31 



Are any new "ecosystems" studies needed at ail in the Gulf of Mexico after all the work done in the past? 



If so, should additional new studies in the Gulf and elsewhere stress processes or inventories or an 

 admixture of the two? Which approaches serve to detect change? Which leads to a degree of confident 

 prediction and a measure of environmental effect? Indeed, is it practical to detect the industry's 

 environmental signals from background noises? 



Today, the term, "process", brings to mind biological (energetic), biogeochemical, and physical 

 phenomena. Which processes and ecological interactions (if any) require additional investigation to meet 

 MMS goals? 



How may this study or parts thereof be coordinated with, incorporated into, and share data with ongoing 

 or planned monitoring and physical oceanography investigations? 



Should the study area be restricted to the areas of the western Gulf with high industry production 

 (considering funding limitations) or should MMS include the entire Texas and Louisiana OCS? Should 

 the study area include the upper slope? 



Considering the extent of oil and gas development and other sources of effects, are there any acceptable 

 "control" sites? 



