Environmental Studies Program Direction: Air Quality Impact Assessment

The Breton National Wilderness Area, part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, is classified as a Class I area under EPA's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations, and is managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Concerns have arisen about the cumulative effects of industrial development, both onshore and offshore.

In response to this , the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) has been developing an overall strategy to deal with OCS activities that could affect the Breton NWA. This has included developing an updated inventory of platform emissions, air quality monitoring activities in the Breton NWA, and a review process for new plans that includes close coordination with the FWS.

To get more information about Breton National Wildlife Refuge, visit their web site at http://www.fws.gov/r4eao/wildlife/nwrbtn.html

For more information, contact Dirk Herkhof.