The marine and coastal environment includes the ocean; the atmosphere over the ocean; the nearby land; the various life forms which live in, on, or near the ocean; as well as the human population that lives near the ocean or uses the ocean and coastal resources.

The Minerals Management Service supports an extensive program of scientific studies. As part of this national program, the Pacific OCS Region manages a variety of scientific studies to increase our understanding of the marine and coastal environment and the potential effects of oil and gas activities on this environment in California. About $1 to $2 million is spent annually in the Pacific Region to fund research in physical oceanography, biology, ecology, and socioeconomics. A list of studies currently underway as well those beginning this year are listed under Current Environmental Studies. These studies and those proposed for funding in future fiscal years are described in the Environmental Studies Strategic Plan.

A significant part of the Pacific Region's program of environmental studies is carried out in cooperation with the University of California though the Coastal Marine Institute.

Information on a wide variety of subjects resulting from this national studies program can be found in the Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS). This system contains a searchable database of study results covering a wide range of topics in physical, biological, and social sciences set in geographical locations from the Arctic Ocean to the tropics.

MARINe  Scientists from Federal, State, and local government agencies, universities, and private and volunteer organizations have formed a Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe) to monitor important shoreline resources.

Santa Maria Basin Oil Seep Study 

Decommissioning Environmental Studies Workshop Proceedings