Area Committee Research Articles

New screening and quantification method by UHPLC-MS/MS of 36 new synthetic cathinones in hair. Application to real cases

A class of β-keto analogs of phenethylamine known as synthetic cathinones has been identified as the most emergent new class of psychoactive chemicals in the last ten years. Synthetic cathinones (SC) are becoming more varied, which represents a serious danger to social security and public health worldwide. In this work, an analytical technique based on UHPLC-MS/MS was developed for the simultaneously measurement of 36 synthetic cathinones and two metabolites in hair keratin samples. The separation was conducted by Atlantis Premier BEH C18 AX (2.5 μm, 2.1 × 100 mm) column using elution with 5 mM ammonium acetate in water with 0.1 % formic acid (v/v) (mobile phase A) and 2 mM ammonium formate in MeOH/Acetonitrile 50/50, +0.1 % formic acid (v/v) (mobile phase B). The analysis time was 11 min. Mass spectrometer was equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI). Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used for the detection and quantification of the studied compounds. The methodology was successfully validated according to the Organization Scientific Area Committee guidelines, with linearity (r2 ≥ 0.99) from LOQ to 500 pg/mg concentrations for all the compounds investigated. This method was subsequently applied to nine hair samples positive for ten different synthetic cathinones. The most common SCs identified were 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (3,4-MDPV), in a concentration range 6.0–1000.0 pg/mg, along with alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PHP (54.0 and 554.0 pg/mg, respectively)), followed by the two positional isomers 3-MMC (556.0 and 5000.0 pg/mg) and 4-MMC (11.5 and 448.0 pg/mg). In conclusion, a validated LC-MS/MS method with high specificity was developed offering an easy and affordable sample preparation, and a run time that makes it suitable for use in a high throughput forensic laboratory for the multi-analyte quantification of 36 novel synthetic cathinones and 2 metabolites in hair.

Back to the future: Retrograde alcohol calculations an uncertain science

Retrograde extrapolations, known as back calculations are widely used in forensic toxicology to estimate the blood alcohol concentration of an individual at some prior time. In the UK guidelines have been issued by the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists) and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science. However, these guidelines are not fully agreed and open tointerpretation. Alcohol elimination rates have been discussed in numerous publications since Widmark’s original data was published. The current guidance from UKIAFT, is to report the most likely back calculated result together with a range of results based on the 95% confidence limit elimination rates (9 to 29 mg/100 mL/hour).The Divisional Court, upheld by the House of Lords, ruled that in order to convict someone for being over the prescribed limit on the basis of any back calculation, the case must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. A 99.73% confidence interval increased to 3 standard deviations at the lower end would provide a greater factual basis for the court and cover alarger proportion of the population, this can be achieved by increasing the elimination range to 8 to 29 mg/100 mL/hour. Retrograde extrapolations also rely on the subject being post absorptive at the prior time. In the UK, back calculations are validif the subject has not eaten or consumed alcohol withinonehour ofthe back calculation time. Where the subject has eatenprior to the back calculation, experts are instructed to consider whether the back calculation is applicable. In Germany and the United States back calculations are not permitted to a time within 2 h after last drink consumed. The 2 h limit would better meet the highest standard of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ burden of proof, and should be used. These proposed changes would decrease the uncertainty associated with retrograde calculations carried out by UK toxicologists.

A green analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 17 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human serum and semen by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)

The ubiquity of perfluoroalkyl substances has raised concerns about the unintended consequences of PFAS exposure on human health. In the present study, an eco-friendly ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 17 PFAS in human serum and semen samples. QuEChERS salts MgSO4:NaCl 4:1 (w/w) were used for the extraction. The separation of analytes was performed on an ACQUITY BEH C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm), using water:methanol 95:5 and methanol as mobile phases A and B, respectively, both containing 2 mM ammonium acetate. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in negative ion mode was used, selecting two transitions for each analyte, except for perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA). The analytical method was validated according to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Sciences guidelines and AGREE approach software was used to evaluate the greenness of the method. The developed procedure was applied to the analysis of 10 paired human serum and semen samples, proving the suitability in high throughput laboratories due to the easy preparation and the reduced volume of toxic solvents. Moreover, it allows to perform further investigation on the correlation between serum and semen PFAS concentration, focusing on male reproductive system correlated pathologies, such as male infertility.

