Oil Spill Contingency Mapping in a Coastal System—Creating a Geographic Response Plan and Map Atlas

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to develop digital area contingency plans (ACP) for oil spill response and planning. Digital ACPs are based on the USCG's large 300-page, paper-based "Area Contingency Plans." Digital files of the ACP are converted to an Adobe portable document file (PDF) and navigation links are added. GIS data is created from area response plan (ARP) maps with data presented as tables with addresses. Data includes boom locations, collection points, staging areas, mangrove shorelines, marinas and boat ramps, and port facilities.

Digital copies of environmental sensitivity index (ESI) maps and tidal inlet protection strategies, both very important resources used in oil spill response, are also included as PDF files and GIS data. By the end of 2002, FWRI had completed ACPs for the Marine Safety Offices (MSO) in Tampa and Miami, Florida, and was asked by the USCG to create digital ACPs for MSOs in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.

Protection priority point databases for the Charleston and Savannah MSOs were combined into a Microsoft Access database, quality checked, and updated where necessary. FWRI also updated each record's latitude/longitude coordinate and recorded it in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Map numbers for several reference map series were added to the database. This enables a responder to reference the specific maps a priority point occupies. This information is important to responders during a spill event.

The digital files are a valuable product, and FWRI is proud to have provided this service to protect and preserve valuable natural resources.