CD
The National Response Team
A Report on the National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Response System
ANNUAL REPORT
March 1989
4TES o«
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About This Annual Repoft , -
The National Response Team (NRT) has been in existence for almost 20 years, but this is its
first annual report. Because many readers may be unfamiliar with the NRT and the other
response groups established by the. National Contingency Plan, this report blends background
information with the usual contents of an annual report a. review of the year's activities and
accomplishments. This report does not attempt to address, all 'Federal response'actions and,
in particular, does not address Superfund remedial acHons^ The EPA annual report, Progress
Toward Implementing Superfund: FisSWYear" f987^ ploWeVa detailed report on Stiperfund"
response actions. -, -, -
The report is structured to follow the involvement of the FpderaJ government in an oil or
hazardous substance incident,." from the first notification.' to the Federal response and the
planning that makes that response possible. The report concludes with a discussion of future
directions of the NRT.
There are several appendices, Appendix A is a report of activities and plans for each of the
13 Regional Response Teams. Appendix B includes a brief description of the key
responsibilities and expertise of each of the 14 current HRT member agencies. Appendix C is
the NRT Wbrkplans for Fiscal Years (FY) 198$ and 1989. Appendix D is a brief history of
the National Response System.
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National Response Team
of the National Oil and Hazardous
Substances Contngency Plan
G-WER/12, 21OO 2nd Street SW, Washington, D.C. 2O593
March 6, 1989
NRT
Environmental
Protection
Agency
United States
Coast Guard
Department of
Commerce
Department of
Interior
Department of
Agriculture
Department of
Defense
Department of
State
Department of
Justice
Department of
Transportation
Department of
Health and
Human Services
Federal
Emergency
Management
Agency
Department of
Energy
Department of
Labor
Nuclear
Regulatory
Commission
We are pleased to issue this first Annual Report of the
National Response Team.
The National Response Team (NRT) is a unique organization
composed of 14 Federal agencies, each having broad
responsibilities in environmental areas. With a legal
basis in executive order, regulation and statute,' the
National Response Team has served the public in minimizing
environmental insults and health impacts from accidents for
almost 20 years. The National Contingency Plan (NCP ) ,
promulgated under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA), establishes the NRT as one of the
major components of the National Response System. It is
the national body responsible for coordinating Federal
planning, preparedness, and response actions related to oil
discharges and hazardous substance releases. The strength
of the NRT resides in the sharing of resources and expertise
of the member agencies; the commitment of those agencies to
a clean and safe environment; and the willingness to place
that goal above interagency differences and even individual
agency preferences. This cooperative spirit has led to many
joint projects, discussed in this report, and has avoided
redundant federal efforts.
Integral to the National Response System is a strong
Regional Response Team structure including active and
effective. State participation. This is particularly
reflected in the accomplishments of each region. During a
response, the purpose of both the NRT and the RRTs is to
support, provide guidance to, and assist the federal On-
Scene Coordinators (OSCs); at all other times the purpose
is to assure thatan effective and functional
infrastructure is in place at all' levels of gove.rnment-
Federal, State and local - for response, preparedness and
mitigation. OSCs and their State and local counterparts
are the backbone of the system, responsible for ensuring
quick and efficient response to oil and hazardous chemical
spills and releases.
Report Oil and Chemical Spills loll Free (8OO)424-88O2
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The success of the National Response System depends on the
combined efforts of all agencies and organizations working
together at the national, regional, State and local levels.
This first Annual Report of the NRT presents the past year's
activities and accomplishments. Perhaps the greatest
achievement of the system may be the routine manner in which
thousands of spills and releases have been handled by local,
State and Federal officials and industry without crisis. Even
the few major spills that makes national headlines are ably
coordinated by experienced personnel working through multi-agency
organizations following well practiced contingency plans.
Environmental harm is minimized and, the public and the
environment benefit. This does not mean the system is flawless.
One of the NRT's objectives is to strengthen and enhance
coordination among members at the national and regional levels to
deal with the weaknesses in the system as they are discovered.
Every representative plays a vital role in a response incident
and the best response is the result of active participation from
all involved parties before an incident occurs.
Our
goal for the future is to make a good system better. We are
proud of our accomplishments and look forward with confidence
that the-National Response System will continue to
nation i?n/an effective and efficient manner.
serve the
National Response Team
Train Richard M. Larrabee
Coast Guard
Vice Chairman
National Response Team
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER
3. ON-SCENE COORDINATORS
4. REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAMS
5. NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM
6. FUTURE DIRECTIONS
APPENDIX A. Summary of Regional Response Team Activities
APPENDDC B. NRT Member Agencies
APPENDIX C. National Response Team Work Plans
APPENDIX D. History of the National Response System
FIGURES
Figure 1. Federal Agency Membership: National Response Team
Figure 2. Spill Reports to the NRC
Figure 3. FY 1988 Incident Reports to the NRC by Pollution Categories
Figure 4. Incident Response Chart
Figure 5. Incidents by Region for FY 1988
Figure 6. Regional Response Teams
Figure 7. Development of the National Response System
3
5
7
11
14
20
23
49
53
63
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Figure 1
FEDERAL AGENCY MEMBERSHIP
NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM
(A more detailed description of each agency's roles and responsibilities can be found in Appendix B.)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, CHAIR
(environmental effects and pollution control techniques)
(planning and response for inland areas)
U.S. COAST GUARD, VICE-CHAIR
(planning and response for coastal areas)
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
(emergency planning, training and relocations)
I
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(specialized response equipment and personnel)
(response to certain incidents)
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
(response to radiological hazards)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
(evaluation of impact on natural resources)
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(scientific support for coastal response)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency.for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(health hazards to responders and pub lie)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
(protection of natural resources)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
(legal expertise)
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(worker safety)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
(transportation of hazardous materials)
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
(radioactive materials)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
(international agreements)
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1. INTRODUCTION
Every day in the United States, oil and hazardous
substances are spilled or released into our harbors
and waterways, onto the ground, and into the air.
Some of these incidents are relatively minor; some
cause major disruptions without inflicting serious
damage for example, an overturned tank truck
that shuts down a major highway for hours. Other
incidents, however, cause extreme damage for
example, the refinery explosion in Norco,
Louisiana, that killed seven workers, injured almost
50 people, and forced the evacuation of 2,500
nearby residents.
Between October 1987 and September 1988, the
National Response Center in Washington, DC,
received over 16,000 reports of these types of
incidents, or an average of 44 calls a day. Many
additional reports are made to other Federal
agencies. The number of reports to the Center
has risen steadily since 1978 (see Figure 2).
INCIDENT REPORTS TO THE NRC'
1 OUUU
16000
g 14000
,1" 12000
g- 10000
£ 8000
E 6000
4000
2000
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The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)
manages these Federal responses.
The National Response Center (NRC)
acts as the national communications
center, receiving reports of incidents and
notifying the OSCs.
This report provides a review of each of these
mechanisms, then: roles and responsibilities, and
then: recent activities. While these activities (such
as the hundreds of Federal response actions, the
40 RRT activations, the development and
publication of unified Federal guidance) are
important hi themselves, the real accomplishments
of the National Response System are things that
did not happen:
The water supplies of 750,000 people
along the Ohio River were not
contaminated by a major oil spill because
the Federal response system was able to
activate quickly and provide tracking and
advice to cities and towns downstream.
Valuable marshlands in San Francisco Bay
were not destroyed because the Federal
OSC was able to obtain Navy equipment
to help contain a major oil spill.
The people of Nitro, West Virginia, were
not injured by piles of hazardous
substances at an abandoned chemical
manufacturing facility because the Federal
OSC moved in to explode cylinders of
hyrdogen cyanide and remove other
hazardous substances.
Where once an incident could have meant serious
damage to the environment, now governments at
all levels are prepared to respond quickly to
contain and cleanup spills to mitigate the damage.
In the 20 years since the first National
Contingency Plan was developed (see box), the
National Response System has evolved from being
a Federal agency system to being a system that
includes States and neighboring countries working
together for coordinated response and
preparedness activities. Throughout this period,
however, the goal of the National Response
System has remained the same: to protect public
health and safety and the environment.
ney Han"
In the late 19610s,. a major oil spill in Europe made the Federal government
question its ability to respond to .such spills if they occurred bete. As a tesujt, several
Federal agencies developed the National MuMagency Oil and Hazardous Materials
Contingency Plan (later known as the National Oil and Hazardous Substances PolMqn
Contingency Plan or simply the National Contingency Plan (NCP)) for bringing Federal
agency expertise to bear during responses to oil spills and releases, of hazardous
substances. r ""------ -"--«?";/*~ - > -
The first NCP was adopted in 1968. The NCP was promulgated as ,a Federal
regulation in 1973, The NCP establishes the mechanises %^ayN;atiqna| Response
System - the NRT, the RRTs, the OSCs,^and the NaSonal Response "6enter. The
two primary legal authorities for the^NCP are the Clean Water; Act,, jWch establishes
a fund for Federal responses to oil spills, and the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which establishes the Superfund
for Federal responses to releases of hazardous substances. (Seej Appendix D for a
history of the NCP.) " "] ,,--,,,..,,,,<
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2. THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER
If an incident involves a spill or release of more
than legally specified quantities of oil or hazardous
substances, the party responsible for the incident
is required by law to notify the National Response
Center. The Center, located in Washington, DC,
is staffed 24-hours a day and can be reached by
telephoning 1-800-424-8802.
The Center, funded by the Department of
Transportation and EPA, is staffed by Coast
Guard officers and Marine Science technicians.
These staff are trained to collect specific
information from the people reporting incidents.
Several people may call in to report a single
incident. Between October 1987 and September
1988, the Center received more than 16,000
notifications. The types of incidents reported
include oil spills, derailed tank cars or overturned
trucks leaking toxic gases, and fires and explosions
that release hazardous substances. Designated
hazardous substances were involved in 21 percent
of the reports, oil and oil products in 49 percent,
and other hazardous materials (such as natural gas
and explosives) were involved in 30 percent (see
Figure 3).
When the reported incident involves an oil spill or
a release of a hazardous substance, the Center
notifies a predesignated On-Scene Coordinator
assigned to the area of the incident. The Center
uses a variety of computer systems to locate
information to assist the OSC. For example, the
Oil and Hazardous Materials Technical Assistance
Data Systems (OHMTADS) and the Chemical
Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS)
are used to identify chemicals when only partial
information is available. Other systems help to
predict the likely direction of a spill's movement.
A marine transportation data base provides access
to historical information on vessels, hazardous
cargos, and parties who may be involved.
FY 88 INCIDENT REPORTS TO THE NRC
BY POLLUTION CATEGORIES
Other
Hazardous
Materials
Designated
Hazardous
Substances
(21%)
Figure 3
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Figure 4
INCIDENT RESPONSE CHART
Oil or
Hazardous
Substance
Spill?
NRC Notifies
Federal OSC
OSC Assesses
Can/Will
Locality or
State Handle
Incident?
Can/Will
Responsible
Party Handle
Incident?
Special
Assistance
Needed?
Further
Assistance
Needed?
Incident
Cleaned Up
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3. ON-SCENE COORDINATORS
The OSCs, usually EPA or Coast Guard staff who
have been trained to respond to incidents, are the
principal focus for the Federal response effort. At
present the U.S. Coast Guard has designated 48
OSCs; EPA has designated 145 OSCs. In addition,
Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) at Superfund
sites act as OSCs when an emergency response is
required at a Superfund site.
OSC Assignment
The location aad source of an incident
determines Which predesignated OSC iis
called.
For spills or releases to coastal zones
(coastal waters ,,,,and adjacent
shorelines aad certain designated
Mand ilver ports and. harbors) and
the Great Lakes, "the U.S. Coast
Guard designates the OSCs*
* For spills or releases to inland zones*
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) designates the OSCs.
f For releases of hazardous substances,
pollutants, or contaminants that are
QJQ^ of originate from, a facility or
vessel under the custody and control
of the Departments of Defense or
Energy, those Departments designate
OSCs for sttch releases.
The OSCs are responsible for managing Federal
response actions. Using procedures established for
the area in the Regional Contingency Plan, the
OSC can draw on the expertise and resources of
the RRT. The OSC may take a number of steps
as warranted by the incident, as can be seen from
Figure 4.
RPMs manage Superfund remedial actions. The
Superfund annual report, Progress Toward
Implementing Superfund: Fiscal Year 1987, provides
a detailed report on Superfund removal and
remedial actions and activities of RPMs. As is the
case for OSCs, the RRTs and the NRT are
available to assist and support RPMs when called
upon, using procedures outlined in the NCP and
Regional Contingency Plans.
Assessment. The OSC evaluates the extent of the
incident, the potential hazards, the types of
resources needed, and the ability of the responsible
party or local officials to handle the incident.
Monitoring. Most incidents are cleaned up by the
party responsible for the incident or by local
firefighters, police, or other public safety officials.
In these cases, the OSC may monitor the response
action, either at the site or from the OSC's office
depending on the seriousness of the incident and
the type of assistance that may be needed. The
OSC may provide technical advice to ensure that
the steps taken are appropriate and effective.
During FY 1988, OSCs monitored over 300
hazardous substance incidents and over 275 oil
spills. For example, the tankship NORD PACIFIC
spilled 645,000 gallons of heavy crude oil into the
Corpus Christi Industrial Channel. The Coast
Guard OSC monitored a responsible party cleanup
that recovered 500,000 gallons of oil and oily
debris. The nearby biologically sensitive Tule Lake
Marsh was unaffected by the spill. The number
and type of incidents reported to the RRTs, by
region, is shown in Figure 5.
Response Action. The OSC decides whether
Federal funds are needed to handle an incident.
Once Federal funds are activated, the OSC is in
charge of the response. Using either the Oil
Pollution Fund or the Superfund, the OSC may
secure contractors and mobilize response
equipment, resources, and personnel to contain,
remove, and dispose of the spilled material.
OSCs activated the Oil Pollution Fund for cleanups
more than 50 times during the FY 1988 and spent
$1.4 million from the Fund to clean up oil spills.
One such cleanup began on January 31,1988, when
a tank barge sank off the Washington coast with
approximately 415,000 gallons of gas oil aboard.
The Coast Guard OSC assumed control of the
salvage by obtaining a suitable derrick barge and
hiring a salvor. The OSC immediately called the
Coast Guard Strike Force team and sought RRT
assistance to obtain help from the Navy. The
NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator tracked
weather conditions and predictions for safe diving
times. State and local agencies supplied beach
monitoring personnel. By March 1, the barge was
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Special Heljf for OSOs
If an OSC needs a particular land of technical, help during a response action, a number of
special groups are available.
The Coast Guard*s National Strike I'orce consists of two Strike Teams that are trained
and equipped to assist in, responding to major spills'and releases. The teams' specialty
is the marine environment. The teams are based on the Pacific and the Gulf coasts,
EPA*s KnYironmental Response Team is a. group; of highly trained scientists and engineers.
The team provides multi-media sampling and analysis, hazard evaluation,, environmental
assessment* and cleanup technique information,
X; , " "?' \ , .;£ t ?\ ^»4«.*\ . '..!. ." . i j ,
m The Coast Guard's Public Information Assist Team is a Ijnit of public affairs specialists.
The team concentrates on: maintaining a flow of timely'information from the OSC to the
public. ^- '
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Scientific $upjport
Coordjaators serve as ment&ers of the coastal xona OSC's staff as technical and scientific
advisors. They also serve as the principal contact point for member? of-the scientific
community. EPA supplies Scientific Support Coot&natojts for the inland regions.
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refloated and pumped dry, having lost only 67,000
gallons to the environment.
OSCs activated the Superfund to begin more than
200 hazardous substance cleanups during FY 1988;
over 200 Superfund-financed actions were
completed during the same time. (Because
hazardous substance cleanups may take months to
complete, the start-ups and completions do not
necessarily cover the same projects.) During FY
1988, $94.7 million was spent from the Superfund
on emergency response actions.
