The Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, announces the availability of a new study report, Observation of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico, Second Annual Report.

This report describes the project and activities during the second year of work, October 1998 to September 1998. The contractor continues to maintain two radar profilers and surface meteorological sensors on two offshore platforms. These sensors collect data of upper and surface winds and temperatures. Data capture rates during the second year averaged 92.4 percent and met the objective of the contract. On a monthly basis, data capture rates ranged from 78.7 percent to 98.5 percent. The contractor applied quality assurance and quality control procedures to the data to ensure the study standards of accuracy were achieved. Using satellite links, the contractor distributed the data to MMS and the National Weather Service.

For more information about this study or the Environmental Studies Program in general, contact the Environmental Sciences Section (MS 5430), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2789.

You can obtain copies of the report from the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, at a charge of $5.00 by referencing OCS Study MMS 2000-009. You will be able to obtain this report also from the National Technical Information Service in the near future. Here are the addresses. You may also inspect copies at selected Federal Depository Libraries.