Improving ESI Maps with Low-Level Imagery (ShoreZone), Alaska 2011, ExxonMobil Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) mapping proposes to provide accurate representation of an area’s shoreline categorized as to shoreline type on a scale of 1 to 10 determined by sensitivity to spilled oil.  Originally, field work utilized the hand-drawing of categories onto USGS topographic maps while seated in an aircraft flying the coastline.  ESI categorization could only be verified by photographs taken at the time and by intermittent ground truthing.  ESI maps could not be verified by others, especially if remote coastline was involved. Today large sections of the Alaskan coastline have been flown by the ShoreZone program which has captured high-resolution still photographs (able to resolve shoreline features of ~0.3 m and less) and lower resolution continuous video imaging taken from a low- and slow-flying helicopter.  Both video and still photographs are readily available at (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/) enabling a desk-side review of any specific location at any time.  A voice-over recorded during the survey is also available, but not online. Prince William Sound (PWS) has been ESI-categorized several times, most recently in 1999 (2007 digital re-release).  I compared several parts of the current PWS ESI shoreline with ShoreZone imagery using the ESI maps in ESRI ArcMap and supported by GoogleEarth.  Multiple examples find that the current ESI maps commonly do not take into account features less than ~100 m in length (thereby omitting many pocket gravel beaches and rock platforms), may overlook features (e.g. large tidal flats as in the Port Chalmers and Lower Passage areas), have the wrong location for divisional boundaries between shoreline types, are inconsistent within a shoreline type category (particularly sheltered rubble slopes (8D)) and, while getting the overall features generally correct, are commonly in error at many specific locations.  A thorough review of current ESI shoreline maps using the readily available ShoreZone images will improve both the accuracy and resolution of these maps, not only in Prince William Sound but in other areas where ShoreZone images are available. Publications Gundlach, E.R., 2011. Using ShoreZone Imagery to Improve Environmental Sensitivity Maps, Examples from Prince William Sound. International Oil Spill Conference. download

Sensitivity of Inland Environments along the 1076 km BTC Pipeline in Turkey Botas BTC Project Sensitivity mapping was completed for the entire 1076 km (645 mi) of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline Project in Turkey. Pipeline sensitivity maps include environmental, human-use and archaeological features as well as drainage patterns indicating potential oil flow and downstream sites for spilled oil containment. All information is compiled and stored using a Geographic Information System (GIS) from which hardcopy maps are created at various scales, depending on purpose. Both integrated and stand alone databases are used to quickly access needed environmental and response information. Map and text based data are stored on a central server to provide internal accessibility and via a web-based, interactive internet mapping system. This is the first time that formalized sensitivity mapping has been completed in Turkey. Maps were prepared in English and Turkish. Publications Gundlach, E.R., H.M. Cekirge, R. Castle, and P. Sutherland, 2005.  Oil Spill Response and Equipment for the BTC Pipeline System in Turkey.  2005 International Oil Spill Conference. download Gundlach, E.R., H.M. Cekirge and C. Anul, 2005.  Pipeline and Coastal Environmental Sensitivity Mapping for the BTC Pipeline System in Turkey.  2005 International Oil Spill Conference. download

Sensitivity Mapping and Spill Containment Sites, Iskenderun Gulf, Turkey Botas BTC Project t ESI mapping was carried out for the eastern Mediterranean in response to the development of a new oil terminal at Ceyhan (Iskenderun Gulf) by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline Project. The zone of mapping was determined by risk analyses and oil spill modeling prepared for the terminal and marine traffic route. In addition to the risk analyses, background data included the project EIA and related surveys.  Shoreline types and important human use areas were mapped using video overflight data (with internal latitude / longitude overlay) verified by ground truthing. The highest ecological sensitivity is found in the marshes, tidal flats, and shallow waters of Iskenderun Lagoon (ESI 9 and 10) and other lagoons south of the Terminal.  These areas are also internationally designated Important Bird Areas (IBAs).  Nesting sites of marine turtles (critically endangered green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta)) are found on the pocket sand beaches south of the Terminal and along the sand beaches south and west of Iskenderun Gulf.  The region  supports a commercial fishery, although it is in a noted state of decline.  Rare occurrences of the critically endangered monk seal (Monachus monachus) are also noted in the area. From the sensitivity and risk analyses, 14 oil spill containment sites were located to protect the most sensitivity environments.  This information, compiled using a GIS, was utilized to create 1:30,000-scale hardcopy and on-the-web map formats.  The containment site description includes geographic location, driving instructions, rationale and criteria (spill size / location) for implementing protection, type of equipment needed, and aerial and ground photographs of the site.

