U.S. Department of the U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Interior Minerals

Management ServiceManagement Service

Capital Hill Capital Hill Oceans WeekOceans Week

Renee OrrRenee OrrChief, Leasing DivisionChief, Leasing DivisionMinerals Management Minerals Management ServiceServiceHerndon, Virginia 20170Herndon, Virginia 20170

Who is MMS?Who is MMS?Manage mineral resource Manage mineral resource development on the OCSdevelopment on the OCS

• 30% of Nation’s oil production30% of Nation’s oil production• 23% of Nation’s natural gas 23% of Nation’s natural gas

productionproduction

Total OCS – 1.76 billion acresTotal OCS – 1.76 billion acres

Active leases – 42 million acresActive leases – 42 million acres• Over 7,800 leasesOver 7,800 leases• Over 4,000 facilitiesOver 4,000 facilities

Environmental scienceEnvironmental science• Over $750 million in Over $750 million in

environmental studiesenvironmental studies

OCSOCS MarineMarine MineralsMinerals ProgramProgram

Provides policy direction for Provides policy direction for the development of marine the development of marine mineral resources on the OCSmineral resources on the OCS

Collects and provides geologic and Collects and provides geologic and environmental information, environmental information,

developed through partnerships developed through partnerships with 14 coastal Stateswith 14 coastal States

Identifies and makes Identifies and makes available OCS sand deposits available OCS sand deposits suitable for beach suitable for beach nourishment and wetlands nourishment and wetlands protection projectsprotection projects

Cooperative Agreements with Cooperative Agreements with StatesStates

MaineMaine

New HampshireNew Hampshire

MassachusettsMassachusetts

NewNew JerseyJerseyDelawareDelawareMarylandMaryland

VirginiaVirginiaNorth & South North & South

CarolinaCarolina

FloridaFloridaAlabamaAlabama

LouisianaLouisianaTexasTexas

CaliforniaCalifornia

Focus on assessment of OCS sand Focus on assessment of OCS sand resources as sources of material for resources as sources of material for public works projects.public works projects.

Coordinate with state and local Coordinate with state and local agencies, U.S Army Corps of agencies, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and public interest.Engineers, and public interest.

Emphasize cost sharing between Emphasize cost sharing between State and MMS to as close to 50-50 State and MMS to as close to 50-50 as possibleas possible..

Cooperative AgreementsCooperative Agreements

Environmental StudiesEnvironmental Studies

MMS has invested $11 million MMS has invested $11 million in sand and gravel research in sand and gravel research focusing on:focusing on:

Biological/physical impacts of sand Biological/physical impacts of sand dredging at site-specific borrow dredging at site-specific borrow sites identified thru state coops.sites identified thru state coops.

Generic impacts/effects/issues Generic impacts/effects/issues common to all borrow sites.common to all borrow sites.

Operational impacts (i.e. Operational impacts (i.e. archeological, infrastructure, etc.archeological, infrastructure, etc.

Beach Restoration and Beach Restoration and Wetland Protection ProjectsWetland Protection Projects

Projects using OCS sand involve:Projects using OCS sand involve: Partnering with the State, County, or Partnering with the State, County, or

Locality on sand leases.Locality on sand leases. Cooperating with Army Corps of Cooperating with Army Corps of

Engineers on NEPA documents.Engineers on NEPA documents. Consulting with National Fishery Consulting with National Fishery

Service on protected species and Service on protected species and essential fish habitat issues.essential fish habitat issues.

Consulting with Fish and Wildlife Consulting with Fish and Wildlife Service on protected species issues.Service on protected species issues.

Real Results!Real Results!Since 1995, MMS conveyed over 23 million Since 1995, MMS conveyed over 23 million cubic yards of OCS sand for 16 projects in cubic yards of OCS sand for 16 projects in

5 states.5 states. State Locality State Locality Sand Sand ((cubic yardscubic yards))FLORIDAFLORIDA Jacksonville (Duval County) Jacksonville (Duval County) 1,240,000 1,240,000SOUTH CAROLINA Myrtle Beach (Surfside)SOUTH CAROLINA Myrtle Beach (Surfside) 150,000 150,000VIRGINIAVIRGINIA Dam Neck Naval Facility Dam Neck Naval Facility 808,000 808,000VIRGINIA Dam Neck Naval Facility 700,000 VIRGINIA Dam Neck Naval Facility 700,000 VIRGINIAVIRGINIA Sandbridge Beach Sandbridge Beach 1,100,000 1,100,000VIRGINIA Sandbridge Beach 2,000,000 VIRGINIA Sandbridge Beach 2,000,000 MARYLAND Assateague National Seashore 134,000 MARYLAND Assateague National Seashore 134,000 MARYLANDMARYLAND Assateague National Seashore 2,000,000 Assateague National Seashore 2,000,000MARYLAND Assateague State Park 100,000 MARYLAND Assateague State Park 100,000 FLORIDAFLORIDA Brevard County – North 4,500,000 Brevard County – North 4,500,000FLORIDA Brevard County – South 2,800,000 FLORIDA Brevard County – South 2,800,000 FLORIDAFLORIDA Patrick Air Force Base 600,000 Patrick Air Force Base 600,000

