| Summary: | This Archival Information Package (AIP) contains Environmental Resource Management Application (ERMA) GIS layers that represent helicopter flights surveys (observations) of marine mammal and turtles close to the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill during April 28th and August 25th. These helicopter flights, based in Houma, LA, were executed to document the presence of marine mammals and sea turtles close to the site and within the oil slick itself. These surveys were designed on an adaptive basis to track the oil slick and support planning for mitigation efforts. The helicopter flights focused on the deep water areas near the incident site and in regions directly affected by oil. The helicopter carried 2-3 trained observers and flew at an altitude of 600 feet at speeds less than 100 knots. The trackline of the survey was designed on an adaptive basis to respond to changes in the location of the oil slick near the incident site. Data were recorded on the location, numbers, and identification of each marine mammal and turtle sighted. The flight track of the helicopter was recorded on a GPS to document the search area. All animals were documented with still photographs and video to the greatest extent that conditions allowed. Video was also recorded when possible to document behavior. The helicopter observations were converted into spreadsheets and GIS data for mapping purposes. The GPS track was downloaded and converted into GIS data. The photo observations were georeferenced, time/date-stamped, and logged into a NOAA photo database. These data were collected during the response to the Mississippi Canyon 252 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and used as part of the Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan (PDARP).
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