One of the larger response actions begun during
FY 1988 was at the abandoned Fike chemical
manufacturing site in downtown Nitro, West
Virginia. The EPA OSC found piles of
deteriorating drums, cylinders containing unknown
chemicals, and surface impoundments. Because
of the number of flammables and the unknown
cylinders, the OSC activated the Superfund for an
emergency response action. Besides removing the
drums for safe disposal offsite, the OSC worked
with the State and local officials to evacuate the
town while the cylinders were exploded. The
cylinders were found to contain hydrogen cyanide.
Reporting. The OSC files pollution reports during
incidents. At the end of a major response action,
the OSC files a report to summarize the actions
taken or assistance provided. These reports are
used by individual agencies' management, and by
the RRTs and the NRT to identify problem areas
and lessons learned that can be shared with others
to make the system work better.
If the OSC requires support from other. Federal
agencies with response resources or expertise, the
OSC may request an incident-specific RRT
activation, as described in the next chapter.
INCIDENTS BY REGION FOR FY 1988*
III IV V VI VII VIII IX X ALASKA OCEANIA CARIBBEAN
REGIONS
OIL
CHEMICAL
Figure 5
* The numbers on this chart are based on incidents reported or referred to the Regional Response Teams (RRTs).
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Figure 6
REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAMS (RRTs)
(Regions Identified by Roman Numerals)
VERMONT
New York
PENNSYLVANIA/
OH1° I I Philadelphia*} 'NEWJERSEY
MARYLAND
DELAWARE
SOUTH DAKOTA
Kansas City\
KANSAS
NORTH
CAROLINA
SOUTH
CAROLINA
VIRGIN ISLANDS
COMMONWELATH OF
PUERTO RICO
GUAM
CNMI
AMERICAN
SAMOA
Oceania
(Pacific Basin)
CNMI: Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
I ASS.
Caribbean
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4. REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAMS
To meet the demands of an incident, the OSC can
call on the Regional Response Team for advice
and assistance. There are 13 standing Regional
Response Teams (RRTs), one for each of the ten
Federal regions plus one each for the Caribbean,
Oceania (Pacific Basin), and Alaska (see Figure 6).
The RRT members include representatives of the
NRT member agencies that have regional field
offices. NRT member agencies that do not have
field offices (for example, the Departments of
Justice and State) may designate representatives to
attend RRT meetings. The RRTs also include
representatives of each State within the region.
Response. The RRT provides a scheduled forum
within which Federal agency field offices and
States exchange information on their capabilities
for response in support of OSCs. During an
incident, an RRT may be activated on-scene, or
through conference calls as an incident-specific
RRT. The incident-specific RRT consists of
selected agency representatives who have the
technical expertise or contacts needed by the OSC
for the particular incident. Depending on OSC
needs, the incident-specific RRT members may
provide technical advice or actual resources needed
on-scene such as equipment or manpower.
During FY 1988, RRTs were activated for 40
incidents. These ranged from the Ashland spill
described on page 12 to telephone notifications
alerting RRT members that their assistance might
be needed. Besides the Ashland spill, other major
incidents were a 212,000 gallon oil spill in the
Chesapeake Bay, a 990,000 gallon spill of carbon
black feed stock oil into the Mississippi River, a
pesticide fire in North Dakota, a 365,400 gallon oil
spill in San Francisco Bay, and a 600,000 gallon oil
spill in the Gulf of Alaska.
Planning. Each RRT has developed a Regional
Contingency Plan to ensure that in an actual
incident, the response roles and responsibilities of
the agencies and States are clear. The plan
describes how all levels of government will be able
to respond and interact effectively if called upon in
an emergency. The RRT reviews the reports of
the OSCs to identify problems in the response
capabilities of the region, to revise the plan as
needed, and to work with States. The RRTs also
work with the OSCs on OSC Contingency Plans
for specific areas in the region.
Training and Exercises. Individual RRT member
agencies provide response and contingency
planning courses through the States. The RRT
conducts simulation exercises of the Regional and
OSC Contingency Plans to test Federal response
capabilities and coordinate with State and local
planning and response. Any major problems
identified in an exercise are factored into the
planning process so the same problems will not
arise during a response to an actual incident.
RRTs conducted six major exercises as well as two
international exercises during FY 1988. See page
13 for a description of one exercise. The two
international exercises were held with Canadian
participation; in addition, a team from the USSR
observed a specially designed exercise in Alaska
leading to the development of a US/USSR Joint
Contingency Plan. In addition to these RRT
exercises, RRT members assisted and participated
in exercises conducted by States and observed
some exercises carried out by other groups.
Coordination. Through its activities the RRT
identifies what resources are available from each
Federal agency and State in the region and notes
the shortcomings or duplications in resources and
equipment, guidance, training, and technical
expertise needed for an oil or hazardous substance
incident. The RRTs can discover and solve these
kinds of problems because they bring together
knowledgeable officials from the key Federal
agencies and States within their regions. They also
prepare for the possibility of interaction with
adjacent regions for example, when a spill or
release occurs in a river between two regions.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (Title III of the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA)), RRTs may review local plans at the
request of the Local Emergency Planning
Committee (LEPC). NRT guidance to RRTs
suggests accepting such plans only after the State
Emergency Response Commission (SERC) has
completed its review. Selected plans would be
forwarded through State RRT representatives.
One of the primary purposes of RRT review is to
offer follow-up technical assistance to SERCs and
LEPCs that might enhance planning.
Appendix A provides summaries of each RRT's
activities for FY 1988.
11
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Major
At 5:10 p.m. on January 2> 1988 «« a bitter cold holiday weekend « a foxir^mflhW gallon, tank
collapsed and a wave of oil washed over the containment dike at an Ashland Oil terminal near
Pittsburgh. About one mMon gallons of oil escaped into the Monongahela Rivet through stom
sewers a major oil spill. Ashland employees, promptly notified the National Response Center and
the Coast Guard; they in turn notified EPA, which provided the designated en-Scene Coordinator.
Local authorities were the first responders on the scene. They, and Ashland's cleanup contractor,
worked to prevent the oil from reaching the river. However,, MM response actions were hampered
by several factors. Because the initial evaluation took place in the dark, the early reports greatly
underestimated the spill's magnitude. All electrical and telephone lines were disconnected at the
terminal after a report of a gasoline leaK and about 250 people were evacuated because of the fear
of explosion or fire. The resulting confusion; made site access difficult and impeded the first
responders1 efforts. . - -
The Coast Guard, the first Federal agency' on the scene, controlled river traffic and mobilized a
National Strike Force team. The EPA On-Scene Coordinator, arrived at Jurst light the next morning,
along with the EPA Technical Assistance Team. Ashland agreed to assume full responsibility for the
costs of the cleanup and accepted EPA's direction of the response action. The incident-specific
RRT was activated on January 4. The RRT included seven Federal agencies, two State agencies each
from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio> and one Kentucky agency. The-RRT members acted
as conduits for information to and Irom their agencies.
Three types of monitoring took place: monitoring of the rivers to define spill mass and track spill
movement, monitoring of intakes to protect water supplies* and monitoring of the effects on fish and
wildlife. Several Federal and State RRT'member agencies tracked the spill and took samples until
mid-February when the spill had dispersed to the point where sample results were incondusim The
sampling extended down the Ohio River to Illinois (see map below). Provision of information by
the emergency response agencies enabled downstreajw water suppliers to implement treatment
procedures and increase storage volume before the spill affected their intakes.
Cairo
12
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, , OSC/RRT Exercise
- One way in wMch RRTs test the contingency plan, and identify problem areas is to conduct
exercises that simulate an accident and the response. For example, on July 13, 19S8, over 500
members of Regions II and III response communities *« <&& departments, state environmental
agencies, public safety officers, the media, and the interested public groups gathered for an.
QSC/RRT simulafioa, 7
^ According to the 'scenario, for the simttfation/two vessels had collide^ fa the Delaware Rivet,
spilling oil, and were interlocked. They were drifting into another tanker. The audience watched the
OSC »^the Coast GuardlSkriae Safety Officer in Philadelphia. ~ and the RRT> who were in separate
rooms, "on two screens. QSC requests for assistance came to the' control room, where the sttmilatba
was bemg. managed. Control room, staff might respond to a re^xfest or, Jtthe Federal agency had
a representative present, that person was paged and asked to come to the .control room and respond
as if it were an actual emergency* The OSC and RRT coMtilted, directly as well, Midway through
jhe exercise, the OSC presented himself to the audience for a mock press conference. ,
The day after, the OSC snd key RRT representatives held a" debriefing for the audiencef to
summartee lesspfisjearned and discuss major issues that surfaced during the ewejse, The debriefing '
a)so gave the audience a chance to comment on the response aspects of the simulation1 "and to
suggest improvements. - "
13
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5. NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM
The NRT coordinates the activities of its 14
member agencies from the national down to the
regional level to ensure a unified Federal approach
on policy questions about national oil and
hazardous substance response and preparedness.
The major areas of NRT activities are response,
the NCP, preparedness, training, international
coordination, support of the RRTs, and
management of the National Response System.
The work of the NRT extends over longer periods
of time than does the work of the more response-
oriented NRC, OSCs, and RRTs because the NRT
is primarily a planning and coordinating body. A
major influence on the NRT's FY 1988 activities
were the requirements included in the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
(SARA).
Response. The National Response Team does not
respond directly to incidents, but stands ready to
provide assistance if requested during an incident.
In FY 1988, no incident required NRT assistance.
The NRT, however, reviewed the OSC reports on
major incidents such as Ashland to determine
whether the lessons learned from the incidents
indicated the need for changes in local or regional
plans or in the NCP.
The National Contingency Plan. As discussed on
page 4, the NCP was established to create the
framework by which Federal agency programs and
policies related to response and preparedness are
coordinated. The NRT reviews the NCP and,
based on its experience, recommends changes to
improve the National Response System.
In line with its responsibility to suggest
improvements in the NCP and in compliance with
SARA, in FY 1988 the NRT helped EPA draft a
revised Subpart B, which defines the organizational
structure and responsibilities of the NRT, RRTs,
OSCs, and NRC. The NRT also provided
comments and review for EPA's revisions to the
other parts of the NCP.
Preparedness. Before 1984, the National
Response System's emphasis was on response and
preparedness for oil spill incidents and similar
releases of hazardous substances. The chemical
release in Bhopal, India, which killed over 2,000
people in December 1984, and a subsequent
release in Institute, West Virginia, heightened the
nation's awareness of the need for emergency
planning for major accidental releases from fixed
facilities as well as transportation modes.
Responding to this need, the NRT undertook a
Preparedness Initiative in 1985 to enhance State
and local preparedness, working through the
RRTs. The NRT Preparedness Committee was
established to provide coordinated staff support.
Before 1986 a number of Federal agency guidance
documents on emergency planning had been
produced. In April 1986, an NRT work group
composed of representatives from EPA, FEMA,
the Coast Guard, the Department of
Transportation, OSHA (from the Department of
Labor), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (Department of Health and
Human Services) began to work on unified Federal
planning guidance. The result became the
Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide, a
first draft of which was published and circulated
in August 1986.
On October 17, 1986, SARA was signed into law.
SARA Title III, the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act, contained a
requirement for the NRT to publish planning
guidance for local emergency planning committees.
The NRT then revised the draft of the Planning
Guide to include a summary of Title III, as well
as specific guidance indicating how local
emergency planning committees could fulfill the
Title III provisions.
The NRT approved the Planning Guide and
published it as "NRT-1," the first official
publication of the National Response Team.
NRT-1, often referred to as the "orange book" by
planners because of the color of its cover, was
published in March 1987. About 100,000 copies of
NRT-1 have been distributed.
An NRT working group is reviewing various
agencies' technical guidance on hazards analysis for
the possible development of a coordinated
document. During 1988, the NRT considered
issuing a supplement to NRT-1 to provide
additional guidance for State and local emergency
planners as they move beyond the initial planning
stage. The NRT decided it was premature to
issue a supplement until they have more
information on the first round of Title HI plans.
14
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Training. As incidents involving hazardous
materials have attracted more public attention
during the past two decades, officials throughout
the country have become increasingly concerned
about the quality and the availability of special
training required so that emergency planning and
response personnel (such as members of the fire
service and police departments, as well as medical
workers) can safely and effectively prepare for and
respond to hazardous materials incidents.
The NRT Training Committee reviewed relevant
training agendas of member agencies and
identified the significant issues related to
hazardous materials training. In particular, the
NRT noted the apparent lack of coordination
among Federal training agencies as well as among
the Federal, State, and local levels and the private
sector. They found that relatively little information
existed about what training courses are still needed
and how many responders need to be trained.
The Training Committee developed a "training
strategy" accepted by the NRT in January 1987.
This strategy recognized that emergency
preparedness and response training must be
managed at the State and local levels. Federal
involvement in training should be limited primarily
to developing and making available to States and
localities selected courses and programs,
coordinating Federal agency training efforts, and
facilitating the flow of information about training
needs and available learning materials and courses.
The strategy called for the NRT to lead in
coordinating the various Federal hazardous
materials emergency preparedness and response
training offerings. The NRT Training Committee
is a focal point for regular sharing of training
information and expertise.
Examples of Federal agency FY 1988 activities that
are consistent with the NRT training strategy
include:
FEMA publishes and updates the Digest
of Federal Training in Hazardous
Materials.
FEMA, EPA, and DOT work together to
deliver a "train-the-trainer" course on
contingency planning at the Emergency
Management Institute in Emmitsburg,
Maryland; the course can then be
delivered by State trainers in the field.
ATSDR, FEMA, and EPA sponsored a
video conference on emergency medical
activities during a hazardous materials
response.
EPA has prepared a detailed analysis of
tasks performed by hazardous materials
response team members and identified
which Federal training courses are related
to each task.
The National Strike Team helps train
hundreds of first responders as well as
Federal OSCs in annual training
performed at Coast Guard Marine Safety
Offices and at local county offices.
International. The NRT plays a role in the
development of joint contingency plans with
neighboring countries and the adjacent RRTs.
Joint plans exist with Mexico and Canada for
marine incidents (see box on page 16). In 1988,
an Inland Joint Contingency Plan between the U.S.
and Mexico was negotiated by EPA with its
Mexican counterparts. The plan establishes
procedures and policies for responding to incidents
along the inland border regions. A similar inland
agreement with Canada is being negotiated.
The Coast Guard is working with USSR
counterparts to negotiate a US/USSR Joint
Contingency Plan for the Bering and Chukchi
Seas. This initiative was started in 1985 to ensure
an oil spill contingency plan is in place before oil
exploration begins in the Alaska area. In 1988, a
Russian delegation actively participated in an RRT
exercise held in Anchorage, Alaska, as part of the
effort to develop the US/USSR Joint Contingency
Plan.
Through the NRT forum, interested agencies are
apprised of and given the opportunity to
participate in joint international endeavors. For
example, EPA, NOAA, and the Coast Guard
participate in chemical emergency preparedness
and prevention projects underway in the United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD).
Support of RRT Activities. The NRT monitors
and assesses the effectiveness of RRT operations.
The NRT may recommend specific activities to all
RRTs and individual RRTs as needed. For
example, the NRT may ask an RRT to focus on
significant lessons learned from a specific incident
15
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Joint Response teams
The National Response System and the National Contingency Han have provided models for the
development of joint contingency plans with Canada, Mexico., and the USSR.,, In fact, the National
Response Center and Regional Response Teams jday a key part in these international plans.
