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Atlantic Offshore Minerals Assessment Workshop
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July 1999 |
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Atlantic margin offshore aggregates (sand and gravel) assessment
was given momentum at the Atlantic Margin Offshore Aggregates
Workshop held at Minerals Management Service headquarters in
Herndon, VA, on May 10 and 11. It was convened by Frank Manheim
(Reston/Woods Hole), Roger Amato (MMS), and Charles Chesnutt (U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers). The meeting was attended by 46
representatives of 20 organizations, including seven state
geological surveys. Jeff Williams (C&M Coordinator, Reston)
opened the session with remarks pointing out the dominance of
coastal erosion throughout the margin, as well as anticipated
sea-level rise in the next century. These affect use of
aggregates for beach replenishment. Other C&MG attendees
included Peter Barnes (Reston), Chris Polloni, Larry Poppe,
Polly Hastings, and Courtney Harris (WHFC). USGS presenters
included Frank Manheim (offshore sediment and database
development), Bill Schwab (New York Bight, Long Island, and
North Carolina offshore mapping), Jerry McFaul (Reston) and
Chris Polloni (GIS development, including DVD production),
Courtney Harris (physical oceanographic data and modeling),
and Valentin Tepordei (Minerals Information Team, Reston)
(land aggregate status).
Goals of the meeting were to share offshore aggregate user
needs and plans, identify information on existing offshore
sediment data, and explore cooperative GIS products. Besides
USGS "legacy" data sets (see figure below), mainly surficial samples,
presenters identified more than 12 other significant sediment
data sets, often vibracore data in the near-shore area. Some
data sets, such as those for Maryland and North Carolina, were
available in advanced GIS formats.
To deal with ancillary data needed for research and management
of aggregates (including wave and current modeling, benthic
biology, etc.) a steering committee was formed to stimulate and
guide cooperative GIS development. A more detailed summary,
attendee list, list of data sets, and steering committee makeup
can be obtained on request from Frank Manheim
(fmanheim@usgs.gov).
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July 1999
in this issue:
cover story:
Grand Canyon
Gulf of Mexico Cruise
Georges Bank Benthic Habitat
Channel Islands
Lake Mead
Cruise News: R/V Gilbert
Great Bahama Bank
Nat'l Ocean Sciences Bowl
FL-AL-MS Geological Surveys
North Carolina Co-op
North East Mapping Organization
Atlantic Offshore Minerals Assessment
WHFC Staff News
Visitors
New Staff
July Publications List
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U. S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
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