Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)

Description

Developer/Partners: NOAA (1979)

Relevant Hazard/Threat(s): Oil and chemicals

Intent: Reduce the environmental consequences of both spills and cleanup efforts by identifying vulnerable coastal locations as well as biological and human-use resources in order to establish protection priorities and identify cleanup strategies.

Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil or chemical spill occurs nearby.

Inputs: Biological resources (such as birds and shellfish beds), sensitive shorelines (such as marshes and tidal flats), and human-use resources (such as public beaches and parks).
Outputs: Maps and data in a number of formats.