POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF OCS OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT 



In 1974, about 60% of the public that was polled favored offshore drill- 

 ing for oil in Florida in response to the energy crisis. In 1979 it was 69%. 

 Most (60%) Floridians want to promote tourism even if the tourists reduce 

 available supplies of gasoline. Only 25% of those polled oppose increased 

 tourism because of a drain on the State's energy supplies (Bell et al , 1980). 



A report by Havran and Collins (1980) on OCS oil and gas activities in 

 the Gulf of Mexico and their onshore impacts is valuable for assessing poten- 

 tial environmental impacts on coastal Florida. Gulf of Mexico OCS production 

 platforms in Texas and Louisiana are linked to shore by an extensive network 

 of pipelines that transport oil and gas to nearby terminals. The production 

 of oil and gas sometimes led to the growth of massive onshore industrial com- 

 plexes that cause many environmental problems. The most severe onshore envi- 

 ronmental impacts are apparent in frontier areas where few of the needs for 

 onshore operations and facilities are available. Since port facilities along 

 the Florida coastline are not geared for OCS oil and gas development, any high 

 or moderate level oil and gas find along the Florida gulf coast could cause 

 local economic and community upheavel . 



The potential for oil pollution is a major issue raised by offshore oil 

 drilling. Leaks from pipelines and platforms potentially could have some 

 damaging effects on sport and commercial fishing, saltwater beach recreation, 

 and boating. Pipeline construction may disrupt the bottom habitat and destroy 

 benthic organisms. Even buried pipelines may threaten beaches or residential 

 sites. In addition to terminal sites and channels, turning basins may need to 

 be dredged or maintained for deep draft tankers. Loss or alteration of 

 coastal lands and water would reduce recreational potentials. 



A substantial work force may be required for the construction and opera- 

 tion of the necessary onshore facilities for OCS oil and gas development. 

 Tourists are not usually attracted to areas where onshore activities are 

 heaviest. Rapid industrial growth in some coastal areas could cause a decline 

 in tourism. Because the recreation required in a community is a function of 

 the size of the population and its demographic characteristics, population 

 change due to OCS oil and gas activities would alter recreational demand and 

 supply in the community. 



Funds for recreation may be sharply increased by revenue collected from 

 offshore oil and gas extraction. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is the 

 major Federal grant program to the states for purchasing and developing out- 

 door recreation areas. This fund also has been used to purchase recreation 

 areas and endangered species lands in national forests, parks, wilderness 

 areas, wildlife refuges, and wild and scenic rivers. The U.S. Department of 

 the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (1981) reports that 65% of the revenue 

 for the fund are derived from bonuses, leases, and royalties stemming from 

 exploration and production of oil and natural gas from Federal OCS areas. 



Oil spills from pipelines sometimes are caused by damage from dragging 

 platform anchors and bottom trawls. Blowout spillage is caused by producing 

 wells. A serious blowout in 1980 in the southern gulf area off the coast of 

 Mexico threatened one of the world's richest shrimping and fishing grounds. 



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