The US minerals management service outer continental shelf sand and gravel program: Environmental studies to assess the potential effects of offshore dredging operations in federal waters

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, provides policy direction relative to the development of all marine mineral resources located beneath Federal waters of the United States. Over the last ten years or so, geological studies encompassing the collection and analysis of seismic, vibracore, and grain size data have been conducted in partnership with coastal States in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to locate suitable sources of compatible sand for beach and coastal restoration. Environmental studies have been initiated to provide biological, physical, and other pertinent information for decisions regarding leasing and use of this resource. Aggregate dredging studies also have been conducted in the event that an offshore aggregate mining operation is proposed in the future. A symposium was held in New Orleans in January 2002 to report results from several studies completed over the past 2 years. The papers prepared for this Special Issue summarize the findings of recently completed environmental studies.