nvironmental Information
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
Page content last updated 6/8/2004
Page last published
9/21/2004