The MESC Program for Marine Environmental Quality Assessment.

Federal and State regulatory agencies require the Navy to make environmental assessments whenever its activities might disturb existing estuarine ecosystems. These assessments are generally carried out by contractors prior to the preparation and filling of an environmental impact statement. Environmental Field Divisions EFDs and activities charged with awarding environmental contracts and overseeing environmental assessments are often faced with the need to obtain preliminary technical information. These data, which in general are of a physical, chemical, and biological nature, help define the spatial and temporal boundaries of the potential impact of new activities and are necessary before sound contractual agreements can be made. By its nature, this information must be readily available to the Officer-In-Charge and must be supported by expert consultants. Author