 2010). Field 

measurements collected from the subsea plume indicated that these dissolved oxygen levels never 

approached hypoxic (<1.4 mL oxygen/L water) levels (Joint Analysis Group, 2010b). The dissolved 

oxygen in the water column did not appear to be decreasing over time, indicating that the oil was mixing 

with the surrounding oxygen-rich water (Joint Analysis Group, 2010b). The dissolved reduced oxygen 

levels produced by the bacteria never approached the low dissolved oxygen levels that occur during a 

yearly hypoxic event on the continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico for prolonged periods during 

the spring through late summer (Rabalais et al., 2002). This hypoxic event results in lower dissolved 

oxygen levels than what were measured in the water column and bottom waters as a result of the DWH 

event (Joint Analysis Group, 2010a and 2010b; Haddad and Murawski, 2010). 

Once the petroleum source has been reduced, the bacteria may die and sink to the seafloor. If enough 

dead bacteria accumulate in an area, the degradation of these bacteria by other bacteria may result in a 

locally decreased oxygen levels that may impact the nearby benthic organisms.

Hard-Bottom Benthic Communities

Sensitive reef communities flourish wherever hard bottoms occur in the Gulf of Mexico. Several 

categories of hard bottom communities are protected by BOEM. The eastern Gulf of Mexico contains 

scattered, low-relief live bottoms including areas of flat limestone shelf rock. Potentially sensitive 
B-22 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

biological features are 8 ft (2 m) or more above the seafloor. The Pinnacle Trend area includes low- and 

high-relief features and is 60-120 m (200-400 ft) below the sea surface, and topographic features are high 

relief and generally 15 m (49 ft) or more below the sea surface. Their depth below the sea surface 

protects all of these habitats from a surface oil spill.

Although hard-bottom benthic communities are initially buffered from surface oil slicks by their 

depth below the sea surface, surface oil may be brought to depth through physical processes. Rough seas 

may mix the oil into subsurface water layers, where it may impact sessile biota. The total time during 

which seas are rough would help affect the amount of oil from a surface slick that would be mixed into 

the water column. Measurable amounts of oil have been documented down to a 10-m (33-ft) depth, 

although modeling exercises have indicated such oil may reach a depth of 20 m (66 ft). At this depth, 

however, the oil is found at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than the amount shown to 

have an effect on corals (Lange, 1985; McAuliffe et al., 1975 and 1981; Knap et al., 1985). 

The presence of a subsurface oil plume may affect hard-bottom communities. A majority of the oil 

released is expected to rise rapidly to the sea surface. However, upward movement of the oil may be 

reduced if methane in the oil is dissolved under high pressures, and oil droplets may become entrained 

deep in the water column (Adcroft et al., 2010). Subsurface plumes generated by high-pressure 

dissolution of oil may come in contact with hard-bottom features. A sustained spill would continuously 

create surface slicks and possibly subsurface spill plumes. Some of the oil in the water column will 

become diluted or evaporated over time, reducing any localized transport to the seafloor (Vandermeulen, 

1982). In addition, microbial degradation of the oil occurs in the water column so that the oil would be 

less toxic when it contacts the seafloor (Hazen et al., 2010). However, a sustained spill may result in 

elevated exposure concentrations to hard-bottom features if the plume reaches them. The longer the spill 

takes to stop, the longer the exposure time and concentration may be. 

Low-level exposures of corals to oil from a subsea plume may result in chronic or temporary impacts. 

For example, feeding activity or reproductive ability may be reduced when coral is exposed to low levels 

of oil; however, impacts may be temporary or unable to be measured over time. Experiments indicated 

that normal feeding activity of Porites porites and Madracis asperula were reduced when exposed to 

50 ppm oil (Lewis, 1971). Reefs of Siderastrea sidereal that were oiled in a spill produced smaller 

gonads than unoiled reefs, resulting in reproductive stress (Guzmán and Holst, 1993). 

Elevated concentrations of oil may be necessary to measure reduced photosynthesis or growth in 

corals. Photosynthesis of the zooxanthellae in Diplora strigosa exposed to approximately 18-20 ppm 

crude oil for 8 hours was not measurably affected, although other experiments indicate that 

photosynthesis may be impaired at higher concentrations (Cook and Knap, 1983). Measurable growth of 

Diploria strigosa exposed to oil concentrations up to 50 ppm for 6-24 hours did not show any reduced 

growth after 1 year (Dodge et al., 1984). 

Corals exposed to subsea oil plumes may incorporate petroleum hydrocarbons into their tissue. 

Records indicate that Siderastrea siderea, Diploria strigosa, and Montastrea annularis accumulate oil 

from the water column and incorporate petroleum hydrocarbons into their tissues (Burns and Knap, 1989; 

Knap et al., 1982; Kennedy et al., 1992). Most of the petroleum hydrocarbons are incorporated into the 

coral tissues, not their mucus (Knap et al., 1982). However, hydrocarbon uptake may also modify lipid 

ratios of coral (Burns and Knap, 1989). If lipid ratios are modified, mucus synthesis may be impacted, 

adversely affecting the coral’s ability to protect itself from oil through mucus production (Burns and 

Knap, 1989). 

If dispersants are used on the seafloor or at the surface, oil may mix into the water column, and if they 

are applied subsea, they can travel with currents through the water, and they may contact or settle on hard 

bottoms. If near the source, the dispersed oil could be concentrated enough to harm the community. If 

the oil remains suspended for a longer period of time, it would be more dispersed and present at lower 

concentrations. Reports on dispersant usage on surface plumes indicate that a majority of the dispersed 

oil remains in the top 10 m (33 ft) of the water column, with 60 percent of the oil in the top 2 m (6 ft) 

(McAuliffe et al., 1981). Dispersant usage also reduces the oil’s ability to stick to particles in the water 

column, minimizing sedimented oil traveling to the seafloor (McAuliffe et al., 1981). There is very little 

information on the behavior of subsea dispersants. 

Dispersed oil reaching the benthic hard-bottom communities in the Gulf of Mexico would be 

expected to be at very low concentrations (less than 1 ppm) (McAuliffe et al., 1981). Such concentrations 

would not be life threatening to larval or adult stages at depth based on experiments conducted with coral. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-23

Any dispersed oil in the water column that comes in contact with corals may evoke short-term negative 

responses by the organisms (Wyers et al., 1986; Cook and Knap, 1983; Dodge et al., 1984). 

Reductions in feeding and photosynthesis are some impacts that may occur to coral exposed to 

dispersed oil. Short-term, sublethal responses of Diploria strigosa were reported after exposure to 

dispersed oil at a concentration of 20 ppm for 24 hours. Although concentrations in this experiment were 

higher than what is anticipated for dispersed oil at depth, effects exhibited included mesenterial filament 

extrusion, extreme tissue contraction, tentacle retraction, and localized tissue rupture (Wyers et al., 1986). 

Normal behavior resumed within 2 hours to 4 days after exposure (Wyers et al., 1986). Diploria strigosa

exposed to dispersed oil (20:1, oil:dispersant) showed an 85 percent reduction in zooxanthellae 

photosynthesis after 8 hours of exposure to the mixture (Cook and Knap, 1983). However, the response 

was short term, as recovery occurred between 5 and 24 hours after exposure and return to clean seawater. 

Investigations 1 year after Diploria strigosa was exposed to concentrations of dispersed oil between 1 and 

50 ppm for periods between 6 and 24 hours did not reveal any impacts to growth (Dodge et al., 1984). 

Historical studies indicate dispersed oil to be more toxic to coral species than oil or dispersant alone. 

The greater toxicity may be a result of an increased number of oil droplets caused by the use of 

dispersant, resulting in greater contact area between oil, dispersant, and water (Elgershuizen and De 

Kruijf, 1976). The dispersant causes a higher water-soluble amount of oil to contact the cell membranes 

of the coral (Elgershuizen and De Kruijf, 1976). The mucus produced by coral, however, can protect the 

organism from oil. Both hard and soft corals have the ability to produce mucus, and mucus production 

has been shown to increase when corals are exposed to crude oil (Mitchell and Chet, 1975; Ducklow and 

Mitchell, 1979). Dispersed oil, however, which has very small oil droplets, does not appear to adhere to 

coral mucus, and larger untreated oil droplets may become trapped by the mucus barrier (Knap, 1987; 

Wyers et al., 1986). However, entrapment of the larger oil droplets may increase the coral’s long-term 

exposure to oil if the mucus is not shed in a timely manner (Knap, 1987; Bak and Elgershuizen, 1976). 

Additionally, more recent field studies, using more realistic concentrations of dispersants did not result in 

the toxicity historically reported.

Although historical studies indicated dispersed oil may be more toxic than untreated oil to corals 

during exposure experiments, untreated oil may remain in the ecosystem for long periods of time, while 

dispersed oil does not (Baca et al., 2005; Ward et al., 2003). Twenty years after an experimental oil spill 

in Panama, oil and impacts from untreated oil were still observed at oil treatment sites, but no oil or 

impacts were observed at dispersed oil or reference sites (Baca et al., 2005). Long-term recovery of the 

coral at the dispersed oil site had already occurred as reported in a 10-year monitoring update, and the site 

was not significantly different from the reference site (Ward et al., 2003).

The BOEM’s policy prevents wells from being placed immediately adjacent to sensitive 

communities. In the event of a seafloor blowout, however, some oil could be carried to hard bottoms as a 

result of oil droplets, adhering to suspended particles in the water column. Oiled sediment that settles to 

the seafloor may affect organisms attached to hard-bottom substrates. Impacts may include reduced 

recruitment success, reduced growth, and reduced coral cover as a result of impaired recruitment. 

Experiments have shown that the presence of oil on available substrate for larval coral settlement has 

inhibited larval metamorphosis and larval settlement in the area. An increase in the number of deformed 

polyps after metamorphosis also took place because of exposure to oil (Kushmaro et al., 1997). 

The majority of organisms exposed to sedimented oil, however, are anticipated to experience lowlevel concentrations because as the oiled sediments settle to the seafloor they are widely dispersed. Coral 

may also be able to protect itself from low concentrations of sedimented oil that settles from the water 

column. Coral mucus may not only act as a barrier to protect coral from the oil in the water column but it 

has also been shown to aid in the removal of oiled sediment on coral surfaces (Bak and Elgershuizen, 

1976). Coral may use a combination of increased mucus production and the action of cilia to rid 

themselves of oiled sediment (Bak and Elgershuizen, 1976). 

Oil-spill-response activity may also impact sessile benthic features. Booms anchored to the seafloor 

are sometimes used to control the movement of oil at the water surface. Boom anchors can physically 

impact corals and other sessile benthic organisms, especially when booms are moved around by waves 

(Tokotch, 2010). Vessel anchorage and decontamination stations set up during response efforts may also 

break or kill hard-bottom features as a result of setting anchors. Injury to coral reefs as a result of anchor 

impact may result in long-lasting damage or failed recovery (Rogers and Garrison, 2001). Effort should 

be made to keep vessel anchorage areas as far from sensitive benthic features as possible to minimize 

impact.
B-24 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Drilling muds comprised primarily of barite may be pumped into a well to stop a blowout. If a “kill” 

is not successful, the mud (possibly tens of thousands of barrels) may be forced out of the well and 

deposited on the seafloor near the well site. Any organisms beneath the extruded drilling mud would be 

buried. Based on stipulations as described in NTL 2009-G39, a well should be far enough away from a 

hard-bottom community to prevent extruded drilling muds from smothering benthic communities. 

However, if drilling muds were to travel far enough or high enough in the water column to contact a hardbottom community, the fluid would smother the existing community. Experiments indicate that corals 

perish faster when buried beneath drilling mud than when buried beneath carbonate sediments 

(Thompson, 1980). As discussed earlier, as the drilling fluids biodegrade, an anoxic zone surrounding the 

activity may occur. Recolonization would occur from the surrounding community once the area has 

enough oxygen to support new growth, which may take 3-5 years (Neff et al., 2000).

3.2.2.7. Deepwater Benthic Communities

It is not likely that deepwater benthic communities would be impacted by a spill from a shallow-water 

blowout. However, a spill resulting from a catastrophic blowout in deep water has the potential to impact 

offshore benthic communities because of the blowout’s proximity to these habitats and the use of subsea 

dispersants. 

Much of the oil is expected to be treated with dispersants at the sea surface and possibly subsea at the 

source in the event of a deepwater blowout. The dispersed oil is mixed with the water, and its movement 

is then dictated by local currents and the physical, chemical, and biological degradation pathways. The 

oil would become more dispersed, less concentrated, and more biodegraded the longer it remains 

suspended in the water column. Depending on how long it remained suspended in the water column, it 

may be thoroughly degraded by biological action before contact with the seafloor and its sensitive 

resources occurs (Hazen et al., 2010; Valentine et al., 2010). Biodegradation rates in colder, deepwater 

environments are not well understood at this time. Oil may reach the seafloor in the following ways: as 

microbes begin to consume the oil particles; when the dispersed oil particles may flocculate (flocculation 

is suspended particles collecting into larger suspended flakes), thus increasing the density of the particles 

such that they are no longer in isostatic balance with the surrounding water and, thus, sink to the seafloor; 

when larger plankton consume the bacteria-rich oil particles and their fecal pellets are excreted and 

distributed over the seafloor; when water currents carry a plume to contact the seafloor directly; or most 

likely, where the dispersed oil to adhere to other particles and sink to the seafloor. This last scenario 

would result in a wide distribution of small amounts of oil. This oil could be in the process of 

biodegradation from bacterial action that would continue on the seafloor, resulting in scattered 

microhabitats with an enriched carbon environment. Biodegradation processes, both on the bottom and in 

the water column, would be expected to cause at least some reduction of normal ambient dissolved 

oxygen levels; however, this has yet to be observed at a level that would be detrimental to animal 

respiration (Hazen et al., 2010).

Deepwater Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities

Soft bottoms are the overwhelming majority of the deep-sea environment. Large amounts of oil 

would only affect these deep environments if dispersants are used. As described above, the toxic effects 

of dispersed oil would continue to decrease as the concentration of oil is reduced via dispersion, localized 

mixing, and biodegradation. As with shelf habitats, the only soft bottom that is expected to suffer 

significant effects would be soft bottoms in the immediate vicinity of a seafloor blowout in which some 

oil is mixed into the sediment. In situations where soft-bottom infaunal communities are negatively 

impacted, recolonization by populations from neighboring soft-bottom substrate would be expected over a 

relatively short period of time for all size ranges of organisms—a matter of days for bacteria and probably 

less than 1 year for most macrofauna and megafauna species. This could take longer for areas affected by 

direct oil contact in higher concentrations. 

Deepwater Coral Benthic Communities

There have been no experiments showing the response of deepwater corals to oil exposure. 

Experiments with shallow tropical corals indicate that corals have a high tolerance to oil exposure. The 

mucus layers on coral resist penetration of oil and slough off the contaminant. Longer exposure times and 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-25

areas of tissue where oil adheres to the coral are more likely to result in tissue damage and death of 

polyps. Corals with branching growth forms appear to be more susceptible to damage from oil exposure 

(Shigenaka, 2001). The most common deepwater coral, Lophelia pertusa, is a branching species. Tests 

with shallow tropical gorgonians indicate relatively low toxic effects to the coral (Cohen et al., 1977), 

suggesting deepwater gorgonians may have a similar response. Response of deepwater coral to oil 

exposure from a catastrophic spill would vary, depending on the level of exposure. Exposure to widely 

dispersed oil adhering to organic detritus and partially degraded by bacteria may be expected to result in 

little effect. Direct contact with plumes of relatively fresh dispersed oil droplets in the vicinity of the 

incident could cause death of affected coral polyps through exposure and potential feeding on oil droplets 

by polyps. Median levels of exposure to dispersed oil in a partly degraded condition may result in effects 

similar to those of shallow tropical corals, with often no discernable effects other than temporary 

contraction and some sloughing. The health of corals may be degraded by the necessary expenditure of 

energy as the corals respond to oiling (Shigenaka, 2001). Communities exposed to more concentrated oil 

may experience detrimental effects, including death of affected organisms, tissue damage, lack of growth, 

interruption of reproductive cycles, and loss of gametes. Many invertebrates associated with deepwater 

coral communities, particularly the crustaceans, would likely be more susceptible to damage from oil 

exposure. The recolonization of severely damaged or destroyed communities could take years or decades. 

However, because of the scarcity of deepwater hard bottoms and the comparatively low surface area, it is 

unlikely that a sensitive habitat would be located near a seafloor blowout, or if near, that concentrated oil 

would contact the site. 

Deepwater Chemosynthetic Benthic Communities

Chemosynthetic communities in the GOM are adapted to cold seep habitats where oil, methane, and 

hydrogen sulfide seep up through the seafloor. If contacted by low quantities of well-dispersed oil 

undergoing biodegradation, chemosynthetic communities may experience little negative effect. Exposure 

may be similar to normal conditions for these communities and may be within the normal variation of 

habitat conditions. However, oil contact could cause some fluctuation in organism health, resulting in 

slower growth or delayed spawning. Since these organisms grow slowly, sublethal effects could 

eliminate a year or more of normal growth. Communities exposed to more concentrated oil may 

experience detrimental effects, including death of affected organisms, tissue damage, lack of growth, 

interruption of reproductive cycles, and loss of gametes. Other invertebrates associated with 

chemosynthetic communities, particularly the crustaceans, would likely be more susceptible to damage 

from oil exposure. Recolonization of severely damaged or destroyed communities could take years or 

decades. 

3.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources

3.2.3.1. Offshore Archaeological Resources

Due the response methods (i.e., subsea dispersants) and magnitude of the response (i.e., thousands of 

vessels), a catastrophic blowout and spill have a greater potential to impact offshore archaeological 

resources than other accidental events.

Deep Water

In contrast to smaller spills or spills in shallow water, the use of large quantities of subsea dispersants 

could be used for a catastrophic subsea blowout in deep water. This could result in currently unknown 

effects from dispersed oil droplets settling to the seafloor. Though information on the actual impacts to 

submerged cultural resources is inconclusive at this time, oil settling to the seafloor could come in contact 

with archaeological resources. At present, there is no evidence of this having occurred. A recent 

experimental study has suggested that, while the degradation of wood in terrestrial environments is 

initially retarded by contamination with crude oil, at later stages, the biodeterioration of wood was 

accelerated (Ejechi, 2003). While there are different environmental constraints that affect the degradation 

of wood in terrestrial and waterlogged environments, soft-rot fungal activity, one of the primary wood 

degrading organisms in submerged environments, was shown to be increased in the presence of crude oil. 
B-26 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

There is a possibility that oil from a catastrophic blowout could come in contact with wooden shipwrecks 

and artifacts on the seafloor and accelerate their deterioration. 

Ancillary damages from vessels associated with oil-spill response activities (e.g., anchoring) in deep 

water are unlikely because of the use of dynamically positioned vessels responding to a deepwater 

blowout. If response and support vessels were to anchor near a deepwater blowout site, the potential to 

damage undiscovered vessels in the area would be high because of the required number and the size of 

anchors and the length of mooring chains needed to safely secure vessels. Additionally, multiple offshore 

vessel decontamination stations would likely be established in shallow water outside of ports or entrances 

to inland waterways, as seen for the DWH event. The anchoring of vessels could result in damage to both 

known and undiscovered archaeological sites; the potential to impact archaeological resources increases 

as the density of anchoring activities in these areas increases.

Shallow Water 

The potential for damaging archaeological resources increases as the oil spill and related response 

activities progress landward. In shallower waters, most of the damage would be associated with oil 

cleanup and response activities. Thousands of vessels would respond to a shallow-water blowout and 

would likely anchor, potentially damaging both known and undiscovered archaeological sites. Additional 

anchoring would be associated with offshore vessel decontamination stations, as described above. As the 

spill moves into the intertidal zone, the chance of direct contact between the oil and archaeological 

resources increases. As discussed above, this could result in increased degradation of wooden shipwrecks 

and artifacts. 

Additionally, in shallower waters, shipwrecks often act as a substrate to corals and other organisms, 

becoming an essential component of the marine ecosystem. These organisms often form a protective 

layer over the shipwreck, virtually encasing the artifacts and hull remains. If these fragile ecosystems 

were destroyed as a result of the oil spill and the protective layer removed, the shipwreck would then be 

exposed to increased degradation until it reaches a new level of stasis with its surroundings. 

Regardless of water depth, because oil is a hydrocarbon, heavy oiling could contaminate organic 

materials associated with archaeological sites, resulting in erroneous dates from standard radiometric 

dating techniques (e.g., 14C-dating). Interference with the accuracy of 14C-dating would result in the loss 

of valuable data necessary to understand and interpret the sites. 

3.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing

In 2008, the Gulf of Mexico provided over 33 percent of the commercial fishery landings in the 

continental U.S. (excluding Alaska), with nearly 1.3 billion pounds valued at nearly $660 million

(USDOC, NMFS, 2010b). 

Even though sensory and chemical testing may show no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors 

and the results could be well below the levels of concern, NOAA Fisheries would be expected to close 

large portions of the Gulf of Mexico during a high-volume spill as a precautionary measure to ensure 

public safety and to assure consumer confidence in Gulf seafood (USDOC, NOAA, NOAA Fisheries 

Service, 2010a). Up to 30-40 percent of the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) could be 

closed to commercial fishing as the spill continues and expands (USDOC, NOAA, NOAA Fisheries 

Service, 2010b). This area could represent 50-75 percent of the Gulf seafood production (Flynn, 2010). 

The size of the closure area may peak about 50 days into the spill and persist another 2-3 months until the 

well is killed or capped and the remaining oil is recovered or dissipates. During this period, portions or 

all of individual State waters would also be closed to commercial fishing.

The economic impacts of closures on commercial fishing are difficult to predict because they are 

dependent on the season and would vary by fishery. If fishers cannot make up losses throughout the 

remainder of the season, a substantial part of their annual income would be lost. In some cases, 

commercial fishers will move to areas still open to fishing, but at a greater cost because of longer transit 

times. Marketing issues are also possible; even if the catch is uncontaminated, the public may lack 

confidence in the product.
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-27

3.2.3.3. Recreational Fishing

Up to 30-40 percent of the Gulf of Mexico EEZ could be closed to recreational fishing as the spill 

continues and expands (USDOC, NOAA, NOAA Fisheries, 2010b). The size of the closure area could 

peak about 50 days into the spill and continue for another 2-3 months until the well is killed or capped 

and the remaining oil is recovered or dissipates. During this period, portions or all of individual State 

waters would also be closed to recreational fishing.

In 2008, over 24 million recreational fishing trips were taken; these trips generated about $12 billion 

in sales, over $6 billion in value-added impacts, and over 100,000 jobs (USDOC, NOAA, NMFS, 2010b). 

About 33 percent of the total Gulf catch came on trips that fished primarily in Federal and State waters 

(Pritchard, 2009). Recreational fishing is focused in the summer months. During this time, scheduled 

tournaments would be hard to reschedule. If the spill affected that time of year, normal direct income and 

indirect income to the communities that host these tournaments would be lost for that year. If a 

catastrophic spill occurs in the summer, a substantial number of recreational fishing trips would not occur 

and the economic benefits they generate would be lost for that year.

3.2.3.4. Tourism and Recreational Resources

While the spill is still offshore, there could be some ocean-dependent recreation that is affected (e.g., 

fishing, diving), as discussed above. In addition, there may be some effects due either to perceived 

damage to onshore recreational resources that has not yet materialized or to general hesitation on the part 

of travelers to visit the overall region because of the spill. For example, studies during the DWH oil spill 

show that perceptions can influence recreational activity, even if an oil spill has not yet damaged physical 

resources in an area (The Knowland Group, 2010; Market Dynamics Research Group, 2010). However, 

the majority of the impacts of a catastrophic spill would occur once the spill has contacted shore, as 

discussed in Section 4.2.3.4. 

3.2.3.5. Employment and Demographics

In contrast to a less severe accidental event, suspension of some oil and gas activities would be likely 

following a catastrophic event. Depending on the duration and magnitude, this could impact hundreds of 

oil-service companies that supply the steel tubing, engineering services, drilling crews, and marine supply 

boats critical to offshore exploration. An interagency economic report estimated that the 6-month 

suspension, as a result of the DWH event, may have directly and indirectly resulted in up to 8,000-12,000 

fewer jobs along the Gulf Coast (USDOC, Economics and Statistics Administration, 2010). Most of 

these jobs were not permanently lost as a result of the suspension and returned following the resumption 

of deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. These estimates are lower than earlier estimates of 

15,000-60,000 rig and associated service jobs being at risk (Hargreaves, 2010; Louisiana Mid-Continent 

Oil and Gas Association, 2010; Zeller, 2010; Jindal, 2010). 

Whatever the number, much of the employment loss would be concentrated in coastal oil-service 

parishes in Louisiana (St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, Iberia, and Plaquemines) and counties/parishes 

where drilling-related employment is most concentrated (Harris County, Texas, in which Houston is 

located, and Lafayette Parish, Louisiana) (Nolan and Good, 2010; U.S. Dept. of Labor, BLS, 2010). 

There would be additional economic impacts to commercial and recreational fishing, as discussed in 

Sections 3.2.3.2 and 3.2.3.3. This impact is also expected to be more heavily concentrated in smaller 

businesses than in the larger companies (USDOC, Economics and Statistics Administration, 2010). 

Demographic impacts are unlikely from temporary job losses. 

3.2.3.6. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure

Impacts to tourism and recreational resources are addressed in Section 3.2.3.4. Possible fisheries 

closures are addressed in Sections 3.2.3.2 and 3.2.3.3. While still offshore, a catastrophic oil spill would 

not impact other land use or coastal infrastructure.
B-28 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

3.2.3.7. Environmental Justice

The environmental justice policy, based on Executive Order 12898 of February 11, 1994, directs 

agencies to incorporate into NEPA documents an analysis of potentially disproportionate and detrimental 

environmental and health effects of their proposed actions on minorities and low-income populations and 

communities. While the spill is still offshore, the primary environmental justice concern would be large 

commercial fishing closures disproportionately impacting minority fishers. In the event of a catastrophic 

spill, Federal and State agencies would be expected to close substantial portions of the Gulf to 

commercial and recreational fishing (USDOC, NOAA, 2010e). While oystering occurs “onshore,” oyster 

beds are also likely to be closed to harvests during Phase 2 of a catastrophic spill because of concerns 

about oil contamination and increased freshwater diversions to mitigate oil intrusion into the marshes (see 

Sections 3.2.3.2 and 3.2.3.3). These closures would directly impact commercial fishermen and 

oystermen, and indirectly impact such downstream activities as shrimp processing facilities and oyster 

shucking houses. The mostly African-American communities of Phoenix, Davant, and Point a la Hache 

in Plaquemines Parish are home to families with some of the few black-owned oyster leases, which 

because of freshwater diversion projects for coastal restoration have already been threatened (Mock, 

2010). 

The Gulf Coast hosts multiple minority and low-income groups whose use of natural resources of the 

offshore and coastal environments make them vulnerable to fishing closures. While not intended as an 

inventory of the area’s diversity, we have identified several Gulf Coast populations of particular concern. 

An estimated 20,000 Vietnamese fishermen and shrimpers live along the Gulf Coast; by 1990, over 1 in 

20 Louisiana fishers and shrimpers had roots in Southeast Asia even though they comprised less than half 

a percent of the State’s workforce (Bankston and Zhou, 1996). Vietnamese account for about one-third of 

all the fishermen in the central Gulf of Mexico (Ravitz, 2010). Islaños, African Americans, and Native 

American groups are also engaged in commercial fishing and oystering. Historically, Vietnamese and 

African Americans have worked in the fish processing and oyster shucking industries. Shucking houses 

particularly, have provided an avenue into the mainstream economy for minority groups. 

Therefore, fishing closures during Phase 2 of a catastrophic spill impacting the central Gulf of 

Mexico would disproportionately affect such minority groups as the Vietnamese, Native Americans, 

African Americans, and Islaños (Hemmerling and Colten, 2003). 

4. ONSHORE CONTACT (PHASE 3)

4.1. IMPACT-PRODUCING FACTORS AND SCENARIO

4.1.1. Duration

The duration of the shoreline oiling is measured from initial shoreline contact until the well is capped 

or killed and the remaining oil dissipates offshore. The time needed to cap or kill a well may vary, 

depending on the well’s water depth. Depending on the spill’s location in relation to winds and currents 

and the well’s distance to shore, oil could reach the coast within 1 week to 1 month, based on evidence 

from previous spills in the Gulf of Mexico OCS. While it is assumed that the majority of spilled oil 

would dissipate offshore within 30 days of stopping the flow, some oil may remain in coastal areas until 

cleaned, as seen in Louisiana following the DWH event (State of Louisiana, 2010a-d). 

4.1.1.1. Shallow Water

Due to the distance from shore, oil spilled as a result of a blowout in shallow water could reach shore 

within 1-3 weeks and could continue until the well is killed or capped (1-3 months) and the oil dissipates 

offshore (1 month). Therefore, it is estimated that shoreline oiling would likely occur for 1-4 months 

following a catastrophic blowout. 

4.1.1.2. Deep Water

As discussed in Section 3.1.1, intervention is more difficult and would take longer in deeper water. In 

general, most of the deep water in the Gulf of Mexico is located far from shore and, therefore, it is 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-29

assumed that oil would reach shore within 2-4 weeks. While most deep water is located far from shore, 

some areas of deep water are located relatively nearshore so that oil could reach shore earlier. 

The length of shoreline oiled would continue to increase until the well is killed or capped 

(3-4 months) and the oil dissipates offshore (1 month). Therefore, shoreline oiling could occur for 3 to 

more than 4 months following a catastrophic blowout. 

4.1.2. Volume of Oil

In the event of a catastrophic spill, not all of the oil spilled would contact shore. The amount of oil 

recovered and chemically or naturally dispersed would vary. For example, the following are recovery and 

cleanup rates from previous high-volume, extended spills:

• 10-40 percent of oil recovered or cleaned up (including burned, chemically dispersed, 

and skimmed); 

• 25-40 percent of oil naturally dispersed, evaporated, or dissolved; and 

• 20-65 percent of the oil remains available for biodegradation offshore or inshore 

contact. 

In the case of the DWH event, the “Expected” scenario, developed by the Oil Budget Calculator 

Science and Engineering Team of The Federal Interagency Solutions Group, suggests that more than one 

quarter (29%) was naturally or chemically dispersed into Gulf waters, while burning, skimming, and 

direct recovery from the wellhead removed one quarter (25%) of the oil released. Less than one quarter 

(23%) of the total oil naturally evaporated or dissolved. The residual amount, just under one quarter 

(23%), remained in the Gulf of Mexico as a light sheen, as tarballs that have washed ashore or are buried 

in sand and other sediments (The Federal Interagency Solutions Group, 2010). 

For planning purposes, USCG estimates that 5-30 percent of oil will reach shore in the event of an 

offshore spill (33 CFR 154, Appendix C, Table 2). Using the USCG assumptions, a catastrophic spill 

could still result in a large amount of oil reaching shore. 

4.1.3. Length of Shoreline Contacted

While larger spill volumes increase the chance of oil reaching the coast, other factors that influence 

the length and location of shoreline contacted include the duration of the spill and the well’s location in 

relation to winds, currents, and the shoreline. As seen with the DWH spill, as the spill continued, the 

length of oiled shoreline at any one time increased by orders of magnitude as follows:

Duration of Spill Length of Shoreline Oiled1

30 days 0-50 miles

60 days 50-100 miles

90 days 100-1,000 miles

120 days >1,000 miles2

1 Not cumulative. 2 Length was extrapolated.

Source: Operational Science Advisory Team, 2011.

Dependent upon winds and currents throughout the spill event, already impacted areas could be 

reoiled.

4.1.3.1. Shallow Water

While a catastrophic spill from a shallow-water blowout is expected to be lower in volume than a 

deepwater blowout, as explained in Section 3.1, the site would be closer to shore, allowing less time for 

oil to be weathered, dispersed, and recovered. This could result in a more concentrated and toxic oiling of 

the shoreline. 
B-30 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4.1.3.2. Deep Water

While a catastrophic spill from a deepwater blowout is expected to have a much greater volume than 

a shallow-water blowout (see Section 3.1), the site would be farther from shore, allowing more time for 

oil to be weathered, dispersed, and recovered. This could result in a broader, patchier oiling of the 

shoreline. 

Translocation of the spilled oil via winds and currents is also a factor in the length of shoreline 

contacted. For example, oil could enter the Loop Current and then the Gulf Stream. However, the longer 

it takes oil to travel, the more it would degrade, disperse, lose toxicity, and break into streamers and 

tarballs (USDOC, NOAA, Office of Response and Restoration, 2010d). 

4.1.4. Severe Weather

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, peaking in September. In 

an average Atlantic season, there are 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 Category 3 or higher storms 

(USDOC, NOAA, National Weather Service, 2010a). In the event of a hurricane, vessels would evacuate 

the area, delaying response efforts, including the drilling of relief wells. The storm surge may push oil to 

the coastline and inland as far as the surge reaches, or the storm surge may remove the majority of oil 

from shore, as seen in some of the previous spills reviewed.

Movement of oil during a hurricane would depend greatly on the track of the hurricane in relation to 

the slick. A hurricane’s winds rotate counter-clockwise. In general, a hurricane passing to the west of the 

slick could drive oil to the coast, while a hurricane passing to the east of the slick could drive the oil away 

from the coast. 

4.1.5. Onshore Cleanup Activities

As described in Section 3.1, a large-scale response effort would be expected for a catastrophic 

blowout. The number of vessels and responders would increase exponentially as the spill continued. In 

addition to the response described in Section 3.1.6, the following response is also estimated to occur once 

the spill contacts the shore. 

An exponential increase in the length of shoreline impacted would likely overwhelm response efforts. 

4.1.5.1. Shallow Water

• There would be 5-10 staging areas established. 

• Weathering permitting, about 200-300 skimmers could be deployed near shore to 

protect coastlines. 

4.1.5.2. Deep Water

• There would be 10-20 staging areas established.

• Weather permitting, about 500-600 skimmers could be deployed near shore to protect 

coastlines. As seen in Louisiana following the DWH event, a few hundred coastal 

skimmers could still be in operation a few months after the well is capped or killed 

(State of Louisiana, 2010e). 

4.2. MOST LIKELY AND MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

The most recent EIS’s prepared by this Agency for oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico 

identify in detail the potential impacts from reasonably foreseeable oil spills (USDOI MMS, 2007 and 

2008). The most likely and significant onshore impacts caused by a catastrophic spill are described 

below. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-31

4.2.1. Physical Resources

4.2.1.1. Air Quality

As the spill nears shore, there would be low-level concentrations of odor-causing pollutants 

associated with evaporative emissions from the oil spill. These may cause temporary eye, nose, or throat 

irritation, nausea, or headaches, but the doses are not thought to be high enough to cause long-term harm 

(USEPA, 2010b). However, responders could be exposed to levels higher than OSHA permissible 

exposure levels (U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, 2010b). During the DWH oil spill, USEPA took air 

samples at various onshore locations along the length of the Gulf coastline. All except three 

measurements of benzene were below 3 parts per billion (ppb). The highest level was 91 ppb. Emissions 

of benzene to the atmosphere result from gasoline vapors, auto exhaust, and chemical production and user 

facilities. Ambient concentrations of benzene up to and greater than 5 ppb have been measured in 

industrial areas such as Houston Texas, in various urban areas during rush hour, and inside the homes of 

smokers (U.S. Dept. of Human and Health Services, 2007). The following daily median benzene air 

concentrations were reported in the Volatile Organic Compound National Ambient Database (1975-

1985): remote (0.16 ppb); rural (0.47 ppb); suburban (1.8 ppb); urban (1.8 ppb); indoor air (1.8 ppb); and 

workplace air (2.1 ppb). The outdoor air data represent 300 cities in 42 states, while the indoor air data 

represent 30 cities in 16 states (Shah and Singh, 1988). 

During the DWH event, air samples collected by BP, OSHA, and USCG near shore showed levels of 

benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene that were mostly under detection levels. Among the 

28,000 personal benzene samples taken by BP, there was only one sample where benzene exceeded the 

OSHA Occupational Permissible Exposure Limits, and six additional validated constituents that were in 

excess of the ACGIH threshold limit value. All other sample concentrations were below the more 

stringent ACGIH threshold limit values (U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, 2010a). All measured 

concentrations of toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were well within the OSHA permissible exposure 

levels and ACGIH threshold limit values. 

4.2.1.2. Coastal Water Quality

Water quality governs the suitability of waters for plant, animal, and human use. Water quality is 

important in the bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters of the Gulf because these waters provide 

feeding, breeding, and/or nursery habitat for many commercially significant invertebrates and fishes, as 

well as sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. A catastrophic spill would significantly impact coastal 

water quality in the Gulf of Mexico. In the Gulf of Mexico, water quality prior to the DWH event was 

rated as fair while sediment quality was rated as poor (USEPA, 2008). In addition, the coastal habit 

index, a rating of wetlands habitat loss, was also rated as poor. Both the sediment quality and the coastal 

habitat index affect water quality. 

Though response efforts would decrease the amount of oil remaining in Gulf waters and reduce the 

amount of oil contacting the coastline, significant amounts of oil would remain. Coastal water quality 

would be impacted not only by the oil, gas, and their respective components but also to some degree from 

cleanup and mitigation efforts. Increased vessel traffic, hydromodification, and the addition of 

dispersants and methanol in an effort to contain, mitigate, or clean up the oil may also tax the 

environment. 

The use of dispersants as a response tool involves a tradeoff. The purpose of chemical dispersants is 

to facilitate the movement of oil into the water column in order to encourage weathering and biological 

breakdown of the oil (i.e., biodegradation) (NRC, 2005; Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 2010). 

Thus, the tradeoff is generally considered to be between the shoreline and surface of the water versus the 

water column and benthic resources (NRC, 2005). If the oil moves into the water column and is not on 

the surface of the water, it is less likely to reach sensitive shore areas (USEPA, 2010c). Since sea birds 

are often on the surface of the water or in shore areas, dispersants are also considered to be very effective 

in reducing the exposure of sea birds to oil (Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 2010). In addition to 

dispersion being enhanced by artificial processes, oil may also be dispersed from natural processes. For 

instance, microbial metabolism of crude oil results in the dispersion of oil (Bartha and Atlas, 1983). 

Dispersion has both positive and negative effects. The positive effect is that the oil, once dispersed, is 

more available to be degraded. The negative effect is that the oil, once dispersed, is more available to 

microorganisms, which temporarily increases the toxicity (Bartha and Atlas, 1983). Toxicity of dispersed 
B-32 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

oil in the environment will depend on many factors, including the effectiveness of the dispersion, 

temperature, salinity, the degree of weathering, type of dispersant, and degree of light penetration in the 

water column (NRC, 2005). The toxicity of dispersed oil is primarily because of the toxic components of 

the oil itself (Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 2010). 

Oxygen and nutrient concentrations in coastal waters vary seasonally. The zone of hypoxia (depleted 

oxygen) on the Louisiana-Texas shelf occurs seasonally and is affected by the timing of freshwater 

discharges from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, which carry nutrients to the surface waters. The 

hypoxic conditions continue until local wind-driven circulation mixes the water again. The 2010 hypoxic 

zone could not be linked to the DWH event in either a positive or a negative manner (Louisiana 

Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), 2010). Nutrients from the Mississippi River nourished

phytoplankton and attributed to the formation of the hypoxic zone. 

4.2.2. Biological Resources

Recent EIS’s prepared by this Agency for oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico detail the 

potential localized impacts to individuals from reasonably foreseeable oil spills. However, a catastrophic 

event, such as a high-volume, extended-duration spill resulting from a blowout, has the potential to cause 

population level impacts, as described below. 

Dozens of Federal and State-listed threatened and endangered species, including marine mammals, 

sea turtles, fish, and birds, could continue to be impacted during Phase 3 of a catastrophic oil spill as oil 

and response activities persist. Additional species could be impacted in extreme conditions (i.e., oil is 

pushed onto beaches or into rivers or marshes because of a hurricane) (USDOI, FWS, 2010a and 2010b). 

4.2.2.1. Coastal and Marine Birds

Gulf coastal habitats are essential to the annual cycles of many species of breeding, wintering, and 

migrating waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and songbirds. For example, the northern Gulf Coast 

supports a disproportionately high number of beach-nesting bird species (USDOI, FWS, 2010c). Once oil 

contacts shore, a few dozen to over a hundred birds could be impacted daily by oiling and/or collection. 

By extrapolating the number of birds impacted as a result of the DWH event, a spill lasting 120 days 

could result in direct mortality of over 7,000 birds (USDOI, FWS, 2010d). This number does not reflect 

total realized mortality but rather only the actual number of birds recovered as of October 2010. This 

number represents a small fraction of total bird mortality because of carcasses sinking, being scavenged, 

drifting outside the search zone, or simply going undetected because of wind, current, weather, and 

habitat factors (Ford et al., 1987; Piatt et al., 1990; Fowler and Flint, 1997; Flint et al., 1999; Wiese and 

Robertson, 2004; Byrd et al., 2009). In an early review of oil-related mortality for seabirds, Dunnet et al. 

(1982) provided an estimate of 10 percent, and 60 percent of the dead birds may be recovered under 

typical field conditions. Piatt and Ford (1996, Table 1) summarized recovery rates from 17 carcass-drift 

experiments, indicating a range of 0-59 percent of carcasses being recovered. Using data from the Exxon 

Valdez oil spill, Piatt and Ford (1996) estimated recovery rates from joint probability and Monte Carlos 

simulations of only 8.0 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively. 

The timing and location of the spill are the two primary factors for determining the severity of 

impacts on birds. The worst impacts to oiled birds or to those birds that have ingested oil with their prey 

would be if the oil spill occurs during the nesting season. An oil spill during nesting season could result 

in the loss of entire colonies of breeding birds on barrier islands surrounded by oil, along with the 

potential loss of all eggs and nestlings. Losses of shorebirds could occur through direct oiling of beaches 

on which nests are located, by oil covering the feeding sites near the nesting locations, or by the deaths of 

oiled parents, leaving eggs or hatchlings unprotected and unfed. 

Endangered and Threatened Birds

Four species listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that could be 

affected by a catastrophic oil spill are the piping plover (Charadrius melodus), Mississippi sandhill crane 

(Grus Canadensis pulla), whooping crane (Grus americana), and wood stork (Mycteria americana). The 

Midwest Population of piping plovers, which nests along the Great Lakes, is listed as endangered while 

the Atlantic Coast and Northern Great Plains Populations are listed as threatened. The critical habitat for 

the plover is found within the wintering area, which includes areas along the Gulf Coast from Texas to 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-33

Florida (LeDee et al., 2008, Figure 1; Haig et al., 2005, Figure 1), where they feed on aquatic insects, 

invertebrates, and small crustaceans along the advancing and retreating water line of the beaches. 

