Gulf OCS Blocks with Significant Sediment Resources

This data set contains OCS block outlines and delineated polygons for the BOEM Gulf of America Region that contain sediment resources and areas of disposal in support of the Marine Minerals Program. Coastal restoration, beach nourishment, and levee reconstruction are crucial to mitigate future coastal erosion, land loss, flooding, and storm damage in the Gulf. The success of that long-term effort depends on locating and securing significant quantities of OCS sediment resources that are compatible with the target environments being restored. Offshore sediment resources, like upland sources, are extremely scarce where most needed. Additionally, vast areas of these relatively small offshore sediment resources are not extractable because of the presence of oil and gas infrastructure, archaeologically sensitive areas, and biologically sensitive areas. Since the use of OCS sediment resources is authorized by the BOEM through its Marine Mineral Program, the bureau is implementing several measures to help safeguard the most significant OCS sediment resources, reduce multiple use conflicts, and minimize interference with oil and gas operations under existing leases or rights-of-way. During the planning process, entities may reference the block attributes provided in this dataset to inquire about specific resources within those areas. As new information becomes available, blocks designated as significant sediment resource areas will be updated. In doing so, the BOEM MMP can continue to serve as an effective steward of our OCS resources. For more information on how BOEM manages multiple uses on the OCS or to get the most up to date information on official OCS block designations as significant sediment resource areas, visit https://www.boem.gov/marine-minerals/managing-multiple-uses-gulf-mexico.本数据集包含美国海洋能源管理局（Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, BOEM）所辖墨西哥湾区域的外大陆架（Outer Continental Shelf, OCS）区块轮廓与划定多边形，涵盖沉积资源区域与处置区域，用于支撑海洋矿产计划（Marine Minerals Program）。海岸修复、海滩养护与堤防重建，对于缓解墨西哥湾未来的海岸侵蚀、土地流失、洪涝及风暴灾害至关重要。该项长期工作的成效，取决于能否定位并获取足量与目标修复环境兼容的外大陆架沉积资源。与陆上沉积源类似，近海沉积资源在需求最迫切的区域极为稀缺。此外，由于油气基础设施、考古敏感区域及生态敏感区域的存在，这些规模相对有限的近海沉积资源中有大片区域无法被开采。鉴于外大陆架沉积资源的使用需经美国海洋能源管理局通过其海洋矿产计划授权，该局正实施多项措施，以助力保护最重要的外大陆架沉积资源、减少多用途冲突，并最大限度降低对现有租约或通行权下油气作业的干扰。在规划过程中，相关主体可参考本数据集提供的区块属性，查询对应区域内的具体资源情况。随着新信息的获取，被指定为重要沉积资源区域的区块将得到更新。通过此举，美国海洋能源管理局海洋矿产计划可继续作为外大陆架资源的有效管理者。如需了解美国海洋能源管理局如何管理外大陆架的多用途活动，或获取官方将区块指定为重要沉积资源区域的最新信息，请访问https://www.boem.gov/marine-minerals/managing-multiple-uses-gulf-mexico。