FOR RELEASE:  March 28, 1995                CONTACT:  Tom DeRocco
                                                   (202) 208-3983

          MMS RELEASES REPORT ON CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF OFFSHORE 
               NATURAL GAS AND OIL ACTIVITIES FOR 1987-1991

     The current Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) regulatory system
prevents significant adverse cumulative effects from OCS-related
activities on the human, marine and coastal environments
concludes a report made available today by the Department of the
Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS).

     According to the report, "Outer Continental Shelf Natural
Gas and Oil Resource Management Program:  Cumulative Effects,
1987-1991," OCS activities during that period caused only
temporary, localized effects on most resources analyzed.  Air and
water quality, fish, and endangered or threatened species were
among the resources examined along with socioeconomic issues.

     "Cumulative effects" are defined as the total identifiable
long-term effects that:  (1) are attributable to activities
authorized under the OCS Lands Act; (2) are evident during the
time period analyzed; and (3) can be quantified or evaluated. 
The report does not evaluate effects from potential OCS
activities or non-OCS-related activities/events.

     Cumulative effects for the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region--where
the bulk of OCS activity occurs--were identified as "social
effects," including recreation/tourism enhancement, commercial
fishing, and socio-cultural issues, as well as other effects. 
Family life in the Gulf of Mexico Region was affected as a result
of fluctuations in OCS-related employment, which decreased from
1987 through 1989, then increased and stabilized in 1991. 
Recreation and tourism were enhanced because the 3800 platforms
located in federal waters attract both fish and fishermen, as
well as recreational SCUBA divers.  Cumulative effects for the
Pacific, Alaska, and Atlantic OCS Regions were limited to social
effects.

     Copies of the report are available, on a limited basis, free
of charge from the Minerals Management Service, Environmental
Policies and Programs Division, Branch of Environmental
Operations and Analysis, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 22070-
4817, phone (703) 787-1728.

     MMS is the federal agency that manages the nation's natural
gas, oil, and other mineral resources on the OCS, and collects
and disburses revenues from offshore federal mineral leases and
from onshore mineral leases on federal and Indian lands.

                                  -MMS-