Unknown numbers of piping plovers could therefore become oiled or have their feeding areas oiled if a 

spill occurred during the time of year, roughly October through March, when plovers are present (Haig 

et al., 2005, Figure 1 and Table 2).

The cranes and wood stork are tall wading birds. The whooping crane is found in Texas, Louisiana, 

and Florida, and the wood stork is found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The only 

self-sustaining wild population nests in the Northwest Territories and adjacent areas of Alberta, Canada, 

primarily within the boundaries of Wood Buffalo National Park. These birds winter in coastal marshes 

and estuarine habitats along the Gulf Coast in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, and they 

represent the majority of the world’s population of free-ranging whooping cranes. A total of 

10 whooping cranes were reintroduced to Louisiana in the White Lake Conservation Area (about 17 mi

[27 km] from the Gulf Coast) during the winter of 2011 as a nonessential experimental population. The 

Mississippi sandhill crane population was listed as endangered on June 4, 1973, under the Endangered 

Species Act. This nonmigratory species is found only in Mississippi, but historically it may have ranged

in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida (USDOI, FWS, 1973, 1991; Tacha et al., 1992).

Both the whooping and sandhill crane species use marsh habitats and eat small fish, frogs, mollusks, 

snails, insects, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. Thus, they could both become oiled directly if oil 

reaches the marshes. They could also ingest oil along with their primary prey items, and their prey could 

be substantially reduced because of oil, resulting in a decline in health and reproduction in both species of 

wading birds. However, both species of cranes are located somewhat away from the shoreline of the open 

Gulf of Mexico and would not be likely to be affected by a catastrophic spill unless it worked its way into 

estuarine marshes.

The U.S. breeding population of wood storks was listed as endangered for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, 

and South Carolina under the Endangered Species Act on February 24, 1984, because of the overall 

impact of human activities on breeding colonies. Although it likely has a low probability of oiling from a 

catastrophic spill due to its selection of more inland freshwater marshes, it may forage in coastal, 

brackish, or saltwater marshes, thus increasing its probability of oiling in the case where spilled oil is 

pushed into the rivers and marshes because of hurricanes, tropical storms, and the associated storm surge.

4.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat

The life history of estuarine-dependent species involves spawning on the continental shelf, 

transportation of eggs, larvae or juveniles back to the estuary nursery grounds and migration of the adults 

back to the sea for spawning (Deegan, 1989; Beck et al., 2001). Estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico are 

extremely important nursery areas and are considered essential fish habitat for fish and aquatic life (Beck 

et al., 2001). Oiling of these areas, depending on the severity, can destroy nutrient-rich marshes and 

erode coastlines that have been significantly damaged by recent hurricanes. 

The Gulf of Mexico supports a wide variety of finfish, and most of the commercial finfish resources 

are linked either directly or indirectly to the estuaries that ring the Gulf of Mexico. Darnell et al. (1983) 

observed that the density distribution of fish resources in the Gulf was highest nearshore off of the central 

Gulf Coast. For all seasons, the greatest abundance occurred between Galveston Bay and the mouth of 

the Mississippi River. Monthly ichthyoplankton collections over the years 2004-2006 offshore of 

Alabama have confirmed that peak seasons for ichthyoplankton concentrations on the shelf are spring and 

summer (Hernandez et al., 2010). Therefore, if a catastrophic blowout occurs in the spring and summer 

seasons, it could cause greater harm to fish populations and not just individual fish.

Oyster beds could be damaged by freshwater diversions that release tens of thousands of cubic feet of 

freshwater per second for months in an effort to keep oil out of the marshes. Adult oysters survive well 

physiologically in salinities from those of estuarine waters (about 7.5 parts per thousand sustained) to full 

strength seawater (Davis, 1958). While oysters may tolerate small changes in salinity for a few weeks, a 

rapid decrease in salinity over months would kill oysters. In the event of a catastrophic oil spill, the 

year’s oyster production would be lost because of exposure to freshwater and/or oil. Depending on the 

severity, oyster beds could take 2-5 years to recover (Burdeau, 2010). 
B-34 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4.2.2.3. Marine Mammals

Section 3.2.2 discusses the most likely and most significant impacts to the offshore marine mammal 

community. A high-volume oil spill lasting 120 days could directly impact over 20 species of marine 

mammals. As a spill enters coastal waters, manatees and coastal and estuarine dolphins would be the 

most likely to be affected. 

Manatees primarily inhabit open coastal (shallow nearshore) areas and estuaries, and they are also 

found far up in freshwater tributaries. During warmer months, manatees are common along the Gulf 

Coast of Florida from the Everglades National Park northward to the Suwannee River in northwestern 

Florida, and they are less common farther westward. In winter, the Gulf of Mexico subpopulations move 

southward to warmer waters. The winter range is restricted to waters at the southern tip of Florida and to 

waters near localized warm-water sources, such as power plant outfalls and natural springs in west-central 

Florida. Manatees are infrequently found as far west as Texas (Powell and Rathbun, 1984; Rathbun et al., 

1990; Schiro et al., 1998). If a catastrophic oil spill reached the Florida coast when manatees were in or 

near coastal waters, the spill could have population-level effects. 

It is possible that manatees could occur in coastal areas where vessels traveling to and from the spill 

site could affect them. A manatee present where there is vessel traffic could be injured or killed by a 

vessel strike (Wright et al., 1995). Due to the large number of vessels responding to a catastrophic spill 

both in coastal waters and traveling through coastal waters to the offshore site, manatees would have an 

increased risk of collisions with boats. Vessel strikes are the primary cause of death of manatees.

There have been no experimental studies and only a few observations suggesting that oil impacts have 

harmed any manatees (St. Aubin and Lounsbury, 1990). Types of impacts to manatees and dugongs from 

contact with oil include (1) asphyxiation because of inhalation of hydrocarbons, (2) acute poisoning 

because of contact with fresh oil, (3) lowering of tolerance to other stress because of the incorporation of 

sublethal amounts of petroleum components into body tissues, (4) nutritional stress through damage to 

food sources, and (5) inflammation or infection and difficulty eating because of oil sticking to the sensory 

hairs around their mouths (Preen, 1989, in Sadiq and McCain, 1993; Australian Maritime Safety 

Authority, 2003). For a population whose environment is already under great pressure, even a localized 

incident could be significant (St. Aubin and Lounsbury, 1990). Spilled oil might affect the quality or 

availability of aquatic vegetation, including seagrasses, upon which manatees feed. The 2009 Stock 

Assessment Report (USDOI, FWS, 2009) for the Florida stock of West Indian manatees estimates that 

there is a minimum population estimate of 3,802 individuals based on a single synoptic survey of warmwater refuges in January 2009. The manatee’s potential biological removal is the maximum number of 

animals, not including natural mortalities, that may be removed from the population or stock while 

allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population and is approximately 

12 individuals. Therefore, if a catastrophic spill and response vessel traffic occurred near manatee 

habitats in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, population level impacts could occur because the possibility exists 

for the number of mortalities to exceed the potential biological removal. 

Bottlenose dolphins were the most affected species of marine mammals from the DWH event. There 

were 171 marine mammals collected as of April 20, 2010 (the majority of which were deceased). This 

includes 155 bottlenose dolphins, 2 Kogia spp., 2 melon-headed whales, 6 spinner dolphins, 2 sperm 

whales, and 4 unknown species (USDOC, NOAA, NOAA Fisheries, 2011). It is also important to note 

that evaluations have not yet confirmed the cause of death, and it is possible that not all carcasses were 

related to the DWH event. Bottlenose dolphins can be found throughout coastal waters in the Gulf of 

Mexico. Like manatees, dolphins could be affected, possibly to population level, by a catastrophic oil 

spill if it reaches the coast (as well as affecting them in the open ocean), through direct contact, 

inhalation, ingestion, and stress, as well as through collisions with cleanup vessels.

4.2.2.4. Sea Turtles

Out of the five species of sea turtle that occur in the Gulf of Mexico, only three nest in this area. The 

largest nesting location for the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, but they also nest in 

Texas. Loggerhead sea turtles nest in all states around the Gulf of Mexico. There are also records of 

nesting colonies of hawksbill sea turtles in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (Plotkin, 1995; OBISSEAMAP, 2009). Kemp’s ridley, loggerhead, and hawksbill sea turtles are therefore most likely to be 

affected by a catastrophic oil spill when there is onshore contact. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-35

Female sea turtles seasonally emerge during the warmer summer months to nest on beaches. 

Thousands of sea turtles nest along the Gulf Coast, and turtles could build nests on oiled beaches. Nests 

could also be disturbed or destroyed by cleanup efforts. Untended booms could wash ashore and become 

a barrier to sea turtle adults and hatchlings (USDOC, NOAA, 2010f). Hatchlings, with a naturally high 

mortality rate, could traverse the beach through oiled sand and swim through oiled water to reach 

preferred habitats of Sargassum floats. Response efforts could include mass movement of eggs from 

hundreds of nests or thousands of hatchlings from Gulf Coast beaches to the east coast of Florida or to the 

open ocean to prevent hatchlings entering oiled waters (Jernelöv and Lindén, 1981; USDOI, FWS, 

2010e). Due to poorly understood mechanisms that guide female sea turtles back to the beaches where 

they hatched, it is uncertain if relocated hatchlings would eventually return to the Gulf Coast to nest 

(Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2010). Therefore, shoreline oiling and response 

efforts may affect future population levels and reproduction (USDOI, NPS, 2010). Sea turtle hatchling 

exposure to, fouling by, or consumption of tarballs persisting in the sea following the dispersal of an oil 

slick would likely be fatal. 

4.2.2.5. Terrestrial Mammals and Reptiles

Beach Mice

Seven subspecies of the field mouse, collectively known as beach mice, live along the Gulf Coast. 

Five subspecies of beach mice (Alabama, Perdido Key, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, and Anastasia 

Island) are listed as State and federally endangered; the southeastern beach mouse is listed as federally 

threatened; and the Santa Rosa beach mouse is a Federal species of concern. Beach mice are restricted to 

the coastal barrier sand dunes along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida. Erosion caused by the loss 

of vegetation because of oiling would likely cause more damage than the direct oiling of beach mice, 

because of degradation or loss of habitat. In addition, vehicular traffic and activity associated with 

cleanup can trample or bury beach mice nests and burrows or cause displacement from preferred habitat. 

Improperly trained personnel and vehicle and foot traffic during shoreline cleanup of a catastrophic spill 

would disturb beach mouse populations and would degrade or destroy habitat. 

The Alabama, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, and Perdido Key beach mice are already designated as 

protected species under the Endangered Species Act because of the loss of coastal habitat (USDOI, MMS, 

2007). The species’ coastal habitat is designated as their critical habitat. For example, the endangered 

Alabama beach mouse’s (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates) habitat is 1,211 acres (490 hectares) of 

frontal dunes covering just 10 mi (16 km) of shoreline designated as critical habitat (USDOI, FWS, 

2007). Critical habitat is the specific geographic areas that are essential for the conservation of a 

threatened or endangered species. With the potential oiling of over 1,000 mi (1,609 km) of shoreline, the 

entire critical habitat for a subspecies of beach mice could be completely oiled. Thus, destruction of the 

remaining habitat because of a catastrophic spill and cleanup activities would increase the threat of 

extinction of several subspecies of beach mice.

Diamondback Terrapin

The Texas diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis) and the Mississippi diamondback 

terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin pileata) are two subspecies of terrapin that occur in the Gulf of Mexico, 

and they are Federal species of concern. The former’s range runs from Louisiana through Texas, while 

the latter’s includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida (USDOI, FWS, 2010f). Terrapins 

inhabit brackish waters including coastal marshes, tidal flats, creeks, and lagoons behind barrier beaches 

(Hogan, 2003). Their diet consists of fish, snails, worms, clams, crabs, and marsh plants (Cagle, 1952). 

Spending most of their lives at the aquatic-terrestrial boundary in estuaries, terrapins are susceptible to 

habitat destruction from oil-spill cleanup efforts as well as direct contact with oil. However, most impacts 

cannot be quantified at this time. Even after the oil is no longer visible, terrapins may still be exposed 

while they forage in the salt marshes lining the edges of estuaries, where oil may have accumulated under 

the sediments and within the food chain. Terrapin nests can also be disturbed or destroyed by cleanup 

efforts. The range of the possible chronic effects from oil and dispersants contact including lethal or 

sublethal oil-related injuries may include skin irritation from the oil or dispersants, respiratory problems 

from the inhalation of volatile petroleum compounds or dispersants, gastrointestinal problems caused by 
B-36 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

the ingestion of oil or dispersants, and damage to other organs because of the ingestion or inhalation of 

these chemicals. 

4.2.2.6. Coastal Habitats

A spill from a catastrophic blowout lasting up to 120 days could impact over 1,000 mi (1,609 km) of 

shoreline. Shoreline oiling would vary between heavy, moderate, light, and occasional tarballs. Due to 

the length of shoreline that could potentially be oiled and the sensitivity of the Gulf Coast, a high-volume, 

extended-duration spill could cause extensive habitat degradation. Loss of vegetation could lead to 

erosion and permanent landloss. 

In some previous spills reviewed, a strong storm removed the majority of oil from shore. However, 

storm surges may carry oil into the coastline and inland as far as the surge reaches. In addition, four 

significant hurricanes (Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike) have made landfall along the Texas/Louisiana coast 

in the last 6 years, greatly degrading the coastal beaches, marshes, and barrier islands, making them more 

susceptible to a catastrophic spill.

Coastal Barrier Beaches and Associated Dunes

Barrier islands make up more than two-thirds of the northern Gulf of Mexico shore. Each of the 

barrier islands is either high profile or low profile, depending on the elevations and morphology of the 

island (Morton et al., 2004). The distinguishing characteristics of the high- and low-profile barriers relate 

to the width of the islands along with the continuity of the frontal dunes. Low-profile barriers are narrow 

with discontinuous frontal dunes easily overtopped by storm surge, which makes the island susceptible to 

over wash and secondarily to erosion. This over wash can create channels to bring sand onto the island or 

into lagoons formed on these islands. High-profile barrier islands are generally wider than the low-profile 

islands and have continuous, vegetated, frontal dunes with elevations high enough to prevent over wash 

from major storm surge and, therefore, are less susceptible to erosion. The sand stored in these highprofile dunes allows the island to withstand prolonged erosion and therefore prevents breaching, which 

could result in damaging the island core. 

As a result of a catastrophic spill, many of the barrier islands and beaches would receive varying 

degrees of oiling. Oil disposal on sand and vegetated sand dunes would have little deleterious effects on 

the existing vegetation or on the recolonization of the oiled sands by plants (Webb, 1988). The depth of 

oiling would be variable, based on the wave environment and sediment source at a particular beach head. 

Layering of oil and sand could occur if it was not cleaned before another tidal cycle. However, most 

areas of oiling are expected to be light, and sand removal during cleanup activities should be minimized. 

In areas designated as natural wilderness areas (e.g., Breton National Wildlife National Refuge and Gulf 

Islands National Seashore), land managers may require little to no disruption of the natural system. In 

these environments it is preferred to let the oil degrade naturally without aggressive and intrusive cleanup 

procedures. Manual rather than mechanized removal techniques will be used in these areas and only if 

heavy oiling has occurred. Thus, these areas may not be treated as thoroughly as other shorelines.

Once oil has reached the beaches and barrier islands and becomes buried or sequestered, it becomes 

difficult to treat. During wave events when the islands and beaches erode, the oil can become 

remobilized and transported. Thus, the fate of oil is not as simple as either reaching land, becoming 

sequestered, or being treated; but must be considered in terms of a continuing process of sequestration, 

remobilization, and transport. 

For spilled oil to move onto beaches or across dunes, strong southerly winds must persist for an 

extended time prior to or immediately after the spill to elevate water levels. Strong winds, however, 

would reduce the impact severity at a landfall site because they would accelerate the processes of oil-slick 

dispersal, spill spreading, and oil weathering. 

Due to the distance of beaches from deepwater blowout and the combination of weathering and 

dispersant treatment of the oil offshore, the toxicity of the oil reaching shore should be greatly reduced, 

thereby minimizing the chances of irreversible damage to the impacted areas. A blowout in shallower 

waters near shore may have equal or greater impacts because of a shorter period of weathering and 

dispersion prior to shoreline contact, even though a smaller volume of spilled oil is expected. 

Vessel traffic in close proximity to barrier islands has been shown to move considerably more bottom 

sediment than tidal currents, thus increasing coastal and barrier island erosion rates. If staging areas are 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-37

in close proximity to these islands, recovery time of the barrier islands could be greatly extended because 

of the magnitude of vessels responding to a catastrophic spill. 

Wetlands 

Coastal wetland habitats in the Gulf of Mexico occur as bands around waterways; broad expanses of 

saline, brackish, and freshwater marshes; mud and sand flats; and forested wetlands of cypress-tupelo 

swamps and bottomland hardwoods. A spill from a catastrophic blowout could oil a few to several 

hundreds of acres of wetlands depending on the depth of inland penetration (Burdeau and Collins, 2010). 

This would vary from moderate to heavy oiling. 

The NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) ranks shorelines according to their sensitivity to 

oil, the natural persistence of oil, and the expected ease of cleanup after an oil spill. These factors cause 

oil to persist in coastal and estuarine areas (USDOI, MMS, 2010). According to the ESI, the most 

sensitive shoreline types (i.e., sheltered tidal flats, vegetated low banks, salt/brackish-water marshes, 

freshwater marshes/swamps, and scrub-shrub wetlands) tend to accumulate oil and are difficult to clean, 

thus causing oil to persist in these coastal and estuarine areas (USDOI, MMS, 2010). 

In case of catastrophic spills in the GOM, preemptive oil-response strategies would be initiated and 

include the deployment of oil booms, skimmer ships, and barge barriers to protect the beaches and the 

wetlands behind them. Boom deployment must also include plans for monitoring and maintaining the 

protective booms systems to assure that these systems are installed and functioning properly and that they 

are not damaging the wetlands they are trying to protect. In most cases, the beach face would take the 

most oil; however, in areas where the marsh is immediately adjacent to the beach face or embayments, or 

in the case of small to severe storms, marshes would be oiled. For example, in Alabama, Mississippi, and 

Florida, severe weather could push oil into the tidal pools and back beach areas that support tidal marsh 

vegetation.

Previous studies of other large spills have shown that, when oil has a short residence time in the 

marsh and it is not incorporated into the sediments, the marsh vegetation has a good chance of survival, 

even though aboveground die-off of marsh vegetation may occur (Lin et al., 2002). However, if reoiling 

occurs after the new shoots from an initial oiling are produced, such that the new shoots are killed, then 

the marsh plants may not have enough stored energy to produce a second round of new shoots. Longer 

term damage may result from continued reoiling than from a temporally continuous oiling (Lin et al,

2002; Lin and Mendelssohn, 2009). Other studies noted the utilization of dispersants in the proper 

dosages results in a reduction in marsh damage from oiling (Lin and Mendelssohn, 2009). The works of 

several investigators (Webb et al., 1981 and 1985; Alexander and Webb, 1983 and 1987; Lytle, 1975; 

Delaune et al., 1979; Fischel et al., 1989) evaluated the effects of potential spills to area wetlands. For 

wetlands along the central Louisiana coast, the critical oil concentration is assumed to be 0.025 gallons 

per ft2 (1.0 liter per m2

) of marsh. Concentrations less than this may cause diebacks for one growing 

season or less, depending upon the concentration and the season during which contact occurs. The 

duration and magnitude of a spill resulting from a catastrophic blowout could result in concentrations 

above this critical level and would result in longer term effects to wetland vegetation, including some 

plant mortality and loss of land. 

Due to the distance of deep water from shore, the possibility of a spill from a deepwater blowout 

reaching coastal wetlands with the toxicity to significantly impact the coastal wetlands is low because of

the response procedures implemented during a catastrophic spill. The utilization of nearshore booming 

protection for beaches and wetlands, in combination with offshore skimming, burning, and dispersal 

treatments for the oil near the spill site, would result in capture and detoxification of the majority of oil 

reaching shore. Therefore, a spill from a shallow-water blowout is more likely to contribute to wetland 

damage.

The activity of oil cleanup can result in additional impacts on wetlands if not done properly. During 

the DWH event, aggressive onshore and marsh cleanup methods were not utilized. 

Submerged Vegetation

Approximately 500,000 hectares (1.25 million acres) of submerged seagrass beds are estimated to 

exist in exposed, shallow coastal waters and embayments of the northern Gulf of Mexico, and over 

80 percent of this area is in Florida Bay and Florida coastal waters (Beck et al., 2006; Carlson and 
B-38 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Madley, 2006). Submerged vegetation distribution depends on an interrelationship between a number of 

environmental factors that include temperature, water depth, turbidity, salinity, turbulence, and substrate 

suitability (Sheridan and Minello, 2003). Marine seagrass beds generally occur in shallow, relatively 

clear, protected waters with predominantly sand bottoms (Short et al., 2001). Freshwater submerged 

aquatic vegetation (SAV) species occur in the low-salinity waters of coastal estuaries (Castellanos and 

Rozas, 2001). Seagrasses and freshwater SAV’s provide important habitat for immature shrimp, black 

drum, spotted sea trout, juvenile southern flounder, and several other fish species and provide a food 

source for species of wintering waterfowl (Castellanos and Rozas, 2001; Short et al., 2001; Caldwell, 

2003). These areas would have considerable impact from various cleanup efforts, such as increased 

vessel traffic. Although many of the beds are protected by extensive barrier islands, severe storms can 

cause inundation and overwashing of these islands, resulting in oiling of the seagrass beds if the storm 

occurred during an oil spill. In addition, boom anchors could damage seagrass beds (USDOC, NOAA, 

2010f). It is assumed that there would be a decrease in submerged vegetation and a negative impact on 

the bed communities in a highly affected area. If bays and estuaries accrue oil, there is an assumption that 

there would be a decrease in seagrass cover and negative community impacts. Depending on the species 

and environmental factors, seagrasses may exhibit minimal impacts from a spill; however, communities 

within the beds could accrue greater negative outcomes (Jackson et al., 1989; Taylor et al., 2006). 

Community effects could range from direct mortality because of smothering or indirect mortality from 

loss of food sources and loss of habitat because of a decrease in ecological performance of the entire 

system (Zieman et al., 1984). 

4.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources

4.2.3.1. Onshore Archaeological Resources

Regardless of the water depth in which the catastrophic blowout occurs, it is assumed that more than 

1,000 mi (1,609 km) of shoreline could be oiled to some degree. Onshore prehistoric and historic sites 

would be impacted to some extent by a high-volume spill from a catastrophic blowout that reaches shore. 

Sites on barrier islands could suffer the heaviest impact (McGimsey, personal communication, 2010). A 

few prehistoric sites in Louisiana, located inland from the coastline in the marsh and along bayous, could 

experience some light oiling. As discussed above, impacts would include the loss of ability to accurately 

date organic material from archaeological sites because of contamination. Efforts to prevent coastal 

cultural resources from becoming contaminated by oil would likely be overwhelmed in the event of a 

hurricane and by the magnitude of shoreline impacted. The most significant damage to archaeological 

sites could be related to cleanup and response efforts. Fortunately, important lessons were learned from 

the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska in 1989, in which the greatest damage to archaeological sites was related 

to cleanup activities and looting by cleanup crews rather than from the oil itself (Bittner, 1996). As a 

result, cultural resources were recognized as significant early in the response, and archaeologists are, at 

present, embedded in Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Teams (SCAT) and are consulting with cleanup 

crews. Historic preservation representatives are present at both the Joint Incident Command as well as 

each Area Command under the general oversight of the National Park Service to coordinate response 

efforts (Odess, personal communication, 2010). Despite these efforts, some archaeological sites suffered 

damage from looting or from spill cleanup activities (most notably the parade ground at Fort Morgan, 

Alabama) (Odess, personal communication, 2011). 

4.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing

In addition to closures in Federal waters, portions of individual State waters would also be closed to 

commercial fishing. The economic impacts of closures on commercial fishing are complicated to predict 

because it is dependent on season and would vary by fishery. If fishers cannot make up losses in the 

remainder of the season, a substantial part of their annual income will be lost. In some cases, commercial 

fishers may move to areas still open to fishing, but at a greater cost because of longer transits. 

4.2.3.3. Recreational Fishing

In addition to closures in Federal waters, portions to of individual State waters would also be closed 

to recreational fishing. More than 67 percent of the total Gulf catch came on trips that fished primarily in 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-39

inland waters (Pritchard, 2009). In 2008, over 24 million recreational fishing trips were taken, which 

generated about $12 billion in sales, over $6 billion in value added impacts, and over 100,000 jobs 

(USDOC, NOAA, NMFS, 2010b). The majority of recreational fishing occurs in the summer months. 

During this time, scheduled fishing tournaments are held and would be hard to reschedule. If the spill 

affected the summer months, normal direct income and indirect income to the communities that host these 

tournaments would be lost for that year. If a catastrophic spill occurs in the summer, the majority of 

recreational fishing trips would not occur and economic benefits they generate would be lost for that year. 

4.2.3.4. Tourism and Recreational Resources

Tourism and recreation are integral components of the economy of the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors to 

Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida spent approximately $145 billion in 2008 (U.S. 

Travel Association (2010). This spending helped to support approximately 2.4 million jobs in recreationbased industries statewide (U.S. Dept. of Labor, 2010a). Roughly 600,000 of these jobs are in counties 

and parishes that are directly along the coast, making them particularly vulnerable to a catastrophic event 

and the likely associated decrease in tourism. Recreation jobs account for 14.8 percent of Gulf Coast 

employment, greater than the national average of 12.4 percent (QCEW Fact Sheet). The coastal counties 

and parishes that have the highest concentration of recreation workers (over 10,000 workers) in each state 

are as follows: Cameron, Nueces, and Galveston Counties (Texas); Jefferson and Orleans Parishes

(Louisiana); Harrison County (Mississippi); Mobile and Baldwin Counties (Alabama); and Escambia, 

Okaloosa, Bay, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, Collier, Broward, and MiamiDade Counties (Florida). Gulf Coast recreational employment is reasonably cyclical, with the peak 

months during the past few years occurring between March and June (U.S. Dept. of Labor, 2010b). 

A catastrophic spill has the potential to significantly impact the Gulf Coast recreation and tourism 

industries. The water-dependent and beach-dependent components of these industries would be 

particularly vulnerable. This is particularly true for some of the nature parks and island resources directly 

along the coast, such as Padre Island National Seashore (Texas), Dauphin Island (Alabama), and the Gulf 

Islands National Seashore (Mississippi/Florida). Kaplan and Whitman (unpublished) attempt to isolate 

the economic significance of the recreational resources in the Gulf of Mexico that are particularly relevant 

to OCS oil and gas activities. They found roughly 60,000 jobs that were dependent on these activities in 

2005, although there is uncertainty with this estimate, because of measurement issues and events that 

have occurred since their data collection period (most notably Hurricane Katrina). 

In analyzing the potential impacts of a catastrophic spill, one must also consider the range of activities 

that depend on the base resources that may be affected. For example, the restaurant and lodging 

industries are particularly important to the Gulf economy. They are also sensitive to general tourism 

trends in any particular area. However, the economic impacts on these sectors from a spill may be 

partially offset because of an influx of cleanup and relief workers. Finally, one should consider the 

economic context in which a catastrophic event occurs. The DWH event occurred in the context of an 

economy that was only beginning to recover from a very deep recession. In difficult economic times, 

recreation workers may be more prone to being laid off in response to a catastrophic event. Workers may 

also find it more difficult to transition between jobs, which can increase the severity of the economic 

effects. In a recession, tourism also may be more sensitive both to actual damage and to perceptions of 

economic problems within a region. 

4.2.3.5. Employment and Demographics

By the end of a catastrophic spill, up to 50,000 personnel would be expected to have responded to 

protect the shoreline and wildlife and to cleanup vital coastlines. The degree to which new cleanup jobs 

offset job losses would vary greatly from county to county (or parish to parish). However, these new jobs 

would not make up for lost jobs, in terms of dollar revenue. In most cases, cleanup personnel are paid 

less (e.g., $15-$18 per hour compared with roughly $45 per hour on a drilling rig), resulting in consumers 

in the region having reduced incomes overall and thus, investing less money in the economy (Aversa, 

2010). Permanent demographic impacts are unlikely from these temporary jobs. 

There would be additional economic impacts to tourism and both recreational and commercial 

fishing, as discussed in Sections 4.2.3.2 through 4.2.3.4 above. 
B-40 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

4.2.3.6. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure

In the event of a catastrophic spill, impacts on land use and infrastructure would be temporary and 

variable in nature. These impacts include land use in staging areas, waste disposal locations and 

capacities, and potential delays because of vessel decontamination stations near ports, as described below. 

Up to 20 staging areas and as many as 50,000 responders would likely result in increased traffic 

congestion and some possible competing land-use issues near the staging areas, depending on the real 

estate market at the time of the event. Some infrastructure categories, such as vessels, ports, docks and 

wharves, would likely become very engaged in response activities and this could result in a shortage of 

space and functionality at infrastructure facilities if ongoing drilling activities were simultaneously 

occurring. However, if a drilling suspension was enacted, like the one related to the DWH event, 

conflicting demands on infrastructure facilities would likely fail to materialize (Dismukes, personal 

communication, 2010a). 

In the category of waste disposal, the impacts would be more visible as thousands of tons of oily 

liquid and solid wastes from the oil-spill cleanup are disposed of in onshore landfills. The USEPA, in 

consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard, would likely issue solid-waste management directives to address 

the issue of contaminated materials and solid or liquid wastes that are recovered as a result of cleanup 

operations (USEPA, 2010d and 2010e). 

For navigation and port use, there is also the potential for delays in cargo handling and slow vessel 

traffic because of decontamination operations at various sites along the marine transportation system 

(USDOT, 2010). However, most cleanup activities would be complete within a year of the event, so 

impacts would be expected to be limited in duration (Dismukes, personal communication, 2010b).

4.2.3.7. Environmental Justice

While most coastal populations along the Gulf of Mexico coast are not generally minority or low 

income, several communities on the coasts of St. Mary, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Bernard, and 

Plaquemines Parishes have minority or low-income population percentages that are higher than their state 

average. These minority populations are predominately Native American, Islaños, or African American. 

For example, a few counties or parishes along the Gulf Coast have more than a 2-percent Native 

American population (USDOI, MMS, 2007); about 2,250 Houma Indians (a State of Louisiana 

recognized tribe) are concentrated in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, comprising 2.4 percent of the parish’s 

population, and about 800 Chitimacha (a federally recognized tribe) make up 1.6 percent of St. Mary 

Parish’s population. While these are not significant numbers on their own, viewed in the context of 

Louisiana’s overall 0.6 percent Native American average, these communities take on greater 

environmental justice importance. 

Gulf Coast minority and low-income groups are particularly vulnerable to the coastal impacts of a 

catastrophic oil spill due to their greater than average dependence on the natural resources in the offshore 

and coastal environments. Besides their economic reliance on commercial fishing and oystering, coastal 

low-income and minority groups rely heavily on these fisheries and other traditional subsistence fishing, 

hunting, trapping, and gathering activities to augment their diets and household incomes (see Hemmerling 

and Colton, 2003, for an evaluation of environmental justice considerations for south Lafourche Parish). 

Regular commuting has continued this reliance on the natural resources of the coastal environments even 

when populations have been forced to relocate because of landloss and the destruction from recent 

hurricane events.

State fishery closures because of a catastrophic oil spill would disproportionately affect minority and 

low-income groups. Shoreline impacts would generate additional subsistence-related effects. Therefore, 

these minority groups would be disproportionately affected if these coastal areas were impacted by a 

catastrophic spill and the resulting response.

5. POST-SPILL, LONG-TERM RECOVERY (PHASE 4)

5.1. IMPACT-PRODUCING FACTORS AND SCENARIO

During the final phase a catastrophic blowout and spill, it is presumed that the well has been capped 

or killed and cleanup activities are concluding. While it is assumed that the majority of spilled oil would 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-41

be dissipated within 30 days of stopping the flow (Lubchenco et al., 2010), oil has the potential to persist 

in the environment long after a spill event and has been detected in sediment 30 years after a spill 

(USDOI, FWS, 2004). On sandy beaches, oil can sink deep into the sediments. In tidal flats and salt 

marshes, oil may seep into the muddy bottoms (USDOI, FWS, 2010g). 

5.2. MOST LIKELY AND MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

At this point in the scenario, the spill has been stopped and long-term recovery begins. There is a 

great deal of uncertainty regarding the long-term impacts of a catastrophic spill in the Gulf of Mexico. 

The most likely and most significant impacts, as described below, will likely relate to the continued 

exposure of organisms to the spilled oil, oil components, and dispersants remaining in the air, water, and 

sediments, as well as the effects of continued cleanup efforts.

A catastrophic spill can have long-term impacts on Gulf of Mexico ecosystems. An ecosystem is a 

geographically specified system of organisms, including humans, their environment, and the processes 

that control their dynamics. Ecosystems involve complex connections between organisms, their 

environment, and the processes that drive the system (USDOC, NOAA, 2010g). In some cases, marine 

ecosystems may take decades to fully recover or may recover to alternative states (Ragen, 2010).

5.2.1. Physical Resources

5.2.1.1. Air Quality

There would be some residual air quality impacts after the well is capped or “killed.” As most of the 

oil would have been burned, evaporated, or weathered over time, air quality would return to pre-oil spill 

conditions. While impacts to air quality are expected to be localized and temporary, as discussed in 

Sections 2.2.1.1, 3.2.1.1, and 4.2.1.1, adverse effects that may occur from the exposure of humans and 

wildlife to air pollutants could have long-term consequences.

5.2.1.2. Coastal and Offshore Water Quality

The leading source of contaminants that impairs coastal water quality in the Gulf of Mexico is urban 

runoff. Urban runoff can include suspended solids, heavy metals, pesticides, oil, grease, and nutrients 

(such as from lawn fertilizer). Urban runoff increases with population growth, and the Gulf Coast region 

has experienced a 103 percent population growth since 1970 (USDOC, NOAA, NOS, 2008). Other 

pollutant source categories include (1) agricultural runoff, (2) municipal point sources, (3) industrial 

sources, (4) hydromodification (e.g., dredging), and (5) vessel sources (e.g., shipping, fishing, and 

recreational boating). The NRC (2003, Table I-4, p. 237) estimated that, on average, approximately 

26,324 barrels of oil per year entered Gulf waters from petrochemical and oil refinery industries in 

Louisiana and Texas. The Mississippi River introduced approximately 3,680,938 barrels/year (NRC, 

2003, Table I-9, p. 242) into the waters of the Gulf. Hydrocarbons also enter the Gulf of Mexico through 

the result of natural seeps in the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of approximately 980,392 barrels per year (a 

range of approximately 560,224-1,400,560 barrels/year) (NRC, 2003, p. 191). Produced water (formation 

water) is, by volume, the largest waste stream from the oil and gas industry that enters Gulf waters. The 

NRC has estimated the quantity of oil in produced water entering the Gulf per year to be 473,000 bbl 

(NRC, 2003, p. 200, Table D-8).2 These sources total about 5.5 million barrels of oil per year that 

routinely enters Gulf of Mexico waters. In comparison, a catastrophic spill of 30,000-60,000 barrels per 

day for 90-120 days would spill a total of 2.7-7.2 million barrels of oil. When added to the other sources 

of oil listed above, this would result in a 48- to 129-percent increase in the volume of oil entering the 

water during the year of the spill. In addition, the oil from a spill will be much more concentrated in 

some locations than the large number of other activities that release oil into the Gulf of Mexico. 

Section 3.1.4 discusses the properties and persistence of oil in the environment. 

 

2 These numbers were generated from converting the units reported in the noted reference and do not imply any 

level of significance.
B-42 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

5.2.2. Biological Resources

As described below, long-term consequences on biological resources can include impaired 

reproduction, which can potentially impact population levels. Oil has the potential to persist in the 

environment long after a spill event and has been detected in sediment 30 years after a spill (USDOI, 

FWS, 2004). On sandy beaches, oil can sink deep into the sediments. In tidal flats and salt marshes, oil 

may seep into the muddy bottoms. Oil in these systems has the potential to have long-term impacts on 

fish and wildlife populations. 

Some animals may survive initial exposure to spilled oil but may accumulate high levels of 

contaminants in their bodies that can be passed on to predators, in a process known as bioaccumulation 

(USDOI, FWS, 2010g). 

5.2.2.1. Coastal and Marine Birds

There is a high probability of underestimating the impacts of oil spills on avian species potentially 

encountering oil, particularly seabirds. Despite being oiled, some birds are able to fly and may later be 

killed by the oil, far from the spill location. Often overlooked and understudied are the long-term, 

sublethal, chronic effects because of sublethal exposure to oil. These effects may persist for years after 

exposure, reducing the capacity of affected individuals within the population to recover, because of

effects that may range from minor physiological disorders through damage to vital organs (i.e., liver and 

kidney) (Alonso-Alvarez et al., 2007). The long-term impacts of potential food stress for bird species 

from an altered ecosystem because of a catastrophic spill are unknown, but disturbances to the ecosystem 

can cause long-term sublethal impacts, including malnourishment and decreased reproductive success, 

which could have severe impacts to bird populations as seen after the Exxon Valdez catastrophic spill 

(Piatt and Anderson, 1996). Birds are top predators in the Gulf of Mexico and require a substantial 

supply of prey species to sustain their populations. Sublethal effects of oil could ultimately result in 

reductions in long-term survival or lower reproductive success for some species of birds (Fry et al., 1986; 

Leighton, 1993; Esler et al., 2000; Golet et al., 2003; Velando et al., 2010). In addition, even light oiling 

of avian eggs transferred via contact with contaminated breast feathers from an incubating female can be 

toxic to developing embryos (Albers, 1980; Albers and Heinz, 1983). Effects such as delayed sexual 

maturity of most seabird species, loss of breeding-age individuals, particularly females, may have longterm, population-level effects. Long-term, sublethal, chronic effects may exceed immediate losses 

because of direct mortality (i.e., oiled birds) if such residual effects influence a significant proportion of 

the population or disproportionately impact an important population segment (Newton, 1998; Peterson et 

al., 2003; Alonso-Alvarez et al., 2007). Depending on the effects, some populations could take years or 

decades before reaching a full recovery, and some may never recover.

5.2.2.2. Fish, Fisheries, and Essential Fish Habitat

In addition to possible small fish kills because of direct impacts (as described under Phases 2 and 3), a 

catastrophic spill could affect fish populations in the long term. Due to a catastrophic spill, a significant 

portion of a year class of fish could be absent from the following year’s fishery, reducing overall 

population numbers. However, sublethal impacts, especially for long-lived species (e.g., snapper and 

grouper), could be masked by reduced fishing pressure because of closures. In addition, healthy fish 

resources and fishery stocks depend on ideal habitat (essential fish habitat) for spawning, breeding, 

feeding, and growth to maturity. Thus, a catastrophic spill that affects these areas could result in longterm impacts, including destruction to a portion of their habitats. 

5.2.2.3. Marine Mammals

Even after the spill is stopped, oilings or deaths of marine mammals would still likely occur because 

of oil and dispersants persisting in the water, past marine mammal/oil or dispersant interactions, and 

ingestion of contaminated prey. The animals’ exposure to hydrocarbons persisting in the sea may result 

in sublethal impacts (e.g., decreased health, reproductive fitness, and longevity; and increased 

vulnerability to disease) and some soft tissue irritation, respiratory stress from inhalation of toxic fumes, 

food reduction or contamination, direct ingestion of oil and/or tar, and temporary displacement from 

preferred habitats or migration routes. A catastrophic oil spill could lead to increased mortalities, 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-43

resulting in potential population-level effects for some species/populations (USDOC, NOAA, NMFS, 

2010c). 

5.2.2.4. Sea Turtles

Sea turtles take many years to reach sexual maturity. Green sea turtles reach maturity between 20 and 

50 years of age; loggerheads may be 35 years old before they are able to reproduce; and hawksbill sea 

turtles typically reach lengths of 27 inches for males and 31 inches for females before they can reproduce 

(USDOC, NOAA, NMFS, 2010d). Declines in the food supply for sea turtles, which include 

invertebrates and sponge populations, could also affect sea turtle populations. While all of the pathways 

that an oil spill or the use of dispersants can affect sea turtles is poorly understood, some pathways may 

include the following: (1) oil or dispersants on the sea turtle’s skin and body can cause skin irritation, 

chemical burns, and infections; (2) inhalation of volatile petroleum compounds or dispersants can damage 

the respiratory tract and lead to diseases; (3) ingesting oil or dispersants may cause injury to the 

gastrointestinal tract; and (4) chemicals that are inhaled or ingested may damage internal organs. In most 

foreseeable cases, exposure to hydrocarbons persisting in the sea following the dispersal of an oil slick 

would result in sublethal impacts (e.g., decreased health, reproductive fitness, and longevity and increased 

vulnerability to disease) to sea turtles. Other possible internal impacts might include harm to the liver, 

kidney, and brain function, as well as cause anemia and immune suppression, or could lead to 

reproductive failure or death. As discussed in Section 4.2.2, shoreline oiling and response efforts may 

affect future population levels and reproduction (USDOI, NPS, 2010). The deaths of subadult and adult 

sea turtles may also drastically reduce the population. 

5.2.2.5. Terrestrial Mammals and Reptiles

Beach Mice

Within the last 20-30 years, the combination of habitat loss because of beachfront development, 

isolation of remaining beach mouse habitat areas and populations, and destruction of remaining habitat by 

tropical storms and hurricanes has increased the threat of extinction of several subspecies of beach mice. 

Destruction of the remaining habitat because of a catastrophic spill and cleanup activities would increase 

the threat of extinction.

Diamondback Terrapin

Habitat destruction, road construction, and drowning in crab traps are the most recent threats to 

diamondback terrapins. Tropical storms, hurricanes, and beach erosion threaten their preferred nesting 

habitats. Destruction of the remaining habitat because of a catastrophic spill and response efforts could 

drastically affect future population levels and reproduction. 

5.2.2.6. Coastal Habitats

Coastal habitats serve important ecological functions, and the loss of vegetation in coastal areas could 

lead to erosion and permanent landloss.

