resources and processes comprising the system as 

 well as specific information on the distribution of 

 fish, wildlife, and their essential habitats. The 

 stratified approach presented in the Chenier Plain 

 conceptual model describes a mechanism for struc- 

 turing infomiation which will address this broad 

 range of needs. 



Program specific information is required in 

 addition to the ecosystems data. Figure 4 is a 

 schematic depicting some of the action programs 

 which could use the ecosystem data base. In each 

 case, supplemental information must also be avail- 

 able. Agencies responsible for managing action 

 programs usually have resources available to 

 develop program specific information. The Outer 

 Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing and development 

 program, for example, is managed by the Bureau of 

 Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Geological 

 Survey (USGS), respectively. As part of the leasing 

 program, the BLM has undertaken environmental 

 studies to assess the long-term impacts of OCS de- 

 velopment, and to minimize detrimental environ- 

 mental impacts. Specific liinds of information are 

 being developed in the lease areas to meet the needs 

 of the leasing program. A broad base of ecological 

 data could complement the OCS environmental 

 studies program, assist in preparation of resource 



Ecological 



Data 



Ban 



Program Ecological 



Speclllc Input (FWS 



Requirements Lead Role) 



assessments and impact statements, and help deter- 

 mine program requirements. Lead responsibility 

 within FWS belongs to the Office of Biological Ser- 

 vices (OBS). 



In the event of an oil spill from OCS develop- 

 ment, the ecological characterization would pro- 

 vide an information base to the Coast Guard (CG) 

 of important resources that could be impacted. 

 This base would also be used by the FWS's 

 Environmental Contaminant Evaluation (ECE) and 

 Ecological Services (ES). 



The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), as 

 mandated under the Fish and Wildlife Coordina- 

 tion Act of 1958 and the Water Pollution Control 

 Act of 1972, has responsibility for the review of 

 applications to permit development and discharge 

 activities m the wetlands and aquatic systems of 

 the United States. Decisions to issue permits are 

 the responsibility of the U.S. Army Corps of 

 Engineers (USAGE) or the Environmental 

 Protection Agency (EPA). Lead responsibility 

 within the FWS lies with the Land and Water 

 Resources Planning Program. Dredging and other 

 wetland alterations in the coastal zone may be very 

 site-specific and result in localized change. Infor- 

 mation required to adequately assess the impacts 

 of such activities differs substantially from that 



Program 



Planning 



and 



Analysis 



Action 

 Program 



Lead 

 Agency 



Figure 4. Relationship of ecosystem characterization information to supplemental data requirements 

 and selected Fish and Wildlife Service-related action programs in the coastal zone. 



