| MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES | ||||||
| MMS OCS Region: | Alaska (Social Sciences & Economics) | |||||
| Title | Synthesis of Research on Socio-economic Efffects RElated to Offshore Petroleum Development in Coastal Alaska (AK-06-02B) | |||||
| Total Cost | $349,249 | Period of Performance: | FY 1998-2006 | |||
| Conducting Organization | Stephen Braund & Associates - Anchorage, AK | |||||
| MMS Contact | ||||||
| MMS Needs Addressed Throughout Alaskan coastal communities there are socioeconomic-related issues resulting from those who favor resource development and those who want no risk of resource development. This study will provide a peer-reviewed synthesis of current information for use in decision-making. The MMS foresees using the products of this study to assist NEPA-document preparation, prepare mitigating measures, review oil-spill-contingency plans, outreach with coastal communities regarding the MMS program, and review and formulate offshore policy for Alaska. |
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| Description | ||||||
| Background The Alaska OCS Region has implemented an important socioeconomic component of its overall Environmental Studies Program, resulting in the publication of more than 160 Technical Reports (TR’s) addressing statewide socioeconomic study topics. Methodologies have included case studies, institutional profile analysis and analysis of secondary-source materials, modeling and econometrics analysis, and survey research. In recent years, socioeconomic studies have become more focused and issue-oriented, emphasizing the critical points between OCS development and social systems with which potential development would interact. For example, studies have collected time-series information and measures of community and regional well being as bases for social-indicators monitoring. Considering the extent of MMS’s social research in Alaska and the substantial information accumulated, a workshop examining the usability of the current research in its original forms versus the costs and benefits of further synthesis was recently conducted. In planning for the preparation of a useful resource document resulting from the workshop efforts, the workshop participants identified a tentative outline, chapter integration, and potential co-sponsors. The level of information regarding changes in the socioeconomic environment related to OCS activities is varied—without a comprehensive formal, comparative, quantitative, and qualitative documentation of existing data, this information is of limited use to decision makers. |
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| Objectives The objective of this study is to coordinate and prepare a peer-reviewed book/synthesis of available information about the potential socioeconomic effects of oil- and gas-industry activity on the Alaska OCS. |
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| Methods The study will finalize the book/synthesis outline; integrate chapters; identify the author; and solicit potential co-sponsors. MMS funded studies will be the primary source of reference materials plus subsequent studies that were initiated from these findings. To be considered as source material, the literature must be related to oil and gas activities in Alaska and peer-reviewed. The topics to be addressed will be narrowed specific to the information available through this literature search which will also serve to identify potential authors. These authors may also identify additional sources of information for synthesis. |
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| Current Status Manuscript completed. Under review for publication by UAF press. |
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| Final Report Due: | 6-30-06 | |||||
| Publications: | ||||||
| Affiliated WWW Sites: | ||||||
| Revised date: |
3-30-06 |
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| ESPIS |
ESPIS - All completed
ESP Studies: |
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