North Slope ESI

1171- North Slope ESI Abstract

The project will update Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) data along the North Slope of Alaska. ESI data from the North Slope is outdated, with the last update being done in 2005. Having up to date and accurate data is vitally important to ensuring spill response and preparedness for oil spill response in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). As such, an interagency agreement was established between BSEE and NOAA to acquire, assimilate, and distribute updated ESI information.

NOAA’s (ESI) maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil or chemical spill occurs nearby. Examples of at-risk resources include biological resources (such as shorebirds and mussel beds), sensitive shorelines (such as marshes and coastal wetlands), and human-use resources (such as public beaches and parks). ESI maps are an integral part of emergency response planning, preparedness, and response efforts as they assist decision makers by providing information about sensitive habitats and species that could be at risk. Additionally, ESI maps help responders understand when certain response options, like burning, dispersant application, or intensive manual cleanup efforts may be inappropriate or unfeasible.  ESI maps also provide a basis for determining where to sample to establish baseline conditions for the assessment of damage to natural resources as the result of a spill. ESIs are available as geodatabases and georeferenced PDFs and are also served through NOAA’s Environmental Response Management Application® (ERMA), through NOAAs InPort, NOAA’s Fisheries' Enterprise Data Management Program, and the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) ESI website.

The BSEE OSPD oversees the review and approval of oil spill response plans (OSRPs) which are submitted as a regulatory requirement for offshore oil and gas facility plan holders. OSRPs are part of the national response system family of plans and as such are required to be consistent with area, regional and the national contingency plans. ESI maps are an integral part of these emergency response planning, preparedness, and response efforts. They are crucial to assisting decision makers, like the BSEE, by providing information about sensitive habitats and species in the area that could be at risk. ESIs are key components in the development and maintenance of Area Contingency Plans and Geographic Response Strategies.