IncidentNews Home  >>  Incident  >>  Entry

Pass Christian RAR

Resources at Risk for Pass Christian, Mississippi

I.	Spill Source Information
This report was prepared at 9:00 pm EDT on September 13, 2005.
Information in the report is a general overview of the resources in the
area.

II.	Geographic Region Covered
The area covered by this report is from the Mississippi Sound from the
entrance of Saint. Louis Bay east to Long Beach.  This area does not
necessarily correspond to actual or potential spill locations.  Consult
other Hotline reports for location information.

III.	Expected Behavior of the Spilled Material
This report is not based on a spill of any specific product but does
provide a general overview of the resources in the area.

IV.	Shoreline Resources at Risk
The shoreline of Mississippi Sound is fine-grained sand beaches.  The
east side of the entrance to Saint Louis Bay is comprised of exposed
seawalls.  The west side of the entrance is mostly fine-grained sand
beaches.

V.	Biological Resources at Risk
Included are general statements about the effects of oil on the various
biological resources.  The effects may vary based on the time of
contaminant, since the behavior, toxicity, and availability of the
material can vary from product to product.
	Fish - Numerous species of fish are present at this time of year
including, but not limited to, Atlantic croaker (spawning), bay anchovy
(spawning), catfish, gulf menhaden, silversides (spawning), red drum
(spawning), silver perch (spawning), southern kingfish, spot, sand
seatrout (spawning), spotted seatrout (spawning), stripped mullet,
southern flounder, and threadfin shad.  In general juvenile and larval
fish are most sensitive to spilled oil.  Fish in shallow water areas are
more likely to be impacted, since there is likely to be a higher
concentration of oil in the water column.  Surface slicks usually do not
have much of an impact on fish.
	Shellfish - Shellfish in the area include blue crab (spawning),
Brown shrimp, pink shrimp (spawning), and white shrimp (spawning).
Juvenile and larval life stages of all of these shellfish are also
present in the area.  There are also extensive oyster beds from Pass
Christian to the mouth of Saint Louis Bay.  Shellfish in shallow water
areas are more likely to be impacted, since there is likely to be a
higher concentration of oil in the water column.  Surface slicks usually
do not have much of an impact on crabs, shrimp, and oysters.  Crabs and
oysters may be contaminated by a heavy sinking oil.
	Birds - Present in the area are numerous species of shorebirds
including piping plover (federally threatened) and snowy plover (state
endangered), great blue heron, white pelican, brown pelican (federally
endangered), scaups, terns, double-crested cormorant, common loon, and
gulls.  
Diving birds (pelicans, cormorants) and waterfowl are usually at
greatest risk during oil spills, because they spend nearly all their
time on the water surface.  Waterfowl and wading birds may be directly
oiled, and can become oiled on the upper body and feathers by coming in
contact with oiled vegetation or wrack.  Shorebirds usually avoid oil,
but may be impacted by loss of feeding areas or intertidal prey,
particularly during migration periods.  Gulls and terns may be at risk
because they are often attracted to and will prey on sick or injured
prey.  This behavior may result in oiling of feathers and the ingestion
of oil.
Oiling of birds reduces the buoyancy, water repellency, and insulation
provided by feathers, and may result in death by drowning or
hypothermia.  Preening of oiled feathers may also result in ingestion of
oil resulting in irritation, sickness, or death.  Bird oiling,
particularly waterfowl and wading birds, may continue even after the
floating oil slicks have been removed, depending on the extent of oiled
vegetation. 
	Reptiles - Mississippi diamondback terrapin are present on the
east side of the entrance to Saint Louis Bay.  The terrapins are nesting
and hatching at this time of year.  Oil may cause irritation and
inflammation of the mucus membranes, especially around the eyes and
nostrils, in all of these reptiles.

VI.	Human-Use Resources at Risk
This is a recreational beach.  There is a marina at Henderson Point and
several boat ramps around the entrance to Saint Louis Bay.  Saint Louis
Bay is a recreational fishing area.