bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revised PREP Guideline Review: What You Should Know?
Authors: Sobieski Daniel M. , Kelley Kathryn L. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT No. 2017 – 296
On April 11, 2016 the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) released the 2016 National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines. The new guidelines became effective on June 10, 2016 and replaced the previous guidelines issued in 2002.
Established under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the PREP guidelines were developed to provide a mechanism for compliance with response plan drill and exercise requirements under the Act and implementing regulations. Use of the PREP Guidelines is voluntary, however, compliance with the PREP guidelines will satisfy these requirements.
The 2016 PREP Guidelines apply to all OPA 90 response plan holders including USCG regulated vessels and marine transportation-related facilities, EPA non-transportation-related onshore and offshore facilities, PHMSA-regulated facilities and pipelines, BSEE-regulated offshore facilities and area on-scene coordinator (OSC) exercises. The guidelines specify that, within a three-year cycle, all elements of the Facility Response Plan (FRP) or Vessel Response Plan (VRP), including the 15 core components, should be exercised in a drill, or series of drills, involving the Owner/Operator, Qualified Individual (QI), Oil Spill Removal Organizations (OSRO) and Salvage and Marine Firefighting (SMFF) resource providers.
This paper will provide an overview of the PREP requirements, including plan holder initiated exercises, the remote assessment and consultation exercises (RACE) for vessels, shore-based tabletop exercises, response equipment deployment exercises, and Government Initiated Unannounced Exercises (GUIEs). As the QI, O’Brien’s has designed, conducted, played, and or evaluated well over 1,000 PREP related activities. This paper will discuss the implementation of PREP from the QI’s perspective, and the identification of some lessons learned and best practices that may be applicable more broadly to support the regulated industry and response community with the implementation of PREP.
Detection of oil in and under ice
Authors: Pegau W. Scott , Garron Jessica , Zabilansky Leonard , Bassett Christopher , Bello Job , Bradford John , Carns Regina , Courville Zoe , Eicken Hajo , Elder Bruce , Eriksen Peter , Lavery Andone , Light Bonnie , Maksym Ted , Marshall Hans-Peter , Oggier Marc , Perovich Don , Pacwiardowski Pawel , Singh Hanumant , Tang Dajun , Wiggins Chris , Wilkinson Jeremy 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT (2017-147)
In 2014, researchers from ten organizations came to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in New Hampshire to conduct a first of its kind large-scale experiment aimed at determining current sensor capabilities for detecting oil in and under sea ice. This project was the second phase of the Oil Spill Detection in Low Visibility and Ice research project of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), Arctic Oil Spill Response Technology - Joint Industry Programme.
The objectives of the project were to:Acquire acoustic, thermal, optical and radar signatures of oil on, within, and underneath a level sheet of laboratory sea ice.Determine the capabilities of various sensors to detect oil in specific ice environments created in a test tank, including freeze-up, growth and melt.Model the potential performance of the sensors under realistic field conditions using the test data for validation.Recommend the most effective sensor suite of existing sensors for detecting oil in the ice environment.
The sensor testing spanned a two-month ice growth phase and a one-month decay/melt period. The growth phase produced an 80 centimeter thick level sheet of salt water ice representative of natural sea ice grown under quiescent conditions.
Above-ice sensors included frequency modulated continuous wave radar, ground penetrating radar, laser fluorescence polarization sensor, spectral radiometer, visible and infrared cameras. Below-ice sensors included acoustics (broadband, narrowband, and multibeam sonars), spectral radiometers, cameras, and fluorescence polarization. Measurements of physical and electrical properties of the ice and oil within the ice were provided to optical, acoustic, and radar modelers as inputs into their models. The models were then used to extrapolate the sensors’ laboratory performance to potential performance over a range of field conditions.
All selected sensors detected oil under some conditions. The radar systems were the only above-ice sensors capable of detecting oil below or trapped within the ice. Cameras below the ice detected oil at all stages of ice growth, and the acoustic and fluorescence systems detected encapsulated oil through limited amounts of new ice growth beneath the oil.
No single sensor detected oil in and below ice under all conditions tested. However, we used the test results to identify suites of sensors that could be deployed today both above and below the ice to detect and map an oil spill within ice covered waters.
What really is meant by a ‘Substantial Threat’ of Pollution? - an examination of the term’s meaning in the United States and elsewhere
Authors: Gonynor Frank J. , Lindholm Erika 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT 2017-392
The term ‘substantial threat’ appears in the statutory text of the US Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), and has played a key role as an important triggering mechanism for the operation of the Act in many prospective spill events. Yet this important term is not defined at all in the Act itself.
