Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps are an integral component of hazardous event and hazardous material response planning.

ESI maps have been created for the marine and coastal areas of the Virgin Islands.

One of the primary uses of these maps are to help in the assessment of an oil spill and its possible impact on the coastal environment.

Additionally, the maps can help identify the critical areas for shoreline cleanup activities, where the potential for biological injury might exist, and ease or dificulty of cleanup acitivities can aslo be addressed.