PACIFIC STATES/BRITISH COLUMBIA OIL SPILL TASK FORCE and Places of Refuge BRIEFING FOR THE CANUSLANT EXERCISE June 13-16, 2005 Jean Cameron, Executive Coordinator Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force

Briefing Agenda Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Briefing Agenda Task Force Overview: Mission, history and structure Past accomplishments & future plans Places of Refuge Area Plan Annex

Mission Statement Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Mission Statement The mission of the Oil Spill Task Force is to strengthen state and Provincial abilities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil spills.

Overview Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Overview  1989 Memorandum of Cooperation; The Governors and Premier appointed the directors of their regulatory agencies with oil spill authorities to serve as Task Force Members  2001 Revised MOC: Includes Hawaii and reconfirms Task Force’s role and mission

Task Force Members Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Task Force Members The Task Force Members meet annually to: Review the status of projects and Adopt an Annual Work Plan that sets direction for the coming year Interact with key stakeholders in public meetings, rotated among member jurisdictions 2005 Annual Meeting is July 27 th, hosted by Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Coordinating Committee Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Coordinating Committee The Task Force Coordinating Committee Spill program managers or designees Meet with the Executive Coordinator quarterly to review implementation of Annual Workplan and address administrative issues; this meeting also rotates among member jurisdictions

Stakeholder Involvement Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Stakeholder Involvement Target Constituencies:  US & Canadian federal agencies  Oil and spill response industries  Professional organizations  Public interest groups  Local governments, tribes, Regional Citizen Advisory Councils, Harbor Safety Committees

Stakeholder Involvement Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Stakeholder Involvement  Annual Meetings  Topic-specific roundtables  Newsletters & Annual Report  Web site:  Legacy Awards  Project Workgroups  Seeking partnership opportunities with other agencies  Information requests, invited presentations, participation in drills/exercises

Accomplishments: A sampler Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Accomplishments: A sampler 1990 Report & Recommendations Improving the Safety of Pilotage Regional Database Investigator Training Pacific Oil Spill Prevention Education Team OILS-911

Accomplishments: A sampler Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Accomplishments: A sampler West Coast Offshore Vessel Traffic Risk Management Project Mutual Aid Agreements Integrated Tank Vessel Response Plan Guidelines Oiled wildlife care protocols & facility review Non-tank vessel contingency plans Places of Refuge Area Plan Annex

Plans for the Future Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Plans for the Future  Task Force Members adopted a new Strategic Plan for  Annual Work Plan was the first to implement new Strategic Plan  Annual Work Plan in development; to be adopted July 27  Available at

Places of Refuge Annex Project Workgroup  Pacific States and the Province  USCG Pacific Area, Districts and the Office of Response  The Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada, Environment Canada, the Vancouver Port Authority  Industry including tank vessel, tug and barge, and dry cargo operators’ associations  Both AK RCACs and the David Suzuki Foundation

Purpose Places of Refuge Annex Purpose Operationalizes IMO’s Guidelines… Provides Decision Making Checklist Templates for inventorying information on possible sites & key stakeholders Provides for consistent US/CN transboundary approach

Format Places of Refuge Annex Format Annex divided into 3 sections:  Introductory statements  Decision-making checklist to use during event  Pre-planning templates as appendices

Introduction Section Places of Refuge Annex Introduction Section No single POR for all; each decision is case-specific, even though potential places of refuge may be pre-identified Cross-border incidents would activate existing protocols The annex commits to use of Unified Command and ICS (NRP) Acknowledges role of ship’s master in the process, but primary focus is on IMO guidelines as they relate to decision- making by authorities

Definitions Section Places of Refuge Annex Definitions Section Incorporates definitions from the IMO guidelines and adds: Definition of a ship Statement on the types of places of refuge Note regarding MAS in US and Canada Guidelines only

Jurisdiction Section Places of Refuge Annex Jurisdiction Section Defines roles of: Federal authorities State/Provincial authorities Local Authorities Tribes Resource Agencies Ship’s master

Management Structure Statements Places of Refuge Annex Management Structure Statements COTP (or Canadian equivalent) has authority to make decision, but activates Unified Command if time allows; if not, will make necessary notifications ASAP Unified Command is vehicle for Federal, State, Provincial & responsible party involvement in the decision-making process – other stakeholders are involved as appropriate through ICS

Decision-making Guidelines Places of Refuge Annex Decision-making Guidelines The steps provide for an analytical approach to decision-making: first weigh if a ship should be brought into a place of refuge then weigh which place would be best That Process begins when the ship’s master makes a request for refuge.

Step by Step Places of Refuge Annex Step by Step Step 1 outlines the information the master is expected to provide Step 2 notes that the COTP will activate Unified Command IF TIME ALLOWS

Step by Step, continued: Places of Refuge Annex Step by Step, continued: For Step 3: Initial steps: Contract for salvage/spill response Establish Command Post Notifications Project drift Trajectory Inspection/evaluation Then: Five Options, Five Factors

Step 3, continued: Places of Refuge Annex Step 3, continued: Options: Remain in Position Continue Voyage Taken out to Sea Intentionally Scuttled Directed to a Place of Refuge Factors: Human Health & Safety Environment Ship Status and Risk Response & Salvage Resources Other Command Management Factors

Step by Step, continued: Places of Refuge Annex Step by Step, continued: IF POR is right call, then additional factors are considered under Step 4: Human Health and Safety Environment Port or Anchorage Area Criteria Beaching Site Economy Response, Salvage and Repair Resources Other Command Management Factors

Step by Step, continued: Places of Refuge Annex Step by Step, continued: Step 5 lists resource protection factors to be considered in both Steps 3 and 4 Step 6 directs decision-makers to document decisions and notifications

Appendix I Places of Refuge Annex Appendix I Agency and stakeholder contacts for which 24/7 information must be kept current

Appendix II Places of Refuge Annex Appendix II Template for pre-identifying information on potential PORs Supports expedited decision-making during incident Collecting advance info DOES NOT MEAN that inventoried sites are pre- ordained Advises Area Committee to use local knowledge

Development/Implementation Places of Refuge Annex Development/Implementation Public comments incorporated Referred by USCG Pacific Area in February; copied to USCG HQ and LantArea BC has adapted the Annex into operational guidelines as part of their Marine Oil Spill Response Plan Transport Canada has drafted a National Contingency Plan for Places of Refuge; Western Region begun mapping

Contact Information Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force Contact Information Jean Cameron, Executive Coordinator Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force PO Box 1032 (mailing address) Neskowin, OR (phone/fax)