Coastal Barrier Beaches and Associated Dunes

Oil or its components that remain in the sand after cleanup may be (1) released periodically when 

storms and high tides resuspend or flush beach sediments, (2) decomposed by biological activity, or 

(3) volatilized and dispersed. 

The protection once afforded to inland marshes by coastal barrier beaches has been greatly reduced 

because of decreased elevations and the continued effect of subsidence, sea-level rise, and saltwater 

intrusion. A catastrophic spill has the potential to contribute to this reduction.

The cleanup impacts of a catastrophic spill could result in short-term (up to 2 years) adjustments in 

beach profiles and configurations as a result of sand removal and disturbance during cleanup operations. 

Some oil contact to lower areas of sand dunes is expected. These contacts would not result in significant 

destabilization of the dunes. The long-term stressors to barrier beach communities caused by the physical 
B-44 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

effects and chemical toxicity of an oil spill may lead to decreased primary production, plant dieback, and 

hence further erosion. 

Wetlands 

Wetlands serve a number of important ecological functions. For example, Louisiana’s coastal 

wetlands support more than two-thirds of the wintering waterfowl population of the Mississippi Flyway, 

including 20-25 percent of North America’s puddle duck population. Therefore, loss of wetlands would 

also impact a significant portion of the waterfowl population. 

The duration and magnitude of a spill resulting from a catastrophic blowout could result in high 

concentrations of oil that would result in long-term effects to wetland vegetation, including some plant 

mortality and loss of land. This would add to continuing impacts of other factors, such as hurricanes, 

subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and sea-level rise. The wetlands along the Gulf Coast have already been 

severely damaged by the 2005 and 2008 hurricane seasons, leaving the mainland less protected. It was 

estimated in 2000 that coastal Louisiana would continue to lose land at a rate of approximately 

2,672 ha/yr (10 mi2

/yr) over the next 50 years. Further, it was estimated that an additional net loss of 

132,794 ha (512 mi2

) may occur by 2050, which is almost 10 percent of Louisiana’s remaining coastal 

wetlands (Barras et al., 2003). Barras (2006) indicated an additional 217 mi2 (562 km2

) of land lost 

during the 2005 hurricane season. A catastrophic spill occurring nearshore would contribute further to 

this landloss. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, another series of hurricanes (Gustav and Ike) made 

landfall along the Louisiana and Texas coasts in September 2008. Hurricane Gustav made landfall as a 

Category 2 storm near Cocodrie, Louisiana, pushing large surges of saline water into the fresh marshes 

and coastal swamps of Louisiana from Grand Isle westward. While Hurricane Gustav did not impact the 

quantity of wetlands that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita impacted, it did have a severe and continuing effect 

on the coastal barrier islands and the wetlands associated with backshore (back of the island) and 

foreshore (front of the island). While Hurricane Gustav affected the eastern portion of the Louisiana 

coast closer to Grand Isle and Houma, Hurricane Ike concentrated on Louisiana’s western coast. The 

Texas coast received the brunt of Hurricane Ike where it made landfall slightly east of Galveston. The 

storm surge basically removed the dune systems and significantly lowered the beach elevations along the 

eastern portion of the Texas coast near Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. The erosion and wash-over 

associated with Hurricane Ike’s tidal surge breeched beach ridges and opened the inland freshwater ponds 

and their associated wetlands to the sea. As a result of the four successive storms, the Louisiana and 

Texas coasts have lost protective elevations, barrier islands, and wetlands, and they now have the 

potential for transitioning to a less productive salt-marsh system in areas where fresh-marsh systems once 

existed. 

In addition, a poorly executed oil cleanup can result in additional impacts. Aggressive onshore and 

marsh cleanup methods have not yet been utilized and probably would not be initiated until the oil spill 

has been stopped. Depending on the marsh remediation methods used, further impacts to the wetlands 

may occur from cleanup activities. Boat traffic in marsh areas from the thousands of response vessels 

associated with a catastrophic spill would produce an incremental increase in erosion rates, sediment 

resuspension, and turbidity (i.e., an adverse but not significant impact to coastal wetland and seagrass 

habitats.) 

5.2.2.7. Open-Water Habitats

Submerged Vegetation

If bays and estuaries accrue oil, there is an assumption that there would be a decrease in seagrass 

cover and negative community impacts. Submerged vegetation serves important ecological functions. 

For example, seagrasses and freshwater SAV’s provide important habitat for immature shrimp, black 

drum, spotted sea trout, juvenile southern flounder, and several other fish species, and they provide a food 

source for species of wintering waterfowl (Castellanos and Rozas, 2001; Short and Coles, 2001; Caldwell, 

2003). Therefore, loss of submerged vegetation would impact these species. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-45

Sargassum 

Oceanographic processes that concentrate Sargassum into mats and rafts would also concentrate toxic 

substances. Therefore, it may be assumed that Sargassum would be found in areas where oil, dispersants, 

and other chemicals have accumulated following a catastrophic spill. The ultimate effects of toxins to 

Sargassum are unclear; however, it is evident that the accumulation provides a toxic environment for 

associated species, especially those that use the Sargassum as areas of refuge for larvae or other 

developmental stages (Unified Incident Command, 2010d). There would be noticeable effects on species 

that eat the plant material, such as sea turtles, and the death rate of Sargassum may be increased because 

of toxic substances, which would contribute to a major decline in its biomass. This would decrease 

available habitat for associated organisms and indirectly affect the survival rate and recruitment for 

associated fish species. The severity and duration of any toxic effects would be dependent on both the 

physical properties of the toxic components and their biological effects, such as how long it might take 

them to degrade, their solubility in water, and the degree that they accumulate in biological tissue.

5.2.2.8. Benthic Habitats

Shelf Habitats

In situations where soft-bottom infaunal communities are negatively impacted, recolonization by 

populations from neighboring soft-bottom substrate would be expected over a relatively short period. 

Recolonization would begin with recruitment and immigration of opportunistic species from surrounding 

stocks. More complex communities would follow with time. Repopulation could take longer for areas 

affected by direct oil contact in higher concentrations. 

Hard-bottom communities exposed to large amounts of resuspended sediments following a 

catastrophic, subsurface blowout could be subject to sediment suffocation, exposure to resuspended toxic 

contaminants, and reduced light penetration. The greatest impacts would occur to communities that exist 

in clear water with very low turbidity. The consequences of a blowout along, directly on, or near one of 

these features could be long lasting, although the occurrence of a blowout near such sensitive 

communities is unlikely because of stipulations described in NTL 2009-G39 prevents drilling activity 

near sensitive hard-bottom habitats. Impacts would more likely be from low-level or long-term exposure. 

This type of exposure has the potential to greatly impact coral reef communities, resulting in impaired 

reef health. Impacts to a community in more turbid waters would be greatly reduced, as the species are 

tolerant of suspended sediments, and recovery would occur quicker. 

Deepwater Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities

In situations where soft-bottom infaunal communities are negatively impacted, recolonization by 

populations from neighboring soft-bottom substrate would be expected over a relatively short period of 

time for all organisms ranging from a matter of days for bacteria and probably less than 1 year for most 

macrofauna and megafauna species. This could take longer for areas affected by direct oil contact in 

higher concentrations. 

Deepwater Coral Benthic Communities

Deepwater corals are expected to be resistant to oiling, with little effect from low exposure. Many 

invertebrates associated with deepwater coral communities, particularly the crustaceans, would likely be 

more susceptible to damage from oil exposure. Recolonization of severely damaged or destroyed 

communities could take years to decades. 

Deepwater Chemosynthetic Benthic Communities

While chemosynthetic communities that receive low quantities of well-dispersed oil undergoing 

biodegradation would likely experience little negative effect, recolonization of severely damaged or 

destroyed communities could take years to decades. 
B-46 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

5.2.3. Socioeconomic Resources

5.2.3.1. Offshore and Onshore Archaeological Resources

While it is unlikely (Section 2.2.3.1), a known shipwreck could be impacted by the blowout itself or 

the subsequent oil spill; impacts (i.e., contamination) from the release of large quantities of dispersants 

associated with a deepwater, catastrophic blowout are possible. Because a site cannot be avoided unless 

its location in known, undiscovered shipwrecks are at a much higher risk as a result of a blowout. Longterm effects of oiling of prehistoric and historic archaeological resources are poorly understood; however, 

damage to the protective layer of corals and other organisms on shipwreck sites by oiling could alter the 

surrounding site dynamics and increase their degradation. In addition, onshore habitat degradation could 

lead to erosion, which would increase exposure to and subsidence of prehistoric and historic sites. Unlike 

biological resources that have the potential to recover, damage to archaeological resources from the spill 

or cleanup activities would be irreversible, leading to loss of important archaeological data needed for 

proper study and interpretation. Archaeological sites also provide recreational opportunities both offshore 

and onshore; therefore, the loss of a site would also have impacts on recreation.

5.2.3.2. Commercial Fishing

The Gulf is an important biologic and economic area in terms of seafood production and recreational 

fishing. According to NOAA, there are 3.2 million recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region 

who took 24 million fishing trips in 2008. Commercial fishermen in the Gulf harvested more than 

1 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish in 2008 (USDOC, NOAA, 2010e). The economic impacts of 

closures on commercial fishing are complicated to predict because the economic effects are dependent on 

season and would vary by fishery. If fishers cannot make up losses in the remainder of the season, a 

substantial part of their annual income could be lost. While the commercial fishing industry of Texas did 

not sustain measurable direct or indirect economic effects following the 1979 Ixtoc blowout and spill 

(Restrepo et al., 1982), there is a documented phenomenon that, long after an incident, the perception of 

tainted fish and shellfish from the impacted area persists (Keithly and Diop, 2001). It is reasonable to 

assume that a negative perception could impact the value of commercial fish resources for several 

seasons. 

5.2.3.3. Recreational Fishing

In 2008, over 24 million recreational fishing trips were taken in the Gulf of Mexico, which generated 

about $12 billion in sales, over $6 billion in value-added impacts, and over 100,000 jobs (USDOC, 

NOAA, NMFS, 2010b). Unlike commercial fishing, recreational fishing is concentrated during the 

summer months. Therefore, a catastrophic spill occurring at the beginning of the recreational fishing 

season and continuing through the season would result in the loss of millions of recreational fishing trips 

and billions in subsequent sales. For example, during the summer months, scheduled fishing tournaments 

are held that would be hard to reschedule. Normal direct income and indirect income to the communities 

that host these tournaments would be lost for that year. 

5.2.3.4. Tourism and Recreational Resources

The longer-term implications of a catastrophic event on tourism would depend on the extent to which 

any structural/ecological damage can be repaired, as well as on the extent to which public confidence in 

the tourism industry can be restored. For example, a catastrophic oil spill would likely affect the fish 

populations in the affected waters to some extent. The most direct impact of this would be decreased

recreational fishing activity in a region to the extent that the fish population has decreased. However, a 

region would not fully recover from the event until confidence in fishing is restored and the remaining 

fish population recovers. In addition, restaurants in the region would be impacted to the extent to which 

they are perceived to use seafood products caught or raised in contaminated waters. Similarly, although 

beaches can be decontaminated not long after a spill has been stopped, lingering perceptions can be 

expected to negatively impact tourism. 

Oxford Economics (2010) conducted a study of recent catastrophic events in order to estimate the 

longer-term economic implications of the DWH oil spill. They estimate that the long-term economic 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-47

damage from the spill could be between $7.6 and $22.7 billion. Analyzing previous oil spills and other 

catastrophic events, they also suggest that it could take 15-36 months for the tourism industry to recover 

to pre-spill levels. Given Florida’s dependence on fishing and beach activities (as well as the overall size 

of its economy), this study suggests that the State would bear the majority of the economic damage from 

the spill. This study also points out the complicated set of economic and psychological forces that 

ultimately determine the extent to which the tourism and recreation industries would recover from a 

catastrophic oil spill.

5.2.3.5. Employment and Demographics

While a catastrophic spill could immediately impact several Gulf States for several months through 

fishing closures, loss of tourism, and any suspension of oil and gas activities, anticipating the long-term 

economic and employment impacts in the Gulf of Mexico is a difficult task. Many of the potentially 

affected jobs, like fishing charters, are self-employed. Thus, they would not necessarily file for 

unemployment and will not be included in business establishment surveys used to estimate State 

unemployment levels. In addition, unemployment numbers in states are based on nonagricultural jobs, 

and the fishing industry is considered within the agriculture category. On the other side, it is also a

challenge to estimate how many of these displaced workers have been hired to clean up the spill. For 

example, while thousands of vessels of opportunity would be active in the spill response, not all of these 

would be displaced commercial fishermen from the affected areas. The positive employment impacts 

related to response activities are likely to be shorter term than the negative impacts discussed above.

Catastrophic spills have a huge regional economic impact, as seen recently in the DWH event. It is 

estimated that the total economic consequences of the DWH event will lead to a net loss of just under 

$20 billion for the U.S. economy in 2010, which would lower U.S. economic growth in 2010 by roughly 

0.1 percent and would reduce growth to a greater extent in the four states most affected.

5.2.3.6. Land Use and Coastal Infrastructure

Based on the rapid recovery of infrastructure that was heavily damaged by the catastrophic 2005 

hurricane season, there are not expected to be any long-term impacts to land use and coastal infrastructure 

as a result of a catastrophic oil-spill event. However, BOEM would continue to monitor the post-spill, 

long-term recovery phase of the DWH event for any changes that indicate otherwise. A catastrophic spill 

could generate up to 60,000 tons of oil-impacted solid materials disposed in landfills along the Gulf 

Coast. This waste may contain debris, beach or marsh material (sand/silt/clay), vegetation, and personal 

protection equipment collected during cleanup activities. This would be equivalent to 2-6 years of waste 

produced from OCS oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico (Dismukes et al., 2007). However, 

landfill capacity is not expected to be an issue at any phase of the oil-spill event or the long-term 

recovery. According to USEPA, existing landfills that are receiving oil-spill waste from the DWH event

have plenty of capacity to handle the expected waste volumes. The oil-spill waste that is being disposed 

of in landfills represents less than 7 percent of the total daily waste normally accepted at these landfills 

(USEPA, 2010a). 

It is not expected that any long-term, land-use impacts would arise from properties that are utilized 

for restoration activities and would somehow have their future economic use compromised. The rise or 

fall of property values would not be solely a function of some kind of economic impact from a 

catastrophic oil-spill event. There are many other factors that influence the value of property and its best 

economic use. It is not clear from past experiences whether vegetation loss or erosion created by a spill 

could result in changes in land use. The amount and location of erosion and vegetation loss can be 

influenced by the time of year the spill occurs, its location, and weather patterns, including hurricane 

landfalls (Dismukes, personal communication, 2010a). 

5.2.3.7. Environmental Justice

After the spill is stopped, the primary environmental justice concerns relate to possible long-term 

health impacts to cleanup workers, a predominately minority population, and to possible disposal of oilimpacted solid waste in predominantly minority areas. 
B-48 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Suspension of Oil and Gas Activities

An analysis of socioeconomic characteristics shows that people of Cajun ethnicity in the Gulf States, 

often found to be of a comparatively low socioeconomic status and to work jobs in the textile and oil 

industries (Henry and Bankston, 1999). Past studies suggest that a healthy offshore petroleum industry 

also indirectly benefits low-income and minority populations (Tolbert, 1995). One BOEM study in 

Louisiana found income inequality decreased during the oil boom of the 1980’s and increased with the 

decline (Tolbert, 1995). Although we know that many oil- and gas-related service industries are cutting 

costs and putting off maintenance to defer massive layoffs in response to the oil-spill-caused deepwater 

drilling suspension and the slowed schedule for shallow-water drilling permits, we do not fully 

understand their long-term impacts.

Onshore and Offshore Cleanup Workers

By the end of a catastrophic spill, up to 50,000 personnel would be expected to be responding to the 

spill. The majority of these are field responders (United Incident Command, 2010f). As seen by the 

DWH event, the racial composition of cleanup crews was so conspicuous that Ben Jealous, the president 

of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), sent a public letter to BP 

Chief Operations Officer Tony Hayward on July 9, 2010, demanding to know why African Americans 

were over-represented in “the most physically difficult, lowest paying jobs, with the most significant 

exposure to toxins” (NAACP, 2010). While regulations require the wearing of protective gear and only a 

small percentage of cleanup workers suffer immediate illness and injuries (Center for Disease Control and 

Prevention, 2010), exposure could have long-term health impacts (e.g., increased rates of some types of 

cancer) (Savitz and Engel, 2010; Kirkeleit et al., 2008). Of the 38 accidents involving supertankers and 

resulting in large oil spills throughout the world, only seven studies on the repercussions of the exposure 

of spilled oils on human health have been completed. Aguilera et al. (2010) compiled and reviewed these 

studies for patterns of health effects and found evidence of the relationship between exposure and “acute 

physical, psychological, genotoxic, and endocrine effects in the exposed individuals.” Acute symptoms 

from exposure to oil, dispersants, and degreasers include headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore 

eyes, runny nose, sore throat, cough, nose bleeds, rash, blisters, shortness of breath, and dizziness 

(Sathiakumar, 2010). The USEPA’s monitoring data have so far shown that the use of dispersants during 

the DWH event did not result in a presence of chemicals that surpassed human health benchmarks 

(Trapido, 2010). Longitudinal epidemiological studies of possible long-term health effects from exposure 

to either the DWH oil spill or dispersants, such as the possible bioaccumulation of toxins in tissues and 

organs, are lacking and the potential for the long-term human health effects are largely unknown 

(although the National Institutes of Health has proposed such a study). 

Prior research on post-spill cleanup efforts found that the duration of cleaning work was a risk factor 

for acute toxic symptoms and that seamen had the highest occurrence of toxic symptoms compared with

volunteers or paid workers. Therefore, participants in the “Vessels of Opportunity” program, which 

recruited local boat owners (including Cajun, Houma Indian, and Vietnamese fishermen) to assist in 

cleanup efforts, would likely be one of the most exposed groups. African Americans are thought to have 

made up a high percentage of the cleanup workforce. The OSHA released two matrices of gear 

requirements for onshore and offshore Gulf operations that are organized by task (U.S. Dept. of Labor, 

OSHA, 2010a). Of past oil-spill workers, uninformed and poorly informed workers were at more risk of 

exposure and symptoms, demonstrating the importance of education and proper training of workers 

(Sathiakumar, 2010). Therefore, a catastrophic spill could disproportionately affect seamen and onshore 

workers such as Cajuns, Vietnamese, Houma Indian, and African Americans.

During a recent National Institute of Environmental Sciences workshop regarding the health effects of 

the DWH oil spill, Chairperson Nancy E. Adler pointed to the uncertainty regarding health effects and 

these types of events, “While studies of previous oil spills provide some basis for identifying and 

mitigating the human health effects of these exposures, the existing data are insufficient to fully 

understand and predict the overall impact of hazards from the DWH oil spill on the health of 

individuals—including workers, volunteers, residents, visitors, and special populations” (Institute of 

Medicine, 2010). In order to address these data gaps, the National Institute of Environmental Sciences 

plans to begin a prospective study of the mental and physical health of about 50,000 workers who helped 

battle the spill. 
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-49

Solid-Waste Disposal 

Following a catastrophic spill, environmental justice concerns arise related to the disposal of cleanuprelated wastes near minority and/or low-income communities (Schleifstein, 2010). It is estimated a 

catastrophic spill could generate up to 60,000 tons of oil-impacted solid materials that would be disposed 

in landfills along the Gulf Coast. While no new landfills would be built because of a catastrophic spill, 

the use of existing landfills might exacerbate existing environmental justice issues. For example, Mobile, 

Alabama, and Miami, Florida, are majority minority urban centers with a majority of minority residents 

living within a 1-mi (1.6-km) radius of chosen landfills or liquid processing centers. While only a small 

percentage of DWH waste was sent to these facilities—13 percent of the liquid waste to Liquid 

Environmental Solutions in Mobile and only 0.28 percent of the total liquid waste to Cliff Berry in 

Miami—they could potentially receive more for future spills. For example, of the nine landfills approved 

by USEPA for oil-impacted solid materials, more than half of the waste was disposed of in four landfills 

that were located in areas where minority groups comprised the majority of the population (Hernandez, 

2010). Disposal procedures for the DWH event involved sorting waste materials into standard “waste 

stream types” at small, temporary stations, and then sending each type to existing facilities that were 

licensed to dispose of them. The location of temporary sorting stations was linked to the location of 

containment and cleanup operations. Hence, future locations of any sorting stations are not predictable 

since they would be determined by the needs of cleanup operations. However, waste disposal locations 

were determined by the specializations of existing facilities and by contractual relationships between 

them and the cleanup and containment firms. Louisiana received about 82 percent of the DWH liquid 

waste recovered; of this, 56 percent was manifested to mud facilities located in Venice, Plaquemines 

Parish, Louisiana, and Port Fourchon, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, and then transferred to a processing 

facility in Port Arthur, Texas. The waste remaining after processing was sent to deep well injection 

landfills located in Fannett and Big Hill, Texas. The sites located in Venice and Port Fourchon, 

Louisiana, and Port Arthur, Fannett, and Big Hill, Texas, have low-minority populations but a few of 

these areas have substantial poverty rates relative to State and county means. Although, in the case of the 

DWH event, most of the cleanup occurred in the CPA and disposal occurred in both the CPA and WPA; 

this would likely happen should a future spill event occur in the CPA. 

6. CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC 

IMPACT

Like the recent, devastating hurricane seasons of 2005 and 2008, the DWH event has changed the 

environmental baseline of the Gulf of Mexico. Another catastrophic oil spill would make the resources of 

the Gulf even more susceptible to further impacts, adding to the cumulative effects of an already sensitive 

ecosystem.

The Gulf Coast has survived major natural and manmade disasters (i.e., hurricanes and oil spills), 

through which the people and environmental resources of the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Coast have 

repeatedly demonstrated their resiliency. While environmental and socioeconomic resources may recover 

from a natural or manmade disaster if given enough time between disasters, disasters happening in unison 

or within short periods of each other would make recovery more difficult. 

The magnitude of OCS and non-OCS activity in the Gulf of Mexico is so immense that routine 

activities associated with a single OCS oil and gas activity (e.g., single lease sale, single well) have a 

minor to no incremental contribution to the impacts of cumulative activities. However, a catastrophic 

blowout and spill would have a major contribution to cumulative impacts. 

7. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS

7.1. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS FROM PHASE 1 (INITIAL EVENT) 

The initial phase of the catastrophic event analyzed in the Gulf of Mexico is a blowout causing an 

explosion and fire, possibly resulting in the sinking of the drilling rig or platform, which could potentially 

cause injuries and fatalities because of the explosion, fire, and structure failure. Impacts during Phase 1 

would be limited to workers on the drilling rig or platform and response vessels and environmental 

resources in the immediate vicinity of the blowout. Air quality impacts include the emission of pollutants 
B-50 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

from the oil and the fire that are hazardous to human health and that can possibly be fatal if it involves 

high concentrations of H2S or other highly toxic gases. Water quality impacts include localized water 

quality effects, which could include the release of a large amount of methane gas and the disturbance of a 

large amount of sediments over an extended area, if the blowout occurs outside the wellbore, below the 

seafloor. 

An explosion would kill any birds resting on the platform, including birds protected under the 

Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Eruption of gases and fluids may generate significant pressure waves and 

noise to injure or kill individual animals in the vicinity, including federally listed threatened and 

endangered species under the ESA or MMPA. A shock wave underwater may also impact commercial 

and recreational fisheries in the area. Benthic communities beyond avoidance zones could be smothered. 

In addition to a large number of fatalities and injuries of people on the drilling rig or platform itself, 

commercial and recreational fishers and divers near the blowout could be injured or killed. The blowout 

could also damage any unidentified archaeological sites nearby.

7.2. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS FROM PHASE 2 (OFFSHORE SPILL) 

The second phase of the catastrophic event analyzed is an extended, offshore spill estimated to last 

1-4 months for a blowout in shallow water and 3-5 months for a blowout in deep water, because of more 

difficult intervention. A large-scale response effort would be expected for a catastrophic spill, including 

tens of thousands of responders, several thousand vessels, and the release of a large amount of 

dispersants. 

A catastrophic spill has the potential to cause population level impacts to offshore biological 

resources. Multiple Federal and State-listed, threatened and endangered species could be impacted in the 

water column or at the sea surface. In addition, natural processes (e.g., flocculation) and human 

intervention (i.e., subsea dispersants) could expose benthic communities and archaeological sites to oil. 

Additionally, known and previously undiscovered archaeological sites and benthic habitats could be 

damaged by bottom-disturbing activities associated with the response effort, including the anchoring of 

vessels. Pollutants in the spilled oil that are hazardous to response workers without protective equipment 

would be emitted into the air through evaporation and through in-situ or controlled burns of oil slicks. 

Socioeconomic impacts would begin while the spill is still offshore. A large portion of the Gulf of 

Mexico EEZ and most of State waters could be closed to commercial and recreational fishing for several 

months, possibly causing the loss of revenue for an entire season or year. These closures may 

predominately affect minority or ethnic groups. Tourism may also be impacted because of either 

perceived damage to recreational resources that has not yet materialized or to general hesitation on the 

part of travelers to visit the overall region because of the spill. Suspension of some oil and gas activities 

would possibly follow a catastrophic event, temporarily affecting jobs in the oil and gas industry. 

7.3. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS FROM PHASE 3 (ONSHORE CONTACT) 

The third phase of the catastrophic event analyzed is oiling of the shoreline. Exponential increase of 

the length of impacted shoreline is expected as the spill would continue over several months, which 

would likely overwhelm response efforts. Because of longer intervention times, a deepwater blowout and 

spill could impact over 1,000 mi (1,609 km) of shoreline. While a catastrophic spill from a shallow-water 

blowout is expected to be a lower volume than a deepwater blowout, the site would generally be located 

closer to shore, allowing less time for oil to be weathered, dispersed, and recovered. This could result in 

more concentrated and toxic oiling of several hundred miles of shoreline for more than 2 months. 

The severity of oiling would vary between heavy, moderate, light, and occasional tarballs. However, 

because of the length of shoreline that could be potentially oiled and the sensitivity of the Gulf Coast, a 

catastrophic spill could cause extensive habitat degradation. Loss of vegetation could lead to erosion and 

permanent landloss. Though response efforts (including the use of skimmers and booms) would decrease 

the amount of oil contacting the coastline, significant amounts of oil would remain to impact coastal 

water quality. Gulf of Mexico water quality is already rated as fair to poor, according to USEPA. 

Depending on timing and location, a catastrophic spill has the potential to cause population-level impacts 

on biological resources. Dozens of Federal and State-listed, threatened and endangered species could be 

impacted. Impacts on air quality may have adverse effects on oil-spill responders.
Catastrophic Spill Event Analysis B-51

While cultural resources were recognized as significant early in the response and archaeologists are at 

present embedded in SCAT teams and consulting with cleanup crews, efforts to prevent coastal cultural 

resources from becoming contaminated by oil would likely be overwhelmed by the magnitude of 

shoreline impacted and/or in the event of a hurricane during the spill cleanup efforts. In addition to 

closures in Federal waters, portions to all of individual State waters would also be closed to commercial 

and recreational fishing. The economic impact of these closures would have a disproportional effect on 

minority and low-income groups, and shoreline impacts would generate additional subsistence-related 

effects. A catastrophic spill also has the potential to significantly impact the Gulf Coast recreation and 

tourism industries, particularly water-dependent and beach-dependent components of these industries. An 

influx of cleanup and relief workers would not fully offset economic impacts. The influx a large number 

of responders and the creation of staging areas because of a catastrophic spill would have temporary 

impacts (e.g., increased traffic congestion and some possible competing land-use issues) on land use and 

infrastructure. In addition, there is a potential for delays in cargo handling and slow vessel traffic because 

of decontamination operations at various sites along the marine transportation system. 

7.4. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS FROM PHASE 4 (LONG-TERM IMPACTS) 

Phase 4 focuses on the long-term impacts of a catastrophic oil spill. While impacts to air and water 

quality may be shorter term, a catastrophic spill can have impacts on Gulf of Mexico ecosystems long 

after the well is capped or killed and cleanup activities have concluded. In some cases, marine 

ecosystems may take decades to fully recover or may recover to alternative states.

Coastal and offshore habitats serve important ecological functions. Onshore, the loss of vegetation 

could lead to erosion and permanent landloss. Offshore, repopulation of benthic communities could take 

longer for areas affected by direct oil contact in higher concentrations. For birds, fish, marine mammals 

and sea turtles, damage of habitats, loss of reproductively capable adults as well as juveniles, and 

sublethal impacts from oil exposure can lead to impaired reproduction. This can potentially reduce 

population levels. For example, a catastrophic spill could decrease available habitat for associated 

organisms and indirectly affect the survival rate and recruitment for associated fish species. In the case of 

birds, long-term, sublethal, chronic effects may exceed immediate losses because of direct mortality (i.e., 

oiled birds) if such residual effects influence a significant proportion of the population or 

disproportionately impact an important population segment. A catastrophic spill could cause the 

destruction of the remaining habitat of certain onshore species, such as the diamondback terrapin or beach 

mice.

A catastrophic spill can also have long-term impacts on socioeconomic resources. Positive 

employment impacts related to response activities are likely to be shorter term than the negative impacts. 

Catastrophic spills have a huge regional economic impact (billions of dollars), as recently seen with the 

DWH event. The longer-term implications for commercial and recreational fishing and tourism depend 

on the extent and perception of environmental damage. After the spill is stopped, the primary 

environmental justice concerns would be long-term health impacts of predominately minority workers 

and the disposal of oil-impacted solid waste in predominantly minority areas. Long-term impacts to land 

use and coastal infrastructure are not expected. Unlike biological or other socioeconomic resources that 

have the potential to recover, damage to archaeological resources from the spill or cleanup activities 

would be irreversible, leading to the loss of important archaeological data needed for proper study and 

interpretation.

8. PREPARERS

James F. Bennett, Chief, Environmental Assessment Branch

Brad J. Blythe, Oceanographer 

Gregory S. Boland, Biological Oceanographer 

Darice Breeding, Physical Scientist

Sindey Chaky, Social Scientist

Deborah Epperson, Biologist 

Jeff Gleason, Biologist 

Donald (Tre) W. Glenn III, Protected Species Biologist 

Gary D. Goeke, Chief, Regional Assessment Section
B-52 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Larry M. Hartzog, Biologist 

Dirk Herkhof, Meteorologist 

Chester Huang, Meteorologist 

Chris Horrell, Marine Archeologist

Tim Holder, Socioeconomic Specialist 

Jack Irion, Supervisor, Marine Archaeologist, Social Sciences Unit

Mark D. Jensen, Economist

Brian Jordan, Archaeologist

Arie R. Kaller, Biologist 

Greg Kozlowski, Environmental Scientist 

Daniel (Herb) Leedy, Biologist, BSEE

Harry Luton, Social Scientist 

Lissa Lyncker, Environmental Scientist

Robert Martinson, Senior Environmental Scientist 

Margaret Metcalf, Supervisor, Physical Scientist, Physical Sciences Unit

Deborah H. Miller, Technical Editor

David P. Moran, Biologist 

Michelle V. Morin, Environmental Protection Specialist 

Maureen Mulino, Biologist

Constance E. Murphy, Editor 

Michelle K Nannen, Biologist

Erin O’Reilly, Physical Scientist

James Sinclair, Biologist

Kimberly A. Skrupky, Marine Biologist 

Kristen L. Strellec, Economist

Sally Valdes, Fisheries Biologist

James R. Woehr, Avian Biologist

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APPENDIX C 

 

BOEM-OSRA CATASTROPHIC RUN

BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-3 

APPENDIX C. BOEM-OSRA CATASTROPHIC RUN

A special Oil-Spill Risk Analysis (OSRA) run was conducted in order to estimate the impacts of a 

possible future catastrophic or high-volume, long-duration oil spill. Thus, assuming a hypothetical highvolume, long-duration oil spill occurred, this analysis emphasized modeling a spill that continued for 

90 consecutive days, with each trajectory tracked for up to 120 days. The OSRA for this analysis was 

conducted for only the trajectories of oil spills from five hypothetical spill locations to various land 

segments. The probability of an oil spill contacting a specific land segment within a given time of travel 

from a certain location or spill point is termed a conditional probability; the condition being that a spill is 

assumed to have occurred. Each trajectory was allowed to continue for as long as 120 days. However, if 

the hypothetical spill contacted shoreline sooner than 30 days after the start of the spill, the spill trajectory 

was terminated, and the contact was recorded. Although, overall OSRA is designed for use as a riskbased assessment, for this analysis, only the conditional probability, the probability of contact to the 

resource, was calculated. The probability of a catastrophic spill occurring was not calculated; thus, the 

combination of the probability of a spill and the probability of contact to the resources from the 

hypothetical spill locations were not performed. Results from this trajectory analysis provide input to the 

final product by estimating where spills might travel on the ocean’s surface and what land segments might 

be contacted if and when another catastrophic spill occurs, but it does not provide input on the probability 

of another catastrophic spill occurring. 

OSRA Overview

The OSRA model, originally developed by Smith et al. (1982) and enhanced by this Agency over the 

years (Ji et al., 2002, 2004a, and 2004b), simulates oil-spill transport using model-simulated winds and 

ocean currents in the Gulf of Mexico. An oil spill on the ocean surface moves around by the complex 

surface ocean currents exerting a shear force on the spilled oil from below. In addition, the prevailing 

wind exerts an additional shear force on the spill from above, and the combination of the two forces 

causes the transportation of the oil spill away from its initial spill location. In the OSRA model, the 

velocity of a hypothetical oil spill is the linear superposition of the surface ocean current and the wind 

drift caused by the winds. The model calculates the movement of hypothetical spills by successively 

integrating time sequences of two spatially gridded input fields: the surface ocean currents and the sealevel winds. Thus, the OSRA model generates time sequences of hypothetical oil-spill locations—

essentially, oil-spill trajectories.

At each successive time step, the OSRA model compares the location of the hypothetical spills against 

the geographic boundaries of shoreline. The frequencies of oil-spill contact are computed for designated 

oil-spill travel times (e.g., 3, 10, 30, or 120 days) by dividing the total number of oil-spill contacts by the 

total number of hypothetical spills initiated in the model from a given hypothetical spill location. The 

frequencies of oil-spill contact are the model-estimated probabilities of oil-spill contact. The OSRA 

model output provides the estimated probabilities of contact to segments of shoreline from the five launch 

points (LP) in the Gulf of Mexico, which are explained below. 

There are factors not explicitly considered by the OSRA model that can affect the transport of spilled 

oil as well as the dimensions, volume, and nature of the oil spills contacting environmental resources or 

the shoreline. These include possible cleanup operations, chemical composition or biological weathering 

of oil spills, or the spreading and splitting of oil spills. The OSRA analysts have chosen to take a more 

environmentally conservative approach by presuming persistence of spilled oil over the selected time 

duration of the trajectories.

In the trajectory simulation portion of the OSRA model, many hypothetical oil-spill trajectories are 

produced by numerically integrating a temporally and spatially varying ocean current field, and 

superposing on that an empirical wind-induced drift of the hypothetical oil spills (Samuels et al., 1982). 

Collectively, the trajectories represent a statistical ensemble of simulated oil-spill displacements produced 

by a field of numerically derived winds and ocean currents. The winds and currents are assumed to be 

statistically similar to those that will occur in the Gulf during future offshore activities. In other words, 

the oil-spill risk analysts assume that the frequency of strong wind events in the wind field is the same as 

what will occur during future offshore activities. By inference, the frequencies of contact by the 
C-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

simulated oil spills are the same as what could occur from actual oil spills during future offshore 

activities.

Another portion of the OSRA model tabulates the contacts by the simulated oil spills. A contact to 

shore will stop the trajectory of an oil spill; no re-washing is assumed in this model. After specified 

periods of time, the OSRA model will divide the total number of contacts to the coastline segments by the 

total number of simulated oil spills from each of the five LP’s. These ratios are the estimated 

probabilities of oil-spill contact from offshore activities at that geographic location, assuming spill 

occurrence.

Conducting an oil-spill risk analysis needs detailed information on ocean currents and wind fields 

(Ji, 2004). The ocean currents used are numerically computed from an ocean circulation model of the 

Gulf of Mexico driven by analyzed meteorological forces (the near-surface winds and the total heat 

fluxes) and observed river inflow into the Gulf of Mexico (Oey et al., 2004; Oey, 2005). The models 

used are versions of the Princeton Ocean Model, which is an enhanced version of the earlier constructed 

Mellor-Blumberg Model. 

The ocean model calculation was performed by Princeton University (Oey et al., 2004). This 

simulation covered the 7-year period, 1993 through 1999, and the results were saved at 3-hour intervals. 

This run included the assimilation of sea-surface altimeter observations to improve the ocean model 

results. The surface currents were then computed for input into the OSRA model, along with the 

concurrent wind field. The OSRA model used the same wind field to calculate the empirical wind drift of 

the simulated spills. The statistics for the contacts by the trajectories forced by the currents and winds 

were combined for the average probabilities.

Catastrophic OSRA Run Overview

A special OSRA run was conducted in order to estimate the impacts of a possible future catastrophic 

spill. Thus, assuming a hypothetical catastrophic oil spill occurred, this analysis emphasized modeling a 

spill that continued for 90 consecutive days with each trajectory tracked for up to 120 days. The OSRA 

for this analysis was conducted for only the trajectories of oil spills from five hypothetical spill locations 

to various land segments (Figures C-1 and C-2). The probability that an oil spill will contact a specific 

land segment within a given time of travel from a certain location or spill point is termed a conditional 

probability; the condition being that a spill is assumed to have occurred. Each trajectory was allowed to 

continue for as long as 120 days. However, if the hypothetical spill contacted shoreline sooner than 

30 days after the start of the spill, the spill trajectory was terminated, and the contact was recorded. 

Although, overall the OSRA is designed for use as a risk-based assessment, for this analysis, only the 

conditional probability, the probability of contact to the resource, was calculated. The probability of a 

catastrophic spill occurring was not calculated, thus the combination of the probability of a spill and the 

probability of contact to the resources from the hypothetical spill locations was not performed. Results 

from this trajectory analysis provide input to the final product by estimating where spills might travel on 

the ocean’s surface and what land segments might be contacted if and when another catastrophic spill 

occurs, but it does not provide input on the probability of another catastrophic spill occurring. 

Trajectories of hypothetical spills were initiated every 1.0 day from each of the launch points over the 

simulation period from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1998 (Figure C-1). The chosen number of 

trajectories per site was small enough to be computationally practical and large enough to reduce the 

random sampling error to an insignificant level. Also, the weather-scale changes in the winds are at least 

minimally sampled, with simulated spills started every 1.0 day.

These launch point locations were developed within the Gulf of Mexico region for the purpose of this 

analysis. Five launch points were identified and encompassed the approximate areas with the possibility 

of finding the largest oil volume within the following regions:

• Central Gulf of Mexico shelf area west of the Mississippi River;

• Central Gulf of Mexico shelf area east of the Mississippi River;

• Central Gulf of Mexico slope area;
BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-5 

• Western Gulf of Mexico shelf area; and 

• Western Gulf of Mexico slope area.

Longitude Latitude Launch Point (LP)

-92.17851 28.98660 1

-88.15338 29.91388 2

-90.22203 27.31998 3

-96.76627 27.55423 4

-94.51836 27.51367 5

The methodology used for launch point selection is not part of the OSRA model in the manner it has 

been typically run for this Agency’s spill analyses. Gulf of Mexico OCS Region geologists and engineers 

used the following methodology to select the five points. For each geologic play currently recognized, 

the undiscovered technically recoverable resource volume was allocated throughout the play area based 

on the likelihood of future oil discovery potential. The probability factor used to allocate undiscovered 

oil volumes to areas within the geologic play was based on the density of existing discoveries, the density 

of undrilled prospects on leased acreage, and the results from recent exploration activity. In areas where 

the potential for undiscovered technically recoverable resource volume exists for more than one geologic 

play, the oil volumes were aggregated. Results from the aggregation were used to identify five 

geographic areas of high potential for future oil discoveries: three in the Central Planning Area and two 

in the Western Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico. Although these areas may encompass hundreds of 

square miles, the coordinates for the five launch points were selected qualitatively to correspond with the 

centroid of these areas. After their selection, the five points were given to the OSRA analysts for use with 

the OSRA model. 

Additionally, the total estimated oil-contacted area of water was also determined. The OSRA model 

integrates the spill velocities (a linear superposition of surface ocean currents and empirical wind drift) by 

integrating in time to produce the spill trajectories. The time step selected was 1 hour to fully utilize the 

spatial resolution of the ocean current field and to achieve a stable set of trajectories. The velocity field 

was bilinearly interpolated from the 3-hour grid to get velocities at 1-hour intervals. 

The trajectories simulated by the model represent only hypothetical pathways of oil slicks; they do not 

involve any direct consideration of cleanup, dispersion, or weathering processes that could alter the 

quantity or properties of oil that might eventually contact the environmental resource locations. However, 

an implicit analysis of weathering and spill degradation can be considered by choosing a travel time for 

the simulated oil spills when they contact environmental resource locations that represent the likely 

persistence of the oil slick on the water surface. Therefore, OSRA model trajectories were analyzed up to 

120 days. Any spill contacts occurring during this elapsed time are reported in the probability tables. 

Conditional probabilities of contact with land segments within 120 days of travel time were calculated for 

each of the hypothetical spill sites.

The probability estimates were tabulated as 90-day groupings of the 120-day trajectories, as averages 

for the 6 years of the analysis from 1993 to 1998. These groupings were treated as seasonal probabilities 

that corresponded with quarters of the year: Winter, Q1 (January, February, and March); Spring, 

Q2 (April, May, and June); Summer, Q3 (July, August, and September); and Fall, Q4 (October, 

November, and December). These 3-month probabilities can be used to estimate the average number of 

land segments (counties/parishes) contacted during a spill, treated as one spill occurring each day for 

90 days, within the quarter. The seasonal quarterly groupings take account of the differing

meteorological and oceanographic conditions (wind and current patterns) during the year. The latest 

meteorological and oceanographic information in the Gulf of Mexico available to BOEM were for the 

years 1993-1998. 

