NOAA and Coast Guard Map Long Island Shore to Prepare for Spills

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), are partnering to produce an updated survey of Long Island's coastal shorelines to help officials develop hazardous spill response plans for areas at high risk. NOAA will survey the shorelines of Long Island, focusing on shoreline types, natural resources, and historic structures most at risk for a hazardous spill. Long Island is at risk of oil releases due to the sheer volume of oil-related activities and shipping in its coastal waters that are associated with a large offshore oil platform, off-shore lightering operations, bulk fuel storage facilities, pipelines, and a commercial power plant. The survey data will be processed into a user-friendly format for use by USCG and other responders. The information also will assist NOAA in efforts to help USCG develop response plans and implement them in the event of a spill in Long Island waters.