GM-17-11 Support for Streamlined Socioeconomic Impact Assessments of Offshore Energy Development in the Gulf of Mexico Region

of BOEM’s most pressing challenges. This study responds to recent mandates calling for streamlining environmental reviews of Federal actions. BOEM’s internal efforts to streamline its environmental assessment process will benefit from the efficiencies in information collection and application this tool will provide. Louisiana can also use this information tool to better plan and manage its jurisdiction (e.g., employment trends, coastal land-loss/erosion, disaster response and mitigation) and to support offshore oil and gas developments. This study initiates a collaborative effort between the bureau and the state to heighten accessibility to a massive body of socioeconomic research relevant to OCS activities for the bureau, and the state and region. BOEM will work with and leverage the capabilities of university professors and students to create the information tool framed around socioeconomic issues central to the oil and gas industry, the State and the Gulf of Mexico Region. This team will also work with members of the business community and public to conduct outreach projects that benefit both BOEM and the state by training students, and orientating future offshore workforce members (many Louisiana graduates work in the offshore oil and gas industry), while also integrating stakeholder information into the effort on issues salient to BOEM, the state and the Nation.