The area of ocean surface contacted by oil from the hypothetical spills was estimated by creating a 

grid of 1/6 degree longitude by 1/6 degree latitude. As the trajectories were computed, contact to the grid 

cells was tabulated. To estimate the area, the number of grid cells was multiplied by the approximate area 

of 342 square kilometers per grid cell. The number of grid cells and the approximate area of the ocean 

contacted by the spills were summarized at the same time intervals that were used for the land segment 

(county/parish boundary) tables (3, 10, 30, and 120 days).
C-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Catastrophic OSRA Results and Discussion

It should be noted that the study area only extends somewhat into the Atlantic Ocean, where oil spills 

in the Gulf might be transported via the exiting Loop Current. However, on average, less than 0.5 percent 

of the simulated spills made it across the northern or southern Florida Straits boundary within 30 days, 

and only 1-2 percent within 120 days. The hypothetical spill trajectories from launch points in the 

western Gulf of Mexico (e.g., LP1, LP4, and LP5) have a much less chance of being transported through 

the Florida Straits than those in the central Gulf of Mexico (LP2 and LP3). 

As one might expect, land segments closest to the spill sites had the greatest risk of contact. As the 

model run duration increases, more of the shoreline segments could have meaningful probabilities of 

contact (≥0.5%) (See Tables C-1 through C-5 for the probabilities expressed as percent chance of one or 

more offshore spills ≥1,000 bbl contacting the areas noted in Figure C-2.). It should be reiterated that 

these are conditional probabilities; the condition being that a spill is assumed to have occurred. The 

longer transit times up to 120 days allowed by the model enable hypothetical spills to reach the 

environmental resources and the shoreline from more distant spill locations. With increased travel time, 

the complex patterns of wind and ocean currents produce eddy-like motions of the oil spills and multiple 

opportunities for a spill to make contact with shoreline segments. For some launch points and for the 

travel times greater than 30 days, the probability of contact to land decreases very slowly or remains 

constant because the early contacts to land have occurred within 30 days, and the trajectories that have not 

contacted land within 30 days will remain at sea for 120 days or more. 

To summarize the differences between the LP’s, a chart showing the estimated square area of each 

launch point for the 6-day intervals is shown (see Figures C-3 through C-7 corresponding to LP’s 1-5, 

respectively). The differences between the estimated spill areas from each LP can be explained by 

meteorological and oceanographic conditions. 

• LP1—CPA, shelf area, west of the Mississippi River Delta, offshore south-central 

Louisiana, deepwater. Launch Point 1 is located near the Louisiana coast, and the 

fall circulation results in persistent and recurring coastal current from Louisiana 

waters toward Texas waters.

• LP2—CPA, shelf edge area, east of the Mississippi River Delta, south of the 

Alabama-Mississippi border, ultra-deepwater. Launch Point 2 is located near the 

Mississippi River Delta on the eastern side. The trajectories contact the coastline of 

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Many of the trajectories are forced 

offshore by the wind drift and interact with the Loop Current and Loop Current 

eddies. 

• LP3—CPA, shelf area, west of the Mississippi River delta, due south of New 

Orleans, deepwater. Launch Point 3 is located relatively far offshore and west of the 

Mississippi River Delta. The estimated area contacted by the spill is the largest of all 

the selected points, and the trajectories are influenced by the deepwater Loop Current 

eddies and offshore currents.

• LP4—WPA, shelf area, deepwater. Launch Point 4 is near the Texas coast in the 

western Gulf of Mexico. The trajectories from this launch point frequently contact 

land. The coastal flow near Texas, but to the south of the U.S./Mexico border, has a 

high fraction of northward currents, the wind is relatively persistent with a westward 

component, and the trajectories remain in a relatively smaller area.

• LP5—WPA, slope area, ultra-deepwater. Launch Point 5 is in the western Gulf of 

Mexico between the coast (LP4) and the central Gulf (LP3). The trajectories are 

forced by the Loop Current eddies that are somewhat weaker in this part of the Gulf 

of Mexico because these eddies dissipate kinetic energy as they drift to the west from 

their original separation zone. 
BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-7 

References Cited

Ji, Z.-G. 2004. Use of physical sciences in support of environmental management. Environmental 

Management 34(2). Pp. 159-169. 

Ji, Z.-G., W.R. Johnson, C.F. Marshall, G.B. Rainey, and E.M. Lear. 2002. Oil-spill risk analysis: Gulf 

of Mexico outer continental shelf (OCS) lease sales, Central Planning Area and Western Planning 

Area, 2003-2007, and Gulfwide OCS program, 2003-2042. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals 

Management Service, Herndon, VA. OCS Report MMS 2002-032. 61 pp. 

Ji, Z.-G., W.R. Johnson, and C.F. Marshall. 2004a. Deepwater oil-spill modeling for assessing 

environmental impacts. Coastal Environment V. Southampton, MA: WIT Press. Pp. 349-358. 

Ji, Z.-G., W.R. Johnson, C.F. Marshall, and E.M. Lear. 2004b. Oil-spill risk analysis: Contingency 

planning statistics for Gulf of Mexico OCS activities. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals 

Management Service, Herndon, VA. OCS Report MMS 2004-026. 62 pp. 

Oey, L.-Y. 2005. Circulation model of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea: Development of the 

Princeton Regional Ocean Forecast (& Hindcast) System—PROFS and Hindcast experiment for 

1992-1999: Final report. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Environmental 

Division, Herndon, VA. OCS Study MMS 2005-049. 174 pp. 

Oey, L.-Y., P. Hamilton, and H. C.-Lee. 2004. Modeling and data analyses of circulation processes in 

the Gulf of Mexico: Final report. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of 

Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. OCS Study MMS 2003-074. 129 pp. 

Samuels, W. B., N. E. Huang, and D.E. Amstutz. 1982. An oil spill trajectory analysis model with a 

variable wind deflection angle. Ocean Engineering 9:347-360. 

Smith, R.A., J.R. Slack, T. Wyant, and K.J. Lanfear. 1982. The oil spill risk analysis model of the U.S. 

Geological Survey. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Geological Survey Professional Paper 1227. 
C-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure C-1. Location of Five Hypothetical Oil-Spill Launch Points for OSRA within the Study Area.

Figure C-2. Locations of Parishes, Counties, and Coastlines Examined in the Special OSRA Run Conducted in 

Order to Estimate the Impacts of a Possible Future Catastrophic Spill.
BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-9 

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000

1000000

3d area 10d area 30d area 120d area

Square Kilometers (km2) of Oil Contacted Area

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Figure C-3. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point One (LP 1) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 Days in Winter, 

Spring, Summer, and Fall.
C-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000

1000000

3d area 10d area 30d area 120d area

Square Kilometers (km2) of Oil Contacted Area

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Figure C-4. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Two (LP 2) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 Days in Winter, 

Spring, Summer, and Fall.
BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-11

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000

1000000

3d area 10d area 30d area 120d area

Square Kilometers (km2) of Oil Contacted Area

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Figure C-5. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Three (LP 3) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 Days in Winter, 

Spring, Summer, and Fall.
C-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000

1000000

3d area 10d area 30d area 120d area

Square Kilometers (km2) of Oil Contacted Area

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Figure C-6. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Four (LP 4) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 Days in Winter, 

Spring, Summer, and Fall.
BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-13

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000

1000000

3d area 10d area 30d area 120d area

Square Kilometers (km2) of Oil Contacted Area

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Figure C-7. Estimated Square Area of Launch Point Five (LP 5) for 3, 10, 30, and 120 Days in Winter, 

Spring, Summer, and Fall.
C-14 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table C-1

Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill Starting at Launch Point One 

Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or Coastline within 120 Days

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall

Day 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120

ID Name Percent Chance

1 Cameron, TX - - 1 2 - - - - - - - 1 - - - 2

2 Willacy, TX - - 1 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

3 Kenedy, TX - - 1 3 - - - - - - 1 1 - - 2 4

4 Kleberg, TX - - - 1 - - - 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 3

5 Nueces, TX - - 1 4 - - - - - - 1 2 - - 1 3

6 Aransas, TX - - 2 4 - - - - - - 2 2 - - 2 4

7 Calhoun, TX - - 5 10 - - - - - - 4 4 - - 2 3

8 Matagorda, TX - 1 13 17 - - 1 1 - - 3 4 - 1 9 11

9 Brazoria, TX - 1 9 10 - 1 3 3 - - 4 6 - - 6 6

10 Galveston, TX - 2 9 11 - 2 8 9 - 2 12 15 - 1 9 9

11 Chambers, TX - - - - - - - - - - 1 1 - - - -

12 Jefferson, TX - 2 5 6 - 5 9 9 - 2 9 10 - 3 6 6

13 Cameron, LA 2 10 13 15 5 35 41 41 - 7 18 20 2 13 16 19

14 Vermilion, LA 4 9 10 10 8 22 24 24 1 9 12 12 4 8 9 9

15 Iberia, LA 1 2 3 3 1 5 6 6 - 5 7 7 1 2 3 3

16 St. Mary, LA - 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 - - - - - - - -

17 Terrebonne, LA - 1 1 1 - 2 2 2 - - 5 6 - 1 1 1

18 Lafourche, LA - - - - - - - - - - 1 1 - - - -

19 Jefferson, LA - - 1 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

21 St. Bernard, LA - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

62 Texas Coastline - 6 45 68 - 8 23 24 - 5 37 47 - 6 38 52

63 Louisiana Coastline 8 23 28 30 14 64 75 76 2 21 43 49 6 23 30 32

64 Mississippi Coastline - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

67 Tamaulipas, Mexico - - - 1 - - - - - - 2 2 - - 1 3

Note: Values of <0.5% are indicated by “-”. Any areas where the percent chance within 120 days of all seasons 

are all <0.5% are not shown. See Figure C-1 for the location of Launch Point One. See Figure C-2 for the 

location of the named land areas.
BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-15

Table C-2

Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill Starting at Launch Point Two 

Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or Coastline within 120 Days

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall

Day 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120

ID Name Percent Chance

1 Cameron, TX - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

2 Willacy, TX - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

3 Kenedy, TX - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - 1

4 Kleberg, TX - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

7 Calhoun, TX - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - 1

8 Matagorda, TX - - - 2 - - - - - - - 1 - - - 2

9 Brazoria, TX - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - 1

10 Galveston, TX - - - 1 - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

12 Jefferson, TX - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

13 Cameron, LA - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

14 Vermilion, LA - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - -

17 Terrebonne, LA - - 3 4 - - - - - - - 1 - - - 1

18 Lafourche, LA - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - 1 1

19 Jefferson, LA - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - 1 1

20 Plaquemines, LA 1 14 21 23 - 3 4 6 1 8 20 25 2 21 27 28

21 St. Bernard, LA - 4 5 5 - 1 2 3 1 7 14 16 - 8 9 10

22 Hancock, MS - 1 2 4 - 2 2 2 - 2 3 3 1 3 5 5

23 Harrison, MS 2 3 4 5 - 4 4 4 1 3 4 4 1 2 3 3

24 Jackson, MS 7 11 11 13 5 11 12 12 1 3 4 4 6 12 13 14

25 Mobile, AL 11 14 14 15 11 16 17 17 4 8 9 10 8 11 12 13

26 Baldwin, AL 4 7 7 9 6 14 16 17 1 8 10 10 1 2 2 3

27 Escambia, FL - 1 1 2 1 5 11 13 1 3 5 6 - - 1 1

29 Okaloosa, FL - - - 1 - 1 2 3 - - 1 1 - - - -

30 Walton, FL - - - - - 1 1 1 - - - - - - - 1

31 Bay, FL - - - 1 - 2 3 5 - - 1 2 - - - -

32 Gulf, FL - - - - - 1 3 5 - - 1 1 - - - -

33 Franklin, FL - - - - - - - 3 - - 1 2 - - - -

34 Wakulla, FL - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -

36 Taylor, FL - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -

38 Levy, FL - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -

49 Monroe, FL - - - 1 - - - 1 - - - - - - - -

50 Dade, FL - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -

62 Texas Coastline - - - 7 - - - - - - - 5 - - 1 6

63 Louisiana Coastline 2 18 29 37 - 4 6 9 1 15 34 43 2 29 39 41

64 Mississippi Coastline 9 15 17 22 5 16 18 19 3 7 11 12 7 16 21 22

65 Alabama Coastline 15 21 21 24 18 30 34 34 5 16 19 20 9 13 14 15

66 Florida Coastline - 2 2 6 1 10 20 36 1 3 10 14 - - 1 2

67 Tamaulipas, Mexico - - - 1 - - - - - - - 1 - - - 1

Note: Values of <0.5% are indicated by “-”. Any areas where the percent chance within 120 days of all seasons are all <0.5% 

are not shown. See Figure C-1 for the location of Launch Point Two. See Figure C-2 for the location of the named land 

areas.
C-16 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table C-3

Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill Starting at Launch Point Three 

Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or Coastline within 120 Days

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall

Day 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120

ID Name Percent Chance

1 Cameron, TX - - - 2 - - - - - - - 2 - - - 2

2 Willacy, TX - - - 3 - - - - - - - 2 - - - 3

3 Kenedy, TX - - - 8 - - - 1 - - - 9 - - - 5

4 Kleberg, TX - - 1 6 - - - - - - - 4 - - 1 6

5 Nueces, TX - - 1 6 - - - - - - - 2 - - 1 2

6 Aransas, TX - - - 5 - - - 1 - - - 3 - - - 2

7 Calhoun, TX - - 1 6 - - - - - - - 6 - - 1 4

8 Matagorda, TX - - 2 17 - - 3 4 - - - 11 - - 1 6

9 Brazoria, TX - - 3 12 - - 1 3 - - 2 8 - - 1 5

10 Galveston, TX - - 3 10 - - 3 6 - - 2 5 - - 1 4

12 Jefferson, TX - - 1 4 - - 7 9 - - 1 1 - - - 2

13 Cameron, LA - - 1 4 - - 11 12 - 1 1 4 - - - 4

14 Vermilion, LA - - 1 2 - - 5 6 - 1 1 2 - - - -

15 Iberia, LA - - - 1 - - 4 4 - - - - - - - -

17 Terrebonne, LA - 1 2 3 - 4 12 14 - - - 2 - - - -

18 Lafourche, LA - - 1 1 - 2 8 10 - - 1 2 - - - -

19 Jefferson, LA - - - 1 - - 2 2 - - 1 1 - - - -

20 Plaquemines, LA - - - 1 - 2 10 12 - - 1 2 - - - -

24 Jackson, MS - - - - - - 1 1 - - - - - - - -

26 Baldwin, AL - - - - - - 1 1 - - - - - - - -

31 Bay, FL - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -

33 Franklin, FL - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

49 Monroe, FL - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - 1

50 Dade, FL - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

62 Texas Coastline - - 12 78 - - 14 24 - - 6 54 - - 4 41

63 Louisiana Coastline - 1 6 14 - 9 52 60 - 1 4 13 - - - 6

64 Mississippi Coastline - - - - - - 1 1 - - - - - - - -

65 Alabama Coastline - - - - - - 1 1 - - - - - - - -

66 Florida Coastline - - - 1 - - 1 4 - - - 2 - - - 2

67 Tamaulipas, Mexico - - - 4 - - - 1 - - - 10 - - - 10

68

Veracruz-Llave, 

Mexico - - - - - - - - - - 1 7 - - - 1

69 Tabasco, Mexico - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

Note: Values of <0.5% are indicated by “-”. Any areas where the percent chance within 120 days of all seasons 

are all <0.5% are not shown. See Figure C-1 for the location of Launch Point Three. See Figure C-2 for 

the location of the named land areas.
BOEM-OSRA Catastrophic Run C-17

Table C-4

Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill Starting at Launch Point Four 

Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or Coastline within 120 Days

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall

Day 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120

ID Name Percent Chance

1 Cameron, TX 1 3 3 3 - - - - - - - - - 2 3 3

2 Willacy, TX 3 4 4 4 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 3 7 8 8

3 Kenedy, TX 10 22 23 23 7 9 9 9 3 9 9 9 10 21 22 23

4 Kleberg, TX 9 14 15 16 12 14 14 14 9 17 17 17 7 13 14 14

5 Nueces, TX 10 16 17 18 21 26 26 26 8 17 18 18 11 16 17 17

6 Aransas, TX 11 15 16 16 28 33 33 33 17 26 26 26 9 12 13 13

7 Calhoun, TX 7 12 13 14 12 15 15 15 18 25 26 26 7 11 12 12

8 Matagorda, TX 1 3 3 4 1 2 2 2 - 2 2 2 - 1 2 3

9 Brazoria, TX - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 1

62 Texas Coastline 51 90 94 98 82 99 ** ** 56 98   48 84 91 93

67 Tamaulipas, Mexico - 1 2 2 - - - - - - - - - - 1 1

Note: Values of <0.5%.are indicated by “-”. Any areas where the percent chance within 120 days of all seasons 

are all <0.5% are not shown. Values of >99.5% are indicated by “** ”. See Figure C-1 for the location of 

Launch Point Four. See Figure C-2 for the location of the named land areas.
C-18 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table C-5

Conditional Probabilities Expressed as Percent Chance that an Oil Spill Starting at Launch Point Five 

Will Contact a Certain Parish, County, or Coastline within 120 Days

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall

Day 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120 3 10 30 120

ID Name Percent Chance

1 Cameron, TX - - 2 4 - - - - - - 2 3 - - 3 5

2 Willacy, TX - - 1 4 - - - - - - 2 3 - - 2 3

3 Kenedy, TX - 1 8 14 - - 1 1 - - 4 7 - - 6 9

4 Kleberg, TX - - 5 7 - 1 2 2 - - 1 3 - - 4 5

5 Nueces, TX - 1 5 9 - 1 2 2 - - 1 1 - - 3 5

6 Aransas, TX - 1 5 10 - - 3 3 - - 2 3 - - 4 6

7 Calhoun, TX - 2 10 20 - 3 11 12 - - 7 9 - 1 5 7

8 Matagorda, TX - 1 8 14 - 18 29 30 - 2 12 21 - 2 9 15

9 Brazoria, TX - - 3 4 - 9 13 13 - - 7 12 - 1 4 6

10 Galveston, TX - 1 2 4 - 3 11 13 - - 5 12 - 1 2 3

12 Jefferson, TX - - - 1 - - 12 15 - - 1 4 - - - 1

13 Cameron, LA - - - 1 - 1 5 6 - - 6 8 - - - -

14 Vermilion, LA - - - - - - 2 3 - - 1 2 - - - -

20 Plaquemines, LA - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

62 Texas Coastline - 7 50 91 - 35 85 90 - 2 43 79 - 5 43 65

63 Louisiana Coastline - - - 1 - 1 8 9 - - 8 11 - - - -

67 Tamaulipas, Mexico - - 1 6 - - - - - - 3 7 - - 2 11

68 Veracruz-Llave, Mexico - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -

Note: Values of <0.5% are indicated by “-”. Any areas where the percent chance within 120 days of all seasons 

are all <0.5% are not shown. See Figure C-1 for the location of Launch Point Five. See Figure C-2 for the 

location of the named land areas.
APPENDIX D 

 

ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENT

Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-3 

D. ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENT

D.1. PROPOSED ACTIONS

Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Actions (Chapter 1.1) 

The proposed Federal actions addressed in this environmental impact statement (EIS) are 10 areawide 

oil and gas lease sales, 5 each in the Western Planning Area (WPA) and Central Planning Area (CPA) of 

the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) (Figure 1-1). Under the Proposed Final Outer 

Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017 (Five-Year Program), two sales would be 

held each year—one in the WPA and one in the CPA (Table 1-1). The first two proposed lease sales are 

WPA Lease Sale 229 scheduled for late 2012 and CPA Lease Sale 227 scheduled for 2013. The purpose 

of the proposed Federal actions is to offer for lease those areas that may contain economically recoverable 

oil and gas resources. The proposed lease sales will provide qualified bidders the opportunity to bid upon 

and lease acreage in the Gulf of Mexico OCS in order to explore, develop, and produce oil and natural 

gas. This EIS analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed actions on the marine, coastal, and human 

environments. This EIS will be the only National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document prepared 

for proposed WPA Lease Sale 229 and proposed CPA Lease Sale 227. An additional NEPA review will 

be conducted for each subsequent proposed lease sale in the Five-Year Program.

Prelease Process (Chapter 1.4)

Scoping for this EIS was conducted in accordance with Council Environmental Quality (CEQ) 

regulations implementing NEPA. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) also conducted 

early coordination with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other concerned parties to discuss and 

coordinate the prelease process for the proposed lease sales and this EIS. Key agencies and organizations 

included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD or DOD), 

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), State Governors’ offices, 

and industry groups. On June 20, 2011, the Area Identification (Area ID) decision was made. One 

Area ID was prepared for all proposed lease sales. The BOEM mailed copies of the Draft Multisale EIS 

for review and comment to public and private agencies, interest groups, and local libraries. To initiate the 

public review and comment period on the Draft Multisale EIS, BOEM published a Notice of Availability 

(NOA) in the Federal Register on December 30, 2011. Additionally, public notices were mailed with the 

Draft Multisale EIS and placed on BOEM’s Internet website (http://www.boem.gov/).

A consistency review will be performed and a Consistency Determination (CD) will be prepared for 

each affected State prior to each proposed lease sale. To prepare the CD’s, BOEM reviews each State’s 

Coastal Management Program (CMP) and analyzes the potential impacts as outlined in this EIS, new 

information, and applicable studies as they pertain to the enforceable policies of each CMP. Based on the 

analyses, the BOEM Director makes an assessment of consistency, which is then sent to each State with 

the Proposed Notice of Sale (NOS). 

The Final Multisale EIS will be published approximately 5 months prior to the first proposed sale, 

WPA Lease Sale 229, which is scheduled for late 2012. To initiate the public review and 30-day 

minimum comment period, BOEM will publish a NOA in the Federal Register. The BOEM will send 

copies of this Final Multisale EIS for review and comment to public and private agencies, interest groups, 

and local libraries. After the end of the comment period, the U.S. Department of the Interior (USDOI or 

DOI) will review the EIS and all comments received on the Final Multisale EIS. 

The EIS is not a decision document. A Record of Decision (ROD), which is the last step in this 

NEPA process, will identify the alternative chosen. The ROD will summarize the proposed action and 

the alternatives evaluated in the EIS, the conclusions of the impact analyses, and other information 

considered in reaching the decision. All comments received on the Final Multisale EIS will be addressed 

in the ROD.

A Proposed NOS will become available to the public 4-5 months prior to a proposed lease sale. If the 

decision by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals (ASLM) is to hold a proposed 
D-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

lease sale, a Final NOS will be published in its entirety in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior to 

the sale date, as required by the OCS Lands Act.

Postlease Activities (Chapter 1.5) 

Measures to minimize potential impacts are an integral part of the OCS Program. These measures are 

implemented through lease stipulations, operating regulations, Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTL’s), 

and project-specific requirements or approval conditions. These measures address concerns such as 

endangered and threatened species, geologic and manmade hazards, military warning and ordnance 

disposal areas, archaeological sites, air quality, oil-spill response planning, chemosynthetic communities, 

artificial reefs, operations in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) prone areas, and shunting of drill effluents in the

vicinity of biologically sensitive features.

A geological and geophysical (G&G) permit must be obtained from BOEM prior to conducting offlease geological or geophysical exploration or scientific research on unleased OCS lands or on lands 

under lease to a third party (30 CFR 551.4 (a) and (b)). Geological investigations include various seafloor 

sampling techniques to determine the geochemical, geotechnical, or engineering properties of the 

sediments.

Formal exploration plans (EP’s) and development plans (Development Operations and Coordination 

Documents [DOCD’s]) (30 CFR 550.211 and 550.241) with supporting information must be submitted 

for review and approval by BOEM before an operator may begin exploration, development, or production 

activities on any lease. Supporting environmental information, archaeological reports, biological reports 

(monitoring and/or live-bottom survey), and other environmental data determined necessary must be 

submitted with an OCS plan. 

A Programmatic EA must be completed to evaluate the potential effects of the deepwater 

technologies and operations (USDOI, MMS, 2000). The EP describes exploration activities, drilling rig 

or vessel, proposed drilling and well-testing operations, environmental monitoring plans, and other 

relevant information, and includes a proposed schedule of the exploration activities. Before any 

development operations can begin on a lease in a proposed lease sale area, a DOCD must be submitted to 

BOEM for review and decision. A DOCD describes the proposed development activities, drilling 

activities, platforms or other facilities, proposed production operations, environmental monitoring plans, 

and other relevant information, and it includes a proposed schedule of development and production 

activities.

Technologies continue to evolve to meet the technical, environmental, and economic challenges of 

deepwater development. New or unusual technologies (NUT’s) may be identified by the operator in its 

EP, deepwater operations plan (DWOP), and DOCD or through BOEM’s plan review processes. The 

operating procedures developed during the engineering, design, and manufacturing phases of the project, 

coupled with the results (recommended actions) from hazard analyses performed, will be used to develop 

the emergency action and curtailment plans. The lessee must use the best available and safest technology 

to enhance the evaluation of abnormal pressure conditions and to minimize the potential for uncontrolled 

well flow.

Prior to conducting drilling operations, the operator is required to submit and obtain approval for an 

APD. Besides the application process, the lessee must design, fabricate, install, use, inspect, and maintain 

all platforms and structures on the OCS to assure their structural integrity for the safe conduct of

operations at specific locations.

A permanent abandonment includes the isolation of zones in the open wellbore, plugging of 

perforated intervals, plugging the annular space between casings (if they are open), setting a surface plug, 

and cutting and retrieving the casing at least 15 feet (ft) (5 meters [m]) below the mudline. This also must 

be addressed in the application. 

Regulatory processes and jurisdictional authority concerning pipelines on the OCS and in coastal 

areas are shared by several Federal agencies, including DOI, the Department of Transportation (DOT), 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the USCG. 

Pipeline applications are usually submitted and reviewed separately from DOCD’s. Pipeline applications 

may be for on-lease pipelines or rights-of-way for pipelines that cross other lessees’ leases or unleased 

areas of the OCS. Pipeline permit applications to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement 

(BSEE) include the pipeline location drawing, profile drawing, safety schematic drawing, pipe design 

data, a shallow hazard survey report, and an archaeological report, if applicable. The BSEE evaluates the 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-5 

design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of all OCS pipelines. Applications for pipeline 

decommissioning must also be submitted for BOEM review and approval. Decommissioning 

applications are evaluated to ensure they will render the pipeline inert and/or to minimize the potential for 

the pipeline becoming a source of pollution by flushing and plugging the ends and to minimize the 

likelihood that the decommissioned line will become an obstruction to other users of the OCS by filling it 

with water and burying the ends. 

The BSEE will provide for both an annual scheduled inspection and a periodic unscheduled 

(unannounced) inspection of all oil and gas operations on the OCS. The inspections are to assure 

compliance with all regulatory constraints that allowed commencement of the operation. The lessee is 

required to use the best available and safest drilling technology in order to enhance the evaluation of 

conditions of abnormal pressure and to minimize the potential for the well to flow or kick. Because 

blowout preventers (BOP’s) are important for the safety of the drilling crew, as well as the rig and the 

wellbore itself, BOP’s are regularly inspected, tested, and refurbished. The BSEE’s responsibilities under 

the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) include spill prevention, review, and approval of oil-spill-response 

plans (OSRP’s); inspection of oil-spill containment and cleanup equipment; and ensuring oil-spill 

financial responsibility for facilities in offshore waters located seaward of the coastline or in any portion 

of a bay that is connected to the sea either directly or through one or more other bays. The responsible 

party for covered offshore facilities (COF’s) must demonstrate oil-spill financial responsibility (OSFR), 

as required by BOEM regulation 30 CFR 553. Under 30 CFR 250.1500 Subpart O, BSEE has outlined 

well control and production safety training program requirements for lessees operating on the OCS.

Alternatives (Chapter 2)

Alternative A—The Proposed Action: This is BOEM’s preferred alternative. This alternative would 

offer for lease all unleased blocks within the WPA and CPA for oil and gas operations (Figure 2-1).

Alternative B—The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near Biologically Sensitive 

Topographic Features: This alternative would offer for lease all unleased blocks in the WPA and CPA, 

as described for the proposed action (Alternative A), with the exception of any unleased blocks subject to 

the Topographic Features Stipulation. 

Alternative C—No Action: This is the cancellation of a proposed WPA or CPA lease sale. Any 

potential environmental impacts resulting from a proposed WPA or CPA lease sale would not occur or 

would be postponed. This is also analyzed in the EIS for the Five-Year Program on a nationwide 

programmatic level.

D.2. GUIDANCE AND STIPULATIONS

The BOEM Topographic Features Banks, Live-Bottom (Pinnacle Trend Features), and Live Bottom 

(Low Relief Features) Stipulations were formulated over 20 years ago and were based on consultation 

with various Federal agencies and comments solicited from State, industry, environmental organizations, 

and academic representatives. These stipulations address conservation and protection of essential fish 

habitat/live-bottoms areas. The stipulations include exclusion of all oil and gas activity (structures, 

drilling, pipelines, production, etc.) on or near live-bottom areas (both high-relief and low-relief), 

mandatory shunting of drilling muds and cuttings near high-relief features, relocation of operations 

including pipelines away from essential fish habitat/live bottoms, and possible monitoring to assess the 

impact of the activity on the live bottoms. A continuous annual monitoring study has been ongoing at the 

East and West Flower Garden Banks since 1988.

Mitigating measures that are a standard part of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s OCS 

Program limit the size of explosive charges used for platform removal, require placing explosive charges 

at least 15 ft (5 m) below the mudline, establish No Activity and Modified Activity Zones around highrelief live bottoms, and require remote-sensing surveys to detect and avoid biologically sensitive areas 

such as low-relief live-bottoms, pinnacles, and chemosynthetic communities. 

In 2009, NTL 2009-G39 (“Biologically Sensitive Areas of the Gulf of Mexico”) and NTL 2009-G40 

(“Deepwater Benthic Communities”) were produced; these now supersede the previous guidelines for 

these features found in NTL 2004-G05 and NTL 2000-G20, respectively (USDOI, MMS, 2009). They 

offer guidance on the regulations at 30 CFR 550.216(a), 30 CFR 550.247(a), 30 CFR 550.221(a), 30 CFR

250.552(a), and 30 CFR 550.282. These are information regulations for EP, DOCD’s, and development 
D-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

and production plans and monitoring programs, plans, and report regulations. The NTL 2009-G39 

changes the water depth applicability of NTL 2004-G05 from 400 m (1,312 ft) to 300 m (984 ft), makes 

minor changes to the list of affected OCS blocks, adds regulatory references, updates an NTL reference, 

makes minor administrative changes, and adds a guidance document statement. It still explains the 

Topographic Feature, Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend Features), and Live Bottom (Low Relief) 

Stipulations. The NTL 2009-G40 broadens the scope of the previous NTL 2000-G20 to cover all highdensity deepwater benthic communities (not just high-density chemosynthetic communities), changes the 

definition of deepwater from 400 m (1,312 ft) to 300 m (984 ft) and increases the separation distance 

from muds and cuttings discharge locations from 457 m (1,500 ft) to 610 m (2,000 ft).

D.3. HABITATS

Gulf of Mexico Essential Fish Habitat Program and Policies

Pursuant to Section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 

Federal agencies are required to consult with NMFS on any action that may result in adverse effects to 

essential fish habitat (EFH). The NMFS published the final rule implementing the EFH provisions of the 

Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (50 CFR 600) on January 17, 2002. 

Certain OCS activities authorized by BOEM may result in adverse effects to EFH, and therefore, require 

EFH consultation. 

In March 2000, this Agency consulted with NMFS’s Southeast Regional Office in preparing a NMFS 

regional finding for the Gulf Region that allows BOEM to incorporate the EFH assessments into NEPA 

documents. The BOEM consulted on a programmatic level, by letters of July 1999 and August 1999, to 

address EFH issues for certain BOEM Outer Continental Shelf activities (plans of exploration and 

production, pipeline rights-of-way, and platform removals). 

Following the Deepwater Horizon event on July 30, 2010, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 

Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) requested reinitiation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 

consultation with both NMFS and FWS. The NMFS responded with a letter to BOEMRE on 

September 24, 2010. The EFH consultation was also addressed in the NMFS letter. A new EFH 

consultation has been initiated between BOEM’s Gulf of Mexico OCS Region and NMFS Southeast 

Region. This is a biological assessment, which includes summaries of the WPA and CPA proposed 

actions, impacts, and relevant NTL’s; and descriptions of managed species and EFH’s. Based on the 

most recent and best available information at the time, BOEM will also continue to closely evaluate and 

assess risks to managed species and identified EFH in upcoming environmental compliance 

documentation under NEPA and other statutes. The EFH’s that are covered in this EIS are water column, 

wetlands, seagrass communities/aquatic macrophytes, topographic features, live bottoms, Sargassum, 

chemosynthetic and nonchemosynthetic deepwater benthic communities, and soft-bottom deepwater 

benthic communities. These habitats are described and the impacts from a WPA and CPA proposed 

action are summarized in this Appendix. Each EFH will have the corresponding chapters from this EIS in 

parentheses for reference.

Water Column (Chapters 4.1.1.2.1.1. 4.1.1.2.2.1, 4.2.1.2.1.1, and 4.2.1.2.2.1) 

Over 150 rivers empty out of North America into the Gulf (Gore, 1992, p. 127). The rivers emptying 

into the Gulf bring freshwater and sediment into coastal waters (Gore, 1992, pp. 127-131), which affects 

the water quality of these waters. The water cycle may introduce chemical and physical factors that alter 

the condition of the natural water (such as the addition of waterborne pollutants or the addition of warmer 

water into the Gulf). The leading source of contaminants that impair coastal water quality is urban runoff; 

which includes suspended solids, heavy metals and pesticides, oil and grease, and nutrients. Other 

pollutant source categories include agricultural runoff, municipal point sources, industrial sources, 

hydromodification (e.g., dredging), and vessel sources (e.g., shipping, fishing, and recreational boating). 

The zone of hypoxia on the Louisiana-Texas shelf occurs seasonally and is affected by the timing of the 

Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers’ discharges carrying nutrients to the surface waters. The hypoxic 

conditions last until local wind-driven circulation mixes the water again. The water offshore of the Gulf’s 

coasts can be divided into two regions: shallow <1,000 ft (305 m) and deep water ≥1,000 ft (305 m). 

Waters on the continental shelf at 0-200 m (0-656 ft) and on the slope at 200-2,000 m (656-6,562 ft) are 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-7 

heavily influenced by the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. In the Gulf of Mexico, pH ranges from 

approximately 8.1 to 8.3 at the surface (Gore, 1992, p. 87), salinity of the Gulf is generally 36 parts per 

thousand, and surface temperatures range from 29 oC (84 oF) to 19 oC (65 oF) (Gore, 1992, p. 79). 

Gulf Stream

The Loop Current and its associated eddies create a dynamic zone with strong divergences and 

convergences that concentrate and transports plankton (this includes larvae from both oceanic and 

continental shelf species).

Estuarine

Wetlands (Chapters 4.1.1.4.1 and 4.2.1.4.1) 

In general, coastal wetland habitats occur as bands around waterways. They are broad expanses of 

saline, brackish, and freshwater marshes; mud and sand flats; cypress-tupelo and mangrove swamps; and 

bottomland hardwood forests. Saline and brackish habitats support sharply delineated and segregated 

stands of single plant species. Fresh and low-salinity environments support more diverse and mixed 

communities of plants. High organic productivity and efficient nutrient recycling are characteristic of 

coastal wetlands. These wetland corridors also function as floodwater retention and purification areas as 

well as sites for local aquifer recharge. Different wetland habitats include the Laguna Madre, the Chenier 

Plain, and the Mississippi River Delta Complex. These are important areas for many estuarine dependent 

species.

Seagrass Communities/Aquatic Macrophytes (Chapters 4.1.1.5.1 and 4.2.1.5.1) 

Submerged vegetation distribution and composition depend on an interrelationship among a number 

of environmental factors that include water temperature, depth, turbidity, salinity, turbulence, and 

substrate suitability (Kemp, 1989; Onuf, 1996; Short et al., 2001). Seagrasses and freshwater submerged 

aquatic vegetation provide important nursery and permanent habitat for sunfish, killifish, immature 

shrimp, crabs, drum, trout, flounder, and several other nekton species, and provide a food source for 

species of wintering waterfowl and megaherbivores (Rozas and Odum, 1988; Rooker et al., 1998; 

Castellanos and Rozas, 2001; Heck et al., 2003; Orth et al., 2006). These habitats are found in some 

capacity throughout the Gulf. 

Structural Habitats

Oysters

Oysters are unique in that they are a substrate and a fisheries species. They provide hard substrate 

with complex structure for inshore species, including other oysters (all structure provides hiding 

places/refuge). They are also an important prey species and are discussed later in this Appendix. In the 

coastal areas off the United States, the oyster reefs in the Gulf of Mexico were evaluated as being in fair 

condition (Beck et al., 2001). 

Topographic Features (Chapters 4.1.1.6.1 and 4.2.1.7.1) 

Details of the restrictions are described in this Agency’s NTL 2009-G39. The Biological Stipulation 

Map Package (http://www.boem.gov/Regulations/Notices-To-Lessees/Notices-to-Lessees-andOperators.aspx) includes drawings of each bank with associated protection zones. Topographic features 

are hard-bottom habitats and are rare compared with the ubiquitous soft bottoms in the Gulf (Parker et al., 

1983). They are typically upthrusts of rock due to uplift (salt diapirs) by underlying layers of salt deep 

under the seafloor. Some others, such as the South Texas Banks, are relic coral reefs left over from the 

last sea-level low stand (about 10,000 years ago). These topographic highs, or subsea banks, provide an 

island of hard substrate in a virtual ocean of soft bottoms. Figure 4-5 depicts the location of protected 

topographic features in the Gulf. Figure 4-5 depicts the location of 37 protected topographic features in 

the Gulf; 21 in the WPA and 16 in the CPA. 
D-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Live Bottoms (Pinnacle Trend [Chapter 4.2.1.6.1.1] and Low Relief [Chapter 4.2.1.6.2.1]) 

The northeastern portion of the CPA exhibits a region of high topographic relief known as the 

“Pinnacle Trend” at the outer edge of the Mississippi-Alabama shelf between the Mississippi River and 

De Soto Canyon. The Pinnacle Trend spreads over a 103 x 26 km area (64 x 16 mi) in water depths of 

60-200 m (200-650 ft) (Figure 4-37). High-relief features consist of pinnacles, flat-top reefs, reef-like 

mounds, patch reefs, and isobath-parallel ridges. Low-relief features include fields of small seafloor 

mounds that rise only a meter or two from the seafloor but provide hard surfaces for encrusting and 

attached epifauna.

Low-relief, hard-bottom features are located on the inner and middle Mississippi-Alabama shelf. 

These features include isolated low-relief, reef-like structures; rubble fields; low-relief flat rocks (e.g., 

6 m long and 60 cm thick; 20 ft long and 2 ft thick); limestone ledges (e.g., 4 m [13 ft] high); rocky 

outcrops off Mobile Bay (18- to 40-m [59- to 131-ft] depth range; 5 m wide and 2 m high; 16 ft wide and 

7 ft high); and clustered reefs (e.g., tens of meters across and 3 m [10 ft] high) (Schroeder et al., 1988; 

Schroeder, 2000). Hard-bottom features on the Mississippi-Alabama-Florida Shelf (MAFLA) typically 

provide reef habitat for tropical organisms, including sessile epifauna (soft corals, nonreef-building hard 

corals, sponges, bryozoans, crinoids) and fish; these areas are typically of low relief (<1 m; 3 ft) 

(Thompson et al., 1999). Many of these live bottom areas are found in the Eastern Planning Area and a 

small northeastern portion of the CPA. Hard bottom areas include De Soto Canyon, Florida Middle 

Grounds, Pulley Ridge, Steamboat Lumps, Madison Swanson, and the Sticky Grounds. Other low-relief 

live bottoms include seagrass communities, and these are covered in Chapters 4.1.1.5 and 4.2.1.5 in this 

EIS and under the heading “Seagrass Communities/Aquatic Macrophytes” in this Appendix. The 

seagrass communities are found nearshore in the CPA with a small amount found in federal waters in the 

Eastern Planning Area (off the Florida coast).

Sargassum (Chapters 4.1.1.7.1 and 4.2.1.8.1) 

Sargassum is one of the most ecologically important brown algal genera found in the pelagic 

environment of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The pelagic complex in the Gulf is mainly 

comprised of S. natans and S. fluitans (Stoner, 1983; Lee and Moser, 1998; Littler and Littler, 2000). 

Both species of macrophytes (aquatic plants) are hyponuestonic (living immediately below the surface) 

and fully adapted to a pelagic existence (Lee and Moser, 1998). Sargassum serves as nurseries, 

sanctuaries, and forage grounds for both commercially and recreationally exploited species. 

Manmade Structures

While these are not identified or described by NMFS as EFH, manmade structures serve as important 

habitat for many species. When manmade reefs are constructed, they provide new primary hard substrate 

similar in function to newly exposed hard bottom, with the additional benefit of substrate extending from 

the bottom to the surface. Reef structures of high profile seem to yield generally higher densities of 

managed and nonmanaged pelagic and demersal species than a more widespread, lower profile natural 

hard bottom or reef (South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 1998). Wilson et al. (2003) reported 

fish densities as much as 1,000 times larger on platforms compared with surrounding mud bottom habitats 

and even equal to or greater than natural reef habitats such as the Flower Garden Banks. The benefits of 

artificial reefs created by the installation of energy production platform structures are well documented in 

Gulf waters off the coast of Texas and Louisiana. More than 400 oil and gas platforms are also used as 

artificial reefs after they are decommissioned. Jetties also provide hard substrate for intertidal species and 

rigs also create artificial hard substrate habitat for offshore species.

Benthic Habitats and Sediment/Water Interface

Chemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.8.1 and 4.2.1.9.1) 

These communities use a carbon source independent of photosynthesis and the sun-dependent 

photosynthetic food chain that supports all other life on earth. Although the process of chemosynthesis is 

entirely microbial, chemosynthetic bacteria can support thriving assemblages of higher organisms. This 

is accomplished through symbiotic relationships in which the chemosynthetic bacteria live within the 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-9 

tissues of tube worms and bivalves and provide a food source for their hosts. At least 69 communities are 

now known to exist in the Gulf (Figure 4-8).

Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.9.1 and 4.2.1.10.1) 

Deepwater corals are relatively rare examples of deepwater communities that would not be expected 

considering the fact that the vast majority of the deep Gulf continental slope is made up of soft silt and 

clay sediments. Hermatypic (reef-building) corals contain photosynthetic algae and cannot live in 

deepwater environments; however, many ahermatypic corals can live on suitable substrates (hardgrounds) 

in these environments. Scleractinian corals are recognized in deepwater habitats, but there is little 

information regarding their distribution or abundance in the Gulf (USDOI, MMS, 2000, p. IV-14). 

