Environment

Since late April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been monitoring the air at multiple sites along the Gulf Coast for certain pollutants associated with petroleum products and those arising from the burning oil out at sea. To date, EPA has found that air quality levels for ozone and particulates are normal on the Gulf coastline for this time of year, and that odor-causing pollutants associated with petroleum products are being found at low levels.

Find links to general information on Gulf tourism as developed by the states themselves, as well as links to state-publicized information on beach and coastal conditions.  This resource page, compiled by the federal government, aims to properly inform travelers as they select their Gulf coast destinations. 

Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on earth Coral ecosystems provide a source of food for millions; protect coastlines from storms and erosion; provide habitat, spawning and nursery grounds for economically important fish species; provide jobs and income to local economies from fishing, recreation, and tourism; are a source of new medicines, and are hotspots of marine biodiversity.

The Coast Guard, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency and the states, has approved waste management plans for recovered oil, and waste generated as a result of the Deepwater Horizon-BP oil spill.

A wide variety of U.S. government, private sector, university and other independent vessels are working offshore as part of our aggressive efforts to monitor for any sub-surface oil.  The government continues to leverage a variety of techniques to help better understand the impacts of the oil spill at all depths.