bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Implementation of Guidelines for Federal On-Scene Coordinators for Protecting Historic Properties
Authors: Thorman Jan C. , Bergmann Pamela 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In 1997, the National Response Team completed a Programmatic Agreement on Protection of Historic Properties during Emergency Response under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan. This agreement, which was drafted by a National Response Team ad hoc committee consisting of representatives of National Response Team member agencies, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, has important ramifications for federal On-Scene Coordinators and responsible parties conducting spill response in the United States.
The purpose of the Programmatic Agreement is to ensure that historic properties are appropriately taken into account in planning for and conducting emergency response to oil spills and hazardous substance releases under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan. The agreement provides a uniform, nationwide approach to considering and protecting historic properties before and during an emergency response. Signatories, which include the U.S. Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency, agree to implement this Programmatic Agreement or to develop and then implement regional Programmatic Agreements that are consistent with the nationwide Programmatic Agreement and the National Historic Preservation Act.
As of September 1998, implementation of the nationwide Programmatic Agreement and development of regional Programmatic Agreements were just beginning by Regional Response Teams and federal On-Scene Coordinators throughout the United States. The Alaska Regional Response Team, whose development of regional cultural resources guidelines in the early 1990s led to the development of the nationwide Programmatic Agreement, had begun preparing a document on implementation of the nationwide Programmatic Agreement in Alaska.
The emergency response provisions of the nationwide Programmatic Agreement were implemented for the first time in the November 1997, M/V Kuroshima spill near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The major lesson learned from this incident with regard to the nationwide Programmatic Agreement is that its provisions are workable and can contribute to the overall success of the response.
Cooperative Oil Spill Training—It's in Your Own Backyard
Authors: Peschel Jim E. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In August 1997 the training and education workgroup of the Northwest Area Committee sponsored an Oil Spill Control Course specifically tailored to responders in the Pacific Northwest. The training provided management skills to supervisory field staff within the Operations Section of the Incident Command System. The course focused on personnel and equipment resources located in the Puget Sound region. The syllabus was designed, coordinated, and developed by a consortium of Federal and State regulatory agencies as well as the primary Oil Spill Removal Organizations in the Northwest region. Each agency participated without expending additional training costs by exchanging services-in-kind for quotas. An added benefit of this cooperation was the opportunity to train alongside responders from other agencies and organizations while using the actual equipment available within the region.
The course used lectures and field exercises to focus on the Northwest Area Contingency Plan, Geographic Response Plans, oil product identification, shoreline countermeasures, cleanup techniques, and protection strategies typical within the Puget Sound operating environment. By using local instructors, actual equipment, and realistic scenarios, the local response community can continue to benefit from this type of tailor-made training and focus on the actual needs of the host community.
Shipboard Emergency Preparedness—A Systems Approach
Authors: Jones Barry D. , Whitlock Jane S. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Oil spills resulting from shipboard incidents can have devastating effects on people and the environment. As a result, most response strategies by governmental agencies are naturally predicated toward combating those effects. Paradoxically, from a shipping industry perspective a spill of whatever magnitude is the “symptom” of a shipboard safety system failure, rather than its “cause.” The global introduction of the ISM Code provides a real opportunity for companies to improve safety at sea and protect the environment. The authors' approach to shipboard emergency preparedness is a “systems” one, which integrates the “human element” and preventative programs with day-to-day and emergency operations. It takes account of routine operations in navigation, cargo handling and maintenance. Furthermore, it offers performance indicators (how are we doing?); effective hazard identification, incident reporting and follow-up; audit and management review; all of which are inherent parts of robust safe routine and emergency/recovery operations. Effective emergency preparedness training backed up by good systems and, most of all, real and pro-active management commitment to safe operations ensures the prevention of incidents. This is ultimately the best oil spill cleanup strategy available.
The Shoreline Supervisor (Beachmaster) Role
Authors: Buckingham Craig R. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
When an oil spill occurs close to land it is highly likely that the cleanup of polluted shorelines is going to be required. Given this need it is somewhat surprising that more emphasis is not put into training personnel for such eventualities.
When planning for shoreline cleanup operations a fundamental requirement for a successful response is to have practical-minded people who can take charge of supervising the cleanup of polluted beaches. These people must be clear where they fit into a response organisation, understand their roles and responsibilities, be aware of the importance of timely resource planning, and be good communicators. The skills required for this role include common sense, improvisation, record keeping, and leadership. Safety, waste minimisation, command, and control are among the more important issues to address.
