Environmental Monitoring

Pinnacle Trend Region

A small portion of the OCS south of Alabama is characterized by a pinnacle trend, which is classified as a live bottom under the stipulation. The pinnacle trend extends into the northwest portion of the Eastern Planning Area (EPA). The pinnacles are a series of topographic irregularities with variable biotal coverage, which provide structural habitat for a variety of pelagic fish. The pinnacles in the region could be impacted from physical damage of unrestricted oil and gas activities. The Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) Stipulation is intended to protect the pinnacle trend and the associated hard-bottom communities from damage and, at the same time, provide for recovery of potential oil and gas resources.

Through detection and avoidance, this stipulation minimizes the likelihood of mechanical damage from OCS activities associated with rig and anchor emplacement to the sessile and pelagic communities associated with the crest and flanks of such features. Since this area is subject to heavy natural sedimentation, this stipulation does not include any specific measures to protect the pinnacles from the discharge of effluents.