Federal Power Commission also reviews design and the economics of inter- 

 state gas pipelines (it also sets the wellhead price for OCS gas) [82]. 

 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the permit program that controls 

 dredging and dredge spoil disposal associated with pipelines [83]. These 

 programs are discussed in Part 3 of this report. 



In addition to permits for the pipeline facilities required for on 

 and off loading of tankers, tanker and larger operations are supervised by 

 the Federal Maritime Commission which determines whether a shipper is 

 financially responsible in view of potential liability for pollution or 

 other damages resulting from his operations. Tanker and barge operations 

 are also supervised by the Coast Guard [84]. 



FWS often comments on these permits under the Fish and Wildlife 

 Coordination Act and/or NEPA. 



2.7 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 



The Bureau of Land Management began a program of environmental 

 studies associated with its OCS leasing program in 1974. Initiated to 

 respond to specific information demands imposed by NEPA legislation on 

 the BLM decision process, the Environmental Studies Program now provides 

 environmental information of both pre- and post-leasing decisions as 

 illustrated in Figure 7. 



The Environmental Studies Program is principally funded and coordinated 

 by BLM and is implemented by various research organizations and Federal 

 agencies with marine environmental research capabilities. It is monitored 

 by an Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Studies Advisory Committee 

 with representatives of the coastal states, private sector and ex-officio 

 members from EPA, NOAA, US6S, and FWS [86]. 



The FWS participates in the BLM-OCS environmental studies program in 

 three ways. First, Service staff attend regional conferences sponsored 

 by BLM prior to preparing its study plan schedule. Other major participants 

 in past conferences have been the private sector, universities, and state 

 agencies concerned with the regional impacts of OCS development. Recom- 

 mendations for specific studies are published in the conference proceedings. 



The Chief, Office of Biological Services, or his alternate represents 

 the Service and actively participates in the functions of the Advisory 

 Committee. The Committee meets quarterly in full session, but subcommittees 

 also undertake specific tasks assigned by the Chairman. 



Second, Secretarial Order 2974, coordinating the activities of FWS, 

 BLM, NPS, and USGS, provides a mechenism for FWS involvement. Under this 

 Order, BLM consults with FWS in designing the biological program study 

 elements, before allocation of funds, and in determining the level of 

 natural resource study efforts. The agencies also have outlined their 



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