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

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.