Scleractinian corals may occupy isolated hard-bottom habitats but usually occur in association with highdensity chemosynthetic communities that often are situated on carbonate hardgrounds.

Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.10.1 and 4.2.1.11.1) 

Soft-bottom habitats consist primarily of sand/shell and are inhabited by different animals that may be 

classified as infauna and epifauna. These animals modify their habitats; also, some fishes modify these 

bottoms by burrowing. 

Habitat Areas of Particular Concern

These are localized areas of EFH that are either ecologically important, sensitive, stressed, or a rare 

area as compared to with rest of a species EFH geological range. Examples of habitat areas of particular 

concern (HAPC’s) as designated by Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) are the 

Flower Garden Banks (West and East Flower Garden Banks, Stetson Bank, Rankin Bank, Bright Bank, 

29 Fathom Bank, 28 Fathom Bank, MacNeil Bank, Geyer Bank, McGrail Bank, Sonnier Banks, 

Alderdice Bank, and Jakkula Bank), and in Florida there are Madison Swanson, Florida Middle Grounds, 

Pulley Ridge, and Tortugas Ecological Reserve. The NMFS has a poster outlining many of these banks, 

and it can be found at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/hcd/pdfs/efhdocs/gom_efhhapc_poster.pdf. 

D.4. FISHERIES (CHAPTERS 4.1.1.15, 4.1.1.16, 4.1.1.17, 4.2.1.18, 4.2.1.19,

AND 4.2.1.20)

The Gulf is identified as EFH for species managed by the GMFMC and covered in the Shrimp 

Fishery Management Plan (FMP), Red Drum FMP, Reef Fish FMP, Spiny Lobster FMP, Coral and Coral 

Reef FMP, and Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP. The highly migratory species managed by NOAA 

Fisheries (these species continue to have EFH designations extending in some cases to the Exclusive 

Economic Zone) also have EFH identified in the Gulf. Many of these species are of commercial 

importance and all of them spend a portion of their life cycle within the waters of the Gulf. The NMFS 

lists the species, EFH categories and designations, and HAPC in their Essential Fish Habitat: A Marine 

Fish Habitat Conservation Mandate for Federal Agencies; Gulf of Mexico Region (USDOC, NMFS, 

2010). The following is summarized from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Final 

Environmental Impact Statement; Generic Essential Fish Habitat Amendment to the Following Fishery 

Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico: Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, Red Drum Fishery of

the Gulf of Mexico, Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, 

Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico, Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, 

Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (GMFMC, 2004) and the 

Final Amendment 1 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management 

Plan, Essential Fish Habitat (USDOC, NMFS, 2009). For the full list of species and their scientific 

names, see Table D-1. 

Red Drum

Red drum utilize estuaries from Vermilion Bay, Louisiana to eastern Mobile Bay, Alabama, to 

25 fathoms (46 m; 150 ft) in Florida and between Crystal River to Naples, Florida at 5-10 fathoms 
D-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

(9-18 m; 30-60 ft) and Cape Sable, Florida, to the boundary of Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 

Council and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Red drum occur all over the Gulf from the 

estuaries to offshore 40 m (131 ft). They can tolerate wide salinity ranges. Red drum eggs are found 

nearshore and larvae are in estuaries in temperatures of 25° C (77° F), during the later summer and early 

fall. Larvae feed on copepods. Early juveniles utilize nearshore estuarine areas like bays in the early 

winter and eat a variety of prey. Adults are found from the estuaries to the continental shelf in the fall and 

are omnivores. Spawning occurs nearshore in the deeper waters by mouths of bays and inlets and the 

Gulf side of barrier islands in the fall.

Reef Fish

Reef fish utilize estuaries associated with the Gulf, occupy pelagic and benthic portions of the Gulf, 

and use different topographic features on the continental shelf with high relief and some soft bottoms 

(Table D-2). Different species and different life history stages use different parts of the Gulf.

Coastal Migratory Species 

Coastal migratory species generally utilize estuaries. The habitat locations for these species can be 

found in Table D-3. 

Shrimp

Shrimp generally spawn offshore, have demersal eggs and pelagic larvae that eat algae and 

zooplankton (Table D-4). Their post-larvae are found in estuaries and become benthic. The juveniles in 

estuaries and are omnivores and eventually emigrate offshore.

Spiny Lobster

These lobsters are found offshore associated with coral reefs and seagrass beds. Larvae eat plankton 

and when they move from offshore to inshore by bays and seagrass, they stop feeding. Juveniles utilize 

nearshore bays with macroalgae, sponges, and corals. They feed on invertebrates. Adults are found 

offshore associated with reefs, rocky habitat, and hard bottom, and they spawn offshore in reef fringes. 

They can be found in seagrass beds within bays and feed on invertebrates. 

Corals 

Coral larvae are planktonic. Corals are broadcast spawners and the primary locations of reed building 

are the Flower Garden Banks, Florida Middle Grounds, and the Dry Tortugas. 

Highly Migratory Species

Highly Migratory Species’ productivity varies with the Loop Current. General productivity in the 

Gulf is in different areas with different habitats; the highest fish resources are found in Mississippi River 

Delta, Florida Big Bend, Florida Middle Grounds, mid- and outer shelf, and De Soto Canyon (because it 

has upwelling). Highly Migratory Species occupy a range of habitats: estuaries, coastal, neritic, and 

offshore pelagic environments. Tables D-5 and D-6 provide descriptions of where these species could be 

found in the Gulf of Mexico. In many of the statements, the states are used to help visualize 

approximately where in the Gulf the species could occur. The following information can be found in 

detail in USDOC, NMFS (2009). The NMFS has designated a vast area of the western Gulf of Mexico 

for Atlantic bluefin tuna as a HAPC; this species is found in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic 

Ocean (USDOC, NMFS, 2009). Smalltail shark, bigeye sixgill shark, sevengill shark, and sixgill shark 

do not have an EFH identified due to insufficient data. 

Other Species of Importance

Mullets use coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers; they have wide salinity and depth (1-120 m; 

3-393 ft) range. Their eggs are planktonic and are found offshore. Larvae are pelagic and migrate 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-11

inshore by entering through estuaries, and they feed on zooplankton. Juveniles utilize estuaries and are 

found in the mud and sand, and they feed on detritus and algae. Adults are found in estuaries and rivers 

over mud and sand bottoms and with vegetation. They spawn during the fall and winter in offshore in 

large schools and return to the estuary after they spawn.

Gulf menhaden are estuarine dependent, pelagic, and schooling planktivores that occur at depth from 

1-140 m (3-459 ft). Eggs are pelagic and are found both inshore and offshore. Larvae are passively 

transported into estuaries and associate with lower salinities. Juveniles are found in nonvegetated areas 

and move to more saline bays with size. Adults are found in nearshore waters in bays (<18 m; 59 ft) and 

spawn over the shelf in the fall and winter.

Blue crabs are found all over Gulf depending on the life history stage. Eggs are attached to females 

that occur in high salinity waters by barrier islands or bay mouths. Larvae (zoeae) are pelagic and are 

carried offshore to develop over the shelf. Post-larvae (megalope) migrate to estuaries and settle in 

vegetation and shoreline habitat; they are omnivores. Juveniles utilize vegetated habitats with mud and 

sand bottoms, and they have a wide salinity range. Adults are found in the same areas as juveniles, but 

females are generally found in higher salinities.

Oysters are found in inshore waters. Eggs sink and hatch. Larvae are free swimming until their foot 

forms and then they settle to the bottom on hard substrate; they are planktivorous. The oyster life cycle is 

all dependent on salinity cues. Adults grow attached to the substrate and are filter feeders and broadcast 

spawners. They release eggs and sperm during the spring to the fall in warm, high salinities waters 

(>10 practical salinity units).

D.5. IMPACTS OF ROUTINE OPERATIONS (CHAPTER 3.1)

Routine operations continue during the life of a lease, and different activities can have different 

effects on EFH. Generally, the activities would start with an exploration well and then delineation wells 

to find and help define the amount of resource or the extent of the reservoir (Chapter 3.1.1.2.2). 

Development wells are then drilled from movable structures, fixed bottom-supported structures, floating 

vertically moored structures, floating production facilities, and drillships (Chapter 3.1.1.3.1). Any 

drilling will cause some sort of bottom area disturbance (Chapter 3.1.1.3.2.1) and sediment displacement

(Chapter 3.1.1.3.2.2). Most exploration drilling, platform, and pipeline emplacement operations on the 

OCS require anchors to hold the rig, topside structures, or support vessels in place. Anchors disturb the 

seafloor and sediments in the area where dropped or emplaced (Chapter 3.1.1.3.3.1). Discharges are 

drilling muds and cuttings (Chapter 3.1.1.4.1), and produced waters (Chapter 3.1.1.4.2) will occur with 

production and development but they are highly regulated by USEPA. In order to move the vast amount 

of oil over the years, a mature pipeline network exists in the Gulf to transport oil and gas production from 

the OCS to shore (Chapter 3.1.1.8.1). Once a lease has expired, the lessee must sever bottom-founded 

structures and their related components at least 5 m (15 ft) below the mudline to ensure that nothing 

would be exposed that could interfere with future lessees and other activities in the area (Chapter 

3.1.1.10). All of the routine operations are not all offshore. There are also coastal routine operations that 

can affect EFH, which include the following: service bases; gas processing plants; coastal pipelines; 

navigation channels; and disposal facilities for operations (discharge and wastewater) (Chapters 

3.1.2.1.1, 3.1.2.1.4.2, 3.1.2.1.6, 3.1.2.1.8, and 3.1.2.2).

Water Column (Chapters 4.1.1.2.1.2, 4.1.1.2.2.2, 4.2.1.2.1.2, and 4.2.1.2.2.2) 

The primary impacting sources to water quality in coastal waters are point-source and storm-water 

discharges from support facilities, vessel discharges, and nonpoint-source runoff. These activities are not 

only highly regulated but also localized and temporary in nature. During exploration activities, the 

primary impacting sources to offshore water quality are discharges of drilling fluids and cuttings. During 

platform and pipeline installation and removal activities, the primary impacting sources to water quality 

are sediment disturbance and temporarily increased turbidity. Impacting discharges during production 

activities are produced water and service-vessel discharges, which might include water with an oil 

concentration of approximately 15 parts per million as established by regulatory standards. The USEPA 

and USCG regulations are in place to limit the toxicity of the ingredients, the levels of incidental 

contaminants in these discharges, and in some cases the discharge rates and discharge locations. Any 

disturbance of the seafloor would increase turbidity in the surrounding water, but the increased turbidity 
D-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

should be temporary and restricted to the area near the disturbance. There are multiple Federal 

regulations and permit requirements that would decrease the magnitude of the impacts of these activities

Wetlands (Chapters 4.1.1.4.2 and 4.2.1.4.2) 

Overall, the impacts to wetlands from routine activities associated with a WPA or CPA proposed 

action are expected to be low due to the small length of projected onshore pipelines, the minimal 

contribution from the small amount of maintenance dredging, and the State and COE mitigation measures 

that would be used to further reduce these impacts.

Seagrass Communities/Aquatic Macrophytes (Chapters 4.1.1.5.2 and 4.2.1.5.2) 

Routine impacts from a WPA or CPA proposed action on submerged vegetation include dredging 

activities, pipeline route development, and prop scarring from vessel traffic. Because of Federal and State 

permit requirements and natural flushing (wind and current), any potential effects from routine activities 

on submerged vegetation are expected to be localized and not consequentially adverse.

Topographic Features (Chapters 4.1.1.6.2 and 4.2.1.7.2) 

The Topographic Features Stipulation would prevent most of the potential impacts on topographic 

features from bottom-disturbing activities (structure removal and emplacement) and operational 

discharges associated with a WPA or CPA proposed action. Because of the No Activity Zone, BSEE 

permit restrictions, and the high-energy environment associated with topographic features, if any 

contaminants reach topographic features, they would be diluted from their original concentration and 

impacts that do occur would be minimal. 

Live Bottoms (Pinnacle Trend [Chapter 4.2.1.6.1.2] and Low Relief [Chapter 4.2.1.6.2.2]) 

Oil and gas operations discharge drilling muds and cuttings generate turbidity, potentially smothering 

benthos near the drill sites. Deposition of drilling muds and cuttings in the Pinnacle Trend area would not 

greatly impact the biota of the live bottoms because the biota surrounding the pinnacle features are 

adapted to the turbid (nepheloid) conditions and high sedimentation rates associated with the outflow of 

the Mississippi River (Gittings et al., 1992). The pinnacles themselves are coated with a veneer of 

sediment. The toxicity of the produced waters has the potential to adversely impact the live-bottom 

organisms of the Pinnacle Trend; however, as previously stated, the Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) 

Stipulation would prevent the placement of oil and gas facilities upon (and consequently would prevent 

the discharge of produced water directly over) the Pinnacle Trend live-bottom areas.

The effects from routine operations would be similar to hard, low-relief live bottoms as they are to the 

pinnacle features. The toxicity of produced waters has the potential to adversely impact the live-bottom 

organisms; however, as previously stated, many of the low-relief areas are not in the area to be offered in 

a CPA proposed action and the proposed Live Bottom (Low Relief) Stipulation would prevent the 

placement of oil and gas facilities upon (and consequently would prevent the discharge of produced water 

directly over) low-relief, live-bottom habitats. Produced waters also rapidly disperse and remain in the 

surface layers of the water column, far above the live-bottom features.

Sargassum (Chapters 4.1.1.7.2 and 4.2.1.8.2) 

All types of discharges, including drill muds and cuttings, produced water, and operational discharges 

(e.g., deck runoff, bilge water, and sanitary effluent), would contact a small portion of the Sargassum

algae. Routine operations of a WPA or CPA proposed action are expected to have only minor effects to a 

small portion of the Sargassum community as a whole. The Sargassum community occupies pelagic 

waters with generally high water quality and would be resilient to the minor effects predicted. It has a 

yearly cycle that promotes quick recovery from impacts. No measurable impacts are expected to the 

overall population of the Sargassum community. 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-13

Chemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.8.2 and 4.2.1.9.2) 

Chemosynthetic communities are susceptible to physical impacts from anchoring, structure 

emplacement, pipeline installation, structure removal, and drilling discharges. The guidance described in 

NTL 2009-G40 greatly reduces the risk of these physical impacts by requiring the avoidance of potential 

chemosynthetic communities. Routine operations of a WPA or CPA proposed action are expected to 

cause no damage to the ecological function or biological productivity of chemosynthetic communities. 

Widely scattered, high-density chemosynthetic communities would not be expected to experience impacts 

from oil and gas activities in deep water because the impacts would be limited by standard BOEMRE 

protections in place as described in NTL 2009-G40. 

Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.9.2 and 4.2.1.10.2) 

Some impact to deepwater benthic communities from drilling and production activities would occur 

as a result of physical impacts and drilling discharges regardless of their locations. However, 

recolonization of populations from widespread neighboring soft-bottom substrate would be expected over 

a relatively short period of time for all size ranges of organisms. Widely scattered, deep live bottoms 

would not be expected to experience impacts from routine oil and gas activities in deep water because the 

impacts would be limited by standard BOEMRE protections in place as described in NTL 2009-G40. 

Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.10.2 and 4.2.1.11.2) 

Although localized impacts to comparatively small areas of the soft-bottom benthic habitats would 

occur, the impacts would be on a relatively small area of the seafloor compared with the overall area of 

the seafloor (384,567 km2

; 148,482 mi2). The greatest impact is the alteration of benthic communities as 

a result of smothering, chemical toxicity, and substrate change. Communities that are smothered by 

cuttings repopulate, and populations that are eliminated as a result of sediment toxicity or organic 

enrichment would be taken over by more tolerant species. The community alterations are a shift in 

species dominance (Montagna and Harper, 1996). These localized impacts generally occur within a few 

hundred meters of platforms, and the greatest impacts are seen close to the platform. These patchy 

habitats within the Gulf are probably not different from the early successional communities that 

predominate throughout areas of the Gulf that are frequently disturbed (Gaston et al., 1998; Diaz and 

Solow, 1999; Rabalais et al., 2002).

Fish Resources (Chapters 4.1.1.15.2 and 4.2.1.18.2) 

Effects on fish resources from routine activities associated with a WPA or CPA proposed action could 

result from coastal environmental degradation, marine environmental degradation, pipeline trenching, and 

offshore discharges of drilling muds and produced waters. Some of the routine impact-producing factors 

are mitigated by BOEM through the Topographic Feature and the Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend/Low 

Relief) Stipulations, which are described in NTL 2009-G39. The NTL 2009-G39 and NTL 2009-G40 

advise operators to avoid hard-bottom habitats that support fish populations. Much of the coastal wetland 

loss that supports estuarine habitat and nursery grounds, upon which fish stocks are dependent, is a result 

of inshore oil and gas extraction and not the result of offshore oil and gas leasing. The Gulf of Mexico 

fish stocks have retained both diversity and biomass throughout the years of offshore development, and a 

WPA or CPA proposed action is expected to result in a minimal decrease in fish resources and/or 

standing stocks.

D.6. IMPACTS OF ACCIDENTAL EVENTS

Offshore oil spills and their probabilities are presented in Chapter 3.2.1.5 for a spill ≥1,000 bbl and 

in Chapter 3.2.1.6 for a spill <1,000 bbl. Coastal spills are analyzed in Chapter 3.2.1.7, and the 

response activities for the spills are discussed in detail in Chapter 3.2.1.9. This is a summary of the 

effects of these spills on EFH. There is also a summary of the effects of a catastrophic spill on each EFH.
D-14 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Water Column (Chapters 4.1.1.2.1.3, 4.1.1.2.2.3, 4.2.1.2.1.3, and 4.2.1.2.2.3) 

Accidental events associated with a WPA or CPA proposed action that could impact coastal and 

offshore water quality include spills of oil and refined hydrocarbons, releases of natural gas and 

condensate, spills of chemicals or drilling fluids, loss of well control, pipeline failures, collisions, or other 

malfunctions that could also result in such spills. The usage of chemical dispersants in oil-spill response 

could be associated with accidental events and could have impacts to water quality. Although response 

efforts may decrease the amount of oil in the environment, the response efforts may also impact the 

environment. Natural degradation processes would also decrease the amount of spilled oil over time. For 

coastal spills, two additional factors that must be considered are the shallowness of the area and the 

proximity of the spill to shore. Over time, natural processes can physically, chemically, and biologically 

degrade oil. Chemicals used in the oil and gas industry are not a significant risk in the event of a spill. 

This is because they are either nontoxic, are used in minor quantities, or are only used on a noncontinuous 

basis. Spills from collisions are not expected to be significant because collisions occur so infrequently.

Wetlands (Chapters 4.1.1.4.3 and 4.2.1.4.3) 

Overall, impacts to wetland habitats from an oil spill associated with activities related to a WPA or 

CPA proposed action would be expected to be low and temporary. This is because of the dynamic nature 

of the system, State and COE permit regulations, and specific cleanup techniques. Coastal spills would 

be localized and have a quick response, which would decrease the amount of wetlands affected. 

Seagrass Communities/Aquatic Macrophytes (Chapters 4.1.1.5.3 and 4.2.1.5.3) 

The floating nature of nondispersed crude oil, the regional microtidal range, dynamic climate with 

mild temperatures, and the amount of microorganisms that consume oil would alleviate prolonged effects 

on submerged vegetation communities. Also, safety and spill-prevention technologies continue to 

improve and will decrease detrimental effects to submerged vegetation from a WPA or CPA proposed 

action. 

Topographic Features (Chapters 4.1.1.6.3 and 4.2.1.7.3) 

The Topographic Features Stipulation would assist in preventing most of the potential impacts on 

topographic feature communities from blowouts, surface, and subsurface oil spills and the associated 

effects by increasing the distance of such events from the topographic features. In the unlikely event that 

oil from a subsurface spill would reach the biota of a topographic feature, the effects would be primarily 

sublethal and impacts would be at the community level. Any turbidity, sedimentation, and oil adsorbed to 

sediments would also be at low concentrations by the time the topographic features were reached, also 

resulting in sublethal impacts. Impacts from an oil spill on topographic features are also lessened by the 

distance of the spill, the depth, and the currents that surround the topographic features. 

Live Bottoms (Pinnacle Trend [Chapter 4.2.1.6.1.3] and Low Relief [Chapter 4.2.1.6.2.3]) 

Live-bottom (Pinnacle Trend) features represent a small fraction of the continental shelf area. The 

small portion of the seafloor covered by these features, combined with the probable random nature of oilspill locations, serves to limit the extent of damage from any given oil spill to the Pinnacle Trend features. 

The Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) Stipulation would prevent most of the potential impacts from oil and 

gas operations, including accidental oil spills and blowouts, on the biota of Pinnacle Trend features. 

However, operations outside the proposed buffer zones around sensitive habitats (including blowouts and 

oil spills) may affect live-bottom features. 

The depth (≥ 60m; 200 ft) below the sea surface where the Pinnacle Trend is located helps to protect 

it from surface oil spills. Any oil that might contact pinnacle features would probably be at low 

concentrations because the depth to which surface oil can mix down into the water column is less than the 

peak of the tallest pinnacles, and this would result in little effect to these features.

The limited relief of many live bottom features helps to protect them from surface oil spills. Because 

the concentration of oil becomes diluted as it physically mixes with the surrounding water and as it moves 

into the water column, any oil that might be driven to 10 m (33 ft) or deeper would probably be at 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-15

concentrations low enough to reduce impact to these features. Any features in water shallower than 10 m 

(33 ft) would be located far from the source of activities in a CPA proposed action. 

A subsurface spill or plume may impact sessile biota of live-bottom features. Oil or dispersed oil 

may cause sublethal impacts to benthic organisms if a plume reaches these features. Sedimented oil or 

sedimentation as a result of a blowout may impact benthic organisms. Impacts may include loss of 

habitat, biodiversity, and live coverage; change in community structure; and failed reproductive success. 

The Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) and Live Bottom (Low Relief) Stipulations would limit the potential 

impact of occurrences such as blowouts, surface, and subsurface oil spills and the associated effects by 

keeping the sources of such adverse events geographically removed from the sensitive biological 

resources of live-bottom features. Because of the distance from live bottoms, sedimented oil should be 

well dispersed, resulting in a light layer of deposition that would be easily removed by the organism and 

have low toxicity.

Sargassum (Chapter 4.1.1.7.3 and 4.2.1.8.3) 

The Sargassum community occupies the pelagic waters in areas with generally high water quality and 

is expected to show good resilience to the predicted effects of spills. It has a yearly cycle that promotes 

quick recovery from impacts. No measurable impacts are expected to the overall population of the

Sargassum community unless a catastrophic spill occurs.

Chemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.8.3 and 4.2.1.9.3) 

Most accidental events associated with a WPA or CPA proposed action would result in only minimal 

impacts to chemosynthetic communities with adherence to the biological stipulation and the guidelines 

described in NTL 2009-G40. One exception would be in the case of a catastrophic spill combined with 

the application of dispersant, producing the potential to cause devastating effects on local patches of 

habitat in the path of subsea plumes where they physically contact the seafloor. The possible impacts, 

however, will be localized due to the directional movement of oil plumes by the water currents and 

because the sensitive habitats have a scattered, patchy distribution. Oil plumes that remain in the water 

column for longer periods would disperse and decay, having only minimal effect. 

Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.9.3 and 4.2.1.10.3) 

Accidental events associated with a WPA or CPA proposed action would result in only minimal 

impacts to nonchemosynthetic communities with adherence to the biological stipulation and the 

guidelines described in NTL 2009-G40. One exception would be in the case of a catastrophic spill 

combined with the application of dispersant, producing the potential to cause devastating effects on local 

patches of habitat in the path of subsea plumes where they physically contact the seafloor. The possible 

impacts, however, will be localized due to the directional movement of oil plumes by the water currents 

and because the sensitive habitats have a scattered, patchy distribution. Oil plumes that remain in the 

water column for longer periods would disperse and decay, having only minimal effect.

Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.10.3 and 4.2.1.11.3) 

Because of the small amount of proportional space that OCS activities occupy on the seafloor, only a 

small portion of the seafloor of the Gulf would experience lethal impacts as a result of blowouts, surface 

and subsurface oil spills, and the associated effects. The greatest impacts would be closest to the spill 

site, and impacts would decrease with distance from the spill. Contact with spilled oil at a distance from 

the spill would likely cause sublethal to immeasurable effects to benthic organisms because the distance 

would prevent contact with concentrated oil. Any sedimentation, sedimented oil, and oil from a 

subsurface spill that reaches benthic communities would be at low concentrations by the time it reached 

the benthic communities and be primarily sublethal so impacts would be at the local community level. 

Also, any local communities that are lost would be repopulated fairly rapidly (Neff, 2005). Although an 

oil spill may have some detrimental impacts, especially closest to the occurrence of the spill, the impacts 

may be no greater than natural biological fluctuations (Clark, 1982), and impacts would be to an 

extremely small portion of the overall Gulf of Mexico. 
D-16 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Fish Resources (Chapters 4.1.1.15.3 and 4.2.1.18.3) 

Accidental events that could impact fish resources include blowouts and oil or chemical spills. 

Because subsurface blowouts, although a highly unlikely occurrence, suspend large amounts of sediment, 

they have the potential to adversely affect fish resources in the immediate area of the blowout. If oil spills 

due to a WPA or CPA proposed action were to occur in open waters of the OCS proximate to mobile 

adult fish, the effects would likely be nonfatal and the extent of damage would be reduced because adult 

fish have the ability to move away from a spill, to metabolize hydrocarbons, and to excrete both 

metabolites and parent compounds. Fish populations may be impacted by an oil spill but they would be 

primarily affected if the oil reaches the shelf and estuarine areas, because these are the most productive 

areas, but the probability of a spill in these areas is low. The fish populations of the Gulf of Mexico have 

repeatedly proven to be resilient to large, annually occurring areas of anoxia, major hurricanes, and oil 

spills. A WPA or CPA proposed action is not expected to significantly affect fish populations in the Gulf 

of Mexico. 

D.7. IMPACTS OF A CATASTROPHIC SPILL EVENT (APPENDIX B)

Water Column 

During the initial phase of a catastrophic blowout, water quality impacts include disturbance of 

sediments and the release and suspension of oil and natural gas (methane) into the water column. Some 

sediment could travel several kilometers, depending on particle size and subsea current patterns. In the 

deep Gulf, surficial sediments are mostly composed of silt and clay and, if resuspended, could stay in the 

water column for several hours to even days. Sediment resuspension can lead to a temporary change in 

the oxidation-reduction chemistry in the water column, including a localized and temporal release of any 

formally sorbed metals, as well as nutrient recycling (Caetano et al., 2003; Fanning et al., 1982). 

Dispersed hydrocarbons may adsorb onto marine detritus (marine snow) or may be mixed with drilling 

mud and deposited near the source. A catastrophic blowout also could release natural gas into the water 

column; the amount of gas released is dependent upon the water depth, the natural gas content of the 

formation being drilled, and its pressure. Water quality would not only be impacted by the oil, gas, and 

their respective components but also to some degree from cleanup and mitigation efforts (e.g., increased 

vessel traffic and the addition of dispersants and methanol to the marine environment). The temporary 

decrease in oxygen content has been attributed to microbial degradation of the oil. Over time, as the oil 

continues to be degraded and diffuses, hypoxia becomes less of a concern. 

Methane may stay in the marine environment for long periods of time (Patin, 1999; p. 237), and 

methane diffusing through the water column would likely be oxidized in the aerobic zone and would 

rarely reach the air-water interface (Mechalas, 1974; p. 23). Methane and other natural gas constituents 

are carbon sources, and their introduction into the marine environment could also result in reducing the 

dissolved oxygen levels due to microbial degradation of the methane, potentially creating hypoxic or 

“dead” zones. These areas also decrease in time as methane/natural gas constituents degrade.

Wetlands 

Previous studies of other large spills have shown that, when oil has a short residence time in the 

marsh and is not incorporated into the sediments, the marsh vegetation has a good chance of survival. 

This is true even if aboveground die-off of marsh vegetation occurs (Lin et al., 2002). However, if 

reoiling occurs and the new shoots are killed, then the marsh plants may not have enough stored energy to 

produce a second round of new shoots. Due to the distance of deep water from shore, the possibility of a 

spill from a deepwater blowout reaching coastal wetlands with the toxicity to significantly impact the 

coastal wetlands is low. This is because of the response procedures implemented during a catastrophic 

spill. If the duration is long and the magnitude is great, then a spill resulting from a catastrophic blowout 

could result in high concentrations of oil that would result in long-term effects to wetland vegetation, 

including some plant mortality and loss of land. 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-17

Seagrass Communities/Aquatic Macrophytes

If coastal waters, bays, and estuaries accrue oil, there is an assumption that there would be a decrease 

in local submerged vegetation cover and negative community impacts. Depending on the species and 

environmental factors, seagrasses may exhibit minimal impacts from a spill; however, the communities 

within the beds could accrue greater negative outcomes (Jackson et al., 1989; Taylor et al., 2006). 

Community effects could range from either direct mortality due to smothering or indirect mortality from 

loss of food sources and loss of habitat due to a decrease in ecological performance of the entire system 

(Zieman et al., 1984). 

Hard Bottoms (Topographic Features and Live Bottoms/Low Relief)

Impacts that occur to hard-bottom shelf habitats as a result of a blowout would depend on the type of 

blowout, distance from the blowout, relief of the biological feature, and surrounding physical 

characteristics of the environment (e.g., turbidity). If the blowout were to occur beneath the seabed, 

suspension and subsequent deposition of disturbed sediment may smother localized areas of benthic and 

live bottom communities. This could possibly include organisms within No Activity Zones or other hardbottom substrate. Sediment from a blowout, if it occurred nearby, may have a reduced impact on these 

communities compared with an open-water reef community. This is because these hard-bottom 

organisms are more tolerant of suspended sediment (Gittings et al., 1992). The habitats beneath the rig 

may be permanently lost; however, the rig itself may become an artificial reef upon which epibenthic 

organisms may settle. The surrounding benthic communities that were smothered by sediment would 

repopulate from nearby stocks through spawning recruitment and immigration. Low-level exposures of 

corals to oil from a subsea plume may result in chronic or temporary impacts. Corals exposed to subsea 

oil plumes may incorporate petroleum hydrocarbons into their tissue. Reductions in feeding and 

photosynthesis are some impacts that may occur to coral exposed to dispersed oil. Dispersed oil does 

appear to be more toxic to coral species than oil or dispersant alone. Both hard and soft corals have the 

ability to produce mucus. Mucus production has been shown to increase when corals are exposed to 

crude oil, and this mucus can protect the organisms from oil (Mitchell and Chet, 1975; Ducklow and 

Mitchell, 1979). Vessel anchorage and decontamination stations set up during response efforts may also 

break or kill hard-bottom features. 

Sargassum 

Free-floating patches of Sargassum and spilled oil tend to accumulate in convergence zones. Many 

species, including fish and invertebrates, use Sargassum for food and cover (Dooley, 1972; Stoner, 1983; 

Coston-Clements et al., 1991). Burn operations sometime occur in areas with high cover of Sargassum

because of the associated aggregated oil (Unified Incident Command, 2010). This is because 

oceanographic processes that concentrate Sargassum into mats and rafts would also concentrate toxic 

substances within those flotsam. Therefore, it may be assumed that Sargassum would be found in areas 

where oil, dispersants, and other chemicals have accumulated following a catastrophic spill. This 

accumulation in the Sargassum creates a toxic environment for associated species, especially those that 

use the Sargassum as refuge for larvae or other developmental stages (Unified Incident Command, 2010). 

Chemosynthetic and Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities

There is a possibility that a well could be drilled close enough for a chemosynthetic or 

nonchemosynthetic community to be damaged in the event of a catastrophic blowout. Blowouts at points 

above the seafloor (in the riser or on the drill platform) would have little immediate effect on deepwater 

seafloor communities unless the structure sinks and physically impacts the seafloor. Many invertebrates 

associated with chemosynthetic or nonchemosynthetic communities, particularly the crustaceans, would 

likely be more susceptible to damage from oil exposure. Communities exposed to more concentrated oil 

may experience detrimental effects including death of affected organisms, tissue damage, lack of growth, 

interruption of reproductive cycles, and loss of gametes.
D-18 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities

When soft-bottom infaunal communities are physically impacted by a blowout (either lost to the 

crater formation or smothered by sediment), recolonization by populations from neighboring soft-bottom 

substrate is expected within a relatively short period of time. This is in a matter of days for bacteria and 

probably less than 1 year for most macrofauna and megafauna species. Recolonization could take longer 

for areas affected by direct contact of concentrated oil. A slow recovery rate will result in a community 

with reduced biological diversity and possibly a lesser food value for predatory species, which would 

decrease the value of the soft-bottom community as EFH. Many of the organisms on soft bottoms live 

within the sediment and have the ability to migrate upward in response to burial by sedimentation. 

Continued localized disturbance of soft-bottom communities may occur during oil-spill-response efforts. 

Anchors used to set booms to contain oil or vessel anchors in decontamination zones may affect infaunal 

communities in the response activity zone. Any decontamination activities, such as cleaning vessel hulls 

of oil, may also contaminate the sediments of the decontamination zone, as some oil may settle to the 

seabed, impacting the underlying benthic community. Therefore, the soft bottom that is expected to 

suffer greatest effects would be soft bottoms in the immediate vicinity of a seafloor blowout in which 

some oil is mixed into the sediment. 

Fish Resources

Depending on the type of blowout and the proximity of marine life to it, an eruption of gases and 

fluids may generate not only a toxic effect but also pressure waves and noise significant enough to injure 

or kill local biota. Adult fish may be less at risk than earlier life stages, in part because they are less likely 

to concentrate at the surface and may avoid contact with floating oil. Early life stages of animals are 

usually more sensitive to oil than adults (Boesch and Rabalais, 1987; NRC, 2005). Monthly 

ichthyoplankton collections over the years 2004-2006 offshore of Alabama have confirmed that peak 

seasons for ichthyoplankton concentrations on the shelf are spring and summer (Hernandez et al., 2010). 

Therefore, if a catastrophic blowout occurs in the spring and summer seasons, it could cause greater harm 

to fish populations.

If there is a subsea catastrophic blowout, it is assumed dispersants would be used. Then there could 

be effects on multiple life history stages and trophic levels because this would expose the dispersed oil 

throughout the water column. The USEPA used standard in vitro techniques using the same dispersants 

to (1) evaluate acute toxicity on three cell lines over a range of concentrations and (2) evaluate effects of 

these dispersants on androgen and estrogen function using human cell lines (to see if they are likely to 

disrupt hormonal systems) (USEPA, Office of Research and Development, 2010). Results of the in vitro

toxicity tests were similar to the whole animal tests, showing generally low dispersant toxicity (USEPA, 

Office of Research and Development, 2010).

D.8. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

The OCS Program (Chapter 3.3.1) along with State oil and gas activities (Chapter 3.3.2) and other 

offshore activities including dredging and artificial reefs (Chapters 3.3.3.1 and 3.3.3.5) will continue to 

affect offshore EFH. Coastal cumulative effects on EFH include submerged wetlands, river development 

and flood controls, and dredging events (Chapters 3.4.4.1, 3.3.4.2, and 3.3.4.3), and these will affect 

EFH. Natural disturbances (Chapter 3.3.7) such as tropical cyclones will continue to be a presence and 

affect EFH as well.

Water Column (Chapters 4.1.1.2.1.4, 4.1.1.2.2.4, 4.2.1.2.1.4, and 4.2.1.2.2.4) 

Water quality in coastal and offshore waters would be impacted by sediment disturbance and 

suspension (i.e., turbidity), vessel discharges, erosion, runoff from nonpoint-source pollutants (including 

river inflows), seasonal influences, and accidental events. Natural seeps and discharges from exploration 

and production activities are other potential impacting factors to offshore waters. The effects on water 

quality resulting from a WPA or CPA proposed action are a small addition to the cumulative impacts 

(other Federal agencies, States, private vessels, increases in human population, and natural events or 

processes) on the waters of the Gulf. Increased turbidity and discharge from a WPA or CPA proposed 

action would be temporary in nature and minimized by Federal permit regulations and mitigation. Since a 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-19

catastrophic accident is considered rare and not expected to occur in coastal waters, the impact of 

accidental spills is expected to be small. In offshore waters, degradation processes in both surface and 

subsurface waters would decrease the amount of spilled oil over time through natural processes that can 

physically, chemically, and biologically degrade oil (NRC, 2003). The effect on coastal water quality 

from smaller accidental spills is expected to be minimal relative to the cumulative inputs of hydrocarbons 

from other sources. The incremental contribution of the routine activities and accidental events 

associated with a WPA or CPA proposed action to the cumulative impacts on coastal and offshore water 

quality is not expected to be significant as long as all regulations are followed.

Wetlands (Chapters 4.1.1.4.4 and 4.2.1.4.4) 

Wetlands are most vulnerable to inshore or nearshore oil spills but such spills are generally localized 

events. Spill sources include vessel collisions, pipeline breaks, and shore-based transfer, refining, and 

production facilities. There is a reduced risk of spills contacting wetlands because of the distance of 

offshore facilities to wetland sites, beach and barrier island topography (although locally reduced postHurricanes Katrina and Rita), and product transportation through existing pipelines or pipeline corridors. 

If oil reaches wetlands, only light localized impacts to inland wetlands would occur. 

While landloss will continue from subsidence and saltwater intrusion, the State of Louisiana and COE 

have implemented freshwater diversion projects to minimize the effect of this saltwater-induced landloss. 

This would cause a change in the type of EFH (i.e., wetlands to open water). A WPA or CPA proposed 

action would not require any channel maintenance; therefore, no additional wetland loss would result 

from dredged material disposal. If dredged-material disposal is required, it would likely be beneficially 

used for marsh creation. Though existing pipeline channels are estimated to continue to erode wetlands, 

estimates do not take into account the current regulatory programs, and modern construction techniques 

and COE mitigations. Because of modern construction techniques and mitigation measures, there would 

be zero to negligible impacts on wetland habitats as a result of a WPA or CPA proposed action.

The disposal of OCS wastes and drilling by-products would be delivered to existing facilities. 

Because of existing capacity, no additional expansion into wetland areas is expected. Development 

pressures in the coastal regions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have caused the 

destruction of large areas of wetlands. In coastal Louisiana, the most destructive developments have been 

the inland oil and gas industry projects, which have resulted in the dredging of huge numbers of access 

channels. Agricultural, residential, and commercial developments have caused the most destruction of 

wetlands in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. In Texas and Florida, recreational and tourist 

developments have been particularly destructive. These trends are expected to continue.

The cumulative effects of human and natural activities in the coastal area have severely degraded the 

deltaic processes and have shifted the coastal area from a condition of net land building to one of net 

landloss. The incremental contribution of a WPA or CPA proposed action to the cumulative impacts on 

coastal wetlands is expected to be small.

Seagrass Communities/Aquatic Macrophytes (Chapters 4.1.1.5.4 and 4.2.1.5.4) 

Dredging generates the greatest overall risk to submerged vegetation, while naturally occurring 

hurricanes cause direct damage to beds. The Federal and State permit mitigation policies that are 

currently in place, the small probability of an oil spill, and the natural flow regimes of coastal waters are 

not expected to change in the near future. These activities further reduce the incremental contribution of 

stress from a WPA or CPA proposed action on submerged vegetation. 

Topographic Features (Chapters 4.1.1.6.4 and 4.2.1.7.4) 

Activities causing mechanical disturbance represent the greatest threat to the topographic features. 

Potential OCS-related impacts include the anchoring of vessels and structure emplacement, operational 

discharges (drilling muds and cuttings, and produced waters), blowouts, oil spills, and structure removal. 

This would be prevented by the continued application of the proposed Topographic Features Stipulation. 

As such, little impact would be incurred by the biota of the topographic features. The USEPA discharge 

regulations and permits would further reduce any discharge-related impacts.

If a subsea oil plume is formed, it could contact the habitats of a topographic feature; this contact may 

be restricted to the lower, less sensitive levels of the banks and/or may be swept around the banks with the 
D-20 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

prevailing water currents. The farther the oil source is from the bank, the more dilute and degraded the 

oil would be when it reaches the vicinity of the topographic features.

Oil spills can cause damage to benthic organisms when the oil contacts the organisms. The proposed 

Topographic Features Stipulation would keep sources of OCS spills at least 152 m (500 ft) away from the 

immediate biota of the topographic features. The majority of oil released below the sea surface rises and 

should not physically contact organisms on topographic features inside a No Activity Zone. In the 

unlikely event that oil from a subsurface spill would reach the biota of a topographic feature, it would be 

physically or chemically dispersed to low concentrations by the time it reached the feature, and the effects 

would be primarily sublethal. In the very unlikely event that oil from a subsurface spill reached an area 

containing hermatypic coral cover in lethal concentrations, the recovery could take in excess of 10 years 

(Fucik et al., 1984). Finally, in the unlikely event a freighter, tanker, or other oceangoing vessel related to 

OCS Program activities or non-OCS-related activities sank and proceeded to collide with the topographic 

features or associated habitat releasing its cargo, recovery could take years to decades, depending on the 

extent of the damage. Because these events are rare in occurrence, the potential of impacts from these 

events is considered low.

Non-OCS activities could mechanically disrupt the bottom (such as anchoring and treasure-hunting 

activities). Natural events such as hurricanes or the collapse of the tops of the topographic features 

(through dissolution of the underlying salt structure) could cause severe impacts. The collapsing of 

topographic features is unlikely and would impact a single feature. Impacts from scuba diving, fishing, 

ocean dumping, and discharges or spills from tankering of imported oil could have detrimental effects on 

topographic features.

Overall, the incremental contribution of a WPA or CPA proposed action to the cumulative impact is 

negligible because of the implementation of the proposed Topographic Features Stipulation, which would 

limit mechanical impacts and operational discharges.

Live Bottoms (Pinnacle Trend [Chapter 4.2.1.6.1.4] and Low Relief [Chapter 4.2.1.6.2.4]) 

Non-OCS activities that may occur in the vicinity of the pinnacle and hard bottom, low relief 

communities include recreational boating and fishing, import tankering, fishing and trawling, and natural 

events such as extreme weather conditions, and extreme fluctuations of environmental conditions. These 

activities could cause damage to the live bottom communities. Ships using fairways in the vicinity of 

communities anchor in the general area of live bottoms on occasion, and numerous fishermen take 

advantage of the resources of regional bottoms. These activities could lead to instances of severe and 

permanent physical damage to individual formations. During severe storms, such as hurricanes, large 

waves may reach deep enough to stir bottom sediments (Brooks, 1991; CSA, 1992). Because of the depth 

of the Pinnacle Trend area, these forces are not expected to be strong enough to cause direct physical 

damage to organisms living on those reefs. Yearly hypoxic events may affect portions of live-bottom 

benthic populations in the northeast part of the CPA (Rabalais et al., 2002). 

