Disaster and Recovery Initiatives
Overview
BOEM is prepared and ready to respond to hurricane-related and other disasters, regardless of when or
where the impacts occur, and authorize access to OCS sand to rebuild and protect the Nation’s coast.
Personnel and resources have been dedicated to the response efforts of previous hurricanes. BOEM
conducts its emergency response activities under the basic authority of the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act.
NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on
NASA's Aqua spacecraft captured this infrared image of
Hurricane Sandy, another weather front to the west and cold air
coming down from Canada at 2:17 p.m. EDT Oct. 29, 2012. The
hurricane center is the darkest purple area in the Atlantic just to
the east of the New Jersey coast, reflecting Sandy's areas of
heaviest rainfall. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech |
Streamlined Emergency Response
Immediate areas of focus include communicating
with stakeholders in areas of need, site analysis and
resource availability, responding to emergency
needs quickly under the legal provisions in BOEM’s
mandate, and identifying environmental concerns
in preparation of potential projects.
Support and Collaboration
BOEM’s Marine Minerals Program specializes in
collaboration, support, and management of OCS
sand and mineral resources. For the past 20 years,
BOEM’s team of scientists, program managers, and
analysts have developed partnerships and worked
with top scientists and policy-makers in other
federal and state agencies, academia, and the
private sector to responsibly manage OCS natural
resources. This vital work allows the Marine Minerals Program to be positioned strategically in order to
address immediate resource requirements and information needs of localities, States, and other
stakeholders in the event of an emergency.
BOEM has spent more than $40 million over the past 20 years on world-class scientific research that
informs environmental assessment and leasing decisions concerning the use of OCS sand resources in
beach nourishment and coastal restoration. While this research supports programmatic activities, it also
helps inform decisions before and after major events that affect the Nation’s coastline.
BOEM Contact Information
For questions and concerns related to BOEM’s Disaster and Recovery Initiatives please call (703) 787-1304 or email us at Marjorie.Weisskohl@boem.gov.
Regional