Development and validation of a novel 30-plex STR assay for canine individual identification and parentage testing

Domestic dogs are helpers in outdoor human work and companions for families; thus, individual canine identification and parentage testing are crucial in certain fields, including forensics and breeding programs. In this study, a six-dye fluorescent labeling multiplex amplification system containing 29 canine short tandem repeats (STRs) and the sex-determining marker DAmel was developed. The system was called the Tronfo Canine 30-plex STR Kit and was further validated according to the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Wildlife Forensics guidelines, including tests for PCR conditions, precision, species specificity, sensitivity, stability, repeatability and reproducibility, a population study, and a study of 16 paternity test cases. The results indicated that the novel canine STR assay was accurate, specific, reproducible, stable, and robust. Complete profiles were obtained with 31.25 pg of canine DNA. Additionally, 500 unrelated canine individuals were investigated using this novel system, and the combined power of discrimination and exclusion values were 0.999999999999999999 and 0.999996451039850, respectively. These results suggest that the Tronfo Canine 30-plex STR Kit is highly polymorphic, informative, and suitable for individual canine identification and parentage testing.

The Purpose, Process, and Advancement of Forensic Nursing Standards.

To strengthen the nation's use of forensic science and advance professional practice, forensic practitioners and scientists in the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) develop standards in forensic science. The Forensic Nursing Subcommittee was created by OSAC in 2021 to develop standards that improve patient outcomes through delivery of consistent practice guidelines, evidence-based techniques for preservation of evidence, and accurate representation of practice and examination findings. The purpose of this article is to relate the history of forensic science standard development in the United States, discuss the rationale for forensic nursing standards, and describe the standards development process. In this article, we provide an overview of OSAC and the OSAC Forensic Nursing Subcommittee. We discuss how forensic nurses can be involved in the development and advancement of standards that define minimum requirements, best practices, and evidence-based protocols to ensure reliable and reproducible outcomes. The development of forensic nursing standards is an important step in advancing the profession. It is critical that forensic nurses are actively involved in the standards development process, which includes volunteering to serve on the OSAC Forensic Nursing Subcommittee or a forensic nursing standards development organization, providing input into standards drafts during the public comment period, and implementing approved standards into practice.

The Japanese Urological Association's clinical practice guidelines for urotrauma 2023.

The Japanese Urological Association's guidelines for the treatment of renal trauma were published in 2016. In conjunction with its revision, herein, we present the new guidelines for overall urotrauma. Its purpose is to provide standard diagnostic and treatment recommendations for urotrauma, including iatrogenic trauma, to preserve organ function and minimize complications and fatality. The guidelines committee comprised urologists with experience in urotrauma care, selected by the Trauma and Emergency Medicine Subcommittee of the Specialty Area Committee of the Japanese Urological Association, and specialists recommended by the Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology. The guidelines committee established the domains of renal and ureteral, bladder, urethral, and genital trauma, and determined the lead person for each domain. A total of 30 clinical questions (CQs) were established for all domains; 15 for renal and ureteral trauma and five each for the other domains. An extensive literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1, 1983 and July 16, 2020, based on the preset keywords for each CQ. Since only few randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses were found on urotrauma clinical practice, conducting a systematic review and summarizing the evidence proved challenging; hence, the grade of recommendation was determined according to the 2007 "Minds Handbook for Clinical Practice Guidelines" based on a consensus reached by the guidelines committee. We hope that these guidelines will be useful for clinicians in their daily practice, especially those involved in urotrauma care.

Development of enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitative determination of methylone and some of its metabolites in oral fluid

In the present study an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the first time for quantitative determination of the recreational drug of abuse methylone and its major metabolites in oral fluid. The simultaneous chemo- and enantioseparation of methylone and its major metabolites was performed on a polysaccharide-based chiral column based on amylose tris(5-chloro-3-methylphenylcarbamate) as chiral selector (Lux i-Amylose-3) with methanol containing 0.4 % (v/v) aqueous ammonium hydroxide as mobile phase. The time required for enantioselective analysis of methylone and its 2 major metabolites was 15 min. This method was fully validated following the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science guidelines.This method was applied for the enantioselective determination of methylone and its metabolites in oral fluid and enantioselectivity in metabolism and pharmacokinetic of the parent compound and metabolites was observed.While the first enantiomer of methylone was found at higher concentration, both metabolites shown greater concentration for the second enantiomer. The results revealed that MET undergoes an enantioselective biotransformation to its metabolites HMMC and MDC, with S-(−)-MET more rapidly metabolized and eliminated from the body.