Possible impacts from OCS oil and gas routine operations include anchoring, structure emplacement 

and removal, pipeline emplacement, drilling discharges, and discharges of produced waters. In addition, 

accidental subsea oil spills, or blowouts associated with OCS activities can cause damage to pinnacle 

communities. Long-term OCS activities are not expected to adversely impact the live-bottom 

environment because these impact-producing factors are restrained by the continued implementation of 

the lease stipulation and site-specific mitigations. The inclusion of the Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) and 

Live Bottom (Low Relief) Stipulations would preclude the occurrence of physical damage, the most 

potentially damaging of these activities. The impacts to the live bottoms are judged to be infrequent 

because of the small number of operations in the vicinity of pinnacles and other hard, live bottoms and the 

distance of these operations from the habitats. The impact to the live/hard-bottom resource as a whole is 

expected to be minimal because of primarily localized impacts. Potential impacts from discharges would 

be further reduced by USEPA discharge regulations and permits restrictions.

The incremental contribution of a WPA or CPA proposed action to the cumulative impact is expected 

to be minimal, with possible impacts from physical disturbance of the bottom, discharges of drilling muds 

and cuttings, other OCS discharges, structure removals, and oil spills. Negative impacts should be 

restricted by the implementation of the Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) and Live Bottom (Low Relief) 

Stipulations, the fact BOEM is not currently offering the low-relief habitats for lease, and the distance of 

live-bottom habitats from the source of OCS-related impacts.
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-21

Sargassum (Chapters 4.1.1.7.4 and 4.2.1.8.4) 

Because of the ephemeral nature of Sargassum communities, many activities associated with a WPA 

or CPA proposed action would have a localized and short-term effect. There is also a low probability that 

a catastrophic spill would occur with a WPA or CPA proposed action. The incremental contribution of a 

proposed action to the overall cumulative impacts on Sargassum communities that would result from the 

OCS Program, environmental factors, and non-OCS-related user group activities are expected to be 

minimal.

Chemosynthetic and Nonchemosynthetic Deepwater Benthic Communities (Chapters 

4.1.1.8.4, 4.1.1.9.4, 4.2.1.9.4, and 4.2.1.10.4) 

Cumulative impacts to deepwater communities in the Gulf from sources other than OCS activities are 

considered negligible. The most serious, impact-producing factor threatening chemosynthetic and 

nonchemosynthetic communities is physical disturbance of the seafloor, including activities associated 

with pipelaying, anchoring, structure emplacement, and seafloor blowouts. These could destroy the 

organisms of these communities. Possible catastrophic oil spills due to seafloor blowouts have the 

potential to devastate localized deepwater benthic habitats. However, these events are rare and would 

only affect a small portion of the sensitive benthic habitat in the Gulf. Guidance provided in NTL 2009-

G40 describes required surveys and avoidance prior to drilling or pipeline installation and would greatly 

reduce risk. Activities unrelated to the OCS Program include fishing and trawling. Because of the water 

depths in these areas (>300 m; 984 ft) and the low density of potentially commercially valuable fishery 

species, these activities are not expected to impact deepwater benthic comminutes. Regionwide and even 

global impacts from CO2 build-up and proposed methods to sequester carbon in the deep sea (e.g., ocean 

fertilization) are not expected to have major impacts to deepwater habitats in the near future.

The proposed activities considered under the cumulative scenario are expected to cause no damage to 

the ecological function or biological productivity of widespread, low-density deepwater communities. 

The rarer, widely scattered, high-density communities could experience isolated minor impacts from 

drilling discharges or resuspended sediments, with recovery expected within several years, but even 

minor impacts are not expected. There is evidence that substantial impacts on these communities could 

permanently prevent reestablishment. Other sublethal impacts include possible incremental losses of 

productivity, reproduction, community relationships, overall ecological functions of the community, and 

incremental damage to ecological relationships with the surrounding benthos. Adverse impacts from a 

WPA or CPA proposed action would be limited but not completely eliminated by adherence to the 

requirements described in NTL 2009-G40. 

Soft-Bottom Benthic Communities (Chapters 4.1.1.10.4 and 4.2.1.11.4) 

Non-OCS activities that may occur on soft-bottom benthic substrate include recreational boating and 

fishing, import tankering, and natural events such as extreme weather conditions, and extreme 

fluctuations of environmental conditions. These activities could cause temporary damage to soft-bottom 

communities. Ships and fishermen anchoring on soft bottoms may crush and smother underlying 

organisms. Damage resulting from commercial fishing, especially bottom trawling, may have a severe 

impact on soft-bottom benthic communities. Oil spills from non-OCS import tankering or other activity 

may result in oiled benthic communities that will only repopulate once the concentration of oil in the 

sediment has decreased. During severe storms, large waves may stir bottom sediments, which cause 

scouring, remobilization of contaminants in the sediment, abrasion and clogging of gills as a result of 

turbidity, uprooting benthic organisms from the sediment, and an overall result in decreased species 

diversity (Dobbs and Vozarik, 1983; Engle et al., 2008). Yearly hypoxic events may eliminate many 

species from benthic populations over a wide area covering most of the CPA and part of the WPA 

continental shelf (Rabalais et al., 2002). 

Impacts from routine activities of OCS oil and gas operations include anchoring, structure 

emplacement and removal, pipeline emplacement, drilling discharges, and discharges of produced waters. 

In addition, accidental subsea oil spills or blowouts associated with OCS activities can cause damage to 

infaunal communities. Long-term OCS activities are not expected to adversely impact the entire softbottom environment because the local impacted areas are extremely small compared with the entire 
D-22 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico. The USEPA’s general NPDES permit restrictions on the discharge of 

produced water would help to limit the impacts on benthic communities (Smith, 1994). 

Impacts from blowouts, pipeline emplacement, muds and cuttings discharges, other operational 

discharges, and structure removals may have local devastating impacts but the cumulative effect on the 

overall seafloor and infaunal communities on the Gulf would be very small. Soft-bottom benthic 

communities are ubiquitous throughout and often remain in an early successional stage due to natural 

fluctuation, and therefore, the activities of OCS production of oil and gas would not cause additional 

severe cumulative impacts.

The incremental contribution of a WPA or CPA proposed action to the cumulative impact is expected 

to be slight, with possible impacts from physical disturbance of the bottom, discharges of drilling muds 

and cuttings, other OCS discharges, structure removals, and oil spills. Negative impacts, however, are 

small compared with the overall size and ubiquitous composition of the soft-bottom benthic communities 

in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Fish Resources (Chapters 4.1.1.15.4 and 4.2.1.18.4) 

The OCS factors potentially impacting fish resources in the Gulf of Mexico are federally regulated or 

mitigated and small. There are many anthropogenic factors regulated by Federal and State agencies and 

natural factors that cannot be regulated. Also to be considered is the variability in Gulf fish populations 

due to natural factors such as spawning success and juvenile survival. Overall, the incremental 

contribution of the OCS effects to fish populations is small. 

Overfishing (including bycatch) has contributed in a large way to some populations of Gulf fish. The 

Magnuson-Stevens Act and its amendments address sustainable fisheries and set guidelines for protecting 

marine resources and habitat from fishing- and nonfishing-related activities. Limits on catch and fishing 

seasons are set by the GMFMC. State agencies regulate inshore fishing seasons and limits.

Naturally occurring tropical cyclones can cause damage to various EFH’s. These can be onshore as 

with wetland loss and offshore with damaged topographic features. These storms are a continual part of 

the Gulf of Mexico climate.

All of these events and activities cause some sort of effect on the different EFH’s and fish resources. 

Many anthropogenic inputs, including a WPA or CPA proposed action, are now monitored, regulated, 

and mitigated by the permitting agency or State. These efforts will continue in the future, and the 

restoration of habitats could increase with better technologies. While EFH and fish resources are 

impacted by these many factors, a WPA or CPA proposed action would add a minimal amount to the 

overall cumulative effects.

D.9. OVERALL GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

Water Column 

There is little chance of irreversible impacts to the water column from a WPA or CPA proposed 

action. The USEPA and USCG regulations are in place to limit the toxicity of the ingredients, the levels 

of incidental contaminants in these discharges, and in some cases the discharge rates and discharge 

locations. Natural degradation processes would also decrease the amount of spilled oil over time. The 

effects on water quality resulting from a WPA or CPA proposed action are a small addition to the 

cumulative impacts (i.e., other Federal agencies, States, private vessels, increases in human population, 

and natural events or processes) on the waters of the Gulf. In offshore waters, degradation processes in 

both surface and subsurface waters would decrease the amount of spilled oil over time through natural 

processes that can physically, chemically, and biologically degrade oil (NRC, 2003).

Wetlands and Seagrass Communities/Aquatic Macrophytes

A loss of wetlands and associated biological resources (including submerged grass beds) could occur 

if these vegetated habitats are permanently lost because of impacts caused by dredging and construction 

activities that displace existing wetlands or from oil spills severe enough to cause permanent die-back of 

vegetation and conversion to open water. Construction and emplacement of onshore pipelines in coastal 

wetlands displace coastal wetlands in disturbed areas that are then subject to indirect impacts like 

saltwater intrusion or erosion of the marsh soils along navigation channels and canals. Ongoing natural 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-23

and anthropogenic processes in the coastal zone, only one of which is OCS-related activity, can result in 

direct and indirect loss of wetlands. Natural losses as a consequence of the coastal area becoming 

hydrologically isolated from the Mississippi River that built it, sea-level rise, and subsidence of the delta 

platform in absence of new sediment added to the delta plain appear to be much more dominant processes 

impacting coastal wetlands. These losses would actually be changes in EFH from flooded vegetated 

habitat to open-water habitats.

Sensitive Nearshore and Offshore Biological Resources

An irreversible loss or degradation of ecological habitat caused by cumulative activity from a WPA or 

CPA proposed action tends to be incremental over the short term. Irretrievable loss may not occur unless 

or until a critical threshold is reached. It can be difficult or impossible to identify when that threshold is, 

or would be, reached. Oil spills and chronic low-level pollution can injure and kill organisms at virtually 

all trophic levels. Mortality of individual organisms can be expected to occur, and possibly a reduction or 

even elimination of a few small or isolated populations. The proposed biological stipulations, however, 

are expected to eliminate most of these risks.

Fish Resources and Commercial Fisheries

The largest impacts to these resources from a WPA or CPA proposed action would be the irreversible 

loss of fish and coral resources, including commercial and recreational species, are caused by structure 

removal using explosives. Fish in proximity to an underwater explosion can be killed. Without the 

structure to serve as habitat area, sessile, attached invertebrates and the fish that live among them are 

absent. Structure removal eliminates these special and local habitats and the organisms living there, 

including such valuable species as red snapper. Continued structure removal, regardless of the technique 

used, would reduce the net benefits to commercial fishing due to the presence of these structures. 

However, when compared with the other EFH’s in the Gulf, these structures are a small amount of 

habitat. 

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of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. OCS Study MMS 84-0052. 189 pp. 

Stoner, A.W. 1983. Pelagic Sargassum: Evidence for a major decrease in biomass. Deep-Sea Research 

Part A. Oceanographic Research Papers 30(4):469-474. 

U.S. Dept. of Commerce. National Marine Fisheries Service. 2009. Final amendment 1 to the 2006 

consolidated Atlantic highly migratory species fishery management plan, essential fish habitat. U.S. 

Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries 

Service, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, Silver 
D-26 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Springs, MD. Public Document. Pp. 395. Internet website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/

EFH/Final/FEIS_Amendment_Total.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of Commerce. National Marine Fisheries Service. 2010. Essential fish habitat: A marine fish 

habitat conservation mandate for Federal agencies; Gulf of Mexico region. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 

National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, Habitat Conservation Division, 

St. Petersburg, FL. 15 pp. Internet website: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/hcd/pdfs/efhdocs/

gom_guide_2010.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Minerals Management Service. 2000. Gulf of Mexico deepwater operations 

and activities: Environmental assessment. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. OCS EIS/EA MMS 2000-001. 264 pp. Internet 

website: http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/PDFs/2000/2000-001.pdf. 

U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Minerals Management Service. 2009. NTL No. 2009-G39: Biologicallysensitive underwater features and areas. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. Internet website: http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/

homepg/regulate/regs/ntls/2009NTLs/09-G39.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and Development. 2010. Analysis of eight 

oil spill dispersants using in vitro tests for endrocrine and other biological activity. 47 pp + 

appendices (61 pp.). 

Unified Incident Command. 2010. Fish and Wildlife report, consolidated Fish and Wildlife collection 

report. Internet website: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doctype/2931/55963/&offset

=0. Accessed September 29, 2010. 

Zieman, J.C., R. Orth, R.C. Phillips, G. Thayer, and A. Thorhaug. 1984. The effects of oil on seagrass 

ecosystems. In: Cairns, J., Jr. and A.L. Buikema, Jr., eds. Restoration of habitats impacted by oil 

spills. Boston, MA: Butterworth Publishers. 
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-27

Table D-1

Managed Species in the Gulf of Mexico

Red Drum Fishery Corals

red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Class Hydrozoa (stinging and hydrocorals)

Class Anthozoa (sea fans, whips, precious coral, 

sea pen, stony corals)

Reef Fish Fishery

blackfin snapper (Lutjanus buccanella) Shrimp Fishery

cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus)

gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum)

lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) royal red shrimp (Pleoticus robustus)

mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus)

queen snapper (Etelis oculatus)

red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) Spiny Lobster Fishery

silk snapper (Lutjanus vivanus) spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus)

vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens)

yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) Highly Migratory Species

wenchman (Pristipomoides aquilonaris) albacore (Thunnus alalunga)

Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) Atlantic bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)

gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) Atlantic yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)

Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis)

red grouper (Epinephelus morio)

scamp (Mycteroperca phenax) swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

speckled hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi)

snowy grouper (Epinephelus niveatus) blue marlin (Makaira nigricans)

yellowedge grouper (Epinephelus flavolimbatus) sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)

yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus)

yellowmouth grouper (Mycteroperca longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri)

interstitialis)

basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)

greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)

lesser amberjack (Seriola fasciata) scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)

almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena)

banded rudderfish (Seriola zonata) white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

nurse chark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)

gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus)

blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)

goldface tilefish (Caulolatilus chrysops) bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi)

hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)

Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)

Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishes lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris)

cobia (Rachycentron canadum) narrowtooth shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus)

king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) night shark (Carcharhinus signatus)

Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
D-28 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table D-1. Managed Species in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Highly Migratory Species (continued) Highly Migratory Species (continued)

silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon)

spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) smalltail shark (Carcharhinus porosus)

tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri) bigeye sixgill shark (Hexanchus vitulus)

bigeye sand shark (Odontaspis noronhai) sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo)

sand tiger shark (Odontaspis taurus) sixgill shark (Heptranchias griseus)

whale shark (Rhinocodon typus) longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus)

Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumerili) shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) blue shark (Prionace glauca)

Atlantic sharpnose (Rhinocodon terraenovae) oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanu)

blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus)

Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhinocodon porosus) common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus)

Sources: GMFMC, 2004.

USDOC, NMFS, 2010.
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-29

Table D-2

Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico

Species Name Eggs Larvae Post Larvae Juveniles Adults

Grey trigger Sand bottoms near 

reef habitats in the 

spring and 

summer seasons

Upper water 

column in 

spring and 

summer seasons

Upper water 

column 

associated with 

Sargassum and 

eat from 

Sargassum

Continental shelf 

waters (>10 m; 

33 ft), reefs in the 

late spring and 

summer, and eat 

invertebrates

Greater amberjack Gulfwide Gulfwide Offshore in the 

summer

Gulfwide with 

floating 

structures 

(Sargassum) in 

the late summer 

and fall and feed 

on invertebrates

Gulfwide near the 

structured habitat, 

eat invertebrates 

and fishes, and 

spawn in the 

spring and summer 

offshore

Lesser amberjack Gulfwide Gulfwide Gulfwide; 

associated with 

floating 

structures 

(Sargassum) in 

the late summer 

and fall and feed 

on invertebrates

Gulfwide; near the 

bottom, associated 

with structures, 

feed on squid, and 

spawn in spring 

and fall

Almaco jack Gulfwide Gulfwide Gulfwide; 

associated with 

floating 

structures 

(Sargassum) and 

barrier islands in 

the late summer 

and fall, and 

feed on 

invertebrates

Southern Gulf, 

offshore associated 

with platforms, 

prey on fishes, and 

spawning is 

hypothesized to be 

spring and fall

Banded rudderfish Gulf Stream 

every other 

month (starting 

with January)

Offshore, 

associated with 

floating 

structures 

(Sargassum), 

year round

Coastal waters 

over the 

continental shelf, 

both pelagic and 

epibenthic; feed on 

fish and shrimp, 

and spawn year 

round offshore

Hogfish Seagrass beds of 

Florida Bay and 

eat invertebrates

Coral reefs and 

rocky flats, and eat 

mollusks
D-30 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table D-2. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Species Name Eggs Larvae Post Larvae Juveniles Adults

Queen snapper Offshore Offshore Deep water in 

southern Gulf 

(>100 m; 328 ft) in 

rocky bottoms; eat 

fish, crustaceans, 

and squid; and 

spawn in March 

and August in 

St. Lucia

Mutton snapper Shallow 

continental shelf 

waters

Shallow 

continental shelf 

waters

Seagrasses 

during the 

summer

Seagrass or reefs, 

year round, eat 

nekton, and spawn 

in south Florida at 

drop offs near 

coral reefs in late 

springs

Blackfin snapper Continental shelf 

year round

Shallow waters 

with hard 

substrate (12-40 

m; 39-131 ft) by 

the Virgin 

Islands in spring

Continental shelf 

edge, eat nekton, 

and spawn year 

round

Red snapper Offshore in the 

summer and fall

Continental shelf 

waters in summer 

and fall, and eat 

rotifers and algae

Continental 

shelf associated 

with structures 

and feed on 

zooplankton and 

shrimp

Hard and irregular 

bottoms, eat 

nekton, and spawn 

offshore away 

from coral reefs in 

sand bottoms with 

low relief in 

summer and fall

Cubera snapper Near coral reefs 

and wrecks of 

medium depth 

(80 m; 262 ft) in 

the summer

Shallow 

vegetated waters 

in estuaries near 

streams and 

rivers wide 

salinity ranges

Southern Gulf near 

reefs and 

mangroves, in 

wide salinity 

ranges, eat nekton, 

and spawn in the 

Florida Keys at 

approximately 

80 m (262 ft)

Gray snapper High salinity 

continental shelf 

waters near coral 

reefs in the 

summer

High salinity 

continental shelf 

waters near coral 

reefs in the 

summer and eat 

zooplankton

Move to 

estuaries with 

vegetation 

(seagrass), wide 

salinity and 

temperature 

ranges, and eat 

copepods and 

amphipods

Feed on 

crustaceans

Onshore and 

offshore, eat 

nekton, and spawn 

offshore near reefs 

in summer
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-31

Table D-2. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Species Name Eggs Larvae Post Larvae Juveniles Adults

Lane snapper Continental shelf 

and offshore in the 

summer

Low salinity 

inshore grasses, 

coral reefs, and 

soft bottoms 

(0-20m; 0-65 ft), 

and eat small 

invertebrates

High salinity 

offshore waters in 

sand bottoms with 

structure; wide 

depth range of 

4-130 m 

(13-426 ft); eat 

nekton, annelids, 

and algae; 

spawning peak 

offshore in 

midsummer

Silk snapper Shallow water 

year round and eat 

nekton

Shallow water 

year round and 

eat nekton

Shallow water 

year round and 

eat nekton

Edge of the 

continental shelf 

(90-140 m; 

295-459 ft), ascend 

at night, feed on 

nekton, and spawn 

year round (more 

so in the late 

summer)

Yellowtail snapper Found in February 

and October

Shallow water 

with vegetation 

and structure and 

feed on 

zooplankton

Nearshore with 

vegetation and 

move to shallow 

coral reefs with 

age

Semipelagic and 

use deeper coral 

reefs (50 m; 

164 ft), feed on 

nekton, and spawn 

away from shore 

with peaks in 

February-April and 

SeptemberOctober

Vermilion snapper Coral reefs and 

rocky bottoms 

(20-200 m; 

65-656 ft), 

spawn offshore 

in springsummer

Coral reefs and 

rocky bottoms 

(20-200 m; 

65-656 ft), and 

spawn offshore in 

spring-summer

Wenchman Continental shelf 

waters, warmer 

months

Continental shelf 

waters, warmer 

months

Hard bottoms of 

the mid- to outer 

shelf (80-200 m; 

262-656 ft), feed 

on small fish, and 

spawn in burrows 

and cervices in 

summer and fall
D-32 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table D-2. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Species Name Eggs Larvae Post Larvae Juveniles Adults

Blueline and goldface, 

tilefishes

Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Pelagic and 

occur offshore

Continental shelf 

edge and upper 

slope (91-150 m; 

298-492 ft) 

associated with 

irregular bottoms, 

feed on benthic 

invertebrates and 

some fish, and 

spawn in burrows 

and crevices in 

summer and fall

Tilefish Pelagic and occur 

on the near shelf 

edge in the spring 

and summer

Pelagic and occur 

on the near shelf 

edge in the spring 

and summer

Outer continental 

shelf (>250 m; 

820 ft), feed on 

crustaceans, 

burrow in clay, and 

spawn spring to 

fall

Speckled hind Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Shallow waters Hard bottoms/

rocky reefs 

commonly at 

60-120 m 

(196-393 ft); they 

are the apex 

predator of the 

mid-shelf coral 

reef and spawn at 

continental shelf 

edge in spring and 

late summer

Yellowedge grouper Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Shallow waters 

with rocky 

bottom habitats

Outer continental 

shelf (>180 m; 

590 ft) with high 

relief, hard-bottom 

habitats; feed on 

nekton; and spawn 

in the spring and 

summer
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-33

Table D-2. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Species Name Eggs Larvae Post Larvae Juveniles Adults

Goliath grouper 

(protected)

Pelagic and occur 

offshore in the late 

summer and early 

fall

Pelagic and occur 

offshore in the 

late summer and 

early fall

High salinity 

(>25 psu) 

estuaries and 

bays, and feed 

on crustaceans 

and vegetation

Near jetties, coral 

reefs, and crevices 

at 2-55 m 

(6-180 ft); feed on 

crustaceans; and 

spawn from 

summer to winter 

with peaks in the 

late summer 

offshore in 

structures or 

patchy reefs

Red grouper Pelagic and occur 

offshore over the 

continental shelf, 

and feed on 

zooplankton

Pelagic and occur 

offshore over the 

continental shelf, 

and feed on 

zooplankton

Inshore by 

seagrass and 

rock formation, 

have wide 

salinity range, 

feed on 

crustaceans, and 

move into 

deeper waters 

with size

Continental shelf 

near live bottoms 

and crevices 

(3-190 m; 

9-623 ft), feed on 

nekton, and spawn 

offshore as 

protogynous 

hermaphrodites in 

late the winter and 

spring

Marbled grouper

(insufficient 

information to 

identify EFH)

Snowy grouper Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Benthic and 

found inshore 

associated with 

shallow reefs, 

feed on nekton, 

and move 

offshore with 

size

Deepwater 

(100-200 m; 

328-656 ft) with 

high-relief rocky 

bottoms, feed on 

nekton, and spawn 

in spring and 

summer

Nassau grouper 

(protected)

Not offshore but 

are in highly 

saline waters in 

the winter

Not offshore but 

are in highly 

saline waters in 

the winter, and 

start feeding on 

other larvae

Saline, shallow, 

vegetated waters 

or associated 

with reefs in 

similar waters, 

move offshore 

with size, and 

start feeding on 

fishes

Associated with 

reeds and crevices, 

feed on nekton, 

and spawn in the 

winter at full moon 

over soft corals, 

sponges, and sand
D-34 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table D-2. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Species Name Eggs Larvae Post Larvae Juveniles Adults

Black grouper Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Inshore to 

estuaries with 

seagrass, rocky 

bottoms, or 

coral reefs, eat 

crustaceans, and 

move to deeper 

water with size

Deeper (>20 m; 

65 ft) waters than 

the other life 

history stages over 

rocky bottoms and 

coral reefs (mid to 

high relief), feed 

on fish, and spawn 

in May near the 

Florida Keys

Yellowmouth grouper Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Pelagic and occur 

offshore

Shallow waters 

with mangroves 

(e.g., lagoons) 

and feed on 

fishes

Inshore in water 

depths <100 m 

(328 ft) over rocky 

bottom and corals, 

feed on nekton, 

and spawn in 

spring and summer

Gag Pelagic and occur 

in the winter to 

spring

Pelagic and occur 

in the winter to 

spring, shallow 

(<5 m; 16 ft) 

estuaries 

associated with 

grass beds or 

oysters, eat 

crustaceans then 

nekton, and then 

recruit to offshore 

hard bottoms in 

the fall

In water depths of 

20-100 m 

(65-326 ft) 

associated with 

hard bottoms that 

have some relief, 

feed on nekton, 

and spawn 

offshore shelf edge 

break in the winter 

but peaking in the 

spring

Scamp Pelagic and occur 

offshore in the 

spring

Pelagic and occur 

offshore in the 

spring

Inshore 

associated with 

hard bottoms

Continental shelf 

associated with 

high-relief hard 

bottoms that have 

complex structure, 

feed on nekton, 

and spawn at the 

continental shelf 

edge (60-100 m; 

196-328 ft) in 

complex habitat 

from early spring 

to summer
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-35

Table D-2. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico (continued).

Species Name Eggs Larvae Post Larvae Juveniles Adults

Yellowfin grouper Seagrass beds 

then move to 

rocky bottoms

Adults are not 

common but can 

be found near the 

shoreline to midshelf with rocky 

bottoms and coral 

reefs, feed on 

nekton, and spawn 

in spring and 

summer

Table D-3

Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Coastal Migratory Species

Species Eggs Larvae Juveniles Adults

King mackerel Pelagic and occur 

offshore in spring and 

summer

Mid to outer 

continental shelf 

(25-180 m; 82-590 ft) 

in October and feed 

on other larval fishes

Inshore waters on the 

inner shelf and feed 

on estuarine 

dependent fish

Pelagic and occur in 

coastal to offshore waters, 

feed on nekton, and spawn 

from May to October on 

the outer continental shelf

Spanish mackerel Pelagic and found on 

the continental inner 

shelf (<50 m; 164 ft) 

in spring and summer

Continental inner 

shelf from spring to 

fall and feed on larval 

fishes

Estuarine and coastal 

waters with a wide 

salinity range and 

feed on fishes

Inshore and coastal waters, 

feed on estuarine 

dependent fishes, and 

spawn on the inner shelf 

from May to September

Cobia Top meter of the 

water column

Offshore waters Coastal waters and 

offshore on the shelf 

in the upper water 

column, found in the 

summer, and feed on 

nekton

Shallow coastal waters and 

offshore shelf waters 

(1-70 m; 3-229 ft) from 

March to October and 

spawn in the shelf waters 

in the spring and summer
D-36 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table D-4

Described Essential Fish Habitat and Spawning Locations for Shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico

Species Eggs Larvae Post larvae Juveniles Adult

Brown shrimp Migrate to 

estuaries in early 

spring

Associated with 

vegetation and 

mud bottoms, and 

sub-adults utilize 

bays and shelf as 

they move from 

estuaries to 

offshore waters

Spawn in deep 

waters (>18 m; 

59 ft) over the 

continental shelf 

generally in the 

spring

White shrimp Spring and fall Associated with 

soft bottoms with 

detritus and 

vegetation

Nearshore soft 

bottoms and 

spawn at <27 m 

(88 ft) from spring 

to fall, and 

migrate through 

the water column 

between night and 

day

Pink shrimp Spring and 

summer

Utilize the 

seagrass beds 

(Halodule and 

Thalassia, 

depending on 

size)

Offshore over the 

continental shelf 

on sand/shell 

bottoms

Royal red shrimp Winter and spring 

on the upper slope 

(250-550 m; 

820-1,804 ft)

Upper slope 

associated with 

muddy bottoms 

and spawn there 

from winter to 

spring, feed on 

benthic 

organisms, and 

are not estuarine 

dependent
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-37

Table D-5

Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Highly Migratory Species in the Gulf of Mexico

Species Eggs Larvae Juvenile Adult

Atlantic bluefin 

tuna

100 m (328 ft) to 

the EEZ

100 m (328 ft) to 

the EEZ

Spawn in the spring over 

the continental shelf in the 

Gulf

Atlantic bigeye 

tuna

Found in waters adjacent 

to Louisiana/Mississippi 

and Florida*

Central Gulf**

Atlantic yellowfin 

tuna

Offshore Offshore Central Gulf from Texas 

to the Florida panhandle

Offshore

Albacore tuna Central Gulf

Skipjack tuna Offshore out to the 

EEZ

Offshore out to the 

EEZ

Central Gulf waters from 

Louisiana to Florida

Central Gulf waters from 

Texas to Florida and 

spawn offshore

Swordfish 100 fathoms 

(200 m; 656 ft) to 

the EEZ

100 fathoms 

(200 m; 656 ft) to 

the EEZ

Gulf waters from Texas to 

Florida

Spawn offshore associated 

with the Loop Current

Blue marlin Mid-Florida Keys Mid-Florida Keys Central Gulf waters from 

Texas to Florida

Central Gulf waters from 

Texas to Florida

White marlin Central Gulf from Texas 

to the Florida panhandle 

and Keys

Central Gulf from Texas to 

the Florida panhandle and 

Keys

Sailfish Central Gulf waters from 

Texas, Louisiana, and the 

Florida panhandle

Central Gulf waters from 

Texas, Louisiana, and the 

Florida panhandle

Longbill spearfish Central Gulf from 

Louisiana to the Florida 

panhandle and the Keys

Central Gulf from 

Louisiana to the Florida 

panhandle and the Keys

EEZ = Economic Exclusion Zone.

*The states are used to help visualize approximately where in the Gulf the species could occur.

**Central Gulf—This is the central portion of the entire Gulf of Mexico, not the Gulf of Mexico’s Central Planning 

Area (CPA).
D-38 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table D-6

Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Shark Species

Shark Species Neonates Young of Year (YOY) Juveniles Adult

Basking shark 

(no EFH described 

for the Gulf)

Great hammerheads Coastal areas from 

Texas to Florida*

Scalloped 

hammerhead

Coastal waters from 

Texas to Florida

Coastal waters from 

Texas to Florida

Coastal and offshore 

waters from midTexas to Louisiana

Coastal Gulf waters 

from Texas to Florida 

and offshore waters 

from Texas to eastern 

Louisiana

Smooth hammerhead

(no EFH identified 

due to insufficient 

data)

White sharks Southwest coastal 

waters of Florida and 

Florida Keys

Nurse sharks Coastal waters of 

Florida

Bignose shark Localized areas from 

Louisiana to the 

Florida Keys

Localized areas from 

Louisiana to the 

Florida Keys

Blacktip sharks Coastal waters from 

Texas to the Florida 

Keys

Bull shark Coastal waters of Texas 

but are also found in 

localized areas in 

Florida

Coastal waters of 

Texas, but are also 

found in localized areas 

in Florida

Coastal waters from 

Texas through 

eastern Louisiana to 

the panhandle and 

western Florida

Southern and midcoast of Texas to 

Louisiana and the 

Florida Keys

Caribbean reef sharks Coastal waters of the 

Florida Keys

Dusky shark Central Gulf** 

adjacent to south 

Texas and Florida

Central Gulf adjacent 

to south Texas and 

Florida

Galapagos shark 

(no EFH identified 

due to insufficient 

data)
Essential Fish Habitat Assessment D-39

Table D-6. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Shark Species (continued).

Shark Species Neonates Young of Year (YOY) Juveniles Adult

Lemon shark Found in waters 

adjacent to mid-Texas 

and the Florida Keys 

with a localized area 

adjacent to the middle 

of Florida

Found in waters 

adjacent to mid-Texas 

and the Florida Keys 

with a localized area 

adjacent to the middle 

of Florida

Found in coastal 

waters of Texas, 

eastern Louisiana, 

and Florida

Coastal waters 

adjacent to Florida

Narrowtooth shark 

(no EFH identified 

due to insufficient 

data)

Night sharks Found in localized 

areas of offshore 

waters adjacent to 

Texas, Louisiana, and 

Florida

Sandbar shark Coastal waters near 

Florida and some 

localized areas near 

Alabama

Silky sharks Offshore waters in the 

Central Gulf adjacent 

to Texas, Louisiana, 

and the Florida Keys

Spinner shark Coastal waters near 

Texas, Louisiana, and 

Florida

Coastal waters near 

Texas, Louisiana, and 

Florida

Localized in waters 

reaching from south 

Texas to Florida

Localized in waters 

reaching from south 

Texas to Florida

Tiger sharks Localized areas near 

the Texas/Louisiana 

border and Florida 

panhandle

Localized areas near 

the Texas/Louisiana 

border and Florida 

panhandle

Found in Florida 

waters

Found in both shallow 

and deep waters

Bigeye sand shark 

(no EFH identified 

due to insufficient 

data)

Sand shark 

(no EFH described 

in the Gulf)

Whale sharks Found in the waters of 

the central Gulf 

ranging from Texas to 

the Florida panhandle

Atlantic angel shark Localized in coastal 

waters from eastern 

Louisiana to the 

Florida panhandle

Localized in coastal 

waters from eastern 

Louisiana to the 

Florida panhandle
D-40 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Table D-6. Described Essential Fish Habitat Locations for Shark Species (continued).

Shark Species Neonates Young of Year (YOY) Juveniles Adult

Caribbean sharpnose 

shark 

(no EFH identified 

due to insufficient 

data)

Bonnethead shark Found in coastal 

shallow waters with 

sandy and muddy 

bottoms around 

Texas, eastern 

Mississippi, and to the 

Florida Keys

Atlantic sharpnose 

shark

Found in coastal 

waters from Texas to 

the Florida Keys

Blacknose shark Found in the coastal 

waters of Florida

Found in the coastal 

waters of Florida

Localized in the 

coastal waters of 

Texas, western 

Louisiana, and 

Mississippi to 

Florida

Localized areas in 

waters from Texas to 

the Florida Keys

Finetooth shark Inshore waters from 

Texas, eastern 

Louisiana, Mississippi, 

Alabama, and the 

Florida panhandle

Inshore waters from 

Texas, eastern 

Louisiana, Mississippi, 

Alabama, and the 

Florida panhandle

Found in inshore 

waters from south 

Texas and the 

Florida Keys, and 

from eastern 

Louisiana to the 

Florida panhandle

Found in inshore 

waters from south 

Texas and the Florida 

Keys, and from 

eastern Louisiana to 

the Florida panhandle

Oceanic whitetip 

shark

Found in the central 

Gulf and the Florida 

Keys

Common thresher 

shark

Found in the central 

Gulf and the Florida 

Keys

Bigeye thresher shark Found in the central 

Gulf and Key West, 

Florida

Longfin makos and 

shortfin makos

Deepwater offshore in 

the central Gulf and 

the Florida Keys

Porbeagle shark 

(no EFH described 

for the Gulf)

Blue shark 

(no EFH described 

for the Gulf)

 *The states are used to help visualize approximately where in the Gulf the species could occur.

**Central Gulf—This is the central portion of the entire Gulf of Mexico, not the Gulf of Mexico’s Central Planning Area (CPA).
APPENDIX E 

 

COOPERATING AGENCY

Cooperating Agency E-3 
E-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS
Cooperating Agency E-5 

APPENDIX F 

 

STATE COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

State Coastal Management Programs F-3 

F. STATE COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Each State’s Coastal Management Program (CMP), federally approved by the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a comprehensive statement setting forth objectives, enforceable 

policies, and standards for public and private use of land and water resources and uses in that State’s 

coastal zone. The program provides for direct State land and water use planning and regulations. The 

plan also includes a definition of what constitutes permissible land uses and water uses. Federal 

consistency is the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) requirement where Federal agency activities 

that have reasonably foreseeable effects on any land or water use or natural resource of the coastal zone 

must be consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of a coastal state’s 

federally approved coastal management program. The latest Federal consistency regulations concerning 

State coastal zone management programs are found in the Federal Register at 65 FR 77123-77154 

(December 8, 2000) and 71 FR 788-831 (January 5, 2006). 

Each Gulf State’s official coastal boundary can be identified from NOAA’s website at http://

coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/mystate/docs/StateCZBoundaries.pdf. Once a State’s CMP is federally 

approved, Federal agencies must ensure that their actions are consistent to the maximum extent 

practicable with the enforceable polices of the approved program. Federal agencies provide feedback to 

the States through each Section 312 evaluation conducted by NOAA. 

To ensure conformance with State CMP policies and local land use plans, the Bureau of Ocean 

Management (BOEM) prepares a Federal consistency determination for each proposed Outer Continental 

Shelf (OCS) lease sale. Through the designated State CZM agency, local land use entities are provided 

numerous opportunities to comment on the OCS Program. Local land-use agencies also have the 

opportunity to comment directly to BOEM at any time, as well as during formal public comment periods 

related to the announcement of the Five-Year Program, Call for Information/Notice of Intent, 

environmental impact statement (EIS) scoping, public hearings on the Draft EIS, and the Proposed Notice 

of Sale.

A State’s approved CMP may also provide for the State’s review of OCS plans, permits, and license 

activities to determine whether they will be conducted in a manner consistent with the State’s CMP. This 

review authority is applicable to activities conducted in any area that has been leased under the OCS 

Lands Act (OCSLA) and that affect any land or water use or natural resource within the State’s coastal 

zone (16 U.S.C. 1456(c)(3)(B)). 

State of Texas Coastal Management Program

The Texas Coastal Management Program (TCMP)/Final EIS was published in August 1996. On 

December 23, 1996, NOAA approved the TCMP, and the requirements therein were made operational as 

of January 10, 1997. The TCMP is based primarily on the Coastal Coordination Act (CCA) of 1991 

(33 Tex. Nat. Res. Code Ann. Ch. 201, et seq.), as amended by HB 3226 (1995), which calls for the 

development of a comprehensive coastal program based on existing statutes and regulations. The CCA 

established the geographic scope of the program by identifying the program’s inland, interstate, and 

seaward boundaries. The program’s seaward boundary is the State’s territorial seaward limit (3 leagues 

or 10.36 miles [mi]). The State’s inland boundary is based on the State’s Coastal Facilities Designation 

Line (CFDL). The CFDL was developed in response to the Oil Spill Act of 1990 and basically delineates 

those areas within which oil spills could affect coastal waters or resources. For the purposes of the 

TCMP, the CFDL has been modified to capture wetlands in upper reaches of tidal waters. The 

geographic scope also extends upstream 200 miles (322 kilometers) from the mouths of rivers draining 

into coastal bays and estuaries in order to manage water appropriations on those rivers. The program’s 

boundaries encompass all or portions of 18 coastal counties (including Cameron, Willacy, Kenedy, 

Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Jackson, Matagorda, Brazoria, 

Galveston, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson, and Orange Counties), roughly 8.9 million acres (3.6 million 

hectares) of land and water.

Within this coastal zone boundary, the scope of the TCMP’s regulatory program is focused on the 

direct management of 16 generic “Areas of Particular Concern,” called coastal natural resource areas 

(CNRA’s). These CNRA’s are associated with valuable coastal resources or vulnerable or unique coastal 

areas and include the following: waters of the open Gulf of Mexico (GOM); waters under tidal influence; 
F-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

submerged lands; coastal wetlands; seagrasses; tidal sand and mud flats; oyster reefs; hard substrate reefs; 

coastal barriers; coastal shore areas; GOM beaches; critical dune areas; special hazard areas; critical 

erosion areas; coastal historic areas; and coastal preserves.

The State has designated the Western Planning Area (WPA) as the geographical area in which 

Federal consistency shall apply outside of the coastal boundary. The TCMP also identifies Federal lands 

excluded from the State’s coastal zone, such as U.S. Department of Defense facilities and wildlife 

refuges.

Land and water uses subject to the program generally include the siting, construction, and 

maintenance of electric generating and transmission facilities; oil and gas exploration and production; and 

the siting, construction, and maintenance of residential, commercial, and industrial development on 

beaches, critical dune areas, shorelines, and within or adjacent to critical areas and other CNRA’s. 

Associated activities also subject to the program include canal dredging; filling; placement of structures 

for shoreline access and shoreline protection; on-site sewage disposal, storm-water control, and waste 

management for local governments and municipalities; the siting, construction, and maintenance of public 

buildings and public works such as dams, reservoirs, flood control projects and associated activities; the 

siting, construction, and maintenance of roads, highways, bridges, causeways, airports, railroads, and 

nonenergy transmission lines and associated activities; certain agricultural and silvicultural activities; 

water impoundments and diversions; and the siting, construction, and maintenance of marinas, Stateowned fishing cabins, artificial reefs, public recreational facilities, structures for shoreline access and 

shoreline protection, boat ramps, and fishery management measures in the GOM. 

The TCMP is a networked program that is implemented primarily through 8 State agencies, 18 local 

governments, and the Coastal Coordination Council (Council). The program relies primarily on direct 

State control of land and water uses, although local governments will implement State guidelines related 

to beach and dune management. Implementation and enforcement of the coastal policies is primarily the 

responsibility of the networked agencies and local governments through their existing statutes, regulatory 

programs, or other authorizations. Networked agencies include the General Land Office/School Land 

Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Railroad Commission of Texas, Parks and Wildlife 

Commission, Texas Transportation Commission, Texas Historical Commission, the Public Utility 

Commission, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, and the Texas Water Development 

Board. In addition, the Texas Sea Grant College Program is a nonvoting member of the Council. Other 

members on the Council include four gubernatorial appointees: a coastal business representative, an 

agriculture representative, a local elected official, and a coastal citizen. Similarly, 18 county and 

municipal governments, in those counties with barrier islands, are also networked entities with 

responsibilities for program implementation vis-a-vis beaches and dunes.