This paper examines the meaning of this term, looking at other sources of possible definition, including plain language/dictionary meaning, court cases, the decisions of the US National Pollution Funds Center, and other materials.
One way to define ‘substantial threat’ of pollution would be a situation where the risk of a spill is greater than the normal risk posed by a particular vessel in a particular place – but this paper will examine if that possible definition fits with the actual practice and experience of the term. In order to attempt to address that question, we will examine how the US Coast Guard has used this concept in cases in recent years.
The statutory concept of ‘threat’ is also used outside of the US, and the second full section of this paper continues with a discussion of how this concept exists in other countries as to their approach to possible spill events, and how that may differ from the US approach.
The conclusion from the examination of US and non-US terms is that the current ‘ad hoc’ use of the term, without a rigid meaning, is the best approach.
Meso-scale studies on the penetration and retention of diluted bitumen in different types of shorelines, Northern British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Laforest Sonia , Lambert Patrick , Harper John , Sergy Gary 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT 2017-210
Compared to conventional oil, diluted bitumen (dilbit) spills in the environment could be challenging due to the rapid increase in density, viscosity and adhesion properties associated with accelerated weathering. To enhance the response in case of an accidental dilbit spill in the marine environment, a Research & Development program has been developed by the Emergencies Science and Technology Section (ESTS) of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as a part of the Federal Government’s Enhancing Marine Safety Strategy. One of the goals of this project was to develop science-based decision support for a dilbit spill to the shorelines of northern British Columbia (BC). In response to this objective, the contractor Coastal and Ocean Resources Inc. has conducted a meso-scale Diluted Bitumen Sediment Interactions Experiments (Bit_EX) to evaluate the potential of penetration and retention of dilbit in different types of sediments. In total, two dilbits, Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB) at three weathered states (0%, 17% and 26% mass loss), were tested against seven types of sediments (from coarse sand to very large pebble). The adhesion of dilbit on bare cobbles and on cobbles covered with barnacles and seaweed (fucus) was also tested for different time of exposure.
Results showed that unweathered (or fresh) dilbit has its maximum penetration and retention in coarse sand or granule whereas moderately weathered dilbit has maximum penetration and retention in small pebbles or larger sediment sizes. Heavily weathered dilbits have very limited penetration in finer sediments but are expected to penetrate and have high retention in permeable coarse sediments. Moreover, we have observed that dilbit adherence could be enhanced with longer drying time. In northern BC, the bedrock platforms with thin overlays of various types of sediment, from sand to boulders, are common and presents a complex case for treatment. Because dilbit characteristics change rapidly, early SCAT survey data combined with rapid decision and operational response in the initial stages of the spill could reduce dilbit retention and adhesion. The Bit_EX also suggests that existing techniques for protection and cleanup of conventional oil on shorelines could be applicable or can be adjusted for dilbit spills. This experiment provides information suitable to a first response guide for protecting and cleaning shorelines in case of bitumen spills in northern BC.
Promoting Unity of Effort Regarding the Use of Science to Inform Decision-making during Crises
Authors: Brown Pete , DeMarco Greg , Keldsen Don , Mainzer Hugh , Resta John , Turner Ryan , Marcus Leonard 
Published: December 2017

Abstract:
Following a disaster, decisions are often made under conditions that are volatile and uncertain. Decision-makers have sometimes taken actions during responses that may not adequately reflect scientific or technical input. This may result in longer term harm to people and the environment. This paper will describe the work of a diverse project team that attended Harvard University’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Program, which promotes the concept of using meta-leadership principles to improve response to crises. For its meta-leadership project, the team investigated the role of science in informing decision-making through the lens of the DWH response and other natural and man-made disasters. In simple terms, the team recommends a wide, “meta” view to better assess problems, applying a better informed scientific basis for decision making during times of crisis. Furthermore, the team believes that solutions derived from such a “meta” view would better track to the situation at hand. The conclusion was that leaders assuming this perspective are better equipped to do just that.
The goal of the project was to utilize meta-leadership principles to:Identify means to better acquire, incorporate and apply scientific input including relative risks and rewards into crisis decision-making.Ensure that decision making protocols regarding response tactics, techniques and procedures include sound science that will lead to outcomes that minimize overall harm to human health and the environment in both the short and longer term.Effectively lead up, down, across and beyond by creating suggestions on how to appropriately create connectivity and communicate the basis for science-based decisions to key stakeholders, partners, and constituencies - including the public.
