Other Environmentally Sensitive Areas Back to Top Other areas of natural resource significance may be documented. These additional areas generally are not publicly managed, nor do they have any special designation, but they have been identified as special places meriting spill protection. These resource areas are mapped because they are valued for natural qualities, such as habitats supporting large numbers of non-listed species. Examples include migratory waterfowl resting areas, important fishery areas, and natural communities. This atlas identifies the location and provides descriptive and contact information for tribal lands.
Tribes are the designated natural resource trustees for Native American communities.
Reservations and other tribally owned areas may have significant cultural, environmental, and economic resources that are vulnerable to oil spill damage. Surface Water Intakes Back to Top Surface water intakes are sensitive because of their significance to public health and the economy. All intakes for public water supplies and power plants have been mapped, as have intakes for industries estimated to use one million gallons or more per day. Response procedures may involve temporary shutdown of these facilities. Since contamination of potable water supplies constitutes a serious threat to public health and safety, drinking water intake symbols appear with a red outline in the paper and PDF atlases to highlight their importance.