Response activities to a specific incident are under the direction of Qn-Scene Coordinators, The
following two examples illustrate the interplay between the National Response System and two
international contingency plans,
Canada and the United States signed a joint marine poflutioa contingency plan in September
1983. The plan includes five annexes, one each for distinct segments of the tXS. - Canadian
border. For each annex there is a Joint Response Team. U,$, members of the Joint Response
Team include predesignated members of the appropriate Regional Response Team, The IIS*
co-chairman of the Joint Response Team is the Coast Guard representative,. The U.$. and
Canada are also developing an inland plan.
The U.S. and Mexico signed a joint inland contingency plan for accidental releases of hazardous
substances in January 1988. (The two countries have long had a Joint marine plan.) The NRT
had reviewed the draft plan. This plan provides for notification of the National Response
Center when a spill or release occurs within 100 ^kilometers of the XJ*& - Mexican border. EPA
and the Secretaria de Desarrollo Urbano y Bcologia {SEDXJE) are responsible for implementing
the plan and coordinating the activities of various agencies, EPA and SEDXJJE are the members
and co-chairs of a Joint Response Team* The co-chairs cart invite repfesentatives from Other
organizations with the appropriate resources, capabilities, and expertise for joint response efforts
to join the team. On the American side, those invited representatives would include the
appropriate Regional Response Team members. - -, ,
so that information can be conveyed throughout
the National Response System. The NRT also
attempts to solve problems referred to it by the
RRTs.
Providing support for RRTs is a critical NRT
function. Reviewing RRT programs can contribute
to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the
National Response System. The NRT may also
review the RRTs' Regional Contingency Plans to
ensure that they are consistent with national policy.
The NRT provides guidance on planning and
supports the RRTs' review of selected local plans
by providing guidance on the criteria that should
be applied. To help the RRTs review selected
Title III plans, the NRT issued Criteria for Review
of Hazardous Materials Emergency Plans (NRT-1A)
hi May 1988.
The NRT meets once a year with all RRT co-
chairs to discuss problems and future directions.
These meetings provide a forum for sharing ideas
and concerns and for reaching a national
consensus. During 1988, NRT members made an
effort to attend meetings of the RRTs and
continued to observe selected RRT exercises and
briefings on specific incidents. The NRT has also
worked through the interagency budget process to
increase staffing to support RRT activities.
Computer Applications. During FY 1988, the
NRT appointed a new Computer Applications
Committee to develop a directory of Federal
information resources for emergency planning and
response. The directory will address both
automated and manual sources of information.
The initial edition is expected to be available in
early 1989.
NRT member agencies have already been active in
the computer area. FEMA and DOT developed
and support the Hazardous Material Information
16
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Exchange (HMIX) to provide Federal, State, local,
and private sector organizations with a means to
share information about the prevention of,
preparation for, and mitigation of, hazardous
materials emergencies. NOAA, with EPA support,
developed a self-contained computer program with
a searchable chemical data base, an air plume
model, and mapping capabilities to assist first
responders. Known as CAMEO (Computer-Aided
Management of Emergency Operations), the
program has been expanded to enable local
planners to manage Title III data. CAMEO
software has been distributed to more than 2,600
public and private users.
Management of the National Response System.
NRT committees are formed to collect information
and draft documentation to focus NRT members'
attention on agreed-upon issues. Each committee
operates on a limited charter of a year's duration,
renewed as needed by vote of the members. In
1988, there were four committees in operation:
the Preparedness Committee, the Training
Committee, the Computer Applications Committee,
and the Management Committee. The
Management Committee developed the annual
work plan and standard operating procedures,
reviewed potential agenda items, and discussed
issues needing staff or other focus to ensure
effective presentation for NRT consideration.
EPA uses the NRT as the mechanism to
coordinate budget requests from NRT member
agencies that receive Superfund monies through
support and site-specific interagency agreements.
EPA develops a consolidated Superfund
Interagency budget. At a special NRT meeting,
each agency presents an outline of its proposed
activities in support of Federal response,
preparedness, and associated efforts. The proposed
activities are generally linked to the NRT/RRT
annual work plans. The NRT reviews the process
annually to make recommendations for
improvements for the following year.
NRT
Highlights of 1988 Activities
Helped review and revise the NCP as
required by SARA.
Began a review of agencies' technical
guidance on hazards analysis to develop a RRTs
coordinated Federal guidance document.
Coordinated Federal emergency
preparedness and response training
activities.
Reviewed Mexican and Canadian Joint
Contingency Plans developed through
negotiations between EPA and Mexico and
the Coast Guard and Canada. Reviewed
the development of a US/USSR Joint OSCs
Contingency Plan.
Developed Criteria for Review of Hazardous
Materials Emergency Plans (NRT-1A) to
help the RRTs review selected local
emergency response plans required by
SARA Title III. NRC
Met with the RRT co-chairs and continued
to work to increase staffing support for
RRTs.
Appointed a Computer Applications
Committee, which has drafted a directory
of Federal information resources for
emergency planning and response.
Activated 40 times to provide support to
the OSCs during incidents.
Conducted six exercises plus two
international exercises with Canada.
Participated and observed a number of
State and private exercises.
Actively monitored over 600 incidents;
Managed more than 275 Federal response
actions.
Received and processed more than 16,000
reports ,of incidents.
17
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Development of the
External
Event
Canyon
oil
spifl
Argo
Merchant
Ol!
Spill
Santa
Barbara
Channel
i, Oil
Spill
Ixtoc
Oil
Spill
Executive
Action
President
Initiates NCP
Dtvtlopment
Initial
NCP
Released
byDOl
With
DOTDOD
HEW CEP
Revised
NCR
Establishes
EPA
asNRT
Chair
NCP
Reorganizes
NRS Into
NRT, NRC,
and RRTs
President
Delegates
NCP
to
EPA
Legislative
Action
FWPCA
Amendments
FWPCA
Amendments
Clean
Water
Act
Superfund
(CERCLA)
NRT/RRT
Action
Specific Response and Clean-up Activities
1967'
1968
1970
1971
V-
1972 ' 1976
1977
1980 1981
-------
National Response System
Bhopal,
India
Methyl
Isocyanate
Release
Institute,
West
Virginia
Aldlcarb
Oxlme
Release
Kerr
McGee
Hydrogen
Fluoride
Release
SARA
Title 111
Local
Emergency
Plans
Required to
be
Completed
Superfund
Amendments
and
Reauthor-
izatlon Act
(Title III)
Management
Committee
Formed
NRT
Initiates
Prepared-
ness
Survey
NRT/RRT
Report
on
Emergency
Prepared-
ness
Activities
NRT/RRT
Prepared-
ness
Initiative
Prepared-
ness
Committee
Formed
Training
Committee
Formed
NRT Issues
Standard
Operating
Procedures
NRT
Issues
Title III
Planning
Guide
(NRT-1)
Computer
Applications
Committee
Formed
NRT
Issues
Plan
Review
Criteria
(NRT-1 A)
RRTs
Review
Selected
Title III
Local
Emergency
Plans
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
-------
6. FUTURE DIRECTIONS
NRT Objectives
1. To strengthen coordination among member Federal agencies at national and regional
levels; and
2. To enhance coordination of National Response System activities ~ including the
broader community of government and private organizations responsible for responding
to oil and hazardous substance incidents - to increase capabilities for response,
preparedness, and prevention.
Future activities of the National Response Team to
reach these objectives will build upon the past.
The basic purposes of the National Response
System remain the same year-to-year protecting
public health and safety and the environment in
the event of spills or releases.
The chart on pages 18-19 highlights some key
moments in the history of the National Response
System. (A more detailed history is found in
Appendix D.) Sensitized by major oil spills --
Torrey Canyon, Argo Merchant, and Santa
Barbara Channel in the early years of the NCP
the Federal government sought to establish
authorities and responsibilities for Federal
response activities. After the release of methyl
isocyanate in Bhopal, India, and a subsequent
release in Institute, West Virginia, NRT
coordination and cooperation among member
agencies at the national level took on new
significance. Analyzing events since then, NRT
members note that teamwork has increased
measurably as the NRT coordinates more and
more Federal activities across a broad range of oil
and hazardous substance issues.
The events that led the NRT to focus on
preparedness also led the Congress to enact SARA
in October 1986. SARA Title HI embedded the
existing National Response System in a nationwide
network of planning and preparedness activities
that tied in State and local governments and, a
crucial link, the private sector.
The following sections briefly outline future
activities that the National Response Team and
Regional Response Teams will undertake to
achieve the two strategic objectives listed above.
Coordination among Federal Agencies in the
National Response System
The NRT will continue to capitalize on the close
cooperative relationships among its member
agencies at the national level. The NRT will test
the readiness of all components of the National
Response System to respond during actual
incidents, and will continue to enhance coordinated
planning and preparedness activities at all levels of
government and in the private sector.
The NRT's special emphasis on the support of the
Regional Response Teams will continue,
reinforcing ongoing RRT efforts to reach out to
a broad-based constituency of State, local, and
private industry officials. The NRT will:
it Work with member agency officials at
headquarters to ensure that RRT
members have the same key information
and management support for RRT
operation as do NRT member agencies;
ii Share information with RRTs on how to
use agency staff on RRT projects, on
technologies for communications during
incidents, and on computer applications;
ii Work to involve RRT representatives
regularly in NRT meetings and continue
the regular NRT/RRT co-chairs meetings
with improved study and preparation on
issues well in advance of meetings;
20
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Have NRT members and staff contribute
to selected RRT meetings, reaching all 13
RRTs on a periodic basis; and
Develop procedures for identifying RRT
successes and issues of general interest for
sharing with other RRTs and discussion
by the NRT.
RRT member agencies will improve the capability
to communicate on a day-to-day basis as well as
during an incident. A number of RRTs are
planning to make better use of regional electronic
mail systems. At least one RRT will host a
meeting of all agencies' On-Scene Coordinators
within the region to explore ways in which the
RRT can improve the quality and timeliness of
help provided the OSCs. The RRTs will continue
to work for increased active State participation on
the RRTs.
The NRT will monitor Federal training programs
and courses through the Training Committee to
eliminate duplications and to ensure the availability
of Federal oil and hazardous substances training.
Emphasis will be on new and effective ways to
deliver training at the State and local level.
The NRT will continue to cooperate with EPA in
developing a new subpart for the National
Contingency Plan that considers response and
remedial actions at Federal facilities. The NRT
will also review public comments on the proposed
revisions to the NCP and make recommendations
to EPA for the final rule.
RRTs will update their notification lists and
procedures in their Regional Contingency Plans
and begin revising the Regional Contingency Plans
to conform to the revised NCP.
Coordination of All Levels of Government and the
Private Sector
The NRT will continue to focus resources on
improving the National Response System by
transferring to State and local governments and
the private sector timely information on new
authorities, new and amended guidance,
technologies, and training opportunities. Both
NRT and RRTs will seek regular feedback on the
effectiveness of Federal support.
Title III provided that the RRTs could review
selected local emergency plans at the request of
local planning committees. Local Title III plans
were due in October 1988. RRTs will be
reviewing only a limited number of these plans,
perhaps one or two per State. To ensure the
effectiveness of this plan review proces, some
RRTs will attend meetings of the State Emergency
Response Commissions in their region.
The NRT is uniquely able to highlight parallels
and differences in management principles and in
technologies applied during a response. The NRT
will support the 1989 biannual Oil Spill Conference
and the development of the 1990 biannual
Hazardous Materials Spills Conference with
substantive input on appropriate national policies,
new rules, and other issues. Federal agency
sponsorship is shared with private sector groups
such as the American Petroleum Institute and the
American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In
planning support of the 1991 biannual Oil Spill
Conference the NRT will explore means of
enhancing its traditional role, informing the
response community about national authorities and
requirements as well as resources available through
the National Response System.
The NRT plans to sponsor a National Hazardous
Materials Training Conference in 1989 to bring
State and Federal hazardous materials training
officials together to exchange ideas, views, and
concepts concerning hazardous materials training
issues; to showcase innovative training efforts; and
to share lessons learned from successful initiatives.
NRT member agencies will concentrate on
systematic ways of selecting, collecting, and
distributing more widely the relevant experience
and expertise of individuals, agencies, and
organizations. The NRT will expedite use of the
observations of individual OSCs and RRTs to
identify lessons learned in response and
preparedness that can be targeted to others facing
similar situations.
The NRT and RRTs will work with the State
Emergency Response Commissions to evaluate the
experience of Local Emergency Planning
Committees. In addition, the NRT will consider
new guidance on hazards analysis to complement
the general planning guidance in NRT-1. Future
efforts to develop guidance will expand the
consensus-building process involved in drafting
NRT-1 to give more field practitioners, particularly
those at State and local levels, better opportunities
to participate.
21
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APPENDIX A
SUMMARY OF REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAM (RRT) ACTIVITIES
The following are summaries of RRT activities as submitted by the RRT co-chairs. The content of each
summary depicts the activity within the particular RRT and the distinctive style of each report reflects the
unique and individual character of the respective RRTs.
REGION I
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents: During a major chlorine release
and fire on June 17, 1988, in Springfield, MA, the
OSC requested the RRT to assist in obtaining
CAMEO. CAMEO's Air Model was used to
determine the downwind impact area.
Simulations/Exercises:
OSC/RRT Exercise, Lowell, MA on 2-3
December 1987 conducted by USCG RTC
Yorktown Marine Safety School staff -
attended by over 300 local, State, and Federal
officials. The exercise simulated the collision
of an oil tanker and a container vessel.
An OSC/JRT exercise, CANUSLANT '88,
was conducted in St. John, New Brunswick,
Canada the last week of September 1988.
The simulation exercised the Canada-U.S. Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan
designed to help mitigate oil and hazardous materials incidents occurring on the border.
Such international exercises are held every two years and are hosted alternately by the US
and Canadian Coast Guards. CA;NUSLANT '88 included dispersant and boom
deployment drills requiring coordinated effort of two Canadian Coast Guard vessels and
one US Coast Guard vessel and one US Navy oil skimmer.
RRT Meetings
Lowell, MA on 3 December 1987 following OSC/RRT Exercise.
Portland, ME on 11 May 1988 to discuss CANUSLANT '88 attendance - 29.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan:
Membership list updated. Review and update, if necessary, planned in FY 1989.
23
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Atlantic Operational Appendix to Canada-U.S. Joint Marine Contingency Plan being
revised prior to CANUSLANT '88.
RRT Organization: Organizational review.
RRT Committees/Work Groups: Steering Committee and Secretariat. Discussion of Work
Group reorganization and responsibilities is a possible agenda item for the next RRT meeting.
Technical Assistance: No requests have been received from States for local plan review under
SARA Title ffl. Individual agencies have provided technical assistance such as CAMEO.
REGION II
(New Jersey, New York)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Simulations/Exercises: OSC/Joint Region H/IH
RRT Exercise, Philadelphia, PA on 13-14 July 1988
conducted by USCG RTC Yorktown Marine Safety
School staff.
RRT Meetings
New York, NY on 28 October 1987;
attendance - 29.
New York, NY on 24 February 1988;
attendance - 31.
Philadelphia, PA on 14 July 1988; a joint
meeting with Region in RRT following the
OSC/RRT Exercise.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: Membership list updated quarterly.
RRT Committees/Work Groups: A Dispersant Work Group and a Disposal Work Group were
formed.
Technical Assistance
No requests have been received from States for local plan review under SARA Title III.
Individual agencies have provided technical assistance such as CAMEO.
Quarterly RRT Newsletter initiated.
24
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FUTURE PLANS
RRT meeting to discuss FY 1989 Workplan.
REGION III
(Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents
Most noteworthy during this period
was the Ashland Oil Company spill
on the Monongahela River near
Pittsburgh, PA. Approximately 3.7
million gallons of Number 2 Diesel
Oil spilled when a tank ruptured on 2
January. An estimated one million
gallons escaped the containment dike
around the tank and flowed into the
Monongahela River. Ashland Oil
Company immediately took financial
responsibility throughout this spill;
some RRT members participating at
the spill site. An incident specific
RRT was activated to assist the OSC
throughout the response.
