Effects on Living Resources 



Exploratory drilling is characterized by major potential fish and 

 wildlife impacts from: (1) removal of ocean bottom habitat; (2) drill 

 cuttings and other discharges from the rig; (3) blowouts; and (4) 

 servicing requirements. Sponsor actions will be required during location 

 and operation phases to reduce drilling hazards. 



Location : In spite of the relatively short duration that a rig 

 will be on location, the sponsor must make provision for: (1) eco- 

 logical potential of site; (2) disruption of bottom habitat particularly 

 live bottoms (coral reefs, etc.); and (3) interference with fish and 

 wildlife resources either indigenous to or migrating through the area. 

 Drill cuttings disposal can lead to such adverse ecologic effects as (1) 

 turbidity; (2) eutrophication; (3) toxification. 



Operation : The sponsor's major environmental problem in operation 

 will be meeting pollutant discharge standards on waste disposal; e.g., 

 drill cuttings, drilling muds, and brines. Solid wastes are returned 

 for on-shore disposal. 



Regulatory Factors 



Exploratory drilling takes place in an area of exclusive Federal 

 jurisdiction on the Outer Continental Shelf. The OCS Lands Act assigns 

 management responsibility to the Department of the Interior. The United 

 States Geological Survey manages exploratory drilling activities. Both 

 the Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard must also issue permits 

 before exploratory drilling may proceed. The states have no formal role 

 in this process unless they have an approved Coastal Zone Management 

 Plan. (Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended 1976, Section 

 307 (c) (3) (B).) 



Federal Role: After a lease sale on the Outer Continental Shelf, 

 the USGS may issue permits under Section 11 of the OCS Lands Act for 

 geophysical and geological exploration activities. The permit is issued 

 by the Area Oil and Gas Supervisor, USGS, under regulations found in 

 Volume 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 251. 



The lessee must submit a plan with the Area Oil and Gas Supervisor 

 of the USGS which becomes the basis for specific permits. This plan 

 must include: (1) a description of drilling vessels, platforms, or 

 other structures showing the location, the design, and the major features 

 thereof, including features pertaining to pollution prevention and 

 control; (2) the general location of each well, including surface 

 and projected bottom hole location for directionally drilled wells; (3) 

 structural interpretations based on available geological and geophysical 

 data; and (4) such other pertinent data as the supervisor may prescribe. 



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