Overview of USCG Response Program EPA OSC Conference 2012 LCDR Shaun Edwards 1
USCG- Local Level Field Unit- Local Level 35 Sectors: Sector CDR- COTP, FOSC, SMC, OCMI, FMSC Response Department: Law Enforcement, Port Waterways Coastal Security, SAR, Pollution Prevention Department: Investigations, Inspections, Waterways Mgmt. Planning Department: Contingency Planning, Exercises 2
USCG DISTRICT RESPONSE ADVISORY TEAMS- Regional level DRAT's main responsibilities Provide support to the FOSC during oil spills and HAZMAT releases within CG Districts. Maintains pre-positioned spill response equipment sites across their District. Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System (VOSS) Spilled Oil Recovery System (SORS) 3
CG PRE-POSITIONED EQUIPMENT
Use of Contractors USCG maintains Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) w/ Contractors specializing in pollution response, salvage, diving, etc. Contractors hired by USCG if RP is unresponsive or not taking appropriate measures to clean-up. The BOA lists a set cost agreed to by company. 5
USCG NATIONAL STRIKE FORCE A history within the National Response System: The National Strike Force (NSF) was established in 1973 as a direct result of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. The NSF s role and responsibilities in supporting the National Response System have expanded under subsequent major environmental legislation, including the Clean Water Act of 1977, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the National Response Plan and numerous Presidential Directives. The NSF was incorporated within the U.S. Deployable Operations Group (DOG) in July 2007 Deployable Operations Group (DOG) Designed to mirror DOD organization of Special Teams All but that National Strike Force are involved with Maritime Law Enforcement and/or Military Security 6
NATIONAL STRIKE FORCE MISSION Function as a Special Team within the National Response System (NRS) and assist USCG and EPA Federal On Scene Coordinators and other federal officials while executing responsibilities under the National Contingency Plan (NCP) and the National Response Framework (NRF). Develop and provide highly trained, experienced personnel and specialized equipment for response to oil pollution, hazardous substance releases, and WMD incidents in order to protect public health and the environment. What They Do: Oil and Hazardous Chemical Response WMD events including Rad/Bio terrorism incidents Incident Command / Response Mgt. Support Preparedness Exercise & Event Planning Support
ELEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL STRIKE FORCE National Strike Force Coordination Center (NSFCC) Public Information Assist Team (PIAT) 3 National Strike Teams Atlantic Strike Team (AST) Gulf Strike Team (GST) Pacific Strike Team (PST) Over 200 Active Duty and Reserves Standardized response equipment Highly trained and experience personnel 24/7/365 recall status
EXAMPLES IN PARTNERSHIP LST1166 is an ex-navy vessel operated under various private owners until is became owned by Washtenaw County LST1166. Vessel is a landing craft with bow doors & is 373.9 feet long and 2418 Gross Tons. CG federalized case & began removal actions in July 2008. Asbestos abatement was completed & petroleum products were removed as well as PCB & lead contaminated materials. During removal it was identified that paint interior was PCB contaminated. 9
EXAMPLES IN PARTNERSHIP At the request of the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, US EPA initiated the Bodie State Historic Park (SHP) removal action to mitigate threats posed to human health and the environment by the presence of lead, arsenic and mercury in soils, mill tailings, indoor dust and indoor air, and the presence of PCB s in transformer oil, located at