Artel/Fike chemical site in West
Virginia, a small abandoned batch chemical plant requiring extensive cleanup by EPA
Removal Program. Shock-sensitive, highly toxic chemicals are on site. An initial
activation of the RRT was conducted to place RRT members on notice of possible future
issues requiring RRT assistance.
Information Activation of Incident-Specific RRT for a potential major spill of Nr. 6 heavy
fuel oil (235,000 gallons) due to the grounding of the M/V Meisteringer (PN) in the
vicinity of Cape Henry Light, VA., on 18 December 1987.
Information Activation of Incident-Specific RRT for a valve leak of 35,000 gallons from a
Nr. 2 Fuel Oil tank (6,000,000 gallon), Diamond Fuel Co., Christiana River, Wilmington,
DE., on 30 July 1988. An estimated 250 gallons from the land spill actually spilled into
the water.
Activation of Incident-Specific RRT for a major spill of 212,000 gallon mixture of fuel oil
and gasoline spilled from Tank Barge 565 (US) in Chesapeake Bay, on 24 August 1988.
Activation of Incident-Specific RRT for potential major spill of light Nigerian crude oil
(35,243,670 gallons) from the Tank Vessel Jahre Spray (LI), Big Stone Anchorage,
Delaware Bay, on 7 October 1988 (included members of both Federal Regions II and
III).
25
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Activation of Incident-Specific RRT for potential major spill of asphalt (924,000 gallons)
and diesel fuel (15,000 gallons) due to fire on Tank Barge Smith Point, five miles due
east of Atlantic City, New Jersey on 7 October 1988 (included members of both Federal
Regions II and III).
Information Activation of Incident-Specific RRT for potential major spill of Arabian crude
oil (21,367,374 gallons) from the Motor Tanker Sea King (LI) aground seven nautical
miles east-southeast from Cape Henry, VA. on 25 October 1988.
Simulations/Exercises: On 13-14 July 1988, an On-Scene Coordinator/Regional Response Team
Simulation Drill was conducted in Philadelphia, PA. Approximately 450-500 people attended this
combined Region n and ffl activity. This exercise included a real time notification drill
conducted in advance. All member States participated except New York, Maryland, and West
Virginia who cited out-of-State travel bans or personnel shortages for their non-participation.
Government and industry participants came from as far away as Seattle, Washington, and
Pascagoula, Mississippi, respectively. Team members participated in a variety of other exercises,
such as the HazMat Casualty drill conducted in the Port of Baltimore in November, 1987.
RRT Meetings: Three meetings were held this year. The first was held in Williamsburg, VA
(which included a tour and demonstration of the Navy's SUPSALV (Supervisor of Salvage)
Pollution and Salvage Equipment at Cheatham Annex, Yorktown, VA), the next in Baltimore,
MD, and a combined meeting with Region II in Philadelphia, PA (in conjunction with the
OSC/RRT Simulation Drill). Each meeting normally lasts approximately 10-12 hours over a two-
day period with workgroups and special projects teams meeting before or after.
RRT Evaluation: A post-incident evaluation of the Ashland Oil Spill response was prepared by
the Ashland Incident Specific RRT.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: Revised July, 1988, culminating over six months of work, which
included the movement of all data into a new computer program and revisions to deal with
numerous changes in the law.
RRT Organization: A very strong almost family-like group. Has been very active in major issue
areas: dispersant use and communications. RRT specific organization worked well during
Ashland Spill. Phone-conferences, NOAA Electronic Mail, and sub-area workgroups provided
information during incident on the following issues: (1) water supplies, (2) river cleanup, (3) river
monitoring and (4) site cleanup. No significant change. Still no designated DOD representative.
First Army and Corps of Engineers have taken active roles.
RRT Committees/Work Groups
Four committees are in operation. Dispersants WG has done a literature review
complete with National Academy of Sciences Study to formulate regional position,
addressing States' concerns, gathered scientific data, and researched technical and policy
problems (extremely active and enthusiastic workgroup). Two year development plan
addresses all sides of issue. Communications WG is working on E-Mail implementation,
a command and control frequency for OSCs, a Joint Information Center policy, a
member communication survey, a notification requirements survey for members and
related agencies, development of an interagency communication link on first responders
level, and standardized reporting protocols for POLREPS. Disposal WG is initiating a
survey of sites that will accept oil and/or hazardous wastes from cleanups and researching
alternative disposal technologies. As disposal areas pose greatest challenge to OSC, the
process is being examined to streamline inter-State agreements. Delaware Bay WG has
obtained agreement from interested parties for experimental use of dispersants under
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certain conditions, has cooperated in revision of local co-op plans, and is monitoring
natural resource studies.
All workgroups meet approximately once between each RRT meeting and once in
conjunction with each RRT meeting, and report progress at each RRT meeting.
Technical Assistance:
The approach of SARA implementation dates has increased requests for assistance.
Innumerable questions have been answered and referrals made. CAMEO demonstrations
have been given to many audiences.
Second District provided Ashland Oil spill brief to NRT 24-26 February.
EPA has offered training to OSC (and States on a limited basis) on: Title III, removal,
and first responder.
Title III emergency response plans for Hopewell, VA. and Bucks County, PA were
reviewed by the RRT.
FUTURE PLANS: Continuation of present activities, instituting an RRT newsletter, training of all RRT
members in use criteria/requirement for CERCLA and 311K funds, notification drills, increasing
participation in and use of NOAA E-Mail system for RRT communications, increased frequency of
information notifications of RRT (to increase preparedness and ensure optimal responses). Continuation
of the refinement of the lessons learned during the Ashland Spill and provision of informational briefings
to all levels of government as required (from State to congressional subcommittee). Work to increase
State RRT activity including meetings and working groups.
REGION IV
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents: Four telephone activations/notifications of the RRT were made during the year.
On 5 October 1987 the M/V BALSA II with 67,200 gallons of fuel oil onboard grounded
in Tampa Bay with no' apparent damage. The vessel was refloated within an hour of
grounding with no pollution..
On 11 October 1987 the dredge tending barge BOOSTER BARGE 25 sank by the bow
in the St. Mary's River with approximately 35,000 gallons of oil onboard. The barge was
refloated with a loss of approximately 1,000 gallons of oil.
On 30 December 1987 the 534 foot M/V HANSEATIC REEFER grounded in Tampa
Bay. The ship was successfully refloated without any apparent loss of oil.
On 4 June 1988 the dredge CREST was sunk in heavy weather in the entrance channel to
St. Mary's River. The dredge was carrying 40,000 gallons of fuel oil when it sank.
Approximately 10,000 gallons escaped before all vents on the dredge could be plugged.
RRT members have been actively engaged in salvage pi arming to minimize any
environmental damage during the raising of the vessel.
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Simulations/Exercises: The RRT participated
in a unique OSC/RRT exercise which
simulated a major incident involving two
OSCs supported by the RRT. In addition to
the training benefit received by the OSCs and
RRT, the exercise held in Jekyll Island, GA
provided valuable insights for the local
response community into the role of the
National Response System.
RRT Meeting: Due to the expanding role of
the RRT, Region IV has increased the
frequency of meetings to three per year.
Meeting locations are selected throughout the
region to facilitate State and local
participation and to familiarize the RRT
membership with areas of concern. RRT
work group meetings are usually held in
conjunction with the RRT meetings to reduce
travel expenses. Participation has been very
good at the last several meetings with over 50 people attending.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: The review and update of the Regional Contingency Plan is a major
work plan objective of the upcoming year. This project has been delayed in anticipation of the
publication of the revised National Contingency Plan. The regional plan update is being
spearheaded by the RRT Preparedness and Training Work Group. This work group is also
steering RRT activities in regard to preparedness planning issues including technical assistance to
State and local planning committees and review of local emergency response plans.
RRT Organization: The RRT organization includes the Standing RRT made up of Federal and
State designated members. The Working Groups are made up of representatives of member
agencies and States with specific interest or responsibilities in the work group areas. Currently
the RRT has four working groups; Preparedness and Training, Communications, Disposal and
Dispersants. Each working group develops a work plan to support the RRT work plan.
FUTURE PLANS
The RRT remains dedicated to the support of On Scene Coordinators and State and local
emergency planners. Major activities planned this year include major OSC/RRT response
simulations in Wilmington, NC and Paducah, KY, and a training conference/workshop on use of
dispersants for oil spills.
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REGION Y
(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents:
Canadian Coast Guard invoked the
Canada - United States Joint Marine
Pollution Contingency Plan on 22
September 1988 for an oil discharge
on the St. Clair River. The Joint
Response Team, which includes the
Region V RRT members, was
notified by message.
Radiological site, Ottowa, IL; physical
assembly of RRT in November 1987
at EPA regional office in Chicago.
Ashland Oil Spill; joint Region III,
IV, and V RRT phone conferences in
January 1988.
Dayton Tire & Rubber PCB incident;
physical assembly of RRT in March at Dayton, OH.
Simulations/Exercises:
RRT/State of Illinois/City of Chicago tabletop exercise on 18 April 1988.
In August 1988, RRT began planning for OSC/RRT exercise scheduled for Milwaukee,
WI hi April 1989.
RRT Meetings: The Region V RRT conducted its first routine meeting in at least two years on
14 April. Attendance was good. Among Federal member agencies, all but DOD, DOJ and DOC
attended. Among the States, only the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was absent. A
subsequent meeting was held hi St. Paul, MN on 8 September. Representatives of all six Region
V States attended. The Team reached consensus on the role of a "standing RRT" in coordinating
training and planning at the regional level. A workplan for FY 89 was adopted.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: As an element of the FY 89 workplan, the RRT will update the
Regional Contingency Plan (RCP) to reflect changes to agency responsibilities and to improve
procedures for notification of incidents and coordination of response operations. If the National
Contingency Plan (NCP) is released in FY 89, the affected the segments of the RCP will be
revised.
RRT Organization: With the exception of rare, incident-specific meetings, the Region V RRT
has been inactive in recent years. However, EPA, FEMA, and OSHA representatives have since
December 1987 worked jointly throughout the region in Title III activities.
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RRT Committees/Work Groups: Recognizing that, as a practical matter, any staff work carried
out by the RRT would be conducted by the persons in CERCLA funded positions, the RRT has
formed a single work group, the Management Work Group, comprised of those individuals. Its
composition is as follows: Coast Guard, EPA, DOI, OSHA, SSC, and FEMA (two
representatives). In addition to the two RRT meetings, the Management Work Group met on
three occasions in FY 88. It should be mentioned that the representative of the State of
Michigan has volunteered to coordinate the RRT review of the proposed revision to the NCP.
Technical Assistance:
At the request of the FEMA Region V office, representatives of the EPA, USCG,
OSHA, and DOI assisted FEMA in the review of State requests for section 305
HAZMAT training funds. The individuals participating were essentially those who later
comprised the Management Workgroup.
The RRT has requested and received section 305 funding for the following initiatives:
Title HI training for Indian tribes
A conference for State HAZMAT training managers
Funding support for local exercises within the region
The FEMA representative on the RRT has arranged a Region V RRT "bulletin board"
on HMIX.
EPA, FEMA, and OSHA RRT members attended SERC meetings for all Region V
States but Illinois and gave presentations on CERCLA (Superfund) and Title III matters.
On 22 and 23 June, representatives of the Region V and Region VII RRTs jointly
conducted an information management conference in Kansas City, MO.
RRT representatives (FEMA, EPA, OSHA., USCG) attended and discussed CERCLA
and Title HI matters at conference of more than 200 Michigan LEPC representatives on
11 and 12 July at Traverse City.
On 26 and 27 July in Duluth, MN, EPA and FEMA RRT representatives provided
CERCLA and Title III training for members of Region V Indian Tribes.
FUTURE PLANS
Conduct routine meetings in the first, second, and fourth quarters; next meeting scheduled
for 12 and 13 January in Cincinnati, OH.
Conduct an OSC/RRT exercise in Milwaukee, WI on 19 and 20 April 1989.
Coordinate development on HMJX of an index of FWPCA/CERCLA/ SARA Title HI
substances.
Consistent with RRT policy, review LEPC plans submitted by SERCs.
Review proposed revision to the NCP and submit comments to the NRT.
Publish a newsletter quarterly.
Review nature and means of RRT support to OSCs during response operations.
Participate La FEMA review of State requests for FY 89 section 305 funding and evaluate
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section 305(a)-funded courses. . . . .
Representatives of the RRT will attend one SERC meeting for each Region V State
annually.... . ,
Provide technical support for local exercise to be conducted at Muskegon, MI in Spring
1989, . . ......
Develop lines of communication with outside entities, e.g., ORSANCO, Upper Mississippi
River Basin Association, etc.
Improve communication with common boundary RRT's (III, IV, and VII).
REGION VI
(Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents:
' ;' YUM II oil well blowout in
Mexican Gulf of Mexico. RRT
involvement was limited to
notification. No impact on U-S.
waters/shores.
Shell Oil Co. refinery at Norco,
LA experienced an explosion in
one of its catalytic cracking units
and a subsequent fire on 5 May
1988 which killed seven Shell '
employees, injured 17 other
employees, and injured at least 30
nearby residents. An estimated
2,500. residents were evacuated
' ''" from the area. Damage to the
refinery was extensive. In the
town of Norco, windows on
houses had been blown out and front doors and garage doors had been ripped off. Plate
glass windows businesses were shattered. Firefighters allowed the fire to burn out. The
fire was under control by mid-afternoon oh the 5th, but small fires burned all night.
Firefighting efforts were hampered by loss of electricity and water at the refinery due to
the effects of the explosion. Shell assisted the community .in making temporary repairs to
structures and in housing displaced people. Prior to the explosion, the refinery produced
about 130,000 barrels of gasoline per day, processing 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
About 26,000 barrels of miscellaneous hydrocarbons were involved in the fire. EPA
Region VI provided the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) with assistance from the
U.S. Coast Guard.
On 13 July 1988, the Singapore flagged tankship NORD PACIFIC suffered an eight foot
gash in its port side while mooring at the Southwestern Oil and Refinery dock in Corpus
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Christi, TX, spilling 645,000 gallons of heavy crude oil into the Corpus Christ! Industrial
Canal. The Coast Guard OSC from Marine Safety Office Corpus Christi monitored a
responsible party cleanup that recovered 500,000 gallons of oil and oiled debris. The spill
was near the biologically sensitive Tule Lake Marsh which was unaffected by the spill.
The Coast Guard OSC requested permission from the RRT to use the oil coagulating
agent Elastol on the spill. EPA, DOI, and the State of Texas all gave then- approval.
Notably, approval for the "dispersant" use as granted in only four hours. The Federal
OSC decided not to use the Elastol since mechanical removal of the oil was progressing
satisfactorily without. The spilled oil collected in an accessible location due to wind
action and removal went smoothly. Subsequent to this action, the manufacturer of Elastol
initiated an inquiry into the decision not to use the product. EPA responded to a
Congressional inquiry by saying that the use of Elastol was not necessary to satisfactory
completion of the cleanup as determined by the OSC.
On 3 September 1988, the M/V ESSO PUERTO RICO, a 628 foot Bahamian flag
tanker, downbound at mile 114 in the Lower Mississippi River holed its number one
starboard cargo tank, spilling 990,000 gallons of carbon black feed stock oil into the river.
The tanker was carrying 7,770,000 gallons of the product. According to initial reports, the
vessel dragged bottom briefly at mile 114, just upstream from the Huey P. Long Bridge,
creating a 14 by 32 inch hole in its cargo tank. The vessel, ignorant of the damage,
continued downriver to mile 75, where the pilot noticed a list on the vessel and anchored.