This paper describes a 3-day modular training programme specifically developed to focus on the Shoreline Supervisor's role. It identifies the success factors that a Shoreline Supervisor should aspire to and also the tasks that are so vital in the daily planning cycle.
Plans work well when the people expected to make them work are given the resources to succeed. Shoreline Supervisor training is one of those essential resources.
The ICS Planning Process Exercise: A New Exercise Tool
Authors: Cadd Theodore L. , Slyman Paul M. , Maizer Lillian M. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The authors propose a structurally different kind of exercise where the participants not only become familiar with the plans being exercised but also have the time to learn their positions within the Incident Command System (ICS) response structure. The ICS Planning Process Exercise (IPPE) also allows for contingency plan validation.
In the more familiar exercise types—tabletop exercises, functional or field exercises, and full-scale exercises—players come together for a period of time to execute the exercise. There is usually no time allowed for detailed reading of the plans or anything but the most cursory training for their assigned responsibilities within the response structure. The IPPE is an exercise conducted over a period of weeks or months at a reduced cost to the companies and agencies involved, with time built in for training and contingency plan familiarization. Moreover, assumptions made by the contingency plans or during the other style of exercises are validated or challenged as needed.
The IPPE is intended to test plans and train people. The primary goals of the IPPE are to validate plans, to become familiar with plans, and to familiarize ICS personnel with their assigned positions such as Section Chief, Division Supervisor, Situation Unit Leader or any other identified responsibilities.
Gulf Coast Oil Spill Plans: Remediation and Restoration Adequacy
Authors: Douligeris Christos , Tebeau Pete , Baca Bart 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
This paper describes the results of a research effort commissioned by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to study the role of the oil spill contingency planning process in addressing two key elements of spill response: remediation and restoration. The analysis focuses on the role of contingency planning in optimizing the success of these two processes, and specifically how key shoreline remediation and restoration decisions are addressed and implemented in the Gulf Coast region.
A Model Grassroots Approach for Incident Command System Implementation1
Authors: Gautier Peter , McAllister Carol , Plourde Kristy L. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Two years ago, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) formally adopted the National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) as doctrine for response management to oil and hazardous materials incidents. USCG Marine Safety Office (MSO) San Francisco Bay has aggressively implemented ICS as the way it conducts spill response in addition to how it carries out many of its routine operations. In a comprehensive effort to improve readiness through ICS, the MSO has established an ICS implementation team. This team constructed an ICS-based organization chart, referred to as a Watch Quarter and Station Bill (WQSB), crafted a training program, prepared ICS equipment and supply “go kits” for spill deployment, and developed administrative measures to maintain and track the program. The MSO's training program is two pronged, consisting of ICS classroom training to teach best practices alternating with process tabletop exercises to reinforce lessons learned from responses. Each session is open for attendance by state and federal trustees as well as local USCG operational units. In this way, the MSO reaches out to the local response community to establish ICS expertise and enhance response relationships. The MSO's implementation plan has proven to be extremely valuable in building the knowledge of personnel, building relationships and better preparing everyone for future spills.
Microcosm Study of Bioremediation of Oil-Contaminated Freshwater Wetlands
Authors: Purandare Jaydeep A. , Huang Tiehong , Suidan Makram T. , Johnston Ben , Venosa Albert D. , Pier Paul 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Use and transport of petroleum products can result in serious contamination of freshwater habitats via leakage, spills, aerosols, and runoff. Little development of bioremediation strategies has occurred for enhancing degradation of petroleum products in situations involving contamination of freshwater wetland ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate different inorganic mineral nutrients for their ability to enhance biodegradation of crude oil in contaminated wetlands on a microcosm scale. Aquaria of 10-gallon capacity, filled with wetland soil and planted with species of emergent wetland plants, were used to simulate natural wetlands. Two levels of water coverage were studied: (1) water level even with soil surface, and (2) water level 10 cm above the soil surface. Six treatments were evaluated in duplicate for each water level: unoiled, no-nutrient control; oiled + no nutrient control; oiled + nitrate addition; oiled + nitrate + phosphate addition; oiled + ammonia addition; and oiled + ammonia + phosphate addition. Thus, 24 aquaria were set up for each sampling event (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks) totaling 144 aquaria. Nutrients were applied once each week. Nitrate, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductivity were measured before and after nutrient addition. Biodegradation was tracked by GC/MS analysis of hopane-normalized crude oil components from the sacrificed aquaria over the 32-week experimental period. Results indicated that: (1) the rates of biodegradation of the alkanes and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) were higher for all treatments in the high-water level microcosms compared with the low-water level microcosms; (2) the highest rates of alkane and PAH degradation were measured in the high-water level microcosms receiving nitrate and phosphate; (3) the treatments with nitrate and phosphate showed nearly a 90% reduction of alkanes and a 50% reduction of PAHs as compared to nearly a 50% reduction of alkanes and 40% reduction of PAHs by the oil with no nutrients control for the high-water level; (4) the nitrate and phosphate addition treatments, for both water levels, showed good plant growth and the highest plant and root densities as compared to the other treatments. This information is being used in the design of a mesoscale experiment as part of the second phase of this study.
