The Sand Resource layer contains delineations of areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and (if available) nearshore areas where there is some likelihood that a usable sand resource exists. The resources depicted in this feature class were identified and characterized during various reconnaissance- and design-level studies where geological (e.g. sediment cores, sediment profile images, etc.) and geophysical (e.g. high-resolution swath bathymetry, side-scan sonar, seismic reflection profiles, magnetometer surveys) data were collected, as least in part, to evaluate OCS sand resources. Resource attribution consists of OCS study area ID, location (state), area ID (e.g. shoal X), approximate areal extent, estimated volume, generalized (e.g. composite) sediment properties (mean grain size, %sand, %gravel, %fines etc.), and resource evaluation stage (see attribute definition for detailed explanation). Delineations are not guaranteed to be exact and mainly consist of approximate delineations based on interpretations of data, drawings, and or descriptions found in related study reports. Likewise, the character of sediment deposits qualifying as sand resource areas varies with region and prospective applications for use. If a sand resource area is deemed suitable for a given project (e.g. beach restoration), then entities may enter into a Negotiated Non-Competitive Lease or Memoranda of Agreement with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), in order to dredge sand, gravel or shell resources from the resource area. Section 8 (k) of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) as amended by Public Law 103-426 (enacted in 1994) gives BOEM the authority to negotiate an agreement for the use of OCS sand, gravel and shell resources for use in: (1) a project for shore protection, beach restoration, or coastal wetlands restoration undertaken by a Federal, State, or local government agency; or (2) for use in a construction project funded in whole or part by or authorized by the Federal government. This dataset and its related tables will be updated periodically as new and existing data are incorporated in to the MMIS geodatabase.