Incident Management Preparedness Advisors - from Concept to Reality and Beyond
Authors: Lloyd CAPT Anthony , Ormes David 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Coast Guard Incident Management Preparedness Advisors, or IMPA’s, have existed now for nearly five years. Have they lived up to their original billing or have they missed the mark? Was the original concept for IMPAs properly implemented? Today’s complex response and planning environment and governance structure provides ample justification for IMPAs and their work but challenges in implementation continue. The authors will review the original concept and discuss how IMPA implementation is understood both within the Coast Guard, and the interagency amongst partners and the private sector. Actual IMPA experiences and observations will be reviewed to identify gaps and suggest ways to leverage this important resource. Other preparedness advisor efforts will be compared to the current CG effort to suggest, or confirm, best practices.
The National Contingency Plan envisions a robust preparedness program which is detailed in the Preparedness for Response (PREP) guidelines. The focus on preparedness, however, often is overshadowed by day-to-day concerns and all too often slides down the list of priorities without an “active” and forward leaning approach. IMPAs are conceptually intended to take this “active” approach in hopes of stabilizing preparedness initiatives, across all hazards, for the Coast Guard. IMPAs have had success nationally for the CG and continue to steward deeper improvements in preparedness, certainly as it relates to the NCP. They must also focus on the National Response Framework (NRF) which encompasses the NCP structure within Emergency Support Function 10 and utilizes many of the same concepts to support preparing for the use of response management systems. The IMPA’s must interact with FEMA via the Regional Incident Steering Committee (RISC) and have an understanding of the impacts of the recently National Frameworks. The authors’ recommendations will highlight strengths to the IMPA concept and suggest ways to positively lever IMPA support within a particular region. Additionally, a recommended list of IMPA common responsibilities will be proposed to further standardize IMPA efforts nationally.
Assessing the Representativeness and Sufficiency of Chemical Data from Water Samples Collected During an Oil Spill
Authors: Morrison Ann Michelle , Edwards Melanie , Buonagurio John , Cook Linda , Murray Karen , Boehm Paul D. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT
Traditionally, the representativeness and sufficiency of data in environmental monitoring efforts are judged against an external standard, such as a pre-determined statistically-based survey design intended to achieve specified data quality objectives. However, given the nature of oil spill responses, where the primary focus is usually on finding the oil and documenting exposure related to the release, samples collected from oil spill studies rarely follow a statistically-based, pre-determined sampling design. Using water chemistry data from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we have developed statistical, observational, and forensic approaches to evaluate the representativeness and sufficiency of field-collected chemistry data to characterize exposure in the water column. Three complementary approaches were selected for evaluating water chemistry data. The first “Zone” approach evaluates properties of the data within defined spatial-temporal exposure zones. The second “Probability” approach examines the data independent of predetermined zones using three dimensional (3D; i.e., latitude, longitude, depth) modeling methods (interpolation, contouring) to assess whether the field-collected water chemistry data alone provide sufficient information to model chemical exposure in the water column. The final “Design” approach compares the field-collected sample data to a theoretical sampling design that could have been developed at the beginning of the incident. Integral to all of these approaches is a pre-analysis screening that considers the original objective of each sample collection and the method of sample collection. Review of the chemical forensics of samples can provide further refinement. In this way, samples that were collected as part of a targeted effort based on visual or sensor observations can be considered in light of the context in which they were collected. The results of this analysis can be used to inform future oil spill sample collections to provide sufficient and representative samples that meet the immediate needs of the response as well as longer-term damage assessment determinations.
The Use and Misuse of SCAT in Spill Response
Authors: Cariglia Nicky , Challenger Greg , Beer Nicola 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT
The Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Technique (SCAT) is a well-tested tool that enables the systematic surveying of shorelines affected by oil spills. Using standardised terminology to document the nature and degree of shoreline oiling, SCAT was designed to support decision-making for shoreline clean-up operations. Formally integrated into the US response structure, this method is increasingly being adopted as a standard response procedure around the world.
Over the years, SCAT has evolved to meet changing expectations of shoreline response into a tool that can formally guide and document decisions from the initial emergency phase of a response through to the termination of activities – which in large, complex cases could be many months or even years after the incident. The framework of developing a shoreline response programme at the beginning of an incident, implemented by SCAT teams providing shoreline treatment recommendations in support of operations throughout the duration of shoreline response was used extensively in DEEPWATER HORIZON.
A properly designed SCAT programme able to gather the necessary relevant shoreline oiling data quickly and accurately for use in addressing immediate response needs can greatly reduce delays in action and the footprint of the response itself. SCAT’s core principle of guiding operations can be overlooked in instances with inexperienced personnel or inappropriate competing objectives, resulting inconsiderable effort expended on SCAT surveys with no clear purpose or objective of how the data will be used to support response operations.
