The MMS's strategy led to the development of a biologically based grid system to ensure broad and systematic analysis of the GOM's deepwater region. The grid system divided the Gulf into 17 areas or"grids" of biological similarity. Under this strategy, the MMS will prepare a programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) to address a proposed development project within each of the 17 grids. These Grid PEA's will be comprehensive in terms of the impact-producing factors and environmental and socioeconomic resources described and analyzed.