Resolving Conflict in Applying the Washington State Natural Resource Damage Assessment Compensation Schedule-Spill Volume Determination in the Absence of Volumetric Methods
Authors: Mora David , Challenger Greg 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Many jurisdictions rely upon compensation formulae for environmental damages caused by oil spills in lieu of protracted in situ studies. Formulae often rely on quantity and physical properties of the oil. The State of Washington Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) compensation schedule is primarily based on quantity spilled. The quantity spilled is multiplied by relative values or scaling factors related to general environmental effect and habitat vulnerability indices. Using the formula, a range of $l–$50 dollars per gallon is possible. Spill volume estimation is therefore an important and sometimes controversial issue, especially when spilled volumes are not quantifiable by conventional volumetric methods.
While methods of estimating spilled oil from recovery equipment, on the water, and along the shoreline are available, quantifying oil that may be bound to items in the waste stream presents many challenges and must address difficulties such as evaporative oil loss, water bound to recovered materials, varied types of absorbent materials and oiled debris among others. Attempts to quantify recovered oil from the M/V Nosac Forest (1993), Tosco Ferndale (1997), and M/V Anadyr (1998) oil spills yielded reasonable but uncertain results. Questions remain with respect to the accuracy of oil recovery estimates and the cost-effectiveness of the approach. Utilizing assumptions is necessary in any oil volume estimation technique and can be the basis for contention. However, utilizing a collaborative investigative process, where both state and responsible party investigators participate, can alleviate many potential concerns. While uncertainty remains, a collaborative process can lead to consensus and a cost-effective approach to spilled-oil estimation techniques in the absence of conventional volumetric methods.
Assessment of Potential Oil Spill Recovery Capabilities
Authors: Gregory Christopher L. , Allen Alan A. , Dale Dean H. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Clean Coastal Waters, Inc. (CCW) is an oil industry funded Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) whose capabilities have been classified by both the U.S. Coast Guard and the State of California. The current method of rating response equipment does not provide for insightful management of the organization's mechanical recovery equipment. CCW has therefore utilized the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Mechanical Equipment Calculator™ (MEC) to provide an alternative assessment of CCW's oil spill recovery capability. The MEC provides a more realistic view of spill recovery capability and it allows for manipulation of recovery system components to maximize their effectiveness.
A major objective of this assessment was to examine each system's performance using realistic oil slick conditions. Three representative oil slick conditions, ranging from light to heavy concentrations, were selected as input for the computerized simulation and evaluation of each recovery system's potential performance. The relative contribution of each system was examined under real-world conditions including actual times for notification, mobilization, transit, recovery and offloading of recovered oil and water.
A secondary objective of the assessment was to investigate methods by which each system's recovery rate could be enhanced while operating in open water with widespread slick conditions representing as little as a barrel of oil per acre (i.e., with average oil thicknesses of a few hundredths of a millimeter). This investigation indicated the need for several changes to the CCW equipment inventory in order to maximize system performance. Clean Coastal Waters is currently experimenting with real-world application of these enhancements and has already incorporated several important modifications into its recovery systems. Such modifications include: the matching of onboard pumps with expected oil encounter rates; the adjustment of system swaths to better utilize potential recovery capabilities; and, the inclusion of multiple, secondary storage units at key locations for improved overall performance.
The third objective of the assessment was to evaluate the utility and effectiveness of the MEC. The MEC was determined to be an effective tool for characterization, evaluation and management of response capabilities. CCW will continue to use the MEC to assist its member companies in managing recovery systems during training, exercises, and actual spill response activities.