In this paper we review the use and misuse of SCAT in several recent small-scale incidents and discuss the implications for the wider implementation of SCAT moving forward.
One Gulf – Commitment to Preparedness
Authors: Drieu Michael , Sams Michael , Wilson Kelly 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT:
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District and the Mexican Navy (SEMAR Zone 1) in a multi-year Mexico-United States (MEXUS) exercise series. The MEXUS Plan is a Joint Contingency Plan between the United Mexican States and the United States of America Regarding Pollution of the Marine Environment by Discharges of Hydrocarbons or other Hazardous Substances. It provides standard operational procedures with respect to bi-national coordination in case of pollution incidents that may represent a threat to coastal waters or the marine environment of the border zone of both countries. The MEXUS Agreement and Plan were developed after the Ixtoc I well blowout in June 1979. This international agreement entered into force on 30 March 1981.
Under the MEXUS Plan there are two regional annexes: Gulf (MEXUSGULF) and Pacific (MEXUSPAC). Each Annex incorporates regional resource and high-level strategic information to assist each country in communication and coordination during an incident that impacts both countries’ jurisdiction. The regional annexes are not tactical; tactical planning remains at the local level (Area Contingency Plans in the U.S.; Local Contingency Plans in Mexico), led by the respective Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC). For the U.S., the U.S. Coast Guard is the lead agency serving as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator; the Mexican Navy serves as the lead agency in Mexico.
The U.S. Coast Guard has been working with the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) to update the MEXUS Plan, with a near final draft as of March 2017. The proposed changes incorporate several organizational changes that have occurred over the years while reiterating the core purpose as a communication and coordination plan.
With the impending development of offshore leases in Mexico, coupled with efforts to update the MEXUS Plan, a tabletop exercise was conducted in 2016. This tabletop exercise allowed senior officials from federal and state agencies and industry representatives to openly discuss emerging scenarios and high-level strategies to identify gaps and shortfalls in existing plans, policies and procedures. To achieve this concept, both countries shared procedures and processes to allow for resources to operate in each respective country to minimize impact to natural resources and sensitive shoreline areas. In 2017, the lessons learned were incorporated in a multi-day exercise to demonstrate how industry, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies would manage a hypothetical offshore subsea well incident originating from the U.S. with resulting impacts in Mexican waters.
This paper discusses the planning process and shares the lessons learned from both exercises in an effort to promote continued preparedness and improved response coordination. With the help of Mexican Association of Hydrocarbon Companies (AMEXHI), Mexico’s newly-formed national oil and gas industry association, these lessons learned will further help promote implementing Mexico’s new subsea containment and offshore response requirements.
In a Hostile Environment? Skills Needed for Success
Authors: Shupe LCDR Danielle M. , Plourde Kristy L. , Creelman Matthew , Ott Gary 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT
The response landscape is changing as a result of social, political and technological influences. The Incident Commander’s work environment, driven by today’s 24/7 media and social media coverage, can become hostile. The frequency of incidents that raise public concern has increased. It is no longer sufficient for responders to manage the response. They must also ensure stakeholders are invested in the response process, but there is a gap between stakeholder’s wants and what responders can realistically deliver. What are the appropriate skills and training needed by Incident Commanders to address this gap? What are the skills responders need when some individuals or organizations fan public fear, anger, and frustration to advance their own causes? What are the skills responders need to build public trust in the response organization and Government? The Coast Guard is committed to meeting the training needs of responders and preparing them to meet the demands of today’s challenging, and potentially hostile, response environment. The authors identify skills for Incident Commanders to improve their crisis leadership, community engagement, and to increase the effectiveness and resiliency of their Incident Management Teams.
Structural basis for Ufm1 recognition by UfSP
Authors: Kim Kyung Hee , Ha Byung Hak , Kim Eunice EunKyeong 
Published: December 2017

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin‐like proteins (Ubls) are involved in a variety of cellular functions, and dysfunction of these proteins often leads to disease, thus requiring the precise molecular recognition of the partner. Here, we report a structural basis for the recognition of Ufm1 by the Ufm1‐specific protease (UfSP), both from Caenorhabditis elegans. Ufm1 functions in endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, cell cycle regulation, and dysfunctions of this protein can result in breast cancer and neurological disorders. The structure reveals that in addition to the extended β‐structure at the C‐terminus of cUfm1, the interactions made by the completely conserved residues in Ufm1 orthologs, Pro88‐Val92, corresponding to P6‐P2 positions from the cleavage site, seem to be important for the specific recognition of Ufm1 by cUfSP.