Developing Geographic Response Strategies: A Model Approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT A critical element of an oil-discharge/hazardous-substance-release contingency plan is its utility in guiding protection of priority sensitive areas following a discharge or release. This paper discusses a cooperative effort to develop such a tool, the Geographic Response Strategy (GRS), that may be used by other regions in their own contingency plans. A GRS combines local knowledge of sensitive areas with proven operations and logistics into a document with specific guidance for rapid response that can be used in the field. A GRS includes a site map, photograph, and table of associated information describing the resources to protect, operational tactics to carry out the protection, equipment and personnel needs, and site access. Sites are selected based on their environmental sensitivity, the risk of a discharge/release, and the ability to protect the site. Natural resource trustee agencies make preliminary site selections. After consideration of public comments, a GRS Work Group selects the GRS sites. An Operations/Tactics Subgroup designs the response strategy using basic response tactics. GRSs are field tested, when possible, to verify operational feasibility and to ensure that proposed response actions do not inadvertently harm sensitive resources. Completed GRSs for a subarea are compiled into an addendum to the appropriate federal/state subarea contingency plan. The collaborative process to create GRSs is a recent development in Alaska. Concepts framed at a 1998 workshop in Anchorage coalesced early work on site-specific response plans into a common approach that was accepted by the Alaska Regional Response Team. Since 1999, over 145 site-specific GRSs have been prepared for high-risk sensitive areas by work groups consisting of representatives of oil industry; spill response organizations; federal, state, and local agencies; tribal entities; and citizens groups. The GRS process helps stakeholders and the public understand what actions may be feasible during a response.