LOUISIANA Holly Beach 4,200,000LOUISIANA Holly Beach 4,200,000 FLORIDA Brevard County FLORIDA Brevard County 2,000,000 2,000,000

FLORIDAFLORIDA Patrick Air Force Base 350,000 Patrick Air Force Base 350,000FLORIDAFLORIDA Jacksonville Beach Jacksonville Beach 1,500,000 1,500,000

2.2 million cyds2.2 million cyds33

4.2 million cyds4.2 million cyds33

4.7 million cyds4.7 million cyds33

13 million cyds13 million cyds33

0.15 million cyds0.15 million cyds33

The projects restored over 90 miles of coastline, The projects restored over 90 miles of coastline, protecting military installations, National parkland, protecting military installations, National parkland,

and infrastructure.and infrastructure.

GOMGOM – – Louisiana Louisiana RestorationRestoration

Holly Beach Breakwater Holly Beach Breakwater Enhancement and Sand Enhancement and Sand

Management ProjectManagement Project Coastal Wetlands Planning, Coastal Wetlands Planning,

Protection, and Restoration Act Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) Project—Breaux Act(CWPPRA) Project—Breaux Act

Partnered with Cameron Parish.Partnered with Cameron Parish. Federal partners:Federal partners:

• Army Corps of Engineers Army Corps of Engineers • Environmental Protection Environmental Protection

AgencyAgency• Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Wildlife Service • NOAA - FisheriesNOAA - Fisheries• Natural Resources Conservation Natural Resources Conservation

Service Service

Holly Beach Post Construction

Holly Beach Project Holly Beach Project (continued)(continued)

Placed 2.15 million cubic yards of Placed 2.15 million cubic yards of Federal sand along 5 miles of Federal sand along 5 miles of shoreline and behind several shoreline and behind several existing breakwaters. existing breakwaters.

Completed in April 2003.Completed in April 2003. Extended the existing shoreline Extended the existing shoreline

and created a buffer to better and created a buffer to better protect Louisiana Highway 82.protect Louisiana Highway 82.

Reversed the area’s rate of Reversed the area’s rate of shoreline erosion.shoreline erosion.

Protected over 10,000 acres of Protected over 10,000 acres of fragile wetlands critical to the fragile wetlands critical to the sustainability of the local sustainability of the local communities.communities.

First MMS project to use buried First MMS project to use buried channels as a sand source.channels as a sand source.

GOM ChallengesGOM Challenges Lack of information—Lack of information—

borrow sites and borrow sites and environmental, operationalenvironmental, operational

Multiple useMultiple use• OCS oil and gas infrastructureOCS oil and gas infrastructure• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) Liquefied natural gas (LNG)

portsports• AquacultureAquaculture• Commercial and recreational Commercial and recreational

activitiesactivities Multiple Jurisdictions (e.g., Multiple Jurisdictions (e.g.,

permitting, funding, permitting, funding, compliance)compliance)

Upcoming CWPPRA Upcoming CWPPRA ProjectsProjects

Pelican IslandPelican Island Lease Issuance : Fall Lease Issuance : Fall

20052005 Sponsor: NOAASponsor: NOAA 3.1 million cubic 3.1 million cubic

yards of sand .yards of sand . Shoreline stabilization Shoreline stabilization

and marsh creation.and marsh creation. West Delta Blocks 27 West Delta Blocks 27

and 49 .and 49 .

Upcoming CWPPRA Upcoming CWPPRA ProjectsProjects

Whiskey IslandWhiskey Island• 4 million cubic yards4 million cubic yards• Ship Shoal Block 88 Ship Shoal Block 88 • Restore approximately Restore approximately

400 acres of barrier 400 acres of barrier island habitat on the island habitat on the island’s western flank.island’s western flank.

• Spring 2006Spring 2006

Solutions: Louisiana Solutions: Louisiana InitiativesInitiatives

Louisiana Cooperative Louisiana Cooperative AgreementAgreement

Louisiana Coastal Area Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Study Ecosystem Study

Regional Sand Management Regional Sand Management Working GroupWorking Group

Environmental Studies (MMS, Environmental Studies (MMS, USGS-BRD, LSU CMIUSGS-BRD, LSU CMI

Cooperative Agreement: Cooperative Agreement: LouisianaLouisiana

Louisiana Geological Survey and MMS Louisiana Geological Survey and MMS signed Agreement in August 2003.signed Agreement in August 2003.

