1. Sector Mobile ACP Meeting Mobile, Alabama December 18, 2013
Update on Revisions to RRT 4 Dispersant and In-Situ Burn Plans + New Vessel Decon Plan
Sector Mobile ACP Meeting
Mobile, Alabama
December 18, 2013

2. If it happened today… Resources can still mobilize Notify RRT and SSCs
Fill out forms, begin SMART monitoring, etc.
Initiate emergency consults
NFMS and USFWS
Get approval and concurrence
Proceed

3. If it happened “tomorrow”…
Resources can still mobilize
Notify RRT and SSCs
Fill out forms, begin SMART monitoring, etc.
Proceed with initial application/burn
Initiate emergency consults
NFMS and USFWS
Get approval and concurrence
Proceed …again

4. Permission for Dispersants / Burning
National Contingency Plan Subpart J (40 CFR )
910(a): Authorization & Preauthorization
910(b): Case-By-Case Approval
910(c): Case-By-Case for Burning
910(d): OSC’s authority in life-saving/protection

5. Who Authorizes? Preauthorization Case-By-Case Approval: Concurrence:
Consultation:

6. Preauthorization Design
Policy
Protocols
Zones
Consultations

7. Preauthorization “Policy”
Limited to “Initial” use
24hrs from notification to RRT
one completed application/burn
Defines “Affected State”
has jurisdiction over environmental resources that might be impacted or threatened
Contracts encouraged but not required

8. Preauthorization “Protocols” (Dispersants)
Justifiable Use
Product Schedule
RRT Notification
Documentation
Evaluation of Continued Use
Decision Elements
ESA and EFH Consultations
Health and Safety
RRT Observers
Shallow Water
Monitoring
NHPA and Tribal Consultations
Final Report

9. Preauthorization “Protocols” (Burning Agents)
Health and Safety
Mechanical Recovery
Monitoring
ESA and EFH Consultations
Decision Tree
Favorable Conditions
Application to RRT
Final Report
RRT Agency Participation
NHPA and Tribal Consultations
Burn Control
Ignition Control

10. Preauthorization “Zone”
Green
Federal jurisdiction
>3nm from shore
(and/or >9nm from west Florida)
>30ft depth

11. Non-Preauthorization “Zone”
Yellow (Case-By-Case)
Protected areas
<3nm from shore
<30ft depth
Sensitive ecosystems
Letter of Agreement from State or service agency
Red (Prohibited)
None currently identified

13. Preauthorization “Consultations”
Endangered Species Act
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act (MSA) aka Essential Fish Habitats (EFH)
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

14. Consultation Hurdles Scope, Scale, Cost Longevity From draft plan:
Preauthorization is only valid “where consultations are not missing, inapplicable, and/or determined by the service agency to be inadequate”

15. Consultations for Case-By-Case
Yellow Zone
Emergency (aka “informal”) Consultation
After “initial” application/burn
Default requirement after preauthorization authority has expired under “initial” use definition in plan

16. Original Plan Status Plans Consultations
1995: In-Situ Burn Plan (active)
1996: Dispersant Use Plan (active)
Consultations
ESA list needs new species since ‘95/’96
EFH and NHPA consultations do not exist
No formal (written) determination by service agencies on validity

17. Also: Standardizing Gulf Plans
Goals for RRT4 and RRT6 Collaboration
Uniform policy, protocols, and forms for countermeasure use in Gulf
Emergency Consultations
Clear requirements
Decision-makers predetermined and practiced

18. Monitor Sample Forms Consultation Product Schedule Forms Notify Assess
Too messy?
Forms
Consultation
Product Schedule
Forms
Notify
Assess
Forms
Overflight
Concurrence
Data
Forms
Monitor
Documentation
Outreach

19. If it happened today… Resources can still mobilize Notify RRT and SSCs
Fill out forms, begin SMART monitoring, etc.
Initiate emergency consults
NFMS and USFWS
Get approval and concurrence
Proceed

20. Burning Option: Aliceville Train Derailment - 2013

21. Vessel Decon Plan
BURNING
VESSEL
DECON
DISPERSANTS

22. Vessel Decon Plan Purpose
For oiled vessels wishing to enter coastal ports
Oiling results from transit through spill or plume
Outline process for decontamination

23. Vessel Decon Plan Requirements
Surface washing agents approved by RRT on incident-specific basis
Master of Vessel provides COTP with hull cleaning plan
Cleaning conducted at sea by OSRO hired by vessel
Vessel inspected and released by USCG

24. VDP Specific Language (1/2)
“GDA”
COTP determines a Gross Decontamination Area out at sea for operations
Outside special federal or state management jurisdictions
>30ft depth
“Oiled Hull”
sheen emanating from hull or visible ring around waterline of vessel caused by oil

25. VDP Specific Language (2/2)
“Clean”
not emitting a visible sheen
“Surface Washing Agent”
limited by plan to “lift and float”-type agents

26. epaosc.org/rrtivscienceandtech
Fin
epaosc.org/rrtivscienceandtech