FOR RELEASE:  February 22, 1994           CONTACT:   John Barclay
(PLEASE EMBARGO UNTIL 6:30 P.M., CST)              (202) 208-3983


        MMS WINS AWARD FOR "ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP"
  IN FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (#40013)

      HOUSTON, TX -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration tonight honored the Interior Department's Minerals
Management Service (MMS) for providing 20 years of protection for
the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

      The award, presented during a "Night on the Flower Gardens"
event at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, honored MMS for
"its exemplary commitment to funding surveys, research, and
monitoring on the banks," according to officials of the host
organizations.  Those included the Sanctuary, the Museum, the
Flower Gardens Fund and the Gulf Reef Environmental Action Team. 
Tonight's event was the second annual in what sponsors say will be
an ongoing series.  Last year's celebration drew some 400
attendees.

      "This award is truly special to us," said agency Director Tom
Fry, who accepted the award.  "It comes from an agency charged with
protecting America's oceans.  The award recognizes that, while MMS
is in the business of offshore energy production, we do our job
with a strong environmental conscience and with a commitment to an
environmental ethic.  Both NOAA and we understand that energy
production and environmental sensitivity can co-exist in a positive
way.

      "MMS has spent more than $7 million to do research on the
Flower Garden Banks," he said.  "We'll be spending more in the
years ahead.  It's important to gather and use good scientific
information, to keep learning, so that the generations following us
will have the Flower Garden Banks to enjoy as we have."

                                 -MMS-
Subject: PR-2/23/94 Flower Garden Banks/MMS Honored by NOAA for
Flower Garden Banks Nat'l Marine Sanctuary (#40013)