3.9 -- SUMMARY 



The major environmental stresses resulting from OCS develop- 

 ment include the following: 



The impacts of channelization and urbanization 



on the wetlands. 



The threat of pollution from oil spills. 



The aesthetic and obstructive effects of the 



placement of platforms and pipelines throughout 



the Gulf of Mexico. 

 Since the Louisiana coastal zone consists largely of 

 wetlands, channelization and dredging are often necessary to 

 provide access to offshore rigs and to construct pipelines. 

 Such action results in interfering with sheet water flow, 

 changing salinities, and increasing erosion. The urbanization 

 induced by OCS development results in loss of wetlands 

 valuable to the ecosystem through draining and filling them 

 for urban uses; and pollution from urban runoff, industry, and 

 pesticides . 



The second major impact is the threat of oil spills. Oil 

 may be spilled as a result of well blowouts, pipeline leaks, 

 barge or tanker accidents, and the discharge by ships of 

 wastewater containing oil into the Gulf. 



The numerous platforms and pipelines throughout the Gulf 

 also have an impact. While the platforms have a positive 

 impact on sports fishing, they have a negative aesthetic impact. 

 In addition, pipelines, when they are not buried (or when they 

 are buried but subsequently uncovered by water current action), 

 and platforms interfere with the operations of commercial fishermen 



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