Assessment of Historical, Social, and Economic Impacts of OCS Development on Gulf
Coast Communities, Volume I: Executive Summary and Volume II: Narrative Report

The Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, announces the availability of a new study report, Assessment of Historical, Social, and Economic Impacts of OCS Development on Gulf Coast Communities, Volume I: Executive Summary and Volume II: Narrative Report. This study was prepared by TechLaw, Inc. under contract to MMS.

This study examined historical, social, and economic changes in three coastal areas since 1930 and the role the offshore industry played in those changes. Study areas included South Louisiana (Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes), Coastal Bend, Texas (San Patricio County), and Mobile Bay (Baldwin and Mobile Counties). Changes in economic and social structure were examined at the county/parish level using time-series data. Changes in community landscapes, work, and education were examined at the community level using rapid ethnographic techniques.

The study found that while similarities exist across political boundaries in the Gulf of Mexico Region, there is no one story. The impacts of OCS oil and gas activities have varied among the study areas. Direct impacts have been felt most keenly in South Louisiana, and particularly in South Lafourche Parish with its strong ties to both fish and offshore oil. Direct impacts are evident to a lesser extent in San Patricio County. Baldwin and Mobile Counties are relative newcomers to oil and gas activities and their direct impacts are less evident. The study areas were exposed to changes from a variety of sources during the study’s period of interest. Non-OCS-related Federal policies have driven much of the change. Examples include the GI Bill, school desegregation, and the development of the Interstate highway system. With few exceptions, OCS oil and gas activity has not altered historic patterns of education and work in the Gulf of Mexico. The decline of oil and gas prices in the mid-1980’s brought change to the economies of Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes and to a lesser extent San Patricio County.

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) 736-2752.

You can obtain copies of the report from the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, at a charge of $30.00 for the set by referencing OCS Study MMS 2001-026 and 027. Volume I is free. 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.