The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers an environmen- 

 tal assessment program to assure that offshore oil and gas resources are 

 developed in an environmentally sound manner. These studies are con- 

 ducted on OCS areas being considered for possible oil and gas leasing as 

 well as in areas already leased for that purpose. BLM studies are now in 

 progress off the coast of Alaska and along the Atlantic seaboard and 

 Gulf coasts. The studies consist of four phases. Phase one surveys exist- 

 ing environmental data and identifies data gaps that require investiga- 

 tion. The second phase consists of predevelopment, baseline sampling of 

 the chemical, biological, and physical characteristics of each area. Dur- 

 ing phase three, special studies on specific problems (e.g.. toxicity of 

 petroleum hydrocarbons to marine biota) are performed. Phase four con- 

 sists of a continuing monitoring of selected environmental parameters to 

 detect any effect on the environment that might result from OCS oil and 

 gas development. 



The Office of Water Research and Technology (OWRT) funds con- 

 tract research, a portion of which bears directly on pollution abatement 

 and control. Among the projects currently funded by OWRT is a study to 

 determine the role of sewage effluent and sludge as a source of mercury 

 introduced into marine ecosystem off the California coast. 



The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), pursuant to the Fish and 

 Wildlife Coordination Act, assesses the environmental impact of U.S. 

 Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and other projects, as does the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Both FWS and NMFS make recom- 

 mendations on the most effective types of pollution control for the pro- 

 tection of living resources in the project area. The FWS also conducts in- 

 vestigations on the toxic effects of waterborne pollutants on fish and 

 birds. 



NOAA provides information on types and quantities of pollutants in 

 the marine ecosystem and conducts research on the effects of the ocean 

 disposal of waste material. NOAA also provides historical data on 

 severe storms and other atmospheric phenomena and consults on 

 prospective uses of coastal zones to help assure that coastal zone 

 facilities are well planned, properly engineered, and adequately 

 managed in order to minimize adverse environmental impacts. 



The Marine Ecosystems Analysis Program (MESA), initiated by 

 NOAA in 1973, has made significant progress toward its goal of defining 

 major ecological systems, processes, and stresses in the New York Bight. 

 When an integrated model of the Bight ecosystems is developed, it may 

 be possible to predict harmful anomaly levels. The New York Bight was 

 selected as the first area for concentrated study because of its complex- 

 ity and heavy use. The MESA project, managed by the NOAA Environ- 

 mental Research Laboratories, involves several other NOAA elements, 

 other Federal agencies. State agencies, and private institutions including 



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