Sensitivity Mapping, Pribilof Islands, Alaska NOAA and U.S. Coast Guard) The Pribilof Islands, five small islands in the middle of the Bering Sea, are among the most environmentally rich areas of the world.  During the warmer months, they are home to approximately 1 million fur seals and over 3 million seabirds.  Greatest populations occur from mid-May to September, but some fur seals remain into December.  An oil spill during this time would be devastating.  At other times of the year, it has the potential to affect over-wintering species and may interfere with fur seals returning the next season.  Several ship wrecks and oil spills have already occurred, the most recent being a spill of unknown origin during the winter of 1996, when hundreds of birds were affected.  Working together, state and federal agencies have undertaken specific measures to reduce the risk of spills in this area, and to better plan if one should occur. The poster-sized map was prepared in English, Russian and Japanese, with the intent to be given to fishing vessels working in the area. Publications Gundlach, E.R., Kendziorek, M. and others, 1999.  The Pribilof Islands, Alaska – an area of extreme environmental sensitivity.  1999 International Oil Spill Conference, American Petroleum Inst. Wash. DC, 10 pp. download: article, poster

U.S. Pipelines - Mapping Inland Unusually Sensitive Areas American Petroleum Institute This stage of the project was to select and compile of all sensitive environmental habitats along six pipeline segments (>600 miles long) located in the northeast, north-central, south, southeast, and western parts of the U.S.  Pipeline diameters varied from 8" to 40".  The analysis of sensitive resources included information on threatened, endangered, and protected species, sole source aquifers, community drinking water supplies, wetlands, protected state and federal lands.  Cost estimates were made for each segment for positioning remotely controlled block valves, hydrostatic testing, and smart pigging, in response to the collected environmental data.  Costs were then extrapolated to the pipeline industry as a whole to provide estimates of total industry costs of each method. Sensitive habitats along U.S. pipelines, data were mapped using ArcCAD and Spatial Analyst to generate various analyses of sensitivity elements.  ArcView was used for viewing the different environmental data elements involved in the study, which included the following for six major pipelines in New York, North Carolina, Illinois, California, Louisiana, and Alabama: all wetlands (classified by the National Wetland Inventory), public lands (parks, refuges, etc.), public drinking water intakes and sole source aquifers, habitats of threatened and endangered species, state and federally designated critical habitats, primary and secondary road networks, and streams and rivers.

Coastal and Inland Sensitivity Mapping, OML11, Niger Delta, Nigeria Shell Nigeria, ERML, Lagos In Nigeria, t he Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) recognize ESI maps as useful tools for improved oil spill response. Their regulatory requirements stipulate a need for improved oil spill contingency planning. Towards this end, ESI mapping was carried out for both coastal and land-based environments in Oil Mining Lease area 11 in the Niger River delta. This project was the first application of the ESI protocols developed under sponsorship of the oil industry in Nigeria. Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 is located in the southern part of Nigeria. It extends from Latitude 40 28’N to 50 2’ and Longitude 70 2’E to 70 39’E. Most of the OML lies within the Niger Delta. It straddles a number of habitat types from its northern predominantly terrestrial environment through coastal swamps in the southern portions and extending to sections of the Nigerian outer coastline. OML 11 is one of the largest OML concessions in the Niger Delta. Three of the 21 Rivers that punctuate the Niger Delta as distributaries run through OML 11. These are from east to west of the OML: Bonny River, Andoni River and Imo River. The OML also cuts across three states; Rivers, Abia and Akwa Ibom states. OML 11 has an estimated area of about 3,096 square km. The project was carried out using satellite imagery, overflights, and low-altitude videography. The ESI includes shoreline types and socio-economic information for the area, as well as oil facility data and village locations. ERML of Nigeria was the lead contractor for the Project.

Mapping Protocols for Sensitivity and Biodiversity, Coastal and Inland Habitats, Nigeria OPTS, ERML, Lagos Shoreline sensitivity maps are based primarily on geomorphology and the likelihood of spill persistence. Some of the most diverse communities (exposed rocky shores) may be ranked low because wave action negates many affects of the oil.  Land-based habitats do not have this capability and therefore needs another mechanism to determine “sensitivity” to oil. With the basis that more bio-diverse communities are more inherently valuable as an ecological resource, we have derived a system of classifying the tropical environments of the oil-producing delta regions of Nigeria based on a number of field-collected parameters that attempt to measure the degree of biodiversity as well as potential spill persistence and difficulty of cleanup.  Physical parameters include type of substrate, presence of near-surface groundwater and inhibiting layer, and extent of surface debris.  Biological parameters include tree density (stocking), coverage by grasses and shrubs in the understory; plant condition, species richness and diversity (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds), important medicinal or endangered species, and special or unique biological features.  The project was sponsored by the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce; the umbrella organization of oil producing companies in Nigeria together with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) acting through Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL). Publications Gundlach, E., V.O. Imevbore, B. Witherspoon and J. Ainodion.  2001.  Incorporating biodiversity into sensitivity maps of the Niger River delta.  2001 International Oil Spill Conference. download

Selected US and Alaska Mapping Projects NOAA