Abstract:
Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps are an integral component
in oil-spill contingency planning and assessment. They serve as the
first source of information in the event of an oil spill incident.
Other uses of these maps include coastal resource inventories and
assessments, coastal planning, and recreational planning.
ESI maps contain three types of
... information: shoreline classification
(specifically, sensitivity to oiling), human-use resources, and
biological resources. This information is plotted on 7.5 minute USGS
quadrangles.
Shoreline classification involves sectioning the shoreline into
habitats according to geomorphological characteristics, sensitivity to
spilled oil, natural persistence of oil, and ease of cleanup.
Human use resources that might be damaged by oil or response actions
are also included in the maps. These human-use resources include:
recreational and shoreline access areas (e.g., parks and beaches),
specially protected areas (e.g., wildlife reserves), water extraction
sites (e.g., surface and ground water intakes), and historical and
cultural sites.
Biological resources in ESI maps include oil-sensitive animals and
plants, with information at the species level. Special attention is
given to areas where concentrations of oil-sensitive species occur,
such as breeding grounds, nesting habitats, and staging areas.
ESI atlases have been prepared for most of the U.S. shoreline,
including the Great Lakes, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Trust Territories.
ESI maps are a product of the Hazardous Materials Response and Assessment
Division (HAZMAT) of NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration.
ESI maps are published as a collection of paper maps or digitally
bound as an atlas. An ESI atlas covers a state, such as South
Carolina or a small region such as Delaware Bay.
Digital ESI data is published in atlas form as both PDF files and as
files for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). PDF files
allow users to simply view and print maps without the need for buying
additional software. Users with GIS software can access files in
uncompressed ARC/INFO export format to undertake more detailed
analysis of ESI data.
[This summary was adapted from the NOS MapFinder ESI Map product
description.] 
