Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Atlas, Gulf of Mexico, Alabama 2007, Louisiana 2003, Mississippi 1995, maps and geographic information systems data (NODC Accession 0036821)

The most widely used approach to sensitive environment mapping in the U.S. is NOAA's Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI). This approach systematically complies information in standard formats for coastal shoreline sensitivity, biological resources, and human-use resources. ESI maps are useful for identifying sensitive resources before a spill occurs so that protection priorities can be established and cleanup strategies designed in advance. Using ESIs in spill response and planning reduces the environmental consequences of the spill and cleanup efforts.

The Alabama data provided are from an update completed in September 2007. The Louisiana and Mississippi data are from earlier releases (2003 and 1995 respectively) but are provided in a geodatabase format with a corresponding .mxd file. (Earlier releases of these data have also been archived at the NODC). This data product also includes data presented as ArcView project files, MOSS files, extensive metadata and documentation, and .PDF maps for non-GIS users. For Alabama, the data were compiled during 2006-2007. The currentness dates for the data ranges from 1977 to 2006. For Louisiana, these data were compiled during 2002-2003. The currentness dates for the data range from 1960 to 2001. For Mississippi, the biological and human-use resources data were compiled by regional biologists in 1995; data dates vary and are listed in a table in the provided metadata files.