Local land uses and government entities are linked to the management of Texas CNRA’s in the 

TCMP. Local governments are notified of relevant TCMP decisions, including those that may conflict 

with local land-use plans or zoning ordinances. The Coastal Coordination Council includes a local 

government representative as a full-voting member. An additional local government representative can 

be added to the Council as a nonvoting member for special local matters under review. The Council will 

establish a permanent advisory committee to ensure effective communication for local governments with 

land-use authority. 

In 1994, this Agency entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Texas General 

Land Office to address similar mineral resource management responsibilities between the two entities and 

to encourage cooperative efforts and promote consistent regulatory practices. This MOU, which 

encompasses a broad range of issues and processes, outlines the responsibilities and cooperative efforts, 

including leasing and CZMA review processes, agreed to by the respective agencies. Effective 

January 10, 1997, all operators were required to submit to BOEM certificates of consistency with the 

TCMP for proposed operations in the WPA. 

This Agency developed coordination procedures with the State for submittal of offshore lease sale 

consistency determinations and plans of operation. The WPA Lease Sale 168 was this Agency’s first 

Federal action subject to State consistency review. This Agency and the State of Texas revised CZM 

consistency information for OCS plans, permits, and licenses to conform to the revised CZM regulations 

that were effective January 8, 2001, and updated on January 5, 2006, and have also incorporated 

streamlining improvements into the latest Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTL’s) (NTL’s 2010-N06

and 2009-G27). The State of Texas requires an adequate description, objective, and schedule for the 

project; site-specific information on the onshore support base, support vessels, shallow hazards, oil-spill 
State Coastal Management Programs F-5 

response, wastes and discharges, transportation activities, and air emissions; and a federal consistency 

certification, assessment, and findings. The State’s requirements for Federal consistency review are based 

specifically on U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) regulations at 30 CFR 550, 30 CFR 254, 

30 CFR 250, 30 CFR 256, and NOAA’s Federal consistency regulations at 15 CFR 930. This Agency 

will be continuing a dialogue with the State of Texas on reasonably foreseeable coastal effects for 

pipelines and other permits, and the result of these discussions will be incorporated into future updates of 

this Agency’s NTL’s and/permitting procedures. 

State of Louisiana Coastal Resources Program 

The statutory authority for Louisiana's coastal zone management program, the Louisiana Coastal 

Resources Program (LCRP), is the State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act of 1978, et seq. 

(Louisiana Administrative Code, Vol. 17, Title 43, Chapter 7, Coastal Management, June 1990 revised). 

The State statute puts into effect a set of State coastal policies and coastal use guidelines that apply to 

coastal land and water use decisionmaking. A number of existing State regulations are also incorporated 

into the program including those concerning oil and gas and other mineral operations; leasing of State 

lands for mineral operations and other purposes; hazardous waste and radioactive materials; management 

of wildlife, fish, other aquatic life, and oyster beds; endangered species; air and water quality; and the 

Louisiana Superport. 

The State statute also authorized establishment of Special Management Areas. Included or planned to 

be included as Special Management Areas are LOOP and Marsh Island. For purposes of the CZMA, only 

that portion of LOOP within Louisiana’s coastal zone is part of the Special Management Area. In April 

1989, the Louisiana Legislature created the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Authority and 

established a Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Trust Fund to underwrite restoration projects. The 

Legislature also reorganized part of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR, LADNR) by 

creating the Office of Coastal Restoration and Management.

Local governments (parishes) may assume management of uses of local concern by developing a 

local coastal program consistent with the State CMP. The State of Louisiana has 11 approved local 

coastal management programs (Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, St. Bernard, 

St. James, St. John the Baptist, Plaquemines, Terrebonne, and St. Tammany Parishes). Eight other 

programs (Assumption, Iberia, Livingston, St. Charles, St. Martin, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, and Vermilion 

Parishes) have not been formally approved by NOAA. The parish planning and/or permits offices often 

serve as the permitting agency for projects limited to local concern. Parish-level programs, in addition to 

issuing permits for uses of local concern, also function as a commenting agency to Louisiana’s CZM 

agency, the Coastal Management Division, regarding permitting of uses of State concern.

Appendix C2 of the LCRP outlines the rules and procedures for the State’s local CMP. Under the 

LCRP, parishes are authorized, though not required, to develop local CMP. Approval of these programs 

gives parishes greater authority in regulating coastal development projects that entail uses of local 

concern. Priorities, objectives, and policies of local land use plans must be consistent with the policies 

and objectives of Act 361, the LCRP, and the State guidelines, except for a variance adopted in Section 

IV.D. of Appendix C2 of the LCRP. The Secretaries of DNR and Wildlife and Fisheries may jointly rule 

on an inconsistent local program based on local environmental conditions or user practices. State and 

Federal agencies review parish programs before they are adopted.

The coastal use guidelines are based on seven general policies. State concerns that could be relevant 

to an OCS lease sale and its possible direct effects or associated facilities and nonassociated facilities are 

(a) any dredge and fill activity that intersects more than one water body, (b) projects involving the use of 

State-owned lands or water bottoms, (c) national interest projects, (d) pipelines, and (e) energy facility 

siting and development. Some coastal activities of concern that could be relevant to a lease sale include 

wetland loss due to channel erosion from OCS traffic; activities near reefs and topographic highs; 

activities that might affect endangered, threatened, or commercially valuable wildlife; and potential 

socioeconomic impacts due to offshore development. Secondary and cumulative impacts to coastal 

resources such as onshore facility development, cumulative impacts from infrastructure development, salt 

intrusion along navigation channels, etc. are also of particular concern. 

Effective August 1993, the DNR Coastal Management Division required that any entity applying for 

permits to conduct activities along the coast must notify the landowner of the proposed activity. An 
F-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

affidavit must also accompany any permit application. Through this regulation, the State strives to 

minimize coastal zone conflicts.

This Agency and the State of Louisiana revised CZM consistency information for OCS plans, 

permits, and licenses to conform to the revised CZM regulations that were effective January 8, 2001, and 

updated on January 5, 2006, and have also incorporated streamlining improvements into the latest NTL’s

(NTL’s 2010-N06 and 2009-G27). Federal consistency for right-of-way (ROW) pipelines is addressed in 

NTL 2007-G20. The State of Louisiana requires an adequate description, objective, and schedule for the 

project. Also, the State requires site-specific information on the onshore support base, support vessels, 

shallow hazards, oil-spill response, wastes and discharges (including any disposal of wastes within the 

State coastal zone and waters and municipal, parish, or State facilities to be used), transportation 

activities, air emissions, and secondary and cumulative impacts; and a Federal consistency certification, 

assessment, and findings. The State enforceable policies that must be addressed for OCS activities are 

found at http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/homepg/regulate/regs/ntls/enforpols.pdf. The State requirements 

for Federal consistency review are based specifically on DOI’s regulations at 30 CFR 550, 30 CFR 254, 

30 CFR 256, and NOAA’s Federal consistency regulations at 15 CFR 930. The BOEM is continuing a 

dialogue with the State of Louisiana on reasonably foreseeable coastal effects associated with pipelines

and other permits, and the result of these discussions will be incorporated into future updates of BOEM’s 

NTL’s and/or permitting procedures. 

State of Mississippi Coastal Program 

The Mississippi Coastal Program (MCP) is administered by the Mississippi Department of Marine 

Resources. The MCP is built around several enforceable goals that promote comprehensive management 

of coastal resources and encourage a balance between environmental protection/preservation and 

development in the coastal zone. The primary coastal management statute is the Coastal Wetlands 

Protection Law. Other major features of the MCP include statutes related to fisheries, air and water 

pollution control, surface and groundwater, cultural resources, and the disposal of solid waste in marine 

waters. The Department of Marine Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the 

Department of Archives and History are identified collectively as the “coastal program agencies.” 

Mississippi manages coastal resources by regulation and by promoting activities that use resources in 

compliance with the MCP. The State developed a coastal wetlands use plan, which includes designated 

use districts in coastal wetlands and Special Management Area Plans that steer development away from 

fragile coastal resources and help to resolve user conflicts.

For the purposes of the coastal program, the coastal zone encompasses the three coastal counties of 

Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson and all coastal waters. The Mississippi coast has 369 miles

(594 kilometers) of shoreline, including the coastlines of offshore barrier islands (Cat, Ship, Horn, and 

Petit Bois Islands). According to NOAA, there are no approved local (CMP’s) for the State of 

Mississippi. The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District serves in an advisory capacity 

to the State coastal agencies.

This Agency developed coordination procedures with the State for submittal of offshore lease sale 

consistency determinations and plans of operation. This Agency and the State of Mississippi revised 

CZM consistency information for OCS plans, permits and licenses to conform to the revised CZM 

regulations that were effective January 8, 2001, and updated on January 5, 2006, and have also 

incorporated streamlining improvements into the latest NTL (NTL’s 2010-N06 and 2009-G27). Federal 

consistency for ROW pipelines is addressed in NTL 2007-G20. The State of Mississippi requires an 

adequate description, objective, and schedule for the project; site-specific information on the onshore 

support base, support vessels, shallow hazards, oil-spill response, wastes and discharges, transportation 

activities, and air emissions; and a Federal consistency certification, assessment, and findings. The State 

enforceable policies that must be addressed for OCS activities are found at http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/

homepg/regulate/regs/ntls/enforpols.pdf. The State requirements for Federal consistency review are 

based specifically on DOI’s regulations at 30 CFR 550, 30 CFR 254, 30 CFR 256, and NOAA’s Federal 

consistency requirements at 15 CFR 930. The BOEM is continuing a dialogue with the State of 

Mississippi on reasonably foreseeable coastal effects associated with pipelines and other permits, and the 

result of these discussions will be incorporated into future updates of BOEM’s NTL’s and/or permitting 

procedures. 
State Coastal Management Programs F-7 

State of Alabama Coastal Area Management Program 

The Alabama Coastal Area Act (ACAA) provides statutory authority to review all coastal resource 

uses and activities that have a direct and significant effect on the coastal area. The Alabama Department 

of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Lands Division, Coastal Section Office, the lead 

coastal management agency, is responsible for the management of the State’s coastal resources through 

the Alabama Coastal Area Management Program (ACAMP). The ADCNR is responsible for the overall 

management of the program including fiscal and grants management and public education and 

information. The department also provides planning and technical assistance to local governments and 

financial assistance to research facilities and units of local government when appropriate. The State 

Lands Division, Coastal Section, also has authority over submerged lands in regard to piers, marinas, 

bulkheads, and submerged land leases. 

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is responsible for coastal area 

permitting, regulatory and enforcement functions. Most programs of ADCNR Coastal Section that 

require environmental permits or enforcement functions are carried out by the ADEM with the exception 

of submerged land issues. The ADEM has the responsibility of all permit, enforcement, regulatory, and 

monitoring activities, and the adoption of rules and regulations to carry out the ACAMP. The ADEM 

must identify specific uses or activities that require a State permit to be consistent with the coastal 

policies noted above and the more detailed rules and regulations promulgated as part of the ACAMP. 

Under the ACAA, State agency activities must be consistent with ACAMP policies and ADEM findings. 

Further, ADEM must make a direct permit-type review for uses that are not otherwise regulated at the 

State level. The ADEM also has authority to review local government actions and to assure that local 

governments do not unreasonably restrict or exclude uses of regional benefit. Ports and major energy 

facilities are designated as uses of regional benefit. The ADCNR Lands Division manages all lease sales 

of State, submerged bottomlands and regulates structures placed on State, submerged bottomlands. 

Local governments have the option to participate in the ACAMP by developing local codes, 

regulations, rules, ordinances, plans, maps, or any other device used to issue permits or licenses. If these 

instruments are certified to be consistent with ACAMP, ADEM may allow the local government to 

administer them by delegating its permit authority, thereby eliminating the need for ADEM’s case-bycase review.

The South Alabama Regional Planning Commission provides ongoing technical assistance to 

ADCNR for Federal consistency, clearinghouse review, and public participation procedures. Uses subject 

to the Alabama’s CZMP are divided into regulated and nonregulated categories. Regulated uses are those 

that have a direct and significant impact on the coastal areas. These uses either require a State permit or 

are required by Federal law to be consistent with the management program. Uses that require a State 

permit must receive a certificate of compliance. Nonregulated uses are those activities that have a direct 

and significant impact on the coastal areas that do not require a State permit or Federal consistency 

certification. Nonregulated uses must be consistent with ACAMP and require local permits to be 

administered by ADEM. 

This Agency developed coordination procedures with the State for submittal of offshore lease sale 

consistency determinations and plans of operation. This Agency and the State of Alabama have revised 

CZM consistency information for OCS plans, permits and licenses to conform to the revised CZM 

regulations that were effective January 8, 2001, and updated on January 5, 2006, and have also 

incorporated streamlining improvements into the latest NTL’s (NTL’s 2010-N06 and 2009-G27). Federal 

consistency for ROW pipelines is addressed in NTL 2007-G20. The State of Alabama requires an 

adequate description, objective, and schedule for the project; site-specific information on the onshore 

support base, support vessels, shallow hazards, oil-spill response, wastes and discharges, transportation 

activities, and air emissions; and a Federal consistency certification, assessment, and findings. The State 

enforceable policies that must be addressed for OCS activities are found at http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/

homepg/regulate/regs/ntls/enforpols.pdf. The State’s requirements for Federal consistency review are 

based specifically on DOI’s regulations at 30 CFR 550, 30 CFR 254, 30 CFR 256, and NOAA’s Federal 

consistency requirements at 15 CFR 930. The BOEM is continuing a dialogue with the State of Alabama 

on reasonably foreseeable coastal effects associated with pipelines and other permits, and the result of 

these discussions will be incorporated into future updates of BOEM’s NTL’s and/or permitting 

procedures. 
F-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

State of Florida Coastal Management Program 

For purposes of the CZMA, the State of Florida’s coastal zone includes the area encompassed by the 

State’s 67 counties and its territorial seas. Lands owned by the Federal Government and the Seminole 

and Miccosukee Indian tribes are not included in the State’s coastal zone; however, Federal activities in 

or outside the coastal zone, including those on Federal or tribal lands, that affect any land or water or 

natural resource of the State’s coastal zone are subject to review by Florida under the CZMA. The 

Florida Coastal Management Act, codified as Chapter 380, Part II, Florida Statutes, authorized the 

development of a coastal management program. In 1981 the Florida Coastal Management Program 

(FCMP) was approved by NOAA.

The policies identified by the State of Florida as being enforceable in the FCMP are the 24 chapters 

that NOAA approved for incorporation in the State’s program. The 2011 Florida Statutes are the most 

recent version approved by NOAA and include the listing of OCSLA permits under Subpart E; and the 

addition of draft EA’s and EIS’s as necessary data and information for Federal consistency review

A network of eight State agencies and five regional water management districts implement the 

FCMP’s 24 statutes. The water management districts are responsible for water quantity and quality 

throughout the State’s watersheds. The State agencies include the following: the Department of 

Environmental Protection (DEP), the lead agency for the FCMP and the State’s chief environmental 

regulatory agency and steward of its natural resources; the Department of Community Affairs, which 

serves as the State’s land planning and emergency management agency; the Department of Health, which, 

among other responsibilities, regulates on-site sewage disposal; the Department of State, Division of 

Historical Resources, which protects historic and archaeological resources; the Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission, which protects and regulates fresh and saltwater fisheries, marine mammals, 

and birds and upland species, including protected species and the habitat used by these species; the 

Department of Transportation, which is charged with the development, maintenance, and protection of the 

transportation system; the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which manages State 

forests and administers aquaculture and mosquito control programs; and the Governor’s Office of 

Planning and Budget, which plays a role in the comprehensive planning process.

Effective July 1, 2000, the Governor of Florida assigned the State’s responsibilities under the OCSLA

to the Secretary of the Florida DEP. The DEP’s Office of Intergovernmental Programs coordinates the 

review of OCS plans with FCMP member agencies to ensure that the plan is consistent with applicable 

State enforceable policies and the Governor’s responsibilities under the Act. 

This Agency developed coordination procedures with the State for the submittal of offshore lease sale 

consistency determinations and plans of operation. In 2003, this Agency and the State revised CZM 

consistency information for OCS plans, permits, and licenses to conform with the revised CZM 

regulations that were effective on January 8, 2001, and updated on January 5, 2006, and they have also 

incorporated streamlining improvements into the latest NTL’s (NTL’s 2010-N06 and 2009-G27). Federal 

consistency for ROW pipelines is addressed in NTL 2007-G20. 

The State of Florida requires an adequate description, objective, and schedule for all activities 

associated with a project; specific information on the natural resources potentially affected by the 

proposed activities; and specific information on onshore support base, support vessels, shallow hazards, 

oil-spill response, wastes and discharges, transportation activities, and air emissions; and a Federal 

consistency certification, assessment, and findings. As identified by the State of Florida, the State 

enforceable policies that must be addressed for OCS activities are found at http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/

homepg/regulate/regs/ntls/enforpols.pdf. These requirements have been incorporated into the Plans and 

Regional Oil-Spill Response NTL’s. The State requirements for Federal consistency review are based on 

the requirements of State statutes, CZMA regulations at 15 CFR 930, and DOI’s regulations at 

30 CFR 550, 30 CFR 254, and 30 CFR 256. The BOEM is continuing a dialog with the State of Florida 

on reasonably foreseeable coastal effects associated with OCS plans, pipelines, and other permits; the 

result of these discussions will be incorporated into future updates of the Bureau of Ocean Energy 

Management’s NTL’s and/or permitting procedures. 
APPENDIX G 

 

FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM EIS CONSIDERATIONS

Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-3 

G. FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM EIS CONSIDERATIONS

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) proposes 15 lease sales in six of the Outer Continental 

Shelf (OCS) planning areas in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and offshore Alaska during the period 

2012-2017. The Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017

(Five-Year Program) (USDOI, BOEM, 2012a) establishes a schedule that DOI will use as a basis for 

considering where and when leasing might be appropriate over a 5-year period. Five areawide lease sales 

each are scheduled in the Central Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), and 2 lease 

sales in the extreme western portion of the Eastern Planning Area (EPA). Scheduled in the Alaska 

Region would be one sale with two whaling deferrals in the Beaufort Sea Planning Area, one sale with a 

40-kilometer (25-mile) coastal buffer in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area, and one special interest sale in 

the Cook Inlet Planning Area. No lease sales are proposed off the U.S. East and West Coasts. A decision 

to adopt the Five-Year Program proposal is not a decision to issue specific leases or to authorize any 

drilling or development.

The Five-Year Program is scheduled to begin in September 2012 and will be the eighth such program 

prepared since Congress amended the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) in 1988. The 

Five-Year Program establishes a framework for managing OCS oil and gas leasing in a manner that 

accounts for all of the factors required by the OCSLA. It also provides the public with a clear statement 

of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s OCS leasing intentions during the period 2012-2017.

The Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017, Final Environmental Impact 

Statement (Five-Year Program EIS) (USDOI, BOEM, 2012b) was prepared to evaluate the potential 

environmental impacts of alternatives for OCS oil and gas leasing under the Five-Year Program, and it 

presents those impacts in a comparative manner that provides a clear basis for making a reasoned choice 

among the alternatives by the decisionmaker. The analyses and evaluations in the Five-Year Program EIS 

are intended to inform decisionmakers on the size, timing, and location of leasing activity that will be 

made to create the schedule of lease sales for the Five-Year Program (43 U.S.C. 1344). 

The Five-Year Program EIS informs decisionmakers by identifying the areas, environmental 

resources, and types of OCS activities that, acting together, suggest the potential for important 

interactions between environmental resources and OCS-related activities that could result in significant 

impacts. The Five-Year Program EIS identifies the broad issues that will likely require more focused and 

fine-scale evaluations in subsequent NEPA assessments, leading to the possible development and 

application of mitigations, should leasing and development occur.

For further information regarding the Five-Year Program and the Five-Year Program EIS, see 

BOEM’s website at http://boem.gov/5-year/2012-2017. The Five-Year Program EIS is hereby 

incorporated by reference.

G.1. PROGRAMMATIC NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE—CANCELLATION OF A FIVEYEAR PROGRAM OF PROPOSED LEASE SALES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

This EIS examines the impacts of proposed lease sales in the Western Planning Area (WPA) and the 

Central Planning Area (CPA) that are part of a Five-Year Program of proposed OCS lease sales. 

Chapters 4.1.3 and 4.2.3 describe the No Action alternative as the cancellation of a proposed lease sale 

in the WPA or CPA. This Appendix discusses the impacts of the cancellation of a Five-Year Program of 

proposed lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). 

The NEPA requires consideration of a No Action alternative for every major Federal action that could 

result in significant impacts on the environment. In the context of the Five-Year Program, the No Action 

alternative is defined as the scenario in which BOEM holds no OCS oil and gas lease sales during the 

Five-Year Program. Under this scenario, none of the potential environmental impacts associated with the 

oil- and gas-related activities under a proposed action, which have been evaluated in Chapter 4, would 

occur. These precluded or deferred impacts would include the anticipated effects of routine operations 

and accidental discharges on ecological conditions and the effects of leasing on regional employment, 

income, and regional prosperity and health under a proposed action. In addition, the oil and natural gas 

that would have been produced as a result of lease sales over the Five-Year Program would not be 

available to consumers.
G-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

The absence of these resources from the world market would precipitate a gradual reaction by 

nations, including the U.S. This reaction(s) would very likely be significant and also would be dependent 

on how complex and energy intense a country’s economy has evolved to be. The No Action alternative 

depends on market-based or societal choices available to the U.S. to make up for, or switch from, oil and 

gas that would no longer be produced as a result of the cancellation of the Five-Year Program. 

The typical duration of activity that results from a lease sale extends over a long period, sometimes in 

excess of 40 years. The OCS land, once leased, has a lag time of several years between acquisition of the 

leases and the first production for a successful hydrocarbon development project. This means that 

production that is lost or delayed by the selection of the No Action Alternative would begin to manifest 

itself between 2017 and 2027, and residual economic effects would last for additional decades.

Economic Impacts

A sudden change in policy that restricts access to oil and gas resources or that alters the timetables the 

offshore industry has come to rely on when making their investment decisions may lead to undesirable 

socioeconomic disruptions in local coastal economies (USDOI, MMS, 2007). Since 1983, this Agency 

has scheduled and held annual areawide lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, canceling only two lease sales. 

In October 2006, this Agency and the State of Louisiana reached a settlement on the lawsuit filed by the 

State challenging WPA Lease Sale 200. As part of this settlement, this Agency canceled CPA Lease Sale 

201, scheduled for March 2007. However, the acreage was offered 7 months later in CPA Lease Sale 205 

(October 2007). This Agency cancelled WPA Lease Sale 215 in July 2010 after the Deepwater Horizon

event. There are limitations to BOEM’s awareness for what business decisions industry has made or 

intends to make that are the result of the cancellation of a single lease sale (e.g., WPA Lease Sale 215), let 

alone the consequences of the cancellation of all lease sales in the entire Gulf of Mexico under the FiveYear Program. 

The cancellation of all lease sales of a Five-Year Program in the GOM (similar to “Alternative 8-

No Action” in the Five-Year Program EIS, which covers the entire OCS) may have economic impacts on 

an industry that has planned their investments according to annual lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Smaller independent companies would have fewer alternative projects available in their investment 

portfolios and, thus, would be more affected by the cancellation of the lease sales. Therefore, smaller 

operators would have a more difficult time than major integrated companies or sovereign-nation 

companies replacing lost production capacity or deploying their assets in other geologic basins where they 

may not now be active or hold leases. The magnitude and length of economic impacts on industry would 

be dependent on individual operator characteristics and strategic plans, global trends, and the number of 

sales canceled or delayed.

Canceling the lease sales would result in delaying the subsequent development activities that would 

take place. Revenues collected by the Federal Government (and thus revenue disbursements to the States) 

would be adversely affected by such a delay because of the “time value of money” (i.e., a dollar received 

in the future is valued less than the same dollar received today because of the opportunity to earn 

interest). Canceling lease sales would delay the receipt of interest on billions of dollars of bonus bids, 

rental income, and royalty income by the Federal treasury.

Hydrocarbon Use

An energy policy is the utilization and mixture of energy types deployed to meet national 

requirements for transportation fuels (i.e., diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, gasoline, and even compressed natural 

gas), electricity generation, and space heating, and the degree to which a country seeks to place or reduce 

emphasis on this mix. The oil and natural gas that would have been produced as a result of all lease sales

under the Five-Year Program would not be available to consumers for transportation fuels, who would 

therefore need to (1) obtain energy from other sources, (2) change the energy use mix, or (3) endure the 

economic consequences of doing without. Energy substitutes and changes in energy use mix needed to 

replace or adapt to lost OCS production would be associated with their own potential environmental 

impacts and effects that could occur in the U.S. or be displaced to other parts of the world.

The highest daily oil production rate in the GOM was 1.73 million barrels/day (MMbbl/day) in June 

2002 (The Oil Drum, 2009). On January 3, 2011, Casselman and Gilbert (2011) reported that a sustained 

slowed permitting process in the GOM has long-term implications for U.S. oil production. The 
Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-5 

U.S. Dept. of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Information Administration reported that domestic crude oil 

production in the U.S. in 2010 as 5.51 MMbbl/day (USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2010a). 

The DOE’s Energy Information Administration also reported that production in the GOM declined 

116,400 bbl/day between 2008 and 2010 (USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2010a) and has 

been in a general state of decline since 2002, as shown by Figure G-1. Figure G-1 shows cumulative oil 

and gas production in the GOM by planning area (USDOI, BOEMRE, 2010). Figure G-1 also shows 

cumulative oil and gas production in the GOM by planning area (USDOI, BOEMRE, 2010).

Other Sources of Oil and Gas

Other sources of energy may substitute for delayed or lost production from delayed or cancelled lease 

sales. Principal substitutes would be conservation, additional domestic production, equivalent-liquid 

substitutions (biofuels), or additional imports. The largest portion of our energy (over 39%) comes from 

liquid fuels, primarily petroleum. Natural gas adds another 23 percent (USDOE, Energy Information 

Administration, 2009).

As a transportation fuel, petroleum has no current substitutes for the scale at which this country uses 

it. The DOE’s Energy Information Administration reported that 3.24 billion bbl of gasoline and 

552 billion bbl (Bbbl) of distillate fuel oil (diesel) were consumed in 2010 (USDOE, Energy Information 

Administration, 2010b). Petroleum accounted for 519 MMbbl of kerosene-style jet fuel and 5.3 MMbbl 

of general aviation gas in 2010.

Nearly three-fourths of all petroleum consumed is used for transportation—with natural gas, 

electricity, and other alternatives playing much smaller roles. Net imports of petroleum in 2009 were 

3.540 Bbbl. Of a total 2.626 Bbbl of domestic petroleum and natural gas liquids produced in 2009, 

0.681 Bbbl originated offshore (includes GOM) (USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2009). 

The Oil Drum (2009) showed how production in the GOM peaked in June 2002. Figure G-2 readily 

shows that production in the GOM peaked in 2002 (USDOI, BOEMRE, 2010). If a delay or cancellation 

of lease sales contributed to a further decline in GOM exploration and production activity, then 

replacement sources would need to be secured by

• increased imports;

• conservation;

• increase onshore domestic production in the U.S.;

• fuel switching; or

• a combination of all four.

Conservation would be the most environmentally preferable means to increase supplies of petroleum, 

but the amount increased by conservation would not, by itself, increase supplies at the scales needed to 

maintain the current economic growth rate for total energy use in the transportation sector for more than a 

few years. Conservation is a contributor, but it is not a sole-source answer.

Increased onshore energy production is not a realistic source for production of petroleum in large 

quantities capable of replacing production in the GOM. Increased onshore production can be increased 

for a short period of months to a year to temporarily displace GOM production as it has in the past when 

GOM infrastructure has been damaged by hurricanes (The Oil Drum, 2009). There are no actions that 

can be taken by the U.S to greatly increase the geologic endowment of petroleum onshore, and even a 

highly motivated policy to discover new resources onshore would result only in incremental additions to 

the current inventory of known reserves. The U.S. onshore production of liquid hydrocarbon has been in 

an irreversible decline for decades, i.e., since 1970 in the contiguous states and since 1988 in Alaska 

(USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2009).

Fuel switching or equivalent-liquid substitution of ethanol, either corn-based or cellulosic, is an 

option used in the U.S. and in other countries. Corn-based ethanol, from corn starch, is generated in the 

U.S., primarily because cellulosic ethanol production is too expensive to justify large-scale use because of 

the cost of producing enzymes to convert cellulose into ethanol. The term “energy balance” refers to the 

difference between the amount of fossil energy needed to produce a fuel and the energy the fuel contains. 

For every unit of energy delivered at the pump, corn ethanol requires 0.76 units of fossil energy and 
G-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

gasoline requires 1.22 units. Thus, the use of ethanol results in the consumption of 40 percent less fossil 

energy than the gasoline it replaces (Wu et al., 2006), but these claims are in dispute (Rapier, 2006).

Whether or not a given volume of ethanol is more or less energy dense than gasoline, switching to 

ethanol use requires a decision to rely on an import food stock as a transportation fuel. In doing so, the 

result may be unacceptable rises in the price of basic foods because of increased demand for agricultural 

land to support reliance on biofuels like ethanol. To displace 30 percent of the country’s petroleum 

consumption by conversion to ethanol of 1 billion tons of agricultural biomass (crop residues; grains; 

process residues, and dedicated perennial crops) can be accomplished with relatively “modest changes in 

agricultural land use” (USDOE and USDA, 2005). Agriculture is relatively fuel intensive (i.e., petroleum 

to power machinery and equipment and manufactured fertilizers and other inputs) and would have a less 

favorable life-cycle cost profile than cellulosic ethanol.

Pursuing additional imported petroleum is the only reliable means to add new supplies to replace a 

decline in GOM production of hydrocarbons used for transportation fuels. The U.S. crude oil imports 

stood at 9.0 MMbbl per day in 2009. At current prices of approximately $87/bbl, the U.S. spends 

approximately $783 million per day ($286 billion/year) on imported oil. The expectation that imports 

would make up the majority of any shortfall in GOM production from the programmatic No Action 

Alternative (cancellation of all GOM lease sales for 5 years) that was reported in the previous Five-Year

Program (USDOI, MMS, 2007, p. V-354) is largely unchanged (Table G-1). Table G-1 was taken from 

an analysis contained in the 2007-2012 Five-Year Program EIS (USDOI, MMS, 2007, Table IV-27) that 

originated in King (2001; Table 4). Table G-1 was constructed for the nationwide Five-Year Program at 

that time and a breakout for just the GOM is not available. However, if lease sales in the GOM were 

cancelled for 5 years, the amount the U.S. spends on imported oil would likely exceed the current 

estimated $783 million/day ($286 billion/year) to replace lost GOM production.

With respect to imports replacing domestic production, forecasts have been made that peak oil 

production was reached by non-OPEC countries in 2004 and by the rest of the word in 2005 (Murray, 

2010), in which case declines in GOM production would be sought from an ever smaller amount of 

petroleum available to all. Increased imports displace the environmental impacts for that production to 

other parts of the world. Reliance on increased importation of oil from overseas increases the spill risk 

for transported petroleum. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains statistics for reported spill quantities 

associated with transportation by tank ship and tank barge, as well as spill risk associated with production 

facilities and pipelines. The reported spill quantities in the U.S. and its territorial waters indicate a 

slightly elevated risk for petroleum transported over water vs. petroleum produced and transported by 

pipeline (Figure G-2). If imported petroleum originated from a contiguous country, such as Canada (e.g., 

the ambitious 2,673-kilometer [1,661-mile] long Keystone pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, Canada, to 

Port Arthur, Texas (TransCanada Corporation, 2011)) or Mexico, the ship transport risk would be 

replaced by the petroleum transported to the Gulf region for refining by pipeline(s) from these countries 

or by overland transportation by rail and highway tanker.

Energy Use Mix for Transportation Fuels

Changing the energy use mix for transportation fuels presents fundamental issues to the U.S. 

economy that has adapted to a reliable and affordable supply of conventional oil and gas. Substitution 

away from fossil fuels within the proposed action scenario period could occur through shift toward

(1) more efficient vehicles, (2) greater use of public transportation, or (3) use of alternative fuels that are 

not equivalent liquids.

An emphasis on more efficient vehicles typically focuses on trying to realize more energy from a 

quantity of fuel. New Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, recently enacted by the Obama 

Administration, boost the fuel economy of cars and light-duty trucks sold in the U.S. to 54.5 miles per 

gallon by 2025 (Environmental News Service, 2011). Actualizing this goal more than doubles the current 

Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 24.1 miles per gallon. By 2025 the new standard is 

expected to reduce oil consumption by 0.803 Bbbl per year (2.2 MMbbl/day x 365 days) (Environmental 

News Service, 2011) out of the yearly consumption of 3.223 billion bbl in 2009 (USDOE, Energy 

Information Administration, 2009).

An emphasis on the greater use of public transportation typically focuses on building and using 

efficient rail transportation in high-density traffic corridors and along routes frequented by commuters 

and business or on enticing people to use bus or light rail systems that may have built-in alternative fuels, 
Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-7 

such as buses that run on compressed natural gas. Although the Obama Administration has ambitious 

goals for high-speed rail (Hinds, 2011), there appears to be at least some resistance accepting public 

financing incentives in areas targeted for high-speed rail because of a fear of high operating and overhead 

costs in the future (Jones, 2011).

An emphasis on alternatives fuels centers on the use of (1) hybrid gas-electric vehicles, (2) all electric 

vehicles, (3) hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and (4) vehicles using compressed natural gas.

Hybrids use a combination power plant that is alternately gasoline and electric depending on driving 

conditions. As a class they are already fairly widespread and familiar to consumers, with many 

manufacturers offering hybrid vehicle product lines. Tax credits for people who buy them are an 

important stimulant. The batteries available for hybrid vehicles, as well as all-electric vehicles, face 

significant physico-chemical barriers for batteries as a partial or sole power source. Batteries are heavy, 

bulky, expensive, and have a limited lifetime of from 5 to 7 years depending on driving conditions, after 

which they need to be replaced. Both plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles currently use lithium-ion 

batteries. Gas-electric hybrid vehicles use nickel-metal hydride technology, but they are expected to 

switch over to lithium-ion batteries in future. Within the broad characterization of lithium-ion batteries, 

there are several different subtypes, each of which can be evaluated on six basic criteria: energy storage 

capacity; power; safety; performance; life span; and cost. Significantly, none of the battery types 

currently in use perform well across all six criteria. Absent a major breakthrough, fully electric vehicles 

that are as convenient as conventional gasoline vehicles will likely not be available before 2020 (The 

Boston Consulting Group, 2010).

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles also face significant physico-chemical barriers to being a 

practical alternative to conventional-fuel vehicles. All of the technology needed for hydrogen-powered, 

fuel cell-operated cars is already in existence, but not at a stage that would permit cost-effective and 

widespread commercial deployment. Fuel cells require hydrogen as the power source and hydrogen, as a 

fuel for mass transit, faces a large hurdle. Current industrial-scale hydrogen generation relies on 

reformulation of petroleum liquids or gases containing hydrogen atoms. Typically, the feedstock is 

natural gas (methane) reformulated by steam, or water separated into its component elements of hydrogen 

from oxygen by hydrolysis (USDOE, 2008). Both processes require significant energy inputs to 

“manufacture” hydrogen. Widespread adoption of hydrogen vehicles will require enormous investments 

in infrastructure to make the fuel as widely available as gasoline is at present. Hydrogen-powered fuel 

cell vehicles have taken on the moniker of always being the “fuel of the future” because of the dual need 

for a new support infrastructure at scale and of the need to rely on natural gas as a feedstock for hydrogen 

unless a large and dedicated electrical generating capacity is built for a hydrolysis industry.

Energy Use Mix for Electrical Generation and Space Heating

Changing the energy use mix for fuels used to generate electricity and for space heating presents 

fundamental issues to the U.S. economy that has grown accustomed over the years to a reliable and 

affordable supply of conventional oil and gas. Unlike petroleum liquids as a transportation fuel, there are 

substitutes for oil and gas for electricity generation and space heating. Coal, nuclear, and renewable 

technologies (hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, wind, hydrokinetic) are technologies for generating 

electricity, but only coal and nuclear have a significant ability to provide for base-load capacity at 

economies of scale. Because of their intermittency, renewable energy tends to have the potential for 

accommodating peak-load capacity.

Petroleum plays a very modest role in electricity generation because of its value as a transportation 

fuel feedstock. The proportion of U.S. electricity generation from oil-fired power plants has been in 

decline since 1980 (USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2009, Table 5.14c). For natural gas the 

converse is true. Gas-fueled electricity generation nearly doubled over the 10 years from 1996 to 2007 

(USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2009, Table 6.5). The electricity generation sector is 

second only to industrial use in terms of overall consumption of natural gas (USDOE, Energy Information 

Administration, 2009, Table 6.5).

Natural gas use for electrical generation is second only to coal. Its use has risen sharply in recent 

years, growing by an average of 13 percent annually from 2003 to 2008 (USDOE, Energy Information 

Administration, 2009, Table 6.5) to almost 7 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) per year in 2009. Gas tends to be 

advantaged in comparisons to nuclear and coal from its perception as clean burning. Much natural gas 

used for electrical generation is used in so-called peak plants; gas turbines that are used when demand is 
G-8 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

above normal during peak-load periods. Natural gas as a source for residential or commercial space 

heating has remained roughly constant since the early 1970’s, between about 6 and 7 Tcf combined 

(USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2009, Table 6.5). Use of gas for industrial sector 

applications (generating heat or steam, space heating, and as nonfuel feedstocks such as fertilizer, plastics, 

asphalt, and medicine) peaked in the late 1990’s at about 8.5 Tcf and has since declined (USDOE, Energy 

Information Administration, 2009, Table 6.5). 

Coal is the largest source of fuel for electrical generation in the U.S. One billion short tons were used 

per year in 2005 through 2008 (USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2009, Table 7.3). Coal has 

the reputation of an energy source in abundant supply often phrased in context of reserves able to last 

hundreds of years. Based on U.S. coal consumption for 2010, the U.S. recoverable coal reserves 

represent enough coal to last 249 years. However, the Energy Information Administration projects in the 

most recent Annual Energy Outlook (April 2011) that U.S. coal consumption will increase at about 

1.1 percent per year for the period 2009-2035 (USDOE, Energy Information Administration, 2010c). If 

that growth rate continues into the future, U.S. recoverable coal reserves would be exhausted in about 

119 years if no new reserves are added. Murray (2010) reported that whenever coal reserves are updated 

the reserve estimates are revised downward because of better survey techniques.

There are more pessimistic projections for coal. The Energy Watch Group (2007) claimed the U.S. 

has reach peak coal capacity for the high-quality bituminous variety in the Appalachian and Illinois 

basins. Coal reserves in the western U.S. are volumetrically larger than eastern bituminous coals. 

Western coal is slowly replacing eastern coal, but western coals are softer bituminous and subbituminous 

varieties that generally have lower energy content. The Energy Watch Group (2007) reported that global 

coal reserve data are of poor quality, but they seem to be biased towards the high side, and that production 

profile projections suggest the global peak of coal production would be occurring around 2025 at a 

production rate about 30 percent above current production.

Nuclear power currently accounts for approximately 19 percent of base-load electrical capacity and 

represents another potential substitute for natural gas. Because of its constancy from long periods of 

continuous reactor operation, nuclear power has been considered primarily for base-load capacity. The 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the midst of an active plant relicensing phase for existing power 

plants, but impetus to build new nuclear power plants has met with resistance by investment banks 

(Clayton, 2010). A further setback occurred when the country’s strategy for the closing of the nuclear 

fuel cycle was upended after the Obama Administration terminated licensing procedures and defunded the 

country’s only prospective repository site for geologic waste disposal—Yucca Mountain in Nevada 

(Mascaro, 2010).

Hydropower as a share of renewable energy sources has been eclipsed by biofuels since the 

mid-2000’s. Between 2002 and 2009, hydropower generated an average of about 2.6 billion Btu per year 

and biofuels generated an average of about 3.2 billion Btu for the same period (USDOE, Energy 

Information Administration, 2009, Table 10.1). Wind energy is the fastest-growing renewable energy 

sector, growing from 178 to 679 billion Btu between 2005 and 2009 (75%) (USDOE, Energy Information 

Administration, 2009, Table 10.1). Geothermal and solar generating capacity in 2009, respectively, was 

50 percent and 20 percent to that of wind, making them small but important renewable sectors. 

Hydrokinetic technologies use ocean current, tides, or waves. Although much discussed, these 

technologies have not been practically deployed to produce electricity, at scale, anywhere in the U.S. or 

its territorial waters.

To Do Without? 

World demand for oil in the third quarter of 2010 was 88.3 MMbbl/day (Hargraves, 2010), and 

between 2008 and 2030, Murray (2010) reported an expectation that worldwide production would 

increase from 85 to 97 million bbl per day, a projection that leads to flat production on a pace to 

accommodate world population growth with very little margin for unexpected scarcity resulting from 

rapid ramp-ups in use (e.g., China’s economic growth), from conflict, or from other supply disruptions. 

The world’s ability to maintain existing production and secure new production is relatively fixed, that is, 

it is extremely difficult to increase oil supplies making petroleum a supply-limited market (Murray, 

2010). The U.S. production is part of world production and, therefore, it has an incremental effect on 

prices in a tight world market, with the ability to increase production only with difficulty. Oil is fungible, 

meaning that supply from one point in the world equals supply in any another part. If lower U.S 
Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-9 

production occurs from the cancellation of all GOM lease sales, it will add an increment of upward 

pressure on prices as this production is removed from the market. The U.S. may contribute to conditions 

that may result in a slow economic growth rate, or even recessionary cycles, if world demand exceeds the 

petroleum supplies that can be brought to market.

Summary and Conclusion

The use and mixture of energy types deployed to meet transportation fuel requirements may be 

market driven or mandated by legislation or tax policy, but either extreme or a mixture of the two 

constitutes an energy policy. The programmatic No Action Alternative, to not offer any GOM lease sales

in the Five-Year Program, leads to a range of economic and environmental impacts from practically no 

impact from cancelling one lease sale to incremental decreases in supply by cancelling one, more than 

one, or all consecutive lease sales. In so doing, the programmatic No Action Alternative contributes 

incrementally, but inexorably, to upward price pressure on oil as a transportation fuel feedstock and on 

natural gas as a feedstock for gas-generated electrical capacity, as well as its uses for other important 

products such as fertilizers, medicines, plastics, and as a feedstock for a hydrogen economy. When the 

price for transportation fuel is high enough, market forces may economically favor developing other 

energy sources for, or substitutes for, oil and gas. Prices and price spikes may motivate political 

imperatives to incentivize or penalize existing sources and substitutes to achieve a different use mix 

balance.