“GROWING TRENDS TOWARDS URBANIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”

Economic development is generally associated with the growth of urbanization. During the first half of the 20th century, India passed through period of economic stagnation. Consequently, the extent of urbanization was very limited. Urban population, which accounted for 11 per cent of total population in 1901 lazily, crept to the figure of 14 per cent in 1941. With a very liberal definition of the urban area adopted in 1951, urban population became 17.6 per cent of total. Much of the increase, therefore, was statistical. This explains why the adoption of a little more strict definition of the urban area in 1961 census resulted in recording a very small increase in the urban population and it was estimated at 18.3 per cent of total population. The 1981 census has also continued with the definition adopted in 1971, both from the point of view of administrative convenience and maintenance of comparability. An urban area has been defined as follows ---1) All places with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board or notified town area committee. 2) All other places, which satisfy the criteria such as Minimum 5000 population, atleast 75 per cent male working population, engaged in non-agriculture pursuits and density of population 400 persons per sq.km.

Interlaboratory study to assess the practical utility of OSAC proposed standard 2021-S-0006: Standard for the use of GenBank for taxonomic assignment of wildlife

Wildlife forensic laboratories are frequently asked to confirm the taxonomic identity of material submitted as evidence. When taxonomic assignment based on morphology is not possible, DNA-based approaches are typically employed and practitioners often rely on comparing unknown evidence sequences to public sequence databases such as GenBank. To address the use of GenBank in casework, the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) Wildlife Forensic Biology Subcommittee developed 2021-S-0006 Standard for the Use of GenBank for Taxonomic Assignment of Wildlife (currently an OSAC proposed standard). An interlaboratory study was conducted to assess the practical utility of 2021-S-0006. Sanger sequence data for taxonomically informative mitochondrial loci from forty diverse wildlife species were generated. Eleven wildlife forensic laboratories across the globe were recruited, and were sent ten unknowns to analyze using 2021-S-0006. Taxonomic assignments generated by each laboratory were compared a) to the true identity to determine correctness, and b) across laboratories to assess congruence. When following 2021-S-0006, laboratories that reported to the species level were correct in 98.3% of cases and 100% congruence was observed among laboratories. Additionally, criteria selected by laboratories for interpreting GenBank accession(s) (section 4.3 of 2021-S-0006) were independently evaluated, given they form the backbone for determining the appropriate level for taxonomic reporting. Criteria were correctly selected in 84% of cases and laboratories reported to an appropriate taxonomic level in the majority of cases. Overall, this interlaboratory study demonstrated that the OSAC proposed standard 2021-S-0006 provides an excellent framework for using GenBank for taxonomic assignment in wildlife forensic casework.

Standardization in forensic toxicology—The United States experience

AbstractConsensus based standards are created by subject matter experts in conjunction with stakeholders and include requirements for a specific field such as forensic toxicology. Standards for forensic science provide requirements and guidance in areas such as quality management, validation, testing, reporting, traceability, and testimony. The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science was formed to assist in the development of forensic standards. In coordination with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board, developed documents are taken through an American National Standards Institute accredited process that includes public notification, a public comment period, and comment adjudication. Documents published by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board are freely accessible to the public. This article presents an overview of the standards development process and the standards, best practices and guidelines currently published in the field of forensic toxicology in the United States.This article is categorized under: Toxicology > Analytical