The Coast Guard OSC surveyed the river from mile 114 to mile 75 using boats and
aircraft, but did not detect the pollutant (carbon black feedstock oil is heavier than fresh
water). Survey activity was hampered by. low visibility due to heavy rainstorms on the 3rd
and 4th. The OSC called in the Atlantic Area Strike Team to assist in the surveys. The
Scientific Support Coordinator advised that the spill presented a low environmental threat
due to the product's low toxicity and non-reactivity and that the oil would probably ball
up and sink to the river bottom where it would slowly move with the current. The
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Interior for
Region 6 were notified. DOI expressed concern for the Delta National Wildlife Refuge,
a major wintering ground for waterfowl, located near the mouth of the Mississippi.
Exxon, owner of the PUERTO RICO, outfitted a vessel and began sampling the river
bottom, starting at mile 114, in an attempt to locate the lost cargo. DOI personnel
assisted in the coordination of the survey activity. The Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality noted that the Mississippi River is from one-half to one mile wide
and from 50 to 130 feet deep along the 40 mile spill site. He said that the spill would
probably have minimal environmental impact. No fish kills or oil accumulations were
observed. No oil was recovered.
On 8 September 1988, the barge CHOTIN 3294, carrying a cargo of styrene grounded on
a sand bar at mile 342 of the Lower Mississippi River. The barge's number 2 cargo tank
breached releasing about 42,000 gallons of product. USCG Marine Safety Office New
Orleans, the On-Scene Coordinator, closed the river to traffic, and called-in the Atlantic
Strike Team who assisted with the transfer of the remaining cargo to another barge.
Most of the spilled product was recovered since it solidified in the river. The river was
reopened to traffic on 10 September after the barge was refloated. Environmental impact
was reported to be minimal.
A reaction of incompatible waste materials in a waste holding tank resulted in a fire at
1400 hours on May 23, 1988. The fire spread throughout the laboratory where other
chemicals were stored, producing several explosions and generating fumes. 600 local
residents were evacuated to a school and approximately 40 people, including 7 firemen,
were treated for eye and skin irritation and respiratory problems. The Harris County
Sheriffs Department and the South Houston Police Department responded to the
incident.
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Contaminated surface water runoff from firefighting activities entered the storm drain
system and flowed into a roadside drainage ditch. The Texas Water Commission
provided oversight of the cleanup conducted by the company. EPA Region 6 provided
technical assistance with an OSC and the Technical Assistance Team (TAT).
A fire and explosion occurred at the Chevron USA refinery in Port Arthur, Texas at 0945
hours on June 8, 1988. The fire, which originated at a pump located in a
blending/storage area, spread to and ignited three 100,000 gallon aromatic distillate
hydrogenation (ADH) storage tanks, which were destroyed. A plume of an undetermined
quantity of ADH was released over the city of Port Arthur. TAT responded to the
incident and conducted on-site and off-site monitoring.
According to the company, notification was made to the Jefferson County LEPC at 1015
hours and the local U.S. Coast Guard office at 1140 hours. The fire was extinguished at
0501 hours on June 9. Cause of the fire is still unknown and is under investigation by
the company. The TAT has noted that although the company had a contingency plan
they did not follow emergency procedures outlined in the plan.
Simulations/Exercises:
On 7 and 8 September 1988, the Eight Coast Guard District hosted an On-Scene
Coordinator/Regional Response Team Oil and Hazardous Chemical Discharge Simulation
in New Orleans, LA. The scenario for the simulation began with the collision of a tank-
barge two with an oceangoing vessel carrying a deck-stowed cargo of one ton chlorine
cylinders in the Mississippi River in the heart of the metropolitan area. Subsequent to
the collision, one of the barges, containing heavy fuel oil was holed and began discharging
oil as it drifted downriver. Another barge, containing crude oil was not damaged, but
was set adrift. The cargo of the third barge, benzene, ignited and this barge drifted
against a nearby wharf located near Jackson Square. The wharf was engulfed in flames
and a cargo of hazardous materials stowed there became involved. Aboard the
oceangoing vessel, one of the chlorine cylinders was damaged and released its contents
some of which drifted over a passing Canal Street Ferry. Needless to say, the OSC and
the local emergency response personnel were busy. The simulation was attended by
approximately 300 people from Federal, State, and local agencies and from industry.
Participation and involvement by response personnel from the many agencies improved
coordination of the simulation and probably will result in better coordination among
response agencies. A delegation of Mexican Navy officers and PEMEX officials attended
representing the Joint Response Team.
The next OSC/RRT Simulation in Region VI will be held at MSO Morgan City, LA in
June of 89. The Eighth Coast Guard District has requested that one of these simulations
be held in the Eighth District annually.
The DOE Strategic Petroleum Reserve exercise scheduled for 14 September 1988 was
cancelled due to Hurricane Gilbert.
The Region 6 RRT participated in an exercise with emergency response and planning
personnel from the State and local government and industry in El Dorado, Arkansas on
April 28, 1988. The main objective of the simulated exercise was to test the capability of
the RRT to communicate during an emergency incident via the NOAA E-Mail network
recently acquired by RRT member agencies. The exercise proved to be successful to the
extent that Agencies currently utilizing the NOAA E-Mail system were able to effectively
communicate during the drill. Those agencies not currently on the system were able to
communicate effectively via telephone.
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RRT Meetings .
Two business meetings of the RRT were conducted during FY 88. The first one was
conducted in Little Rock, Arkansas on February 10-11, 1988. The second meeting was
held on September 8-9, 1988, following the OSC/RRT Simulation, in New Orleans,
Louisiana. The focus of both meetings has been RRT involvement in Title III activities,
particularly relative to providing technical assistance to SERCs and LEPCs; interagency
coordination prior to and during an incident; and dispersalnts planning.
The U.S./Mexico Joint Response Team (JRT) met hi Mexico City in January, 1988 to
sign the U.S./Meaco Joint Contingency Plan for Accidental Releases of Hazardous
Substances (JCP). The JCP marks the first time two countries have joined efforts to
enhance environmental protection in a contiguous inland area. It is currently being
shared with the European Community as a model plan.
In a subsequent meeting held on June 16, 1988 in San Diego, California, the JRT agreed
to include the border States in future meetings and to begin planning with the 14 sister
cities to parallel planning efforts at the Federal level. Further, EPA and representatives
from the Mexican Secretariat of Ecology and Urban Development (SEDUE) agreed to
plan for a bi-national conference in the Spring, 1989. The conference is intended to
provide a forum to introduce cooperative emergency preparedness initiatives along the
common border.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan (RCP): The list of RRT representatives has been updated as of ,
September 1988. Revisions to the remainder of the RCP are pending promulgation of the final
NCP.
Several LEPCs in the coastal zone are preparing to test their plans with exercises. Coast Guard
OSCs have been participating in the planning process and will assist with development and
execution of the exercises.
The Atlantic Area Strike Team has completed OSC training in the Eighth District. The LAST
area of responsibility has increased dramatically due to the merger of the Atlantic and Gulf
Teams. As a result, next year, the LAST will probably not be able to provide training to all CG
OSCs in the region. They will try to bring personnel from the OSCs to the LAST to offset this
reduction.
In October 1988, the Coast Guard OSC at Corpus Christ! sent a member of his organization to
Tampico, Mexico to participate in an oil spill control course sponsored by PEMEX and the JRT.
Region VI has been pushing for integration of all member agencies into the NOAA E-Mail
network. CG OSCs have been urged to begin sending their POLREPS to appropriate RRT
members, particularly the States, via E-Mail. Most member agencies are using the system.
RRT Committees/Work Groups: Region VI Dispersant Work Group met on 2 August to finalize
work on the R6 Dispersant Use Plan, Subpart H to the RCP. The plan was approved by the
RRT at its September meeting for inclusion into the RCP.
Technical Assistance: The NOAA SSC for Coast Guard District Eight is on duty at the District
Office in New Orleans.
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RRT PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES
The EPA OSC and preparedness staff conducted a site visit of the Marathon Petroleum
Company in Texas City, Texas on April ,22, 1988. The purpose of the visit was two-fold:
(1) to follow up on the OSC's report of the October, 1987 incident involving the
accidental release of over 50,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid into the atmosphere and (2)
to obtain additional information from the company relative to their response to EPA's
Accidental Release Information Program (ARIP) questionnaire.
The site visit was conducted jointly with representatives of the Texas Water Commission,
Texas Air Control Board, Texas Department of Health, and the Galveston County Health
District. OSHA cited the company for several violations related to the incident.
The EPA OSC prepared and submitted his report to the RRT per the National
Contingency Plan (NCP) subsequent to the incident. RRT members provided comments
which were transmitted to the NRT. A report of the followup visit was prepared and
submitted to the EPA Headquarters preparedness staff.
Earthquake Planning: The development of the Region VI Annex (ESF#10) to the
Federal Response to a Catastrophic Earthquake Plan is in progress. EPA Region VI has
made appropriate Federal and State contacts to begin setting up the planning network.
Final draft of the plan is expected to be ready by December 1988. While the effort was
resource intensive, Federal support agencies and State agencies have shown remarkable
interest in accomplishing the goals of the task.
FUTURE PLANS
Coast Guard OSCs will all be equipped with CAMEO by January 89. The NOAA SSC
will be providing training in the program.
Planning for the next OSC/RRT Simulation in Morgan City, LA.
Develop quality control/monitoring protocols for dispersant use.
Conduct/participate in field exercise in Louisiana to test Subpart H (dispersants) using
Louisiana Offshore Oil Port as a test site for actual dispersant application. ;
Continue review and update of USCG OSC Local Contingency Plans.
Increase involvement of LEPCs and local response agencies hi Strike Team training
conducted at the Coast Guard OSCs. Encourage OSCs to foster relationships with
LEPCs and local responders.
Promote relationship and interaction with the Mexican Joint Response Team.
RRT will review Title III local plans upon request subsequent to review by SERCs.
The next semi-annual business meeting of the RRT will be held in January, 1989. The
focus of the meeting will be inter-agency coordination which will be emphasized by testing
the RRT, via a table top exercise, on coordination during an incident involving radioactive
materials.
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REGION VII
(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Simulations/Exercises: Pending development
Last major exercise held during 1987 in St.
Louis, Missouri.
RRT Meetings: Due to Ashland Oil response
and drought operations in 2nd District,
meetings were pushed back to October 1988.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY
PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan:
and update.
Pending review
RRT Organization: This is a very loose
working group having a fairly low interaction
level. The thrust of the October meeting will
be to stimulate interaction with new co-chair
and members and formulate working groups
to address the major RRT issues.
RRT Committees/Work Groups: Formation planned for October.
Technical Assistance: A lot of interaction on the State level has been undertaken in the area of
Title III. However, the volume of requests is restrained by low State resources.
FUTURE PLANS: To overcome the setback due to the impact of the Ashland Oil Spill and the Summer
Drought Operations, the RRT planned an extensive meeting for October. Development of work groups
for major RRT issues (Communications, Disposal, Exercises and RCP revision) is planned. To improve
membership interaction, a RRT Region VIE E-Mail system is being developed.
REGION VIII
(Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents: North Dakota's West Chem Pesticide Fire site was a major incident triggering
RRT involvement. The site has been cleaned up and soil samples taken from the fire site and
the creek to the land farm area nearby indicate chemicals are in the final stages of bio-
degradation.
Simulations/Exercises. A tabletop simulation has been proposed to be conducted in conjunction
with the RRT meeting scheduled for March, 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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RRT Meetings: Held in May and
September 1988 in Denver, Colorado.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY
PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: Call list,
resources directory, and State legal
authorities have been updated and are
currently being incorporated into the
initial draft interim update of the entire
RCP to be completed in October 1988.
RRT Organization: RRT will conduct its
next meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Consideration is being given to continue
rotating regularly scheduled semi-annual
meetings to a different State in Region
VIII in order to accommodate State RRT
Representatives trying to cope with State-
imposed travel restrictions. Workgroups
formed at the May 1988 meeting have made substantive proposals that were discussed and acted
upon at the September 1988 meeting. The Coast Guard and EPA will alternatively moderate
future RRT meetings. Voluntary participation on all workgroups has significantly increased.
RRT Committees/Workgroups:
Workplan: FY 89 Workplan includes establishment of Preparedness and Training
Workgroups, and establishment of an RRT Support Committee in addition to
Notification/ Communication, Exercises, Information Dissemination, Priority Areas, and
Workplan Workgroups already established.
Notification/Communication: Developed survey form for RRT members' notification
requirements, recommended approval and printing of proposed RRT letterhead stationary,
will conduct E-Mail and telephone notification drills in October, 1988. Committee is co-
chaired by DOE and CG.
Information Dissemination: Will publish RRT Newsletter in January 1989, and proposed
establishment of HMIX Bulletin Board as central gathering and distribution point for
RRT relevant information. FEMA will coordinate use of and training on HMIX.
Committee is chaired by EPA.
Exercises: Workgroup members attended/participated in FEMA sponsored Exercise
Design Course in Bismarck, North Dakota. FEMA sponsored Exercise Design course
will be conducted in Salt Lake City, Utah, for RRT members in conjunction with the
regularly scheduled meeting in March 1989. Tabletop simulation conducted as a part of
the Exercise Design Course will substitute for the OSC/RRT drill. Committee is chaired
by CG.
Priority Areas: State RRT Representatives, will designate "key planning areas" in then-
States to aid the RRT in determining resource allocations. Committee is co-chaired by
DOI and Corps.
Preparedness: Workshop members will investigate means and implement methods to
enhance awareness of the RRT and preparedness activities at Federal, State, and local
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enhance awareness of the RRT and preparedness activities at Federal, State, and local
levels of Government. Committee is chaired by CG.
Training: Identify training needs of RRT membership, compile lists of available training,
provide technical assistance in development of training exercises and exercise programs for
Federal, State, and local entities. Committee is co-chaired by FEMA and CG.
RRT Support: Responsible to RRT Co-Chairs. Will develop meeting agendas, arrange
for meetings, prepare semi-annual reports, monitor RRT activities, monitor RRT
workgroup activities, and function as a catalyst to keep all RRT activities on track and
moving ahead. Committee is co-chaired by DOI and FEMA.
Technical Assistance: Technical assistance offered by the RRT will become available as the
Workgroups accomplish their tasks and provide information, guidance, and suggestions to the
general RRT membership.
FUTURE PLANS: The RRT will lean heavily on direction and guidance established by the Workgroups.
Workgroup proposals made at the September RRT Meeting set the RRT activity level for FY 89. The
Region VIII RRT FY 89 Workplan is very ambitious and reflects a significant improvement in
participation levels from all member agencies.
REGION IX
(Arizona, California, Nevada)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents:
On April 22-23, 1988 the Shell Oil Company
Manufacturing Complex in Martinez, CA
spilled over 365,400 gallons of San Joaquin
crude oil into Peyton Slough and Shell Marsh
and eventually out into Carquinex Straits.
The internal floating roof drain of a Shell
tank had failed allowing the crude oil to
escape into the tank's containment system. A
valve in the containment levee surrounding
the tank was allowed to remain open during
periods of rainfall, providing an escape route
for the oil leaking from the storage tank.
Shell assumed responsibility for the cleanup,
but the On-Scene Coordinator (OSC),
Commanding Officer Marine Safety Office
San Francisco Bay, partially federalized the
spill to obtain additional skimmers from the
Naval Supervisor of Salvage (NAVSUPSALV).
The Regional Response Team was activated and convened to discuss the cleanup and
wildlife issues. The On-Scene Coordinator Report is due in October 1988.
On May 4, 1988 the Pacific Engineering Products Company (PEPCO) rocket fuel plant at
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Henderson, NV experienced a fire and series of explosions. The blast leveled the
company and a candy producer next door, broke windows for miles around and was
strongly felt 12 miles away. Ammonium Perchlorate, Ammonia, Chlorine, Sodium
Hydroxide and other rocket fuel chemicals were burned/released requiring evacuation of
local residents. EPA provided an On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) and on-site technical
assistance. The Regional Response Team was alerted but not activated.
