Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Atlas: North Slope, Alaska, Volume 1, geographic information systems data, Volume 2, maps in portable document format (NODC Accession 0014928)
Published By National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
Issued about 9 years ago
Summary
Description
ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources. The ESI data were collected, mapped, and digitized to provide environmental data for oil spill planning and response. The Clean Water Act with amendments by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires response plans for immediate and effective protection of sensitive resources. Hydrological data range from 1950-2000, biological data range from 1998-2004 and were compiled in 2003-2004. Data are presented as GIS and associated files, with included MOSS and .PDF files for non-GIS users. Extensive documentation is included with the data. Updates to these data were received as DVD in 2008, including the Northwest Arctic, Western Alaska, and North Slope and were archived at the NODC under accession number 0049913.