Transcript

U.S. Department of the InteriorBureau of Ocean Energy Management

National Environmental Justice Conference

March 2014

Keely Hite, Environmental Protection SpecialistDivision of Environmental AssessmentBranch of Environmental Consultation

Environmental Justice and Indigenous People

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BOEM’s Mission

To manage the ocean energy and mineral resources on the

Nation’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

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The Outer Continental Shelf

The OCS includes an area consisting of 1.7 billion acres of submerged lands, subsoil, and seabed, lying between the seaward extent of the States’ submerged lands and the seaward extent of Federal jurisdiction

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BOEM Program Areas

Multiple Uses of the OCS

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Support Programs:

Oil and Gas

Marine Minerals

Renewable Energy

Pollutant Transport (air & water)

Biological Resource Characterization

(habitat & behavior)

Marine Environmental

Monitoring

Fates and Effects

Socioeconomic Effects

Biotechnology

Invasive Species

Reduce Emissions

Blowout Prevention

Structural Removal

Corrosion Prevention

Oil Spill Response

Leak Detection

Marine Risers

Composite Materials

Leasing

Exploration

Construction

Production

Decommissioning

Using Science as Our Guide

BOEM ESPBSEE TA&R OSER and

OSRR/Ohmsett

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Linkage BetweenEnvironmental Assessment &

Environmental Science

Identification of

Information Gaps &

Issues

Environmental

Research

Environmental

Information

Environmental

Assessment

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BSEE Technology Research and Assessment:

Oil and Gas Operational Safety and Engineering Research (OSER)

BSEE Oil Spill Response Research (OSRR):

Ohmsett – The National Oil Spill Response and Renewable Energy Test Facility

Environmental Research Programs

BOEM Environmental Studies Program (ESP)

Oil & Gas, Marine Minerals, Renewable Energy

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Involve Public

Disclose Plans to Public

Integrate Environmental Analysis

Identify and Evaluate Alternatives

Foster Better Decisions

Avoid Negative Effects

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Internal EJ Google Site

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Next Steps:Gulf of Mexico Region: Spatial Analysis

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