Simulations/Exercises: On March 29, 1988 All American Pipeline conducted a drill in
Bakersfield, CA. The drill tested shutdown and response procedures for a simulated rupture in a
major oil pipeline. RRT members participated.
Regional Response Team (RRT) Meetings:
8-9 October 1987, RRT Standing Team meeting in Phoenix, AZ.
3-5 December 1987, Joint Response Team (JRT) meeting in Ensenada, Mexico, hosted by
Mexican government. Strengthened protocol for border crossing of equipment and
personnel, communications, and established dispersant use and information-sharing as
official subcommittee, headed by U.S. EPA.
11-12 February 1988, RRT Standing Team meeting in Santa Barbara, CA.
28 April 1988, Incident-Specific (Shell Oil Spill) RRT meeting in Alameda, CA.
10-11 May 1988, RRT Standing Team meeting in Las Vegas/Boulder City, NV.
7 July 1988, RRT working group meeting in San Francisco, CA for refining RRT
activation procedures and defining RRT roles and responsibilities.
23 August 1988, RRT Executive Session to review protocols and recommendations of 7
July 1988 work group.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: The Region DC - Mainland Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution
Contingency Plan Underwent extensive review and rewrite during FY 88. Approved by RRT Co-
Chairs 30 September 1988. Distribution scheduled for early FY 89.
RRT Organization: RRT now holding meetings in other States besides California (Meetings now
rotated California, Nevada, California, Arizona, California, etc.). This has fostered more active
participation by infrequently attending State members. USDA (Forest Service) and Department
of Energy (DOE) now actively participate.
RRT Committees/Work Groups: RRT work group formed and developed Supplement to Region
IX - Mainland RRT Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan for the Colorado
River. First Federal inland plan in region, and first plan to address entire river system.
Technical Assistance:
On 4 May 1988, EPA Region EX provided technical assistance to State and local officials
responding to the PEPCO rocket plant explosion in Henderson, NV.
On June 15, 1988, RRT hosted workshop for Indian tribes in Phoenix, AZ for Title III
implementation and training.
Pacific Area Strike Team (PST) conducted training at all Marine Safety Offices in Region
39
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IX. Mexican JRT members observed 23 March 1988 Oil/HazMat response training in
San Diego, CA.
RRT used Section 305 funds to enhance RRT HazMat Lending Library. Over 700 items
loaned last year.
FUTURE PLANS
Conduct On-Scene Coordinator/Regional Response Team (OSC/RRT) drills for Colorado River
area 14-15 December 1988 and for MSO Los Angeles/ Long Beach area August 2-3, 1989.
Review Title HI plans as received.
Host all Region IX - Mainland OSCs at future RRT meeting to discuss what RRT can provide
OSC during a spill, and what the RRT needs from the OSC to better perform their mandated
functions.
Schedule for FY 89 RRT Meetings:
November 9-10 - San Diego, CA.
December 15 - Henderson, NV (Executive session following Colorado River OSC/RRT
Drill).
May - Tucson, AZ.
August 3 - Long Beach, CA (Executive session following Marine Safety Office Los
Angeles-Long Beach OSC/RRT Drill).
September - Eureka, CA.
Review the Sister City Plans which are being developed with Mexico as a result of JRT initiatives
and the Joint Contingency Plan for Inland Spills along the Border with Mexico. (EPA Lead)
REGION X
(Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Mztfor Incidents: During the period covered by this report the RRT was involved with the
pollution response and salvage operation resulting from the sinking of the tank barge MCN No. 5.
At the time of the sinking the barge was loaded with approximately 414,000 gallons of petroleum
products of which approximately 392,000 gallons were Heavy Cycle Gas Oil, a product having the
consistency of thick molasses. It is estimated that 70,000 gallons of the heavy oil was released.
On February 10, the OSC assumed partial control of the response and salvage operation and on
February 25, full Federal controlled was assumed. The pollution fund was opened and subsequent
spending authorizations set spending ceiling at a Emit not to exceed 1.37 million dollars. The
RRT was activated by telephone and provided advice and assistance when requested by the OSC.
Through the use of NOAA's RRT hotline, members of Region X were provided daily updates of
the response.
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Simulations/Exercises: The Pacific Area
Strike Team conducted a chemical response
exercise in Port Angeles, WA on 21
September 1988. The purpose of the exercise
was to evaluate the feasibility and test
procedures for making Level B protective
clothing entries by helicopter into a toxic
environment resulting from a marine casualty.
RRT Meetings: Region X has held three
meetings this year rotating the location
between Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY
PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: Membership list
was updated and submitted to the NRT.
RRT Committees/Work Groups: At the
November 87 meeting an ad hoc committee was formed to study and propose an organization for
the Region 10 RRT. In May the membership voted on a proposal to establish five standing
committees. These committees: Management, Preparedness, Dispersant, Disposal, and Natural
Resources, which follow those of the NRT, should provide a stronger working relationship within
the RRT and a standing team to work on preparedness issues. The Management committee is
made up of personnel whose positions have been funded by CERCLA.
In October 1987, the SSC as chairman of the dispersant committee, conducted a two day
symposium on the use of dispersants and other additives. This was as a result of feedback to the
RRT that the States within the region did not have enough knowledge of dispersants and their
uses to enable them to agree on any type of preapproval policy. This symposium was well
received by the States.
Technical Assistance: Technical assistance was provided to the OSC during the entire spill
response and salvage of the MCN No. 5. NOAA through it's facility at Sand Point, WA assisted
the OSC with divers and supported the SSC with data analysis. The Department of the Interior
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife as well as NOAA assisted in the application for an EPA ocean
dumping permit, a contingency for the disposal of the MCN No. 5 once salvaged.
The EPA Regional Preparedness Coordinator and the FEMA Hazardous Materials Coordinator
have participated in approximately 30 Hazardous Materials Contingency Planning Courses
presented by the States of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. In many cases the majority of the
course presentation was conducted by these coordinators due to a lack of qualified instructors
from the States. Public Official conferences have also been conducted in these States.
FUTURE PLANS
The previous two meetings of the RRT have been very well attended and received. Plans
are to hold meetings three times per year, with the standing committees meeting more
frequently.
Some of the projects on this year's Work Plan will be continued into next year.
Specifically the RRT will:
Continue to assist and advise State Emergency Response Commissions and Local
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Emergency Planning Committees in preparedness and planning activities.
Continue to demonstrate the NOAA developed microcomputer-based emergency
planning/assistance project to State and local priority area groups.
Participate in exercises in conjunction with Region X States.
Assist State/local personnel in training for contingency planning, hazardous materials
awareness, response operations, and incident management.
In addition: The dispersant committee will be working with the States of Washington and
Oregon to develop a dispersant use policy for the region.
The disposal committee will be working with the States to develop a list of acceptable
disposal sites for materials removed during an oil discharge or hazardous materials
release.
The natural resources committee will:
Develop Trustee notification procedures for the OSCs.
Develop beach cleanup policies and procedures.
Develop bird cleaning policies and procedures.
Develop a technical/biological workgroup for providing technical and biological
data to the OSCs.
The preparedness committee will review the Regional Contingency plan and update/revise
as necessary.
ALASKA
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Major Incidents:
T/V STUYVESANT was struck by a 90 foot
wave in the Gulf of Alaska, damaging hull
plating resulting in a loss of 600,0()0 gallons of
crude oil.
Grounding of the T/B SEASPAN 824 in
Wrangell Narrows with the loss of 16,500
gallons of fuel oil.
Continued remedial actions on the Standard
Steel Hazardous Waste site and renewed
actions at the Husky Battery sites in
Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Blowout and fire on the Steelhead oil/gas
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platform in Cook Inlet.
Grounding of the M/V FRANK H BROWN in Wrangell Narrows with the loss of about
5,500 gallons of diesel.
Simulations/Exercises:
An OSC/RRT simulation was held in Anchorage in May with a scenario that involved
USSR participation with a delegation at the exercise as well as communication with
Moscow.
A River Booming exercise was observed by the ARRT on the Chena River in Fairbanks
sponsored by Aleyska Pipeline Services.
RRT Meetings: ARRT met in Ketchikan in January, Anchorage in May, and Fairbanks hi
August.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: Update completed and distributed for comments.
RRT Organization: The ARRT is organized as a team with each agency's interest represented.
The EPA/CG Co-Chairmen sponsor and moderate alternate meetings. Taskings involving policy,
research, and programs to be developed are accomplished by working groups comprised of
affected agencies. USCG CERCLA billets coordinate and participate in ARRT and SARA Title
III activities, develop' work and training plans, and respond to the needs of the ARRT.
RRT Committees/Work Groups: The ARRT has active working groups tasked with dispersant
usage, SARA Title III, and oiled wildlife. Each group works independently after receiving
direction from the RRT and actions recommended are approved by the RRT.
Technical Assistance: Technical assistance was requested to the ARRT by an OSC wishing to
use a cleanup enhancement product on a spill of opportunity. Within 45 minutes, the ARRT
approved the use of the chemical with certain conditions, demonstrating the ability of a diverse
organization to rapidly respond to the OSC's needs.
FUTURE PLANS: The ARRT is dedicated to providing support to the OSCs and to being prepared to
mitigate damages to the harsh but fragile arctic environment. -
Complete Dispersant Use Guidelines for Prince William Sound to provide the OSC with
spill mitigation options in a timely manner.
Finalize Wildlife protection guidelines in order to deal with endangerment to wildlife from
oil and hazardous materials spills.
Develop an information guide database for Federal pollution response programs and
Federal agency roles.
Provide avenues for communication concerning cultural resources that could be threatened
by spills or responses to spills. This State has numerous archaeological sites or potential
sites that could be impacted during response activities.
Develop guidelines and considerations for In-Situ burning as a possible response
mechanism for oil spills.
Assemble a computerized database on Chemical Countermeasures other than dispersants
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that can be used by OSC's to mitigate spills.
Develop utilization of the State Emergency Broadcasting Network to notify persons in
remote areas of potential dangers from spills.
CARIBBEAN
(Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands)
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Mqjor Incidents: Seven telephone activations of the
RRT were made during the year.
On 16 July 1987, EPA responded to a
groundwater contamination problem on St.
Thomas, USVI.
« On 11 December 1987, the MSO San Juan
responded to a release of approximately 50
gallons of chloroacetyl chloride at Pier 8, San
Juan.
On 31 December 1987, the MSO San Juan
responded to a spill into Charlotte Amalie
Harbor, St. Thomas, USVI. EPA assumed OSC in rectifying what proved to be an
underground leak from a gasoline station.
On 19 January 1988, the container vessel LONG BEACH grounded in the entrance to
San Juan. The vessel was refloated without spilling any of its 348,000 gallons of fuel.
On 9 February 1988, the M/V CARAIBE entered Ponce, PR with several damaged
internodal containers loaded with various chemicals. The vessel was later allowed to
depart.
On 22 May 1988, approximately 21,000 gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline were released
from the Texaco Caribbean Terminal on the south side of St. Croix. The spill was
cleaned up without impacting a nearby turtle nesting area.
On 28 July 1988, the container vessel SEALAND DISCOVERY grounded at the entrance
to San Juan. The vessel was refloated without spilling any of its 18,000 bbls of fuel
onboard.
In addition, an incident-specific meeting was held on 21 October 1987 to address an ongoing
problem in the USVI with disposal of waste oil. The USVI has designated waste oil as a "hazard
waste." This action has made it difficult to dispose of waste oil, mainly used motor oil. As a
consequence, the amount of oil being stored on the islands has increased considerably. This
increases the chance of accidental spills or fire. The USVI has been examining the problem of
disposing of this material and is in the process of developing a pilot disposal program.
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GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: A review of the regional contingency plan is included in the annual
workplan and necessary amendments are issued on a quarterly basis with input from all agencies.
The RRT is active as a coordinating body in scheduling and conducting training. Training
schedules/courses are published in the annual workplan and all Federal and State agencies are
actively participating in the training provided. Course content includes reference materials
available, Federal and State resources and response structure, and incident scenarios/discussions.
RRT Committees/Workgroups: The RRT has been meeting twice a year; once in Puerto Rico
and once in the U.S. Virgin Islands. These meetings are usually scheduled for a day and half
with a workgroup meeting prior to the actual RRT meeting. This workgroup prepares the annual
workplan which is presented to the RRT for consideration.
Equipment Inventory: An inventory of each member agency's response equipment was created
and updated this year. This inventory should lead to easier identification of available resources in
the event of a chemical spill.
CRRT Newsletter: A bi-monthly newsletter was initiated to inform RRT members of recent
events/accomplishments, upcoming activities and other items of interest. Topics for this informal
publication are solicited and encouraged from all agencies.
FUTURE PLANS: The RRT will continue its efforts in the area of preparedness activity and especially in
coordinating training. A dispersant committee has been reconstituted and a workplan for the committee
will be developed. The need for additional workgroups will be discussed at the next RRT meeting
scheduled for 1-2 November 1988. The RRT requested that an OSC/RRT exercise be held in Puerto
Rico during FY 89. An exercise was not available during FY 89 and the RRT will, most likely, make the
request again for FY 90.
OCEANIA (PACIFIC BASIN)
(American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii)
o
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
Simulations/Exercises: Held an OSC/RRT exercise
in Honolulu on 30-31 March 1988. It included both
an oil spill and hazardous materials release.
RRT Meetings:
An RRT meeting was held in Guam
on 17-18 November 1987 and in
Saipan on 19 November 1987.
RRT meeting was held in Honolulu
on 29 March 1988.
Dispersant Use Training: A work shop was held in
Honolulu, HI on 19-21 October 1988 on field observations of dispersant use. The course
reviewed practical considerations to be made in the field during an oil spill, factors to consider in
45
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the decision to use dispersants or other chemical agents, and protocols for making field
observations.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS/CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Regional Contingency Plan: The Oceania Oil and Hazardous Materials Pollution Contingency
Plan was published.
RRT Committees/Work Groups
The Dispersant Use Workgroup is currently revising the monitoring requirements in the
Hawaii Dispersant Use Agreement. The Workgroup held a meeting in Honolulu on
21 October 88 to discuss changes to the Agreement and established a schedule for
making those changes. The goal is to have a modified agreement by the next RRT
meeting.
The RRT set up workgroups to review OSC reports as well as local contingency plans
when requested by the State and Territories.
Technical Assistance
Research Planning Institute (RPI) has completed the Environmental Sensitivity Mapping
for the State. In addition, RPI has completed a port study of each of the major ports in
Hawaii. A draft of this study is currently being reviewed by MSO Honolulu.
FEMA and EPA conducted First Responder Training and Hazardous Materials
Contingency Planning classes in Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas
(CNMI), and American Samoa.
Coast Guard Pacific Area Strike Team conducted oil and hazardous materials spill
response training in Hawaii, Guam, CNMI, and American Samoa.
FUTURE PLANS
Starting in FY 89, RRT meetings will be held three times per year vice semi-annually. Next RRT
meeting to be held in Hilo, HI February 89 and will have chemical release simulation full field
exercise.
Hold RRT meeting in Guam and Saipan in June 1989.
FEMA, EPA, and CG Pacific Area Strike Team to hold oil and hazardous materials spills
response training in the Pacific as a follow-on to the training held in FY 88 listed above.
Revise the Hawaii Dispersant Use Agreement.
Update the Oceania Region Contingency Plan.
Continue efforts to resolve issues brought up during the OSC/RRT Exercise.
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CURRENT CO-CHAIRS OF REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAMS
Region
"!
