Previous Story
Map delineates marine habitats
|
Posted on Jan 08 1999
The Coastal Resources Management Office announced yesterday the availability of a map that will be used to protect sensitive areas within the CNMI in case of a major oil spill.
John Jordan, Geographic Information System Manager, said the map, made as part of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, will address responses to worst-case discharge of oil or any hazardous substance.
So far, there has been no major spill that occurred in the Marianas. But Jordan said the map will allow planners to see where the oil is and how can they protect the affected area.
“When there’s a major spill, people from different agencies will come to help and by providing this map, they would know what species are present in the area and they would determine if they are breeding or not,” Jordan said.
The map, called Environmental Sensitivity Index, provides information on the habitat inside the lagoon and has symbols for birds, plants and other animals living in the Marianas.
The map will be distributed to agencies involved in the planning and response team as well as to other federal agencies.
