Spill Response Plans

Description

Simply having the proper equipment available for responding to oil spills is not enough to ensure proper oil spill response and clean-up efforts. An Oil Spill Response Plan clearly identifies the who, what, when, where, and how of spill response for a particular marina. In its most basic sense, the oil spill response plan is simply a proactive safety device which outlines a set of procedures for correctly responding to such an emergency.

Implementation

If proper oil spill response equipment is already available, there is almost no need for additional capital outlays in the development of a spill response plan (if not see the emergency spill response equipment case study). We used The Environmental Guide for Marinas model oil spill response plan as the reference source in completing the individual spill response plans. Two meetings were held with marina managers who: identified potential spill threats; agreed upon spill response tactics; designated specific personnel with specific roles; and, identified contacts for additional spill response equipment See Appendix F of the hard copy for the actual plans developed.

Evaluation

Cost: Approximately 4 person hours to research and develop the plan with an additional 2 person hours for staff review and instruction.

Pollutants Collected: No actual events occurred which allowed the spill response plans to be implemented. Therefore we can not estimate the amount of pollutants collected, or in this case, prevented from reaching the open environment, as a result of having developed a spill response plan.

Cost Effectiveness: Considering that the implementation cost for this BMP is extremely low, and that the development of spill response plans can be very cost effective. The primary benefit being that the appropriate individuals can then train to respond to the potential threats identified; become more aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a spill; know where and how to access the necessary response equipment; and can therefore better respond to actual emergencies.

Lessons Learned/Recommendations

• The development of spill response plans is straightforward, inexpensive and can be easily accomplished by marina staff without the assistance of costly private consultants.
• The Environmental Guide for Marinas serves as an excellent resource for the development of spill response plans.
• The process of developing the plan with staff is an educational experience in and of itself, but training in actual spill response is most helpful.
• Properly informed actions on the part of marina representatives in the early phase of spill response has the potential to reduce cleanup costs and marina liabilities.

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