Back to the future: Retrograde alcohol calculations an uncertain science

To respond to Labay and Logan's call for a scientific consensus regarding retrograde extrapolations in alcohol DUI cases by describing the existing practices in England and Wales and outlining changes that need to be made. Retrograde extrapolations, known as back calculations in England and Wales, are widely used in toxicology to estimate the blood alcohol concentration of an individual at some prior time. In 2018, Labay and Logan (Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2018, Vol 63. No 5, 1602–1603) published a call for a scientific consensus regarding back calculations. In the UK guidelines have been issued by the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT, 2021, Guidelines for Alcohol Calculations, Version 4.3), while in the US, the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science have issued draft guidelines (2020, Guidelines for Performing Alcohol Calculations in Forensic Toxicology). However, these guidelines are not fully agreed and open for interpretation. Alcohol elimination rates have been discussed in many publications since Widmark's original data were published. The current guidance from UKIAFT, is to report the most likely back calculated result together with a range of results based on the 95% confidence limit elimination rates from Jones's 1996 study of drinking drivers (Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1996, Vol 41, No 5, 922–926). That range of elimination rates being from 9 to 29 mg/100 mL/hour (0.009 to 0.029 g/dL/hour). There is an acceptance of this 95% confidence interval for the reported final result by practitioners. The Divisional Court, upheld by the House of Lords, however ruled that in order to convict someone for being over the prescribed limit on the basis of any back calculation, the case must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. While the 95% confidence interval covers a large portion of the population, 1 in 20 individuals may fall outside the reported values. It is clearly not sufficient to prove a defendant's guilt so clearly that it must be accepted as fact, a common requirement of UK law. A confidence interval increased to 3 standard deviations or 99.73% would provide a greater factual basis for the court and cover a much larger proportion of the population. There is a reluctance within the forensic community to use this larger range as it often renders the calculation ineffective. However, that is simply a consequence of the considerable population variation. Retrograde extrapolations also rely on the subject being post absorptive at the prior time. In the UK, it is considered safe to back calculate if the subject has not eaten or consumed alcohol in the hour prior to the back calculation time. Where the subject has eaten recently prior to the back calculation time, experts are instructed to consider whether the back calculation is valid. In Germany back calculations are not permitted to a time within 2 hours after last drink consumed. The 2 hour limit would better meet the highest standard of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ burden of proof, and should be used. There is a lot of debate around certain elements of the back calculations and experts have the freedom to interpret variables differently to an extent. Based on the review of many publications the have proposed modifications to the current practice in forensic casework to provide a more robust uncertainty and confidence interval. This will ensure consistency in the testimony given by different experts to the court and provide greater clarity for judges and juries in the assessment of scientific concepts and evidence.

A Study on the Reorganization of Local Educational Administration in Thailand under the Military Government: A Comparative Analysis of Educational Service Areas Committee and Provincial Education Committee

A Study on the Reorganization of Local Educational Administration in Thailand under the Military Government: A Comparative Analysis of Educational Service Areas Committee and Provincial Education Committee

OdoPlex: An STR multiplex panel optimized and validated for forensic identification and sex determination of North American mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

OdoPlex is a single 5-dye multiplex panel for forensic identification of North American mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This robust panel is comprised of 15 autosomal markers (14 tetranucleotide loci and a single dinucleotide locus) and two sex-linked markers. OdoPlex was optimized and validated in response to the USA-based Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) research priority calling for the development and validation of standardized STR panels and associated allelic ladders for North American species routinely encountered in wildlife forensic casework. Genotypes were obtained from a combined 1143 white-tailed deer and mule deer representing 18 subspecies, including both the Key deer and Columbian white-tailed deer, two ESA-listed subspecies of white-tailed deer of special interest to population managers. Complete STR genotypes, including sex identification, were generated from as little as 125 pg of DNA template. Methods for species-level assignment and the calculation of single-source likelihood ratios accounting for population substructure are discussed in detail. Median likelihood ratios ranged from 1.65 × 1010 (O. hemionus) to 1.58 × 1014 (O. virginianus), making OdoPlex a powerful assay for individual identification of deer in the genus Odocoileus.

Comparing ELISA and LC–MS-MS: A Simple, Targeted Postmortem Blood Screen

A comprehensive screening method that is specific, accurate and customizable is necessary in any forensic toxicology laboratory. Most laboratories utilize some form of immunoassay testing as it is reliable and sensitive with minimal sample preparation and is relatively inexpensive to simultaneously screen for multiple classes of drugs with different chemical properties. However, accessibility to more specific technology and instrumentation such as mass spectrometry has increased and therefore using immunoassay as the screening method of choice may be revisited. A screening method for 42 drugs in postmortem blood was developed and validated following the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science guidelines for toxicology method validation. The method was developed using minimal sample preparation of postmortem blood consisting only of a protein precipitation. Only two internal standards were used, which greatly reduces the cost of implementing this method. Limit of detection, interference studies, processed sample stability and ion suppression/enhancement were examined. Additionally, over 100 case samples were analyzed by both the current enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing procedure and the proposed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) screening method. The comparison determined that the LC-MS-MS method performed as well as or better than the ELISA in nearly all cases. The ability to add additional target drugs increases the laboratory's scope of analysis as well. This method is ideal for forensic laboratories wishing to improve screening while working within budget constraints.