Maintaining (and Improving) Emergency Response Preparedness in an Incident-Free Environment
Authors: Hughes John F. , Osen Holly E. , Fritzsche Carl J. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
In the OPA 90 era, companies have developed large and capable response organizations able to respond to major spills anywhere in the world. During the formative years of such organizations it was relatively easy to maintain focus on their important missions of response planning, resource acquisition and training. As these organizations reach a more mature stage it is increasingly difficult to maintain such a focus, especially in the absence of major incidents. Nearly 10 years after OPA 90, organizations are at or approaching this mature state and most have not had to respond to a major incident.
This paper discusses the challenges presented in maintaining and improving emergency response preparedness during incident-free periods. The existing organizational structure and the organization's current environment are used as the starting point for developing solutions. A variety of creative solutions are discussed which involve using quality tools in ongoing programs, broadening the scope of the organization and using response resources in non-traditional roles. Techniques for maintaining management support for response programs, utilizing risk management tools and controlling program costs are also covered. Finally, the importance of maintaining focus on the mission of response, of program integrity and of leadership in response organizations is examined.
Large-Scale Oil Spill Removal and Well Plugging at Lake Oologah, Oklahoma
Authors: Franklin Richard , Banipal Ben , Rotan Dean 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently forged a cooperative partnership with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) and the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) to address substantial environmental threats posed by hundreds of leaking oil wells near Lake Oologah, Oklahoma. The leaking wells are part of a large, aging, and declining oilfield in and around Lake Oologah. Since the field began production in the early 1900s, many wells have been either incorrectly plugged and abandoned or were not plugged and abandoned at all. As a result, hundreds of wells are discharging or threatening to discharge crude oil into tributaries of the Lake Oologah watershed.
Based on the enormity of the site (approximately 26,000 acres or 42 square miles), EPA developed a pilot project to mitigate the threats posed by these wells. As part of the pilot project, EPA identified leaking wells in two 640-acre sections using remote sensing techniques (color infrared aerial survey) and ground truthing. Once the wells were identified, the three agencies began jointly conducting a large removal action. EPA, with assistance from OCC, is plugging and abandoning wells that are discharging or threatening to discharge oil to navigable waters of the United States. In addition, OERB is removing surface equipment, tanks, and flow lines, and oil-contaminated soils.
Considering “Best Response” Capabilities in Area Contingency Plans1
Authors: Ott Gary L. , Haynes David C. , Pond Robert G. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
The paper proposes that planning should focus on those critical success factors inherent in a “Best Response.” Our common objective is to be prepared to clean up a spill while doing the least harm to people and the environment. Despite this common goal there are considerable differences across the United States in the commitment of resources to the oil spill planning and preparedness process. These differences result in a wide variety of Area Contingency Plans (ACPs) that may indicate different response capabilities. On the West Coast, oil spill plans contain detailed resource information and response strategies. By comparison, the East Coast plans are considerably less detailed. However, any demand that both West Coast and East Coast plans should have the same level of detail should first consider the question, “What kind of planning leads to success?” This paper stresses that we must first identify priorities and important factors needed to achieve success and produce a “Best Response.” In our opinion, ACPs should be evaluated based on their capability to achieve Critical Success Factors during an actual response.
Medical, Occupational, and Environmental Health Considerations for Oil Spill Response Personnel
Authors: Thayer Evan C. , Snoeks Ilse 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
Oil spill response workers can face a variety of health concerns when a spill occurs in a remote area. Potential food, water, and disease hazards need to be addressed for both fly-in supervisory personnel and local cleanup crews.
Pre-spill planning activities should consider a variety of scenarios covering a range of spills in the geographic areas of responsibility. Topics to address should include medical screening of oil spill response team members, vaccination/shots, travel kits, special clothing needs, disease control informational handouts, food and water sources, evaluation of medical personnel and facilities and identification of medical evacuation plans.
Activities occurring during the spill cleanup period might include medical screening of food handlers and local workers, confirming the availability of local medical facilities and evacuation routes, conducting routine clinic operations, checking the sources and handling of food and water, checking housing conditions, implementing a disease vector control program, and providing training related to local environmental hazards.
Post-cleanup activities would include safe disposal of medical and other waste, providing post-spill medical exams, and documenting lessons learned during the spill. Successfully controlling health issues during a spill may only be possible if an appropriate level of planning is conducted.