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A GIS RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL TO ASSESS OIL SPILL RESPONSE OPTIONS IN AREA WITH SENSITIVE SPECIES
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Description:
A Geographic Information System (GIS) was created to determine the best oil spill response to protect sensitive species. In previous analysis, a Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) was conducted for Isle Royale National Park. The NEBA resulted in a "Risk-Ranking Matrix" of the potential length of recovery and degree of resource impact by an oil spill. This matrix was used to build a "Relative Risk Matrix Summary" which determined the oil spill impact on various species groups in their corresponding ecosystems. The summary also contained the resulting effect of possible response options. These data were joined with similar geocoded sensitive species groups in a GIS. Shoreline information was used to determine the proper ecosystems of concern for the species. From there, the NEBA based best response options were determined for all the sensitive species on Isle Royale. Next Sstepss include determining if the NEBA results are accurate in this geospatial context and determining if the analysis can be expanded to other areas of Region 5.