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
Vffl
IX
X
Alaska
Caribbean
Oceania
(Pacific Basin)
EPA
Edward Conley
Richard Salkie
Dennis Carney
Bob Jourdan
Mary Gade
Russell Rhodes
Ron Ritter
Robert Duprey
Kathleen Shimmin
James Everts
Al Ewing
Richard Salkie
Kathleen Shimmin
USCG
Capt. David Folson
Capt. David Folson
Capt. Kurt Martin
Capt. David Whitten
Capt. LA. Murdock
Capt. Keith Pensom
Capt. L.J. Balok
Capt. L.J. Balok
Capt. George Casimir
Capt. DA. Anderson
Capt. Glenn Haines
Capt. David Whitten
Capt. A.E. Tanos
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APPENDIX B
NRT MEMBER AGENCIES
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chairs the NRT, co-chairs the standing RRTs, provides
predesignated On-Scene Coordinators for the inland zone, and Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) for
remedial actions, and generally provides scientific support coordinators for the inland zone. EPA provides
expertise on environmental effects of releases and on environmental pollution control techniques. EPA
provides guidance, technical assistance, and training in hazardous materials preparedness and response. EPA
also provides legal expertise on the interpretation of CERCLA and other environmental statutes. EPA may
enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with the appropriate State to implement response actions.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) provides predesignated On-Scene Coordinators for the coastal zone,
co-chairs for the standing RRTs, and the NRT vice-chair. The USCG staffs and administers the National
Response Center; maintains the continuously manned facilities that can be used for command, control, and
surveillance of releases in coastal waters; and serves as fund manager for the Pollution Fund established under
the Clean Water Act. The Coast Guard's National Strike Force is specially trained and equipped to respond
to major marine pollution incidents. In water pollution incidents in which the USCG has financial
responsibility jurisdiction, the USCG ensures that responsible parties, both US and foreign, are able to
compensate the US and other damaged parties through the Certificate of Financial Responsibility program.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides guidance, policy, and program advice, and
technical assistance in hazardous materials and radiological emergency preparedness activities (planning,
training, and exercising) to state and local governments. In a response, FEMA provides advice and assistance
to the lead agency on coordinating relocation assistance and mitigation efforts with other Federal agencies,
State and local governments, and the private sector. FEMA may enter into an agreement with the
appropriate political entity to implement relocation assistance in a response.
The Department of Defense (DOD) must take all action necessary with regard to releases of hazardous
substances where the release is on, or the sole source of the release is from, a facility or vessel under
jurisdiction, custody, or control of the DOD. DOD may also, consistent with its operational requirements
and at the request of the On-Scene Coordinator, provide locally deployed U.S. Navy oil spill equipment and
provide assistance to other Federal agencies on request. The following two branches of DOD have
particularly relevant expertise:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has specialized equipment and personnel for removing navigation
obstructions and accomplishing structural repairs.
The U.S. Navy (USN) has an extensive array of specialized equipment and personnel available for
use in ship salvage, shipboard damage control, and diving.
The Department of Energy (DOE), except as otherwise provided in Executive Order 12580, provides
designated On-Scene Coordinators/RPMs that are responsible for taking all response actions with respect to
releases of hazardous substances where either the release is on, or the sole source of the release is from, any
facility or vessel under its jurisdiction, custody or control. In addition, under the Federal Radiological
Emergency Response Plan (FRERP), DOE provides advice and assistance to other On-Scene
Coordinators/RPMs for emergency actions essential for the control of immediate radiological hazards.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has scientific and technical capability to measure, evaluate, and
monitor, either on the ground or by use of aircraft, situations where natural resources including soil, water,
wildlife, and vegetation have been impacted by hazardous substances. The USDA may be contacted through
Forest Service emergency staff officers who are the designated members of the RRT. Agencies within USDA
with relevant expertise are: the Forest Service, the Agriculture Research Service, the Soil Conservation
Service, and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
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The Department of Commerce (DOC), through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), provides scientific support for responses and contingency planning in coastal and marine areas,
including assessments of the hazards that may be involved, predictions of movement and dispersion of oil and
hazardous substances through trajectory modeling, and information on the sensitivity of coastal environments
to oil or hazardous substances. NOAA provides scientific expertise on living marine resources it manages
and protects. It also provides information on actual and predicted meteorological, hydrologic, ice, and
oceanographic conditions for marine, coastal, and inland waters as well as tide and circulation data.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for providing assistance on matters
related to the assessment of health hazards at a response and protection of both response workers and the
public's health. HHS is delegated authorities under CERCLA relating to a determination that illness, disease,
or complaints may be attributable to exposure to a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Agencies
within HHS that have relevant responsibilities, capabilities, and expertise are the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National Institutes for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
The Department of the Interior (DOI) has expertise on and jurisdiction over a wide variety of natural
resources and Federal lands and waters as well as certain responsibilities for native Americans and U.S.
territories. The DOI may be contacted through Regional Environmental Officers (REO), who are the
designated members of RRTs. Bureaus and offices with relevant expertise are: Fish and Wildlife Service;
Geological Survey; Bureau of Indian Affairs; Bureau of Land Management; Minerals Management Service;
Bureau of Mines; National Park Service; Bureau of Reclamation; Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation
Enforcement; and Office of Territorial Affairs.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) provides expert advice on complicated legal questions arising from
discharges or releases, and Federal agency responses. In addition, the DOJ represents the Federal
government, including its agencies, in litigation relating to such discharges or releases.
The Department of Labor (DOL), through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and
the States' operating plans approved under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, has authority to
conduct safety and health inspections of hazardous waste sites to assure that employees are being protected
and to determine if the site is in compliance with safety and health standards and regulations. On request,
OSHA will provide advice and assistance regarding hazards to persons engaged in response activities.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) provides response expertise pertaining to transportation of oil or
hazardous substances by all modes of transportation. Through the Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA), DOT offers expertise in the requirements for packaging, handling, and transporting
regulated hazardous materials. RSPA promulgates and enforces the Hazardous Materials Regulations. RSPA
provides technical assistance in the form of Emergency Response Guidebooks and, in a joint effort with
FEMA, has developed HMDC. RSPA also provides planning support in the development of protective action
decision strategies and exercise scenarios.
The Department of State (DOS) takes the lead in the development of international joint contingency plans.
It also helps to coordinate an international response when discharges or releases cross international boundaries
or involve foreign flag vessels. Additionally, DOS coordinates requests for assistance from foreign
governments and U.S. proposals for conducting research at incidents that occur in waters of other countries.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission responds, as appropriate, to releases of radioactive materials by its
licensees, in accordance with the NRC Incident Response Plan (NUREG-0728). In addition, the NRC will
provide advice to the On-Scene Coordinator/RPM when assistance is required in identifying the source and
character of other hazardous substance releases where the Commission has licensing authority for activities
utilizing radioactive materials.
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CURRENT NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM MEMBERS
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
(NOAA)
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Agency
Department of Health and Human Services
(ATSDR)
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
(OSHA)
Department of State
Department of Transportation
(Coast Guard)
Department of Transportation
(Research and Special
Programs Administration)
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Management
Preparedness
Training
Computer Applications
Mr. Bill Opfer
Mr. George Kinter
Mr. Brian Higgins
Mr. Richard Dailey
Mr. Jim Makris, Chair
Mr. Richard Krimm
Ms. Georgi Jones
Mr. Bruce Blanchard
Ms. Sheila Jones
Mr. Frank Chalmers
Mr. Bob Blumberg
Capt. Richard Larrabee, Vice-Chair
Mr. Alan Roberts
Mr. Bernard Weiss
NRT Committee Chairs
Mr. Bruce Blanchard
Mr. Richard Krimm
Mr. Jim Makris
Mr. Frank Chalmers
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APPENDIX C
NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM WORK PLANS
The following are the Work Plans adopted by the NRT for FY 1989 and 1988. The plans are divided
into seven major areas. For each area, objectives are listed as well as activities to meet the objectives. The
committees, groups, or individual members designated to carry out the activities are listed after each entry.
FISCAL YEAR 1989 NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM PROGRAM/WORK PLAN
Adopted June 23, 1988
Introduction - In FY 1989, the NRT will continue to place special emphasis on support of the Regional
Response Teams (RRTs). This support is intended to reinforce ongoing broad-based RRT efforts to enhance
preparedness and response management capabilities. Support efforts will include optimizing available regional
staffing; supporting State and local planning and response efforts, and identifying priority goals, objectives, and
accomplishments through RRT work plans and semi-annual reports. The objective is to ensure that RRTs
become an effective Federal/State team to carry out then- CERCLA, Title III, and Clean Water Act
responsibilities.
The NRT will also emphasize preparedness planning and, in particular, the initiatives associated with Title
HI of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. RRTs should focus, in particular, on local plan
reviews using NRT guidance and other available technical assistance.
Other elements, including Response Management, Information Transfer, Training, External Relations and NRT
Management, round out the FY 1989 work plan. The general thrust is very similar to the FY 1988 work
plan. The major changes are in activities within goals, where projects were completed and others are planned.
Committee charters cover many ongoing activities, so a lack of change in work plan language does not signify
a lack of accomplishment. Rather, there is a baseline level of NRT activity and interest that continues,
appropriately, from year to year.
The NRT will continue to fulfill its responsibilities in these areas and assign specialized tasks to individual
NRT members and workgroups, as indicated in the work plan. The purpose of this work plan is to present
the activities that the NRT will undertake in FY 1989, and to indicate areas of particular emphasis. RRTs
should take this work plan into account in developing their FY 1989 work plans and determining their priority
activities.
I. RESPONSE MANAGEMENT - (CERCLA/SARA, CWA, E.G. 12580, NCP)
A. Objectives
Effective nationwide response mechanism.
Up-to-date, workable National Contingency Plan.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Assistance in development of adequate response mechanisms for international
incidents affecting domestic NRT/RRT responsibilities (e.g., USSR, Canada, Mexico,
Caribbean) and/or for coordination of limited use of appropriate agencies' expertise.
Systematic oversight of proposed legislation which could affect NRT operations such
as Clean Air Act Amendment, Oil Spill Liability Act, Transportation Act
Amendments, etc.
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B.
n.
Activities
1.
Continue to review NRT/RRT/OSC system for possible gaps in national response
coverage including special consideration for releases during transportation-related
incidents.
Preparedness Committee
2.
a. Continue review of proposed NCP revision, including a possible Subpart K,
and participate in review and resolution of comments on specific NCP
sections of interest to the NRT.
NRT NCP workgroup
b. Ensure timely distribution and understanding of revised NCP; provide
procedural guidance to RJRTs as necessary to accommodate new requirements
(i.e., revisions of RCPs).
Management Committee
3. Continue providing appropriate international assistance through special efforts such
as US-USSR JRT contingency planning and exercises. Coordinate appropriate NRT
member agency assistance on an incident-specific basis.
EPA, CG Lead, with State
4. Monitor Congressional action, provide a forum to discuss and share strategies.
Provide consistent comments, through member agencies, on issues relevant to the
NRT.
Individual NRT members
PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVES
A.
B.
Objective
Enhanced preparedness capabilities at national, regional, State, and local levels, and
implementation of SARA Title III responsibilities.
Activities
1. Develop and issue supplemental guidance to NRT-1, Hazardous Materials Emergency
Planning Guide, to incorporate requirements such as SARA Title I OSHA planning,
SPCC, DOT routing, natural resource planning, other requirements. Complete NRT-
2, guidance on hazards analysis.
Preparedness Committee
2. Analyze RRT activities for preparedness issues and problems to provide
recommendations/lessons learned to NRT and RRTs.
Preparedness Committee
3. Conclude efforts to clarify jurisdictional responsibility and visual identification of
Federal agency OSCs.
Preparedness Committee
in.
SUPPORT OF RRTs
A. Objectives
1.
Maintaining active participation by NRT member agencies in RRT execution of
priority NCP responsibilities.
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Continued emphasis on RRT work plans and reports, increased NRT understanding
and support of agreed upon RRT priorities.
B.
Activities
1.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Schedule NRT presence/participation at selected RRT meetings, reaching all 13
RRTs periodically. Continue to identify successes and generic issues for
dissemination to other RRTs and discussion by NRT.
Management Committee, individual NRT Members
Schedule regular RRT involvement in NRT meetings.
Management Committee
Support active State involvement in NRT/RRT system.
Management Committee
Schedule, scope, and plan periodic RRT Co-chairs meeting.
Management Committee
Assist RRTs in optimizing staffing and management capability (e.g., ensure necessary
contacts and communications, suggest way RRTs can work with agencies' resources
in field locations, offer advice/guidance on RRT management and work group
procedures).
Management Committee
Track progress of RRT work plans and semiannual reports; provide program policy
and direction, where needed, to ensure timely completion of work plans and reports.
Management Committee
Clarify contact points and communication lines between NRT principals and then-
agency field structures.
Individual NRT Members
IV. INFORMATION TRANSFER
A. Objective
Improved capability for continued communication between NRT and RRTs, between RRTs
and OSCs, and with States, local governments, Indian tribes, etc.
B. Activities
1. Support 1989 biannual oil spill conference (e.g., participate in conference planning,
preparation, and events). Explore NRT presence at conference (i.e., booth, NRT
meeting). Support development of 1990 biannual hazardous materials spills
conference. Review enhanced role for NRT in 1991 biannual oil spill conference.
Coast Guard, EPA leads
2. Continue selection, adaptation, and transfer of relevant information developed by or
known to individual member agencies; review significant and relevant documents (i.e.,
reports to Congress, proposed rulemaking, Federal agencies' response/preparedness
program initiatives).
Committees, Individual NRT Members
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V.
3. Monitor OSC reports for preparedness and response issues and problems to provide
lessons learned and recommendations to NRT and RRTs.
Preparedness Committee
4. Support the Hazardous Materials Information Exchange, and encourage expanded
assistance and input to the information base.
Computer Applications Committee
5. With assistance from RRTs, inventory Federal, State, and local information and
communications systems used for hazardous materials planning and response
coordination, and available data bases relevant to support of NRT activities.
Computer Applications Committee
TRAINING
A. Objective
Improved coordination of Federal training efforts in oil and hazardous substances release
response, planning, and preparedness.
B. Activities
1. Support the National Hazardous Materials Training Conference to be held at
Emmitsburg, Maryland, on November 30 - December 2, 1988.
Training Committee
2. Develop concept paper on Federal/State roles, responsibilities, and relationships in
HAZMAT training.
Training Committee
3. Review FEMA-EPA exercise strategy paper for implications to other Federal
agencies.
Training Committee
4. Review EPA efforts to identify target audiences for first responder training, analyzing
first responder tasks and existing core courses.
Training Committee
5. Brief appropriate national trade organizations on current Federal/State HAZMAT
training activities and coordinate schedules of training.
Training Committee
VI. EXTERNAL RELATIONS
A. Objective
Improved contacts with private (trade and professional) and public interest groups and
governmental organizations.
B.
Continue to explore regular communication with and/or appropriate representation of
interested parties on subjects of mutual interest (e.g., trade and professional associations,
public interest groups, and government entities).
Management Committee
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VII. NRT MANAGEMENT
A. Objectives
1. Systematic NRT management across full range of responsibilities with focus on
strengthening institutional linkages.
2. Maximum effective use of available resources. :
B. Activities
1. Prepare annual system-wide report; match accomplishments to goals and objectives-
evaluate effectiveness of use of resources, present plan for following year.
Management Committee
2. Improve NRT agency input to EPA's CERCLA/SARA interagency budget process.
Management Committee and Individual NRT members
3.
4.
Produce annual work plan.
Management Committee
Develop NRT Standard Operating Procedures, as appropriate.
Management Committee
FISCAL YEAR 1988 NRT WORK PLAN
Adopted June 26, 1987
I. RESPONSE MANAGEMENT - (CERCLA/SARA, CWA, NCP)
A. Objectives
1. Ensure effective response system.
2. Update National Contingency Plan.
3. Deliver appropriate international assistance through:
a. JRT contingency planning and exercises; and
b. NRT member agency assistance on an incident-specific basis.
