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New map displays Arctic spill overview
Federal agencies say a version of the online mapping tool that helped emergency responders during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been developed for the Arctic region.
The tool blends a wide variety of data into a single interactive map, providing “a quick visualization of the situation,” the agencies said.
The data can include near real-time oceanographic observations, weather reports, sea ice location, vulnerable environmental resources, traditional and local subsistence knowledge, fishery closure areas, mariner notices and much more.
The system also draws on physical and biological data provided through a recent memorandum of agreement with Shell, ConocoPhillips and Statoil, which are preparing for exploratory drilling in the Arctic.
An August cruise of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research ship, the Fairweather, will provide more input. The cruise is aimed at updating nautical charts.
The online mapping tool is called ERMA — the Environmental Response Management Application.
It’s the product of a partnership among NOAA, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Oil Spill Recovery Institute and the University of New Hampshire.
‘A tremendous benefit’ ERMA is now available for eight regions — the Arctic, Gulf of Mexico, New England, Atlantic, Caribbean, Southwest, Pacific Islands and Pacific Northwest.
“The addition of Arctic ERMA will be a tremendous benefit to responders in this rapidly developing region,” said Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator. “This scientific tool could provide essential information in responding to potential oil spills and pollution releases in the Arctic.”
“With the potential for oil and natural gas development, as well as increased shipping activity offshore Alaska, it is essential that responders have access to real-time information that provides full situational awareness,” said James Watson, BSEE director.
“After observing the positive way in which the ERMA assisted response efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, I believe it is highly important to support the continued development of an Arctic ERMA,” said Fran Ulmer, who chairs the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.
NOAA, BSEE and the U.S. Coast Guard recently used Arctic ERMA during a Chukchi Sea oil spill drill.
See the Arctic ERMA at www.erma.unh.edu/arctic.
See the Gulf of Mexico ERMA at gomex.erma.noaa.gov/erma.html.
—Wesley Loy
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