Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales 181: eastern planning area: draft environmental impact statement

This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) covers the proposed 2001 Eastern Gulf of Mexico OCS oil and gas lease sale - Eastern Gulf of Mexico Sale 181 (December 2001). The proposed action has been determined to be a major Federal action required an EIS. This document provides the following information in accordance with NEPA and its implementing regulations and it will be used in making decisions on the proposal. This document includes the purpose and background of the proposed action, identification of the alternatives, description of the affected environment, and an analysis of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action, alternatives, and associated activities, including proposed mitigating measures and their potential effects. Potential contributions to cumulative impacts resulting from activities associated with the proposed action are also analyzed. Hypothetical scenarios were developed on the levels of activities, accidental events (such as oil spills), and potential impacts that might result if the proposed action is adopted. Activities and disturbances associated with the proposed action on biological, physical, and socioeconomic resources are considered in the analyses.