Coastal areas, such as the Isles Dernieres, Coastal areas, such as the Isles Dernieres, are eroding rapidly. are eroding rapidly.

Identified Ship Shoal, a large shoal Identified Ship Shoal, a large shoal offshore, as an ideal sand source. offshore, as an ideal sand source.

Synthesizing available data on sand sources Synthesizing available data on sand sources offshore Louisiana.offshore Louisiana.

Producing sediment distribution maps.Producing sediment distribution maps. Delineating areas for future study and data Delineating areas for future study and data

collection.collection.

Louisiana Coastal Area Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Study (LCA)Ecosystem Study (LCA)

Participated in Army Corps of Engineers’ Participated in Army Corps of Engineers’ study to identify a plan of action that study to identify a plan of action that reverses the current trend coastal system reverses the current trend coastal system degradation.degradation.

Targets ecological restoration of healthy, Targets ecological restoration of healthy, productive, and diverse wetlands.productive, and diverse wetlands.

Enhances sustainability Enhances sustainability with essential form and with essential form and function of the natural function of the natural ecosystem. ecosystem.

Results in multiple use Results in multiple use benefits for wetlands, benefits for wetlands, communities, communities, industries, and industries, and resources of the coast.resources of the coast.

Over 61 million cubic Over 61 million cubic yards of sand will be yards of sand will be needed for LCA needed for LCA coastal restoration coastal restoration and barrier island and barrier island replenishment efforts.replenishment efforts.

OCS sand will be the OCS sand will be the main sand source.main sand source.

Ship Shoal is primary target, but Ship Shoal is primary target, but other OCS shoals and buried channel other OCS shoals and buried channel deposits are potential sand sources deposits are potential sand sources too.too.

Largest effort to use Ship Shoal may Largest effort to use Ship Shoal may be East Timbalier/Isle Dernieres be East Timbalier/Isle Dernieres shoreline restoration.shoreline restoration.

LCA LCA (continued)(continued)

Regional ManagementRegional Management

Established a Louisiana Sand Established a Louisiana Sand Management Working Group (LA SMWG) Management Working Group (LA SMWG) to:to:

Address OCS sand needs for coastal Address OCS sand needs for coastal restorations.restorations.

Coordinate access of sand for various Coordinate access of sand for various regional projects.regional projects.

Ensure the efficient and appropriate Ensure the efficient and appropriate use of the OCS sand.use of the OCS sand.

Formal process to assist MMS in:Formal process to assist MMS in:• Identifying problems, collecting data, proposing and Identifying problems, collecting data, proposing and

implementing solutions.implementing solutions.• Promoting information sharing.Promoting information sharing.• Providing mechanism for producing results.Providing mechanism for producing results.

Partners includePartners include::• Army Corps of EngineersArmy Corps of Engineers• Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency• Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Wildlife Service • LA Department of Natural ResourcesLA Department of Natural Resources• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • United States Geological SurveyUnited States Geological Survey• Dredge OperatorsDredge Operators• Affected IndustriesAffected Industries

LA SMWG LA SMWG (continued)(continued)

New Lease StipulationsNew Lease Stipulations• Require dredge location in real Require dredge location in real

time to ensure the dredge time to ensure the dredge operates only in designated operates only in designated borrow area.borrow area.

• Require post project submission Require post project submission of production and sand volume of production and sand volume information to ensure the information to ensure the accuracy of cut depths and accuracy of cut depths and widths, cut slopes and site widths, cut slopes and site production.production.

InformationInformation

Environmental Environmental StudiesStudies• Long Term Use of Ship ShoalLong Term Use of Ship Shoal• Food Web StudiesFood Web Studies• Soil Stability/Pipeline StudySoil Stability/Pipeline Study• Buried Channel StudyBuried Channel Study• SEAMAP Data ReviewSEAMAP Data Review

Working to be ProactiveWorking to be ProactiveReady to:Ready to: Use SMWGUse SMWG Provide needed environmental Provide needed environmental

InformationInformation Ensure appropriate mitigationEnsure appropriate mitigation Partner/Assist with other Agencies Partner/Assist with other Agencies

(e.g., cooperating NEPA roles).(e.g., cooperating NEPA roles).

Result: Result: Manage OCS sand resources in Manage OCS sand resources in an an environmentally environmentally sound manner.sound manner.

Additional InformationAdditional Information

Renee OrrRenee OrrChief, Leasing DivisionChief, Leasing Division

Minerals Management ServiceMinerals Management ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of the Interior

381 Elden Street381 Elden StreetHerndon, VA 20170Herndon, VA 20170

703/787-1300703/787-1300Renee.Orr@mms.govRenee.Orr@mms.gov

http://www.mms.gov/sandandgravelhttp://www.mms.gov/sandandgravel//