Local engagement in environmental peacebuilding: protected area development as a pathway to peace in Afghanistan

ABSTRACT This article interrogates local engagement in protected area development as a mechanism for peacebuilding in Afghanistan. Using interviews with representatives from the Band-e-Amir Protected Area Committee, I argue that protected area engagement produced mixed outcomes. In one sense, local engagement generated confidence that democratic processes introduced through governance reforms could transform power structures and resolve conflict. Yet, these same processes eroded confidence in the state's ability to deliver benefits and serve as a foundation for peace. This case suggests a need to consider how environmental peacebuilding at subnational scales can impede post-conflict peacebuilding through its effect on state-society relations.

Improving Response Planning by Using Numerical Models to Test Geographic Response Plans

ABSTRACT 40 CFR §300.210 outlines the requirements for each Area Committee to develop an Area Contingency Plan (ACP) for its designated area. These requirements include a list of equipment and personnel available to ensure an effective and immediate removal of a discharge. Many Area Committees take this direction to the next step and develop Geographic Response Plans (GRP) or Geographic Response Strategies (GRS) for inclusion in the ACP. These plans provide pre-identified deployment strategies for how to coordinate an effective response and protect sensitive sites in the event of an oil spill. GRPs are typically developed by Area Committee representatives behind the doors of a meeting room. While these experienced members know their regions very well and offer a wealth of knowledge in oil spill response tactics, the developed GRPs are typically not field-tested due to the cost constraints of deploying equipment. Even if an Area Committee is able to sponsor a field deployment, the equipment is only being tested against one set of environmental conditions. In addition, typical ACPs contain hundreds of GRPs. It is not possible to deploy equipment to test all of those plans. Numerical models can be used to electronically test GRPs under all possible environmental conditions. These models run quickly, allowing multiple iterations of environmental scenarios, in a short amount of time. By providing the capability to implement response options within the model, users can simulate a variety of combinations of countermeasures, including surface and subsea dispersants, in-situ burning, skimming, and booming. Analyzing the model outputs can allow Area Committee members to adjust the response plans to maximize effectiveness of the GRPs. The September 2018 update of the U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Environmental Response Manual supports the use of computer simulations for validating these plans. By developing a comprehensive computerized testing process of GRPs, the Area Committees can ensure that the coasts of the United States are protected from the devastation of an oil spill.

Oil Spill Preparedness and Response: Building the Capacity to Protect Public Welfare and Support Community Resilience

Abstract Some oil spills become disastrous for communities who live and work in proximity of the spill, even when a disaster is not formally declared. For decades, social science researchers have reported the negative impacts of such oil spills on communities, but their findings remain in the literature and have not resulted in improvements to oil spill preparedness and response practice. Effective response to an oil spill which has the potential to become a social disaster requires leaders in emergency management to proactively address spill threats to public welfare in addition to stopping the release of oil and cleaning up the spill. To accomplish this, the oil spill community could proactively engage stakeholders at the grass-roots level to share information, address questions and concerns through risk communication, and include inputs for pre-spill planning. The capacity to engage with vulnerable communities and stakeholders before, during, and after an oil spill is one measure of a successful response. This paper is a collaborative effort among oil spill specialists, social science researchers, and community members on the Eastern Shore of Virginia to prepare for a serious oil spill and mitigate its potential threats. This remote area of global ecological significance is highly vulnerable to an offshore persistent oil spill that could negatively impact the way of life of many community members who depend upon the environment. Prior to this effort, community members were not engaged in oil spill preparedness. A subcommittee of the Virginia Area Committee sought community input in developing a new annex of the Area Contingency Plan. This effort engaged non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, watermen, local governmental agencies, and others on the Eastern Shore, recognizing the importance of two-way communications with stakeholders, rather than one-way outreach. In addition, social scientists who have studied major spills identify opportunities to adapt oil spill practices and help communities recover from potential psychosocial and incident-specific impacts. The community aspects of the new annex were exercised during a 4-day, full-scale Area Exercise under Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP), along with other pre-exercise activities, to support public welfare and community resiliency. Through this work, the authors demonstrate adaptations to strengthen incident management by leveraging networks of trusted relationships developed during planning with local government, elected officials, and communities.

