Environmental Sensitivity Index. A main objective of spill response, after protecting human life, is to reduce the environmental consequences of both spills and cleanup efforts. Vulnerable coastal locations are identified before a spill happens so that protection priorities can be established and cleanup strategies identified. ESI maps are produced by the Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), an entity in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which is part of the Department of Commerce. ESI maps are quick references for oil and chemical spill responders and coastal zone managers. They contain three kinds of information: shorelines which are color-coded to indicate sensitivity to oiling; sensitive biological resources, such as seabird colonies and marine mammal hauling grounds, which are depicted by special symbols; sensitive human-use resources. OR&R teams work with a wide variety of other offices within NOAA, other federal agencies, state and territory government partners and nongovernmental organizations