(B) PROXIMITY A proximity scale for oil spills takes into account average drift rates for slicks based primarily upon extensive wind data and each tracts relation to shore or high value, vulnerable resources. The scale for oil spills is not presented because oil spills are expected to occur from tracts in this proposed gas sale. A proximity scale is presented with regard to offshore structures and their potential impact and location in relation to commercial shipping and fishing, or natural resource systems. This scale is shown below: Proximity Scale (Structures) * 1.0 Tract partially within shipping lane, anchorage area, natural resource system, or activity. 1/ 0.8 Tract within one mile of shipping lane, anchorage area, natural 0.6 0.4 resource system, or activity. Tract within 1.1-3 miles of shipping lane, anchorage area, natural resource system, or activity. 2/ Tract within 3.1-6 miles of shipping lane, anchorage area, natural resource system, or activity. 3/ 0.2 Tract within 6.1-10 miles of shipping lane, anchorage area, natural resource system, or activity. 0.0 Tract beyond 10 miles of shipping lane, anchorage area, natural resource system, or activity. * Distances for commercial shipping were taken from the edge of a tract to the nearest edge of a shipping lane or anchorage area; all other distances were measured from the center of the tract. 1/ Tracts located in water depths shallower than 27m are assigned a value of 1.0 due to their location in areas of intensive commercial fishing. 2/ Tracts ranging in depth from over 27m to 64m are considered to be in an intensive commercial fishery area for only one species, such as brown shrimp. These tracts have been assigned a value of 0.6 to reflect the fact that offshore structures in these water depths will be in proximity to an intensive single species fishery. 3/ Each proposed tract located in water depths greater than 64m has been assigned a value of 0.4. This value has been assigned to reflect the fact that commercial fishing activities occur throughout the Gulf and therefore, all platforms placed on the continental shelf will be in proximity to some kind of commercial fishing activity regardless of water depth or distance from shore. (C) RELATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FACTOR A relative environmental impact factor is a product of Importance, and Proximity, and is expressed both for structures, F (St) and oil spills, F (0.S.). The equation for obtaining this factor can be expressed simply as I x P = F (St. or 0.S.). The higher the relative environmental impact factor, the higher the potential for environmental damage. Tracts with overall high environmental indices will be singled out for additional consideration in accordance with the scale below. It is very important for the decision-maker or reviewer to keep in mind the possible synergistic and/or cumulative effects resulting from a tract having one or more categories within a high index range. This scale of relative environmental impact factors is proposed for determining the potential damage a tract might pose to a significant resource or activity. The individual, tract-by-tract, matrices have been appended to this statement. See Attachment H. The following section presents a recapitulation of the matrices and the section following that presents a summary risk analysis. There are no tracts in this proposed sale within 15 miles of a refuge/management area. 2. Unique and Highly Productive Areas There are 4 tracts (Tract Nos. 219, 220, 231 and 232) that are located partially within the East Flower Garden Bank and there are 6 tracts (Tract Nos. 227, 228, 229, 239, 240 and 241) located partially within the West Flower Garden Bank. In addition there are 6 tracts (Tract Nos. 213, 214, 215, 221, 230 and 236) which are located within 1 mile of the Garden Bank. Another 8 tracts (Tract Nos. 204-207, 223, 224, 226 and 237) are located over 1 mile, but less than 3 miles, from the Garden Banks area. These areas could be adversely affected by activities associated with gas production. Section V. D. presents a special stipulation that will help mitigate impacts to the Flower Garden areas. 3 Biota Seaward of Estuary/Nursery Areas There are no tracts in this proposed sale that pose potential harm to biota in the open water of the sea. 4. Beaches beach areas. There are no tracts in this sale within 10 miles of any |