California's Response to USCG Nationwide Standardization of Area Contingency Plans

ABSTRACT California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) - Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), working with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and Area Committee members, made significant strides to streamline the Area Contingency Plans (ACPs) for improved efficiency and statewide consistency to adhere to new USCG guidance. Beginning with Sector San Diego's ACP, which underwent major revision in 2018, and Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach in 2019, OSPR worked closely with USCG to ensure that there is comparable information statewide, improved maps and GIS compatibility, and updated environmentally and economically sensitive site information. OSPR created a new environmental sensitive site database, including more user-friendly Geographic Response Strategy pages for those identified sites. OSPR also revised the content of Section 9800, which describes the environmental, cultural, historic, and economic sensitivities of a given ACP area, and includes the Geographic Response Strategies. This paper describes in detail the contributions and changes that OSPR has made to California ACPs since 2018. It highlights its approaches to streamlining for efficiency and statewide consistency and lessons learned from the new revision and approval processes.

Meaningful Engagement: Improving and Expanding Tribal Engagement in Federal Emergency Response in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract: The Northwest Region (the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) of the United States is home to 43 federally recognized treaty Tribes, who are resource co-managers within their traditional territories and have both decision-making power and sovereign legal rights. There is also a significant refinement and transportation of petroleum products (by rail, pipeline, and vessel) within this area and in our transboundary waters. In Washington alone, more than 20 billion gallons are moved through and across the state on an annual basis. The Northwest Area Committee (NWAC) and Region 10 Regional Response Team (RRT10), the federally mandated bodies which conduct oil pollution and hazardous materials spill response planning, are therefore robust and very active. Within the last decade, tribal engagement in the NWAC and RRT10 has expanded significantly; the RRT10 now has three official tribal members, and the NWAC has supported a Tribal Engagement Task Force for the past four years and is currently looking at transitioning it to a longer-term and more permanent sub-committee strategy. This presentation will discuss the following pieces of the efforts towards tribal engagement in the NWAC/RRT10: 1) The evolution of tribal engagement in the RRT10/NWAC and lessons learned from this process 2) A case study of the unique experience of the Makah Tribe's engagement with the greater response community including both becoming the first tribal member of the NWAC/RRT10 and the development of their memorandum of agreement with the US Coast Guard, and 3) Results from the 2019 Tribal Engagement Task Force's tribal feedback survey (sent out to all Tribes in the region) to identify barriers and strategies for improved meaningful tribal engagement. This reflects the commitment of the NWAC/RRT10 to improving tribal engagement by understanding; the results can not only inform partners in other regions but will inform the next phase of the NWAC/RRT10's approach to tribal engagement. The Northwest Area model for tribal engagement in oil spill planning, preparedness, and response is an important precedent for national and international engagement with Indigenous peoples in this arena.

Evolution of Contingency Planning in California – a Federal and State Coordinated Effort

ABSTRACT U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) agreed to the joint preparation of oil spill contingency plans following the enactment of California and federal laws in 1990. With little guidance initially, six Area Committees embarked on a new process to create the first coastal Area Contingency Plans (ACPs) in 1992. In 2015, when emergency regulations to expand OSPR's jurisdiction statewide became effective, developing inland Geographic Response Plans (GRPs) became a top priority. Over the last 30 years, the ACPs have evolved into robust, nationally recognized planning documents, and response plans have expanded into inland environments. This paper will describe in detail the contributions and advancements in California oil spill contingency planning over 30 years. It will highlight OSPR's approaches for statewide consistency and coverage, interoperability between various state and federal plans, tools (including Geographic Information System (GIS) and various databases), improved sensitive site contacts and management, and lessons learned. It will also cover goals for future improvements in both marine and inland contingency plans.