The BOEM’s best estimate for the results of the programmatic No Action Alternative in the GOM is

shown in Table G-1. This alternative would eliminate all environmental impacts, positive and negative, 

associated with a proposed action. The incremental contribution of a proposed action to cumulative 

effects would also be eliminated, but such effects from other activities, including past lease sales and 

potential future OCS Program activities, would remain. The incremental source of large oil spills 

changes. Large oil spills (≥1,000 bbl) that may result from a proposed action are negated by the 

programmatic No Action Alternative: a spill source from pipelines (50%); followed by platforms (38%); 

with tanker spills playing a minor role (12%); would not occur. All spills as a result of this alternative in 

the U.S. and its territorial waters would result from transportation of imported oil (i.e., tank ships, tank 

barges, or intercontinental pipelines) (Figure G-2) because virtually all replacement oil would be 

imported.

The most likely outcome for cancellation of all lease sales in the GOM under the Five-Year Program 

is an increase in imports to compensate for lost production (Table G-1). Environmental impacts from an 

increase in oil imports to the U.S. and the global commons includes the following: 

• generation of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from both transport and dockside 

activities (emissions of NOx, SOx, and VOC’s have an impact on acid rain, 

tropospheric ozone formation, and stratospheric ozone depletion);

• degradation of water quality from oil spills related to accidental discharges as a result 

of tanker-at-sea mishaps or collisions;

• oil spills from foreign facilities, pipeline, or local tanker-to-shore operations in 

preparation for large vessel transport;

• oil spills from facilities, pipelines, or tankering to U.S ports during large vessel 

offloading operations;

• oil-spill contact with flora, fauna, or recreational and scenic land and water areas that 

are part of the U.S. or the world commons; and

• increasing public concern about tanker spills.
G-10 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Figure G-1. Cumulative Annual Oil Production in the Gulf of Mexico by Planning Area from 1947 to 2009. 

Figure G-2. Cumulative Barrels of Oil Spilled by Facilities and Pipelines and by Over-Water Transportation 

(Olsen, 2008).
Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-11

Table G-1

BOEM’s Best Estimate for the Results of the Programmatic No Action Alternative 

for the Entire Five-Year Program

Sector

Percent of OCS Production Quantity Involved

Low High Low High

Oil

OCS Production (BBO) 0 0 -5.5 -12.1

Onshore Production (BBO) 3 3 0.2 0.3

Imports (BBO) 88 88 5.1 10.7

Conservation (BBOE) 5 5 0.3 0.6

Switch to Gas (BBOE) 4 4 0.2 0.5

Gas

OCS Production (Tcf) 0 0 -20.7 -36.3

Onshore Production (Tcf) 28 28 5.8 10.3

Imports (Tcf) 16 16 3.3 5.9

Conservation (Tcf) 16 16 3.4 5.8

Switch to Oil (Tcf/BBOE) 40 39 8.2/1.5 14.3/2.6

BBO = billion barrels of oil.

BBOE = billion barrels of oil equivalent.

Tcf = trillion cubic feet.
G-12 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

G.2. PROGRAMMATIC CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

A cumulative impact, as defined by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), “results from the 

incremental impact of [an] action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future 

actions, regardless of what agency (Federal or nonfederal) or person undertakes such other actions” 

(40 CFR 1508.7). The analyses presented in the cumulative impacts assessment of the Five-Year 

Program EIS (USDOI, BOEM, 2012b) place the direct and indirect impacts of the Five-Year Program 

into a broader context that takes into account the full range of impacts of actions taking place within the 

WPA, CPA, and EPA, and the Cook Inlet, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea Planning Areas currently and 

into the foreseeable future. Repeated actions, even minor ones, may produce significant impacts over 

time through additive or interactive (synergistic) processes. The goal of the cumulative impacts 

assessment, therefore, is to identify such impacts early in the planning process to improve decisions and 

move toward more sustainable development (CEQ, 1997). The general approach for the cumulative 

impacts assessment follows the principles outlined by CEQ (1997) and the guidance developed by the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1999) for independent reviewers of environmental impact 

statements. It also considers the findings and recommendations of the National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) Task Force as they pertain to programmatic assessments and environmental management systems 

(NEPA Task Force, 2003).

Because the Five-Year Program EIS is a programmatic-level assessment, lease-sale specific issues 

such as the determination of appropriate mitigation measures and environmental monitoring are not 

addressed there. However, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management imposes environmental controls on 

operators through rules and regulations included in its lease sale proposals. Those rules and regulations 

include lease stipulations, mitigations, OCS regulations, Notice to Lessees and Operators, and other 

measures to protect the environment from the effects of lease-related activities. Environmental protection 

on the OCS is an ongoing priority. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has broad 

permitting and monitoring authority to ensure safe operations and environmental protection as OCS 

projects within a lease block are implemented.

The cumulative impacts assessment presented in the Five-Year Program EIS is the first of many such 

analyses that will be conducted for activities under the Five-Year Program. The NEPA reviews are 

required for various project phases within a lease block or portion of a lease block; these reviews will 

focus on the application and enforcement of mitigation measures, as well as environmental monitoring to 

demonstrate the effectiveness of such measures.

The cumulative impact analyses included in the Five-Year Program EIS evaluate OCS oil- and gasrelated activities associated with the Five-Year Program, as well as activities associated with past 

Five-Year Programs and future Five-Year Programs that could occur over the next 40-50 years. The 

estimates for each case represent the broadest possible analysis of potential elements affecting the OCS 

over the next 40-50 years. Transportation and other scenario assumptions that were used in the 

exploration and development scenario and impact analyses also apply to the cumulative analyses.

Certain effects were deemed speculative, such as trade-off decisions by the industry, and were not 

considered under the cumulative cases presented here.

The effects of the No Action Alternative were also omitted from the cumulative cases of the FiveYear Program EIS, but they are analyzed in this Multisale EIS. Under a no-action scenario, there would 

be no lease sales conducted under the Five-Year Program in any OCS planning area. As a result, energy 

would be obtained from other sources to replace lost production on the OCS. Refer to Appendix G.1 for 

additional information on the No Action Alternative.

The identification and evaluation of potential impacts focused on three main categories: animals, 

plants, and habitats. Among the animal groups evaluated were marine mammals, birds, fish, sea turtles, 

and benthic invertebrates. Special attention was given to migratory species, species taken commercially 

and for Alaska Native subsistence (including whales, other marine mammals, fish, and birds), and 

threatened and endangered species. With respect to habitats, both marine (e.g., corals and chemosynthetic 

communities) and coastal (e.g., estuaries and wetlands/marshes) areas were identified and evaluated for 

possible adverse impacts from OCS oil and gas activities.

Specific concerns regarding social, cultural, and economic resources included potential impacts on 

tourism, recreation, commercial and recreational fishing, subsistence harvests, aesthetics, local economy 

(especially the “boom/bust” phenomenon), land- and water-use conflicts, disproportionate impacts on low 
Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-13

income and minority groups, and disproportionate impacts on Alaska Natives. The social, cultural, and 

economic topics analyzed in the Five-Year Program EIS are as follows:

• population, employment, income, and public service issues from the effects of the 

Five-Year Program, including issues relating to “boom/bust” economic cycles;

• land use and infrastructure, including construction of new onshore facilities, and 

land-use and transportation conflicts between the oil and gas activities and other uses;

• sociocultural systems effects, including concerns about the effects on subsistence 

resources and activities (e.g., bowhead whale hunting), loss of cultural identity, 

health impacts including psychological health, and social cost of oil spills;

• environmental justice (i.e., the potential for disproportionate and high adverse 

impacts on minority and/or low-income populations [Executive Order 12898]);

• commercial and recreational fisheries;

• tourism and recreation, including the use of coastal areas for sightseeing, wildlife 

observations, swimming, diving, surfing, sunbathing, berry picking and gathering 

roots and greens, hunting, fishing, clamming and gathering shell fish, boating, and 

the visual impacts of offshore OCS structures; and

• archaeological resources, including historic shipwrecks and sites inhabited by 

humans during prehistoric times.

The analyses in the Five-Year Program EIS describe in detail the nature and extent of potential 

impacts of future oil and gas activities on the OCS that may occur under a proposed action or any of the 

action alternatives. Specifically, the Five-Year Program EIS evaluates the potential direct, indirect, and 

cumulative impacts of routine operations and accidental oil spills. The analyses assume the 

implementation of all mitigation and other protective measures currently required by statute, regulation, 

or BOEM policy and practice. One objective of the Five-Year Program EIS is to convey to 

decisionmakers and the public the relative extent of potential impacts. Conclusions for most analyses 

generally indicate the ability of most affected resources to recover from impacts that could result from oil 

and gas development following leasing.

For further information regarding the Five-Year Program (USDOI, BOEM, 2012a) and the Five-Year 

Program EIS (USDOI, BOEM, 2012b) cumulative case scenarios and analyses, see BOEM’s website at 

http://boem.gov/5-year/2012-2017. Chapter 4.6 (Cumulative Impacts) of the Five-Year Program EIS is

hereby incorporated by reference.

G.3. PROGRAMMATIC CONSIDERATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE 

BASELINE ENVIRONMENT

The section numbering of the text below reflects the source document, Outer Continental Shelf Oil 

and Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017, Final Environmental Impact Statement (Five-Year Program EIS) 

(USDOI, BOEM, 2012b). 

3.3. CONSIDERATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE BASELINE ENVIRONMENT

Several natural and anthropogenic factors affect climate variability, but scientific evidence has led to 

the conclusion that current climate warming trends are linked to human activities, which are 

predominantly associated with greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., NRC, 2010). Climate change effects have 

been observed to be occurring on all continents and oceans, and these observations have provided insights 

on relationships among atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, mean 

global temperature increases, and observed effects on physical and biological systems (IPCC, 2007). 

There are many impacts associated with climate change processes that have been observed in U.S. coastal 

regions that include changing air and water temperatures, rising sea levels, more intense storms, ocean 

acidification, coastal erosion, sea ice loss, declining coral reef conditions, and loss of critical habitats such 
G-14 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

as estuaries, wetlands, barrier islands, and mangroves (e.g., Boesch et al., 2000; ACIA, 2005; Titus et al., 

2009; Morel et al., 2010; Pendleton et al., 2010; Blunden et al., 2011).

The global climate system is driven largely by incoming solar energy that is reflected, absorbed, and 

emitted within the Earth’s atmosphere, and the resulting energy balance determines atmospheric 

temperatures (Solomon et al., 2007). Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, 

methane, nitrous oxide, and halocarbons) increase absorption and emission of energy, resulting in a 

positive radiative forcing to the climate system and warmer global mean temperatures; this process is 

often described in general terms as the greenhouse effect. Global concentrations of greenhouse gases in 

the atmosphere have increased from pre-industrial times and by 70% from 1970 to 2004; these emission 

increases are linked to human activity sectors such as energy, industry, transportation, and agriculture 

(IPCC, 2007; Rogner et al., 2007). The climate system response to this positive radiative forcing is 

complicated by a number of positive and negative feedback processes among atmospheric, terrestrial, and 

oceanic ecosystems, but overall the climate is warming, as is evident by observed increases in air and 

ocean temperatures, melting of snow and ice, and sea level rise (IPCC, 2007).

Global mean atmospheric temperatures have risen by 0.74 ± 0.18°C (1.33 ± 0.32°F) between 1905 

and 2005, and the rate of warming for the past 50 yr has been almost double the rate for the past 100 yr 

(0.13°C [0.23°F] per decade) (Trenberth et al., 2007). Atmospheric warming has not been spatially 

uniform, and in particular arctic temperatures have increased about twice as much as those in lower 

latitudes (ACIA, 2005). Preferential warming in the Arctic is partially the result of the ice-albedo effect, 

which occurs when highly reflective ice is replaced by less reflective water and land surfaces, resulting in 

more heat being absorbed by the land and water rather than being reflected back to the atmosphere 

(Perovich et al., 2008). About 80% of the warmth caused by greenhouse gases has been absorbed in the 

oceans (NRC, 2010). Long-term observations of oceanic temperatures have revealed considerable interannual and inter-decadal variability. Between 1961 and 2003, oceanic warming was widespread in the 

upper 700 m (2,300 ft) of oceans, where the global mean ocean temperature has risen by 0.10°C (0.18°F) 

(Bindoff et al., 2007).

The effects of climate change on ecosystems are complex and nonuniform across the globe and vary 

among atmospheric, terrestrial, and oceanic systems (e.g., IPCC, 2007; Blunden et al., 2011). 

Considerations of climate change effects in OCS planning areas focus on impacts on marine and coastal 

systems where environmental sensitivities are typically associated with increasing atmospheric and ocean 

temperatures, but they can also be categorized as responses to sea level rise, coastal erosion, and ocean 

acidification. These general categories of climate change responses are occurring in addition to humaninduced pressures related to coastal population densities (e.g., land use changes, pollution, overfishing) 

and trends of increasing human use of coastal areas (Nicholls et al., 2007).

Environmental Sensitivity to Atmospheric and Oceanic Temperature Increases. Environmental 

responses to warming atmospheric and oceanic temperatures include changes to species composition, 

coral reef damage, permafrost thawing, increased occurrences of storm events, coastal erosion, loss of sea 

ice, and changes in ocean dynamics.

Species Composition. Effects of warming temperatures have already been seen in the form of 

changes in species location ranges, changes in migration patterns and timing, changes in location and 

timing of reproduction, and increases in disease (Perry et al., 2005; Rosenzweig et al., 2007; Simmonds 

and Isaac, 2007). As species extend their spatial ranges, there can be negative consequences related to 

non-native and invasive species (Twilley et al., 2001). Climate change impacts on aquatic environments 

have the potential to affect species composition within an ecosystem according to species-specific 

thresholds, as well as species characteristics such as mobility, lifespan, and availability to use available 

resources (e.g., Chapin et al., 2000; Levinsky et al., 2007). These variations in species-specific thresholds 

and characteristics result in the breakup of existing ecosystems and the formation of new ones in response 

to climate change, with unknown consequences (Perry et al., 2005; Simmonds and Isaac, 2007; Karl et al., 

2009).

Coral Reef Damage. Warmer water temperatures or increases in ultraviolet light penetration cause 

coral to lose their symbiotic algae, a process called bleaching. Intensities and frequencies of bleaching 

events have increased substantially over the past 30 yr, resulting in the death of or severe damage to about 

one third of the world’s shallow water corals (Karl et al., 2009). In addition to coral bleaching, there has 

been a rise in the occurrence of excessive algal growth on reefs, as well as the presence of predatory 

organisms and reports of diseases related to bacterial, fungal, and viral agents (Boesch et al., 2000; 

Twilley et al., 2001). Additional discussion of coral reef damage is presented in Section 3.7.2.1.7.
Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-15

Permafrost Thawing. Permafrost degradation affects terrestrial and hydrologic conditions in Arctic 

regions where the temperature at the top of the permafrost layer has increased by up to 3°C (5.4°F) since 

the 1980s, and in the Alaskan Arctic the permafrost base has been thawing at a rate of up to 0.04 m/yr 

(0.13 ft/yr) (Lemke et al., 2007). Recent data collected in 2010 suggest that trends in permafrost warming 

have begun to propagate southward nearly 200 km (124 mi) inland from the North Slope region (RichterMenge and Jeffries, 2011).

Thawing of permafrost near coastal regions is expected to result in more rapid rates of shore erosion, 

increases in stored-carbon releases (Schuur et al., 2009), and damage to infrastructure such as roads and 

pipelines (Karl et al., 2009). These effects are expected to be compounded by reduced duration and 

extent of shoreline protection provided by landfast ice and more exposure to ocean storms.

Increases in Major Storm Frequency and Intensity. Regional weather conditions are influenced by 

modal climatic variability patterns such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Arctic Oscillation 

(AO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) that act as connection 

pathways between regional atmospheric conditions and the world’s oceans (NRC, 1998; Liu and 

Alexander, 2007). Major storms in low- to mid-latitude regions (e.g., cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons) 

are largely controlled by the ENSO phase (Trenberth et al., 2007). In the northern hemisphere, there is a 

general northward shift in cyclone activity that is correlated with AO and NAO phases (ACIA, 2005). 

Climate change affects water temperatures and wind patterns that interact to either enhance or work 

against storm formation, making it difficult to predict climate change effects on major storm events (Karl

et al., 2009). However, a number of studies have concluded that cyclonic activity has changed over the 

second half of the 20th century with evidence suggesting that since the 1970s there has been a substantial 

upward trend toward longer-lasting and more intense storms (Trenberth et al., 2007).

Sea Ice Biome. The presence of sea ice and landfast ice in the marine environment of the Arctic 

creates a productive marine ice biome essential for the survival and flourishing of marine animals and 

supports traditional subsistence communities (e.g., Berkes and Jolly, 2001; Simmonds and Isaac, 2007; 

Arp et al., 2010). These environments provide hunting, resting, and birthing platforms along the icewater interface, generate local upwelling responsible for high productivity in polynyas, and release large 

quantities of algae growing beneath the ice surface into the food chain at ice melt (ACIA, 2005). Polar 

bear populations are strongly correlated with regional characteristics of sea ice and vary seasonally and 

with respect to specific requirements for reproduction (Durner et al., 2004). The Iñupiat Eskimos, Alaska 

Native people of coastal villages of northwestern Alaska and the North Slope, use sea ice for hunting and 

fishing grounds, as well as seasonal whaling camps that are vital to support their subsistence lifestyle 

(Braund and Kruse, 2009). The greatest threat to the sea ice biome is the loss of sea ice due to climate 

change. Sea ice extent, as observed mainly by remote sensing methods, has decreased at a rate of 

approximately 3% per decade starting in the 1970s with larger decreases occurring in summer months 

(Parkinson, 2000). Multi-year sea ice has decreased at a rate of nearly 9 to 12% per decade since the 

1980s (Comiso, 2002; Perovich et al., 2010), but more recent studies have shown a loss of multi-year ice 

area of 42% from 2005 to 2008 (Kwok and Cunningham, 2010).

Ocean Dynamics. While large-scale trends in ocean salinity suggest certain regions have been 

experiencing changes in salinity that in combination with the warming of the atmosphere and oceans can 

change the dynamic properties of the ocean circulation patterns, there is currently no clear evidence for 

suggesting significant changes to major ocean circulation patterns as a result of climate change (Bindoff 

et al., 2007). However, there have been more regional studies that have suggested potential mechanistic 

changes to ocean circulations. For example, Bakun (1990) presented evidence on the effects of altered 

wind patterns that could enhance coastal upwelling along the western coast of the United States, which 

could increase productivity in these regions as nutrient-rich bottom water ascends to the ocean surface. 

There has also been interest in understanding the effect of increased freshwater inputs from the Greenland 

Ice Sheet on overturning the North Atlantic Current (Church, 2007; Rabe et al., 2011). One of the largest 

obstacles for understanding climate change effects on ocean currents is the lack of long-term 

measurements, which makes it difficult to decipher climate change responses from inter-decadal 

variability (Bryden et al., 2003).

Environmental Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise and Coastal Erosion. The recent global sea level rise 

has been caused by warming-induced thermal expansion of the oceans and accelerated melting of glaciers 

and ice sheets. The global mean sea level has risen at a mean rate of 1.8 ± 0.5 mm/yr from 1961 to 2003 

with considerable variability spatially, as well as considerable decadal time-scale variability (Bindoff

et al., 2007). Predictions in sea level rise are as much as 0.6 m (2 ft) by 2100 (Nicholls et al., 2007). The 
G-16 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

amount of relative sea level rise along different parts of the U.S. coast depends not only on thermal 

expansion and ice sheet melting, but also on the changes in elevation of the land that occur as a result of 

subsidence or geologic uplift (Karl et al., 2009). Submergence hotspots can occur as a result of local 

subsidence in combination with sea level rise such that the rate of rise of sea level relative to the land is 

expected to be higher than in other parts of the area.

Certain areas along the Atlantic and GOM coasts are undergoing relatively rapid inundation and 

landscape changes because of the prevalence of low-lying coastal lands (Titus et al., 2009). Barrier 

islands in the northern GOM have been losing land areas and changing habitat conditions because of 

decreased sediment supplies from rivers, sea level rise, and intense storms (Lucas and Carter, 2010). 

Coastal erosion rates over the past couple of decades averaged 3.7 m/yr (12 ft/yr), but storm events such 

as Hurricane Rita have caused erosion rates of 12 to 15 m (39 to 49 ft) in a single event (Park and Edge, 

2011). The coasts of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas consist of river deltas, barrier islands, exposed 

bluffs, and large inlets and inland are characterized by low-relief lands underlain by permafrost 

(Jorgenson and Brown, 2005). The combination of wind-driven waves, river erosion, sea level rise, and 

sea ice scour with highly erodible coastal lands creates the potential for high erosion rates along the 

Beaufort and Chukchi Sea coasts (Proshutinsky et al., 2001; Mars and Houseknecht, 2007). In addition to 

coastal erosion along the arctic coast, storm surge flooding has converted freshwater lakes into estuaries, 

affecting habitat conditions (Arp et al., 2010).

Environmental Sensitivity to Ocean Acidification. Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in the 

pH of the oceans and its buffering capacity caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere 

that reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, leading to decreasing pH values in the oceans. 

Predictions of future ocean water pH levels vary somewhat, but predicted decreases range from 0.14 to 

0.4 pH units over the 21st century (Caldeira and Wickett, 2005; Orr et al., 2005; IPCC, 2007). Factors 

such as water temperatures, salinity, sea ice, and ocean mixing processes affect the amount of carbon 

dioxide absorbed by oceans, so climate change effects on storms, river discharge, and precipitation 

patterns all affect ocean acidification (IPCC, 2007). The mechanisms that lead to ocean acidification also 

affect estuarine and coastal waters, although their impacts on estuarine ecosystems are not well known 

because of the multitude of processes affecting pH levels in these systems (Feely et al., 2010).

Ocean acidification affects the ability of certain organisms to create shells or skeletons by 

calcification, which can be especially harmful to mollusks, corals, and certain plankton species that are 

important to oceanic food chains (Orr et al., 2005; Karl et al., 2009). However, several laboratory 

experiments conducted under elevated carbon dioxide conditions have shown mixed calcification rates in 

many organisms (including positive responses to ocean acidification), which suggests complex 

mechanisms by which organisms respond to ocean acidification (Doney et al., 2009; Ries et al., 2009). 

Coral reefs are highly dependent on calcified structures for survival and both warm-water and cold-water 

corals are negatively impacted by ocean acidification (Royal Society, 2005). Ocean waters in Arctic 

regions are highly susceptible to ocean acidification resulting from increased carbon dioxide solubility, 

freshwater inputs, and increased primary productivity, and these factors relating to ocean acidification are 

enhanced by current climate change trends and loss of sea ice (Fabry et al., 2009; Steinacher et al., 2009).

Climate Change Predictions and Uncertainties. Climate change predictions are based on a variety 

of models that simulate all relevant physical processes affecting interactions among the atmosphere, 

oceans, and biosphere, which are driven by a variety of projected greenhouse gas emission scenarios. 

Global climate models generate projected changes in atmospheric, ocean, and land surface climate 

variables at scales on the order of one degree in latitude and longitude, which are not sufficient for 

making regional-scale climate assessments. Downscaling global climate models and coupling them with 

more localized regional climate models is an active area of current research (Christensen et al., 2007; 

Randall et al., 2007). The complexity of modeling global and regional climate systems is great, so it is 

important to consider measures of uncertainty, which is typically done using a multi-model ensemble 

approach (Krishnamurti et al., 2000). It is important to recognize that despite new climate model 

developments, uncertainty in climate projections can never be entirely eliminated (McWilliams, 2007).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has summarized climate change predictions 

over the next two decades and over the 21st century, using climate model predictions and evidence from 

various scientific disciplines (IPCC, 2007). The IPCC uses a 10-fold likelihood scale ranging from 

virtually certain (>99% probability of occurrence) to exceptionally unlikely (<1% probability) to define 

consistent terminology for climate change projections where uncertainty can be assessed by statistical 

analyses, and a 10-point scale (10 being the most confident) for projections where uncertainty was 
Five-Year Program EIS Considerations G-17

qualitatively assessed by expert judgment. The most recent climate change projections summarized by 

the IPCC (2007) include some of the following:

• An increase in atmospheric temperatures of approximately 0.2°C (0.4°F) per decade 

is predicted over a range in projected greenhouse gas emission scenarios;

• Warming is expected to be greatest over land and at higher latitudes;

• Model estimates of sea level rise vary from 0.18 to 0.59 m (0.6 to 2 ft) by the end of 

the 21st century, but information on important feedback processes to sea level rise do 

not allow for determining a best estimate;

• Polar regions are projected to have continued reductions in sea ice, glaciers, and ice 

sheets;

• Projection models suggest that ocean pH values decreasing between 0.14 and 0.35 

over the 21st century;

• It is likely (>66%) that tropical cyclones will become more intense;

• Increased precipitation is very likely (>90%) to occur at high-latitudes;

• There is high confidence (8 out of 10) that annual river runoff will increase by 10 to 

40% at high latitudes and decrease by 10 to 30% in dry regions of mid-latitudes;

• Net carbon uptake by terrestrial ecosystems is likely (>66%) to peak during this 

century as natural carbon sequestration mechanisms reach their capacity; and

• There is medium confidence (5 out of 10) that predicted temperature increases will 

result in approximately 20 to 30% of plant and animal species that have been 

assessed likely (>60%) being at an increased risk of extinction.

3.3.1. Gulf of Mexico

Climate change in the GOM is expected to affect coastal ecosystems, forests, air and water quality, 

fisheries, and business sectors such as industry and energy (Ning et al., 2003). The GOM region has 

experienced increasing atmospheric temperatures since the 1960s, and from 1900 to 1991 sea surface 

temperatures have increased in coastal areas and decreased in offshore regions (Twilley et al., 2001). In 

addition to temperature changes, the northern coast of the GOM is experiencing impacts associated with 

sea level rise that include the loss of coastal wetland and mangrove habitats, salt water intrusion into 

coastal aquifers and forests, and increases in shoreline erosion (Williams et al., 1999; Pendleton et al., 

2010). Climate change associated sea level rise is occurring in combination with altered hydrology and 

land subsidence that has resulted in measures of relative sea level rise ranging between 0.002 m/yr 

(0.007 ft/yr) along Texas and up to 0.01 m/yr (0.03 ft/yr) along the Mississippi River Delta (Twilley et al., 

2001).

Climate models generally predict a rise in temperatures in the GOM Coastal States this century; 

however, predictions of precipitation are more problematic due to model uncertainties (Karl et al., 2009). 

Predictions of precipitation among various modeling studies for the GOM region have generally predicted 

a slight decrease in precipitation in coastal areas, as well as more intense rainfall events and longer 

periods of drought, but models vary widely in upland areas, which affect river discharges (Mulholland

et al., 1997; Boesch et al., 2000; Twilley et al., 2001).

Significant increases or decreases in precipitation and river runoff would affect salinity and water 

circulation, as well as water quality. Increased runoff would likely deliver increased amounts of nutrients 

(such as nitrogen and phosphorous) to estuaries, increase the stratification between warmer fresher and 

colder saltier water, and potentially lead to eutrophication of estuaries and increase the potential for 

harmful algal blooms that can deplete oxygen levels (Justic et al., 1996; Karl et al., 2009). Reductions of 

freshwater flows in rivers or prolonged drought periods could substantially reduce biological productivity 

in Mobile Bay, Apalachicola Bay, Tampa Bay, and the lagoons of Texas and could increase the salinity in 

coastal ecosystems, resulting in a decline in mangrove and sea grass habitats (Twilley et al., 2001). 
G-18 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

Decreased runoff could also diminish flushing of the estuaries, decrease the size of estuarine nursery 

zones, and allow an increase in predators and pathogens (Boesch et al., 2000).

Sea level rise along parts of the northern GOM coast are as high as 0.01 m/yr (0.03 ft/yr), which is 

much greater than globally averaged rates (Twilley et al., 2001; IPCC, 2007). The combination of sea 

level rise and land subsidence is resulting in the loss of coastal wetlands and mangroves, which is 

damaging to habitat functions to many important fish and shellfish populations. Future sea level rise is 

expected to cause additional saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers of the GOM, potentially making 

some unsuitable as potable water supplies (Karl et al., 2009). Saltwater intrusion and sea level rise are 

damaging coastal bottomland forests (primarily along the western GOM coast) and mangroves through 

soil salinity poisoning, increased hydroperiods, and coastal erosion (Williams et al., 1999). Additionally, 

climate change model predictions suggest that there will be an increase in the intensity of hurricanes 

(IPCC, 2007), and coastal regions may potentially have fewer barrier islands, coastal wetlands, and 

mangrove forests to buffer the resulting storm surges as a result of sea level rise.

Marine biota in the GOM are influenced by changes in temperature, salinity, and ocean acidification, 

as well as their biological environment including predators, prey, species interactions, disease, and fishing 

pressure (Karl et al., 2009). Projected changes in physical oceanographic conditions can affect the 

growth, survival, reproduction, and spatial distribution of marine fish species and of the prey, 

competitors, and predators that influence the dynamics of these species. However, impacts on marine 

biota associated with climate change need to be considered against natural variation (Rosenzweig et al., 

2007).

For further information regarding the Five-Year Program (USDOI, BOEM, 2012a) and the Five-Year 

Program EIS (USDOI, BOEM, 2012b) discussion on Considerations of Climate Change and the Baseline 

Environment, see BOEM’s website at http://boem.gov/5-year/2012-2017. Chapter 3.3 (“Considerations 

of Climate Change and the Baseline Environment”) of the Five-Year Program EIS is hereby incorporated 

by reference.

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APPENDIX H 

 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 

PROGRAM, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION, 2006–PRESENT

Recent Publications of the Environmental Studies Program H-3 

APPENDIX H. RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL 

STUDIES PROGRAM, GULF OF MEXICO OCS 

REGION, 2006–PRESENT 

Published in 2011

Study Number Title

BOEMRE 2011-001 Analysis of the Oil Services Contract Industry in the Gulf of Mexico Region

BOEMRE 2011-002 

Status and Applications of Acoustic Mitigation and Monitoring Systems for 

Marine Mammals: Workshop Proceedings, November 17-19, 2009, Boston, 

Massachusetts

BOEMRE 2011-003 Impact of Recent Hurricane Activity on Historic Shipwrecks in the 

Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf

BOEMRE 2011-004 Archival Investigations for Potential Colonial-Era Shipwrecks in 

Ultra-Deepwater within the Gulf of Mexico

BOEMRE 2011-011 User’s Guide for the 2011 Gulfwide Offshore Activities Data System 

(GOADS-2011) 

BOEMRE 2011-012 Literature Synthesis for the North and Central Atlantic Ocean 

BOEMRE 2011-028 Assessment of Opportunities for Alternative Uses of Hydrocarbon 

Infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico 

BOEMRE 2011-040 Shipwreck Research in the New Orleans Notarial Archives

BOEM 2011-043 

BOEM 2011-044 

OCS-Related Infrastructure Fact Book

Volume I: Post-Hurricane Impact Assessment

Volume II: Communities in the Gulf of Mexico

BOEM 2011-054 Diversifying Energy Industry Risk in the Gulf of Mexico: Post-2004 Changes 

in Offshore Oil and Gas Insurance Markets 

Published in 2010

Study Number Title

MMS 2010-001 Proceedings: USA-Mexico Workshop on the Deepwater Physical 

Oceanography of the Gulf of Mexico, June 2007 

MMS 2010-002 Proof of Concept for Platform Recruited Reef Fish, Phase 1: Do Platforms 

Provide Habitat for Subadult Red Snapper? 

MMS 2010-007 Assessment of Marginal Production in the Gulf of Mexico and Lost Production 

from Early Decommissioning 

MMS 2010-015 Low-Frequency Variability of Currents in the Deepwater Eastern Gulf of 

Mexico

MMS 2010-016 Trophic Aspects of Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Northern 

Gulf of Mexico Using Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen 

BOEMRE 2010-039 Bank Erosion of Navigation Canals in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico 
H-4 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

BOEMRE 2010-041 Study of Deepwater Currents in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico 

BOEMRE 2010-042 Fact Book: Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Support Sectors 

BOEMRE 2010-043 Determination of Net Flux of Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds 

at the Air-Water Interface in the Gulf of Mexico

BOEMRE 2010-044 Full-Water Column Current Observations in the Western Gulf of Mexico

BOEMRE 2010-045 Year 2008 Gulfwide Emission Inventory Study 

BOEMRE 2010-046 Multicomponent and Multifrequency Seismic for Assessment of Fluid-Gas 

Expulsion Geology and Gas-Hydrate Deposits: Gulf of Mexico Hydrates

BOEMRE 2010-050 Satellite Data Assimilation into Meteorological/Air Quality Models

BOEMRE 2010-051 Evaluation of NASA Aura’s Data Products for Use in Air Quality Studies over 

the Gulf of Mexico

BOEMRE 2010-052 

BOEMRE 2010-053 

Long-Term Monitoring at the East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2004-2008 

Volume 1: Technical Report 

Volume 2: Appendices 

Published in 2009

Study Number Title

MMS 2009-010 Quality Control and Analysis of Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Data 

Collected on Offshore Platforms of the Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2009-013 Foraminiferal Communities of Bathyal Hydrocarbon Seeps, Northern 

Gulf of Mexico: A Taxonomic, Ecologic, and Geologic Study

MMS 2009-023 Loop Current Frontal Eddies Based on Satellite Remote Sensing and Drifter 

Data

MMS 2009-032 Post-Hurricane Assessment of Sensitive Habitats of the Flower Garden Banks 

Vicinity

MMS 2009-039 Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Habitats and Benthic Ecology 

Study: Final Report

MMS 2009-043 

Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Use of the Ship/Trinity/Tiger Shoal Complex as 

a Nationally Important Spawning/Hatching/Foraging Ground: Discovery, 

Evaluation, and Sand Mining Recommendations Based on Blue Crab, Shrimp, 

and Spotted Seatrout Findings

MMS 2009-046 Investigations of Chemosynthetic Communities on the Lower Continental Slope 

of the Gulf of Mexico, Interim Report 2

MMS 2009-048 

Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-Related Pipelines and Navigation Canals in the 

Western and Central Gulf of Mexico: Relative Impacts on Wetlands Habitats 

and Effectiveness of Mitigation

MMS 2009-050 Observation of the Deepwater Manifestation of the Loop Current and Loop 

Current Rings in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2009-051 Proceedings: Twenty-fifth Gulf of Mexico Information Transfer Meeting, 

January 2009
Recent Publications of the Environmental Studies Program H-5 

MMS 2009-055 

MMS 2009-056 

MMS 2009-057 

MMS 2009-058

Synthesis, Analysis, and Integration of Meteorological and Air Quality Data for 

the Gulf of Mexico Region

Volume I: User’s Manual for the Gulf of Mexico Air Quality Database 

(Version 1.0) 

Volume II: Technical Reference Manual for the Gulf of Mexico Air Quality 

Database 

Volume III: Data Analysis

Volume IV: Cart Analysis of Modeling Episode Days

MMS 2009-059 Evaluation of Oil and Gas Platforms on the Louisiana Continental Shelf for 

Organisms with Biotechnology Potential

MMS 2009-060 Modeling Waves and Currents Produced by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and 

Wilma

Published in 2008

Study Number Title

MMS 2008-001 Deepwater Currents in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico: Observations at 25.5°N 

and 87°W

MMS 2008-006 Sperm Whale Seismic Study in the Gulf of Mexico: Synthesis Report

MMS 2008-009 Investigations of Chemosynthetic Communities on the Lower Continental Slope 

of the Gulf of Mexico: Interim Report 1

MMS 2008-012 Proceedings: Twenty-Fourth Gulf of Mexico Information Transfer Meeting, 

January 2007

MMS 2008-015 

Lophelia Reef Megafaunal Community Structure, Biotopes, Genetics, Microbial 

Ecology, and Geology (2004-2006) 

NOTE: This study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for 

the Agency’s Headquarters’ Office, and it was funded by USGS.

MMS 2008-017 Examination of the Development of Liquefied Natural Gas on the Gulf of 

Mexico

MMS 2008-018 Viosca Knoll Wreck: Discovery and Investigation of an Early NineteenthCentury Wooden Sailing Vessel in 2,000 Feet of Water

MMS 2008-019 Post-Hurricane Assessment at the East Flower Garden Bank Long-Term 

Monitoring Site: November 2005

MMS 2008-022 Effects of Subsea Processing on Deepwater Environments in the Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2008-024 Executive Summary: 3rd International Deep-Sea Coral Symposium in Miami

MMS 2008-027 

MMS 2008-028

Long-Term Monitoring at the East and West Flower Garden Banks, 

2004-2005—Interim Report 

Volume I: Technical Report 

Volume II: Appendices

MMS 2008-029 Five-Year Meteorological Datasets for CALMET/CALPUFF and OCD5 

Modeling of the Gulf of Mexico Region

MMS 2008-030 

MMS 2008-031

Study of Deepwater Currents in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Volume I: Executive Summary

Volume II: Technical Report
H-6 Western and Central Planning Areas Multisale EIS

MMS 2008-042 

MMS 2008-043 

MMS 2008-044 

MMS 2008-045 

MMS 2008-046 

MMS 2008-047

History of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry in Southern Louisiana

Volume I: Papers on the Evolving Offshore Industry 

Volume II: Bayou Lafourche—Oral Histories of the Oil and Gas Industry 

Volume III: Morgan City’s History in the Era of Oil and Gas—Perspectives of 

Those Who Were There

Volume IV: Terrebonne Parish 

Volume V: Guide to the Interviews

Volume VI: A Collection of Photographs

MMS 2008-048 

Platform Debris Fields Associated with the Blue Dolphin (Buccaneer) Gas and 

Oil Field Artificial Reef Sites Offshore Freeport, Texas: Extent, Composition, 

and Biological Utilization

MMS 2008-050 

MMS 2008-051

Labor Needs Survey

Volume I: Technical Report 

Volume II: Survey Instruments

MMS 2008-052 Benefits and Burdens of OCS Activities on States, Labor Market Areas, Coastal 

Counties, and Selected Communities

MMS 2008-058 Cumulative Increment Analysis for the Breton National Wilderness Area

Published in 2007

Study Number Title

MMS 2007-015 Archaeological and Biological Analysis of World War II Shipwrecks in the 

Gulf of Mexico; Artificial Reef Effect in Deepwater

MMS 2007-019 Mixtures of Metals and Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons May Elicit 

Complex, Nonadditive Toxicological Interactions

MMS 2007-022 Full-Water Column Current Observations in the Central Gulf of Mexico: 

Final Report

MMS 2007-030 Incorporation of Gulf of Mexico Benthic Survey Data into the Ocean 

Biogeographic Information System

MMS 2007-031 Idle Iron in the Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2007-033 Cooperative Research to Study Dive Patterns of Sperm Whales in the Atlantic 

Ocean

MMS 2007-034 Competition and Performance in Oil and Gas Lease Sales and Development

in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1983-1999

MMS 2007-035 

Seafloor Characteristics and Distribution Patterns of Lophelia pertusa and 

Other Sessile Megafauna at Two Upper-Slope Sites in the Northeastern 

Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2007-044 Characterization of Northern Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Hard-Bottom 

Communities with Emphasis on Lophelia Coral

MMS 2007-056 

Full-Water Column Currents Near the Sigsbee Escarpment (91-92o W. 

Longitude) and Relationships with the Loop Current and Associated Warm- and 

Cold-Core Eddies

MMS 2007-061 Study of Barite Solubility and the Release of Trace Components to the Marine 

Environment

MMS 2007-067 Year 2005 Gulfwide Emission Inventory Study
Recent Publications of the Environmental Studies Program H-7 

MMS 2007-068 User’s Guide for the 2008 Gulfwide Offshore Activities Data System 

(GOADS-2008)

Published in 2006

Study Number Title

MMS 2006-005 Fidelity of Red Snapper to Petroleum Platforms and Artificial Reefs in the 

Northern Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2006-011 Sustainable Community in Oil and Gas Country: Final Report

MMS 2006-028 Degradation of Synthetic-Based Drilling Mud Base Fluids by Gulf of Mexico 

Sediments, Final Report

MMS 2006-030 Accounting for Socioeconomic Change from Offshore Oil and Gas: Cumulative 

Effects on Louisiana’s Coastal Parishes, 1969-2000

MMS 2006-034 Sperm Whale Seismic Study in the Gulf of Mexico, Summary Report: 

2002-2004

MMS 2006-035 Long-Term Monitoring at the East and West Flower Garden Banks National 

Marine Sanctuary, 2002-2003

MMS 2006-036 Study to Conduct National Register of Historic Places Evaluations of 

Submerged Sites on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf

MMS 2006-037 

Effect of Depth, Location, and Habitat Type, on Relative Abundance and 

Species Composition of Fishes Associated with Petroleum Platforms and 

Sonnier Bank in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2006-044 

MMS 2006-045 

MMS 2006-046

Effects of Oil and Gas Exploration and Development at Selected Continental 

Slope Sites in the Gulf of Mexico;

Volume I: Executive Summary 

Volume II: Technical Report 

Volume III: Appendices

MMS 2006-063 Economic Effects of Petroleum Prices and Production in the Gulf of Mexico 

OCS on the U.S. Gulf Coast Economy

MMS 2006-064 Capital Investment Decisionmaking and Trends in Petroleum Resource 

Development in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2006-067 Sperm Whale Seismic Study in the Gulf of Mexico, Annual Report: 

Years 3 and 4

MMS 2006-071 

Annotated Bibliography of the Potential Environmental Impacts of Chlorination 

and Disinfection Byproducts Relevant to Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas Port 

Facilities

MMS 2006-072 Mica Shipwreck Project Report: Deepwater Archaeological Investigation of a 

19th Century Shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico

MMS 2006-073 

MMS 2006-074

Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico

Volume I: Executive Summary

Volume II: Technical Report

The Department of the Interior Mission

As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has 

responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural 

resources. This includes fostering the sound use of our land and water 

resources, protecting our fish, wildlife and biological diversity; preserving the 

environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and 

providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department 

assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their 

development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship 

and citizen participation in their care. The Department also has a major 

responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who 

live in island communities. 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) works to manage the 

exploration and development of the nation's offshore resources in a way that 

appropriately balances economic development, energy independence, and 

environmental protection through oil and gas leases, renewable energy 

development and environmental reviews and studies.