which would ultimately depend on the life of the proposed offshore fields 

 and continuation of imports thereafter. 



Impacts of oil spills on wetlands will vary with the extent of the spill, 

 season, and flushing action of the tides. Also important in assessing potential 

 damage to marsh plants are the type of oil and the plant species involved. 

 Various studies referenced in the BLM Impact Statement reveal that 

 marsh plants can generally survive light to moderate oiling from a single 

 dose, but repeated dosings tend to be lethal. Also, weathered oil, which has 

 lost the more toxic aromatic petroleum hydrocarbon fractions, is less toxic 

 than fresh oil. Some smothering from heavy crude oil can occur in marsh 

 habitats. 



Impact of oil on marsh plant species can depend on time of year. It 

 would probably have the greatest impact during the growing season as com- 

 pared to other times. It may influence flowering, seed development, and 

 vegetative reproduction. Annual or herbaceous species may suffer more than 

 perennials as they cannot survive by regeneration from roots. 



Additional effects of oil spills in marshes would be to reduce the 

 faunal component of the ecosystem. Organisms may be killed by direct toxic 

 action, smothering, starvation from loss of food supply or may be damaged 

 physiologically from intake of oil. Edible shellfish, fish and crabs, which 

 constitute a major interest for local sport fishing, could ingest enough 

 petroleum hydrocarbons to taint their flesh and render them inedible for a 

 period of time. Higher level animals in the food chain could also be adversely 

 affected by oil spills in marshes. Among these might be; geese, ducks, hawks, 

 gulls, wading birds, song birds, muskrats, raccoons, nutria, turtles, and 

 amphibians. Most such effects would arise from soiling of feathers and fur, 



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