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Environmental Compliance Monitoring Program

The Pacific Region conducts environmental compliance inspections during projects to ensure conditions of approval placed on projects are implemented and effective in protecting coastal and marine resources. MMS may be assisted by other agencies and requires industry to check for compliance with mitigation measures identified during the NEPA reviews and for compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The MMS has the authority to monitor and enforce these conditions and regulations pursuant to 30 CFR 250 Subpart N. Operators who fail to comply with the conditions of permit approvals or regulations, including mitigating measures, are subject to warnings, equipment or facility shut-ins, and civil or criminal penalties.

The MMS Environmental Compliance Monitoring Program was developed to ensure environmentally sound operations. This established program is designed to determine industry conformity with environmental laws, regulations, lease stipulations, and project mitigations. Environmental monitoring provides for environmental protection by ensuring implementation of mitigation measures, identifying needed changes to mitigation to improve effectiveness in protecting coastal and marine resources, and understanding the changing environment.

Program Goals

  1. Prevent irreversible environmental damage associated with OCS oil & gas operations.
  2. Verify that implementation of environmental protection measures imposed/proposed for project impacts actually occurred as designed/intended.
  3. Provide feedback to MMS staff and decision makers regarding the effectiveness of the measures so that improvements may be implemented (Adaptive Management).

Program’s Three Phases. The Pacific OCS Region currently employs a three-phase environmental compliance monitoring program that includes MMS Regional and District Office field presence, industry responsibility and environmental monitoring studies.

Phase I. Pacific Region Environmental Compliance Monitoring:
Environmental and safety inspectors in the field and office monitor new projects and on-going operations for compliance with laws, regulations and project specific environmental protection measures.

Phase II. Industry Mitigation Compliance Monitoring Plans:
The Pacific Region requires applicants to provide Mitigation Compliance Monitoring Plans for conditions of approval for new projects.

Phase III. Pacific Region Environmental Monitoring Studies:
Pacific Region scientists and contractors conduct environmental monitoring studies.

Annual Results

bullet Environmental Compliance Rates for On-going Operations
 
bullet Mitigation Compliance & Effectiveness Rates

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Last Updated: 11/18/2008, 02:57 PM

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