Stay abreast of proposed legislation which could affect NRT operations.
B.
4.
Activities
1.
Continue to review NRT/RRT/OSC system for possible gaps in national response
coverage (e.g., releases during transportation, release of explosives, release of
hazardous chemicals from facilities covered by radioactive response regulations).
Preparedness Committee
2.
a.
Review entire proposed NCP revision.
NRT work group
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n.
b. Participate in preparation and review of specific NCP sections of interest to
the NRT.
NRT work group
c. Ensure timely distribution and understanding of revised NCP; provide
procedural guidance to RRT's as necessary for revisions of RCP's, and any
other changes necessitated by revisions.
Management Committee
3. a. Ensure availability of appropriate contacts/procedures for technical assistance
in international incidents affecting domestic NRT/RRT responsibilities (e.g.,
Canada, Mexico, Caribbean) and/or for coordination of limited use of
appropriate agencies' expertise.
b. Survey NRT membership to determine which agencies have bilateral
agreements for providing international assistance.
Selected NRT members - State
Department lead
4. Monitor Congressional action, provide a forum to discuss and share strategies, and
provide consistent comments, through its member agencies, that are relevant to the
NRT.
Individual NRT members
PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVES
A. Objective
Enhance preparedness capabilities at regional, State, and local levels, and meet SARA, Title
III responsibilities.
B.
Activities
1.
Identify NRT/RRT activities required to ensure appropriate Federal role in State
and local preparedness.
Preparedness Committee
Develop needed procedural guidance on RRT Use of Hazardous Materials Emergency
Planning Guide and other basic documents with States, communities and private
industry, including:
m.
a.
b.
SUPPORT OF RRT's
A. Objectives
1.
Criteria and guidance for review of contingency plans at State committee
request; and
Technical guidance to supplement the Planning Guide.
Preparedness Committee
Effective participation of NRT member agencies in RRT implementation of priority
NCP responsibilities within available resources.
Continue useful dialogue on RRT activity plans and reports, increased NRT
understanding and support of agreed upon RRT priorities.
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B.
Activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Schedule NRT presence at selected RRT meetings, reaching all 13 RRT's
periodically; continue to observe selected RRT's exercises, incident debriefmgs, etc.
Management Committee, individual
NRT members
Review options for regular RRT involvement in NRT meetings; select option to
implement at least on a trial basis.
Management Committee
Schedule, scope and plan periodic Co-chairs Meetings.
Management Committee
Develop procedural guidance for RRT's to maximize available staffing and
management capability (e.g., ensure necessary contacts and communications, suggest
ways RRT's can work with agencies' resources in field locations, offer advice/guidance
on RRT management and work group procedures, etc.).
Management Committee
Review options for ensuring active State involvement in NRT/RRT system.
Management Committee
Review and comment on RRT work plans, semiannual reports; supply policy or
program guidance; and undertake activities needed, in response to RRT requests,
initiatives.
Management Committee
Distribute "The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Spill Response System"
pamphlet.
Management Committee
IV. INFORMATION TRANSFER
A.
B.
Objective
Improve capability for continued communication of quality information between NRT and
RRT's, between RRT's and OSC's, and to States, communities, local governments, Indian
tribes, etc.
Activities
1.
3.
Support NRT co-sponsored hazardous materials spills conference (e.g., participate
in conference planning, preparation, and events).
EPA lead, individual NRT members
Continue selection, adaptation, and transfer of relevant information developed by or
known to individual member agencies; review of significant and relevant documents
(e.g., reports to Congress, proposed rulemaking, Federal agencies'
response/preparedness program initiatives, etc.).
Committees, individual NRT members
Summarize and distribute selected OSC reports, etc.
EPA, CG, individual NRT members
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4. Support the Hazardous Materials Information Exchange, and encourage expanded
assistance and input to the information base.
Computer Applications Committee
5. With assistance from RRTs, inventory Federal, State, and local information and
communications systems used for hazardous materials planning and response
coordination, and available data bases relevant to support of NRT activities.
Computer Applications Committee
V. TRAINING
A. Objective
Improve coordination of Federal training efforts in oil and hazardous substances release
response, planning, and preparedness.
B. Activities
1. Coordinate schedule of Federal, training exercises.
2. Coordinate planning and development of training programs authorized by recent
legislation (e.g., SARA, including Title III, and Hazardous Materials Transportation
Act).
3. Review and implement selected initiatives in the NRT Training Strategy.
Training Committee
VI. EXTERNAL RELATIONS
A. Objective
Improve contacts with private (trade and professional) and public interest groups, and
governmental organizations.
B. Activity
Continue to explore regular communication with and/or appropriate representation of
interested parties on subjects of mutual interest (e.g., trade and professional associations,
public interest groups, and government entities).
NRT Chair, Vice Chair, and
Management Committee
VH. NRT MANAGEMENT
A. Objectives
1.
2.
Improve of NRT management for full range of responsibilities and strengthen of
institutional linkages.
Efficient use of available resources.
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B.
Activities
1.
3.
Clarify contact points and communication lines between NRT principals and their
agency field structures.
Individual NRT members
Prepare annual system-wide report; match accomplishments to goals and objectives;
evaluate effectiveness of use of resources, etc.
Management Committee
Improve NRT agency input to EPA's CERCLA/SARA interagency budget process.
Management Committee and Individual
NRT members
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APPENDIX D
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL RESPONSE SYSTEM
The Beginning of the National Response System
Torrev Canyon. On March 18, 1967, the oil tanker Torrey Canyon ran aground off the southwestern coast
of England, spilling over 100,000 tons of oil that eventually washed ashore on English and French beaches,
causing massive environmental and economic damage. In the wake of the disaster, President Johnson ordered
the Departments of the Interior and Transportation to study the nation's capabilities to handle such disasters.
The resulting report "Oil Pollution: A Report to the President" pointed to the need for public action.
On June 7, 1968, the president directed the Secretaries of the Interior (DOI), Defense (DOD), and
Transportation (DOT) and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to assume the responsibility
to strengthen the nation's ability to act in the event of an oil spill emergency along the coasts or waterways.
The Secretary of the Interior was directed to take the lead in completing a multi-agency contingency plan for
responding to such emergencies.
National Multiagency Oil and Hazardous Materials Contingency Plan (NCP). The first NCP was completed
in September 1968 and signed by DOI, DOT, DOD, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
(HEW), and the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP).
The NCP assigned responsibilities for emergency responses to the signatory agencies and established a
National Response System comprised of a hierarchy of coordinating entities.
The National Inter-Agency Committee (NIC) of all signatory agencies was the principal group that
developed policies and procedures for coordinated response actions. The NIC also reviewed regional
contingency plans and made recommendations relating to regional plans, training, research, equipment,
and other issues.
The Joint Operations Center provided the facilities needed to coordinate responses and acted as the
focal point for national public information releases during pollution incident operations.
The Joint Operations Team acted as an emergency response team whenever an incident exceeded the
capabilities of the region in which it occurred, or when an incident affected two or more regions, or
when the incident affected national security or presented a major hazard to a substantial number of
people. While the Team coordinated the Federal response at a national level and made
recommendations to the On-Scene Coordinator, it did not actively participate in carrying out the
Federal actions. Its function was to provide advice and coordination rather than to direct the clean-
up actions.
The Regional Operations Center was the equivalent of the Joint Operations Center at the regional
level.
The Regional Operations Team performed functions within the region similar to those of the Joint
Operations Team.
The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) coordinated and directed Federal efforts at the scene. The OSC
was a single person designated in advance by the regional plan to direct and coordinate pollution
control activities in each area of the region. While the OSC could seek help from the Regional
Operations Team and the Joint Operations Team, neither group had operational control of the OSC.
The National Response System was initially operated under a number of legal authorities available to the
signatory agencies, including the following:
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The Oil Pollution Act of 1924 as amended (33 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) which prohibited discharging oil
into navigable waters and gave DOI access to DOD and Coast Guard resources to clean up spills.
The Disaster Relief Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-769) which gave OEP authority to plan and direct Federal
disaster assistance.
The Refuse Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 407) which covered almost all discharges to navigable waters and
was administered by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (33 U.S.C. 466 et seq.), which permitted the
Federal government, through DOI, to take part in oil or hazardous materials incidents at the request
of the States, and to render other assistance to public and private authorities for work related to the
causes, control, and prevention of water pollution.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331-1343) which authorized DOI to require the
prevention of pollution in off-shore oil or mining operations.
Revisions to the NCP
Section ll(c)(2) of the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-224), a major revision of FWPCA,
required the revision and preparation of the NCP. Overall, Section 11 created a regulatory structure that
included penalties for oil spills and for failure to notify the government. Section 12 required the president
to designate a list of "hazardous substances," required notification of hazardous substance spills, and authorized
Federal cleanup. The president delegated responsibility for the NCP to the Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ) by letter (35 FR 8423, May 29, 1970). The formal delegation was included in E.O. 11548 (35 FR
11677, July 22, 1970).
On June 2, 1970, the CEQ published the revised NCP (35 FR 8505). The revisions created the National
Response Team (NRT), assigning to it the responsibilities previously held by the Joint Operations Team and
the public information functions of the original Joint Operations Center. The remaining functions of the Joint
Operations Center provisions of communications, information storage, personnel, and facilities during
responses to spills were retained and the organization renamed the National Response Center. The DOI
representative was named as chair of the NRT; the DOT representative was executive secretary. The
Regional Operations Center and Regional Operations Team were renamed the Regional Response Center
and the Regional Response Team (RRT). The Coast Guard provided OSCs for coastal waters and the Great
Lakes; DOI provided OSCs for other navigable waters.
The CEQ revised the NCP again on August 20, 1971 (46 FR 16215). The revisions eliminated the NIC and
gave its functions to the NRT. The revisions also marked the inclusion of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) as a member of the NRT; EPA, which was created by executive order to consolidate Federal
environmental actions, took over the chair of the NRT. The Coast Guard remained as vice chair. The
membership of the NRT was altered. Four agencies - DOD, DOI, DOT (Coast Guard), and EPA - were
designated primary agencies with the main responsibility for promoting the effective operation of the plan.
Five other agencies were named as advisory agencies: Commerce, HEW, Justice, OEP, and State. The CEQ
retained its responsibility over the NCP.
The FWPCA Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. 1321 et seq.) combined the previous sections 11
and 12 into section 311 and required the promulgation of the NCP as a regulation. E.O. 11735 (38 FR 21243,
August 7, 1973) continued the CEQ's responsibility for the NCP. The CEQ promulgated the NCP as Part
1510 of 40 CFR on August 13, 1973 (38 FR 21888). , The 1972 revisions designated the Commerce
Department as a primary agency and added the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to the advisory agencies.
The CEQ promulgated the NCP in 1973 without going through the notice and comment procedures normally
required of a regulation under the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946. At the time of promulgation, the
CEQ requested comments and those received were considered before the next revision to the NCP in
February 1975. These revisions made no significant changes in the structure of the National Response System
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(40 FR 6282, February 10, 1975) nor did the minor revisions adopted in 1976 (41 FR 12658, March 26, 1976).
In late December 1976, the Argo Merchant ran aground 22 miles from Nantucket Island off Massachusetts.
The 7.5 million gallon spill of oil led to the most massive spill response action to that time. Although the
weather conditions limited the effectiveness of the response action, the conditions also prevented any of the
oil from reaching the shore. In 1978 the State of Massachusetts submitted a petition for rulemaking, asking
for changes in the NCP. In addition, earlier in 1978 another spill (250,000 gallons) resulted in significant
damage over 27 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline.
In response to these accidents and to Congressional investigations, the NRT recommended a number of
changes to the NCP. Some problems were also addressed by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977
which expanded the scope of the plan to include the economic zone defined in the Fishery Conservation and
Management Act of 1976 and applied the NCP to potential as well as actual discharges.
On March 19, 1980, the CEQ adopted a revised NCP (45 FR 17832). The revised NCP eliminated the
distinction between primary and advisory agencies and expanded the NRT membership to 12 agencies, adding
the Departments of Agriculture and Energy. (DOE took over the AEC role when the AEC was replaced
by the DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. OEP was replaced by its successor agency, FEMA.)
State participation as full members in the RRTs was encouraged. To provide coordination with the scientific
community during spill action, Scientific Support Coordinators were designated by EPA and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work with the OSCs.
CERCIA
In December 1980, Congress enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (CERCIA) (P.L. 96-510, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.}, commonly known as Superfund, to address
the problems of hazardous substance spills. The Superfund legislation was developed after a number of
hazardous wastes sites, most notably the Love Canal in New York, gained national media attention. The
attention given these sites revealed a significant gap in Federal statutory authority: while the Federal
government had a mandate to respond to spills of oil and some hazardous substances to navigable waters,
Federally funded responses to spills or disposals that affected ground water or other surface water sources,
the air, land, or soils were not covered by any Federal law. As a consequence, the Federal government's
ability to respond to hazardous substance incidents was limited.
CERCLA provided the Federal government with the authority to clean up hazardous substance releases that
affect any environmental media. The primary limitation on the authority is that CERCLA covers only
approximately 700 hazardous substances; oil-based fuels and natural gas fuels are not covered. Under
CERCLA, the Federal government can identify a hazardous substance release and take removal or remedial
action, using the Superfund monies. The government may sue the responsible parties to recover the cost of
the action. CERCLA also authorizes the Federal government to issue administrative orders or to seek a court
order directing a potentially responsible party to take appropriate response actions.
CERCLA required revision of the NCP to include coverage of spills to any environmental media of any of
over 700 designated hazardous substances. (The President directed the revision of the NCP in E.O. 12286
(46 FR 9901, January 19,1981).) In E.O. 12316, the president transferred authority for the NCP to'EPA (46
FR 42237, August 14, 1981). While the structure of the National Response System did not change with the
passage of CERCLA or the adoption of the revised NCP (47 FR 31180, July 16, 1982), the actual
responsibilities of the various groups necessarily expanded to encompass the much broader range of spills
The 1985 revisions to the NCP (50 FR 47951, November 20, 1985) reestablished the details of agency
participation, which had been deleted in the 1982 revisions. However, it should be noted that most of the
changes to the NCP since the passage of CERCLA have involved the remedial program - the program to
identify, evaluate, and respond to hazardous waste sites ~ rather than the emergency response program.
While some Superfund sites require interim response actions, most of the program is directed toward
remediation.
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SARA
In 1984, the NRT conducted a survey to assess the preparedness and response capabilities at the Federal,
State, and local level. The survey revealed that contingency plans were often poorly done or totally lacking.
Training was limited; State responders were frustrated by the low priority given to emergency response
training. The survey found that response capability varied greatly from State to State. Many States had only
limited amounts of response equipment. The survey also revealed some problems with Federal equipment
availability.
Soon after the survey was distributed, the question of preparedness took on heightened importance as the
potentially disastrous consequences of chemical accidents were highlighted by the accident in Bhopal, India,
where a release of methyl isocyanate killed over 2,000 people. A subsequent release of aldicarb oxime from
a facility at Institute, West Virginia, intensified concern in the U.S. In 1985, the NRT developed a
Preparedness Initiative to support State and local preparedness and response capabilities (planning, training,
exercises, and response operations) through the RRTs.
Congress enacted Tide m of Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) (P.L. 100-499) in
October 1986. Title III is also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (42
U.S.C. 11001 et seq.). Tide DI requires local planning committees to develop plans for responding to
extremely hazardous substance emergencies and requires facilities to report a variety of information on
hazardous chemicals diey use or store. Title HI required die NRT to publish guidance for the preparation
and implementation of die emergency plans tiiat local planning committees are to develop under Title III.
Regional Response Teams may review and comment on an emergency plan or otiier issues related to
preparation, implementation, or exercise of such plans upon request of a local planning committee. These
Tide ni provisions were die first statutory recognition of die NRT and RRTs.
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