1 Agreement Between the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Department of State, and the Panama Canal Authority Regarding Assistance with Respect to Certain Environmental Pollution Incidents in the Panama Canal Area

2 History of Agreement ä On January 15, 1997, the PCC requested assistance from the NRT in identifying the type of response assistance that could be provided in the event of an oil, hazardous substance, or radiological incident in the PCOA when the capacity of the PCC to respond has been exceeded. ä On December 12, 1997, an MOU for providing this assistance was signed between the NRT and PCC. ä Key areas addressed in the MOU include: W Funding W Notification Procedures W Operational Procedures W Incident Command system W Termination Procedures W Logistical Arrangements W Training and Exercises W Effective Date and Termination Date

3 History of Agreement ä Under the terms of the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and management of the Canal Area passed from the PCC to the PCA on December 31, ä At its October 1999 meeting, the NRT approved having EPA and USCG proceed with a circular 175 process to begin negotiations for a new agreement. ä 2002 the EPA, USCG and DOS signed the current agreement we have with the ACP.

4 Purpose of Agreement ä To facilitate the provision of assistance by certain agencies of the Government of the United States at the request of the Panama Canal Authority in connection with significant pollution or radiological incidents that may affect the Canal.

5 NRT/ACP Activities ä NRT agencies have assisted the PCA in developing its Area Contingency Plan ä February 2004 held a notification exercise. ä November 2004 planning meeting in Panama for table top exercise ä Last week, NSFCC provided assistance and training in exercise development, control and evaluation

6 NRT/ACP Activities ä Next week NRT, EPA, Navy SupSalv, Gulf Strike Team and NSFCC will be participating in a three day table top exercise in Panama City. ä Objectives ä Evaluate the ability of a Technical Assistance Team to assimilate into Panama’s response system ä Evaluate Panama’s new Crisis Action Center’s ability to handle a major incident ä Evaluate the ability of the ACP/NRT response team to produce an Incident Action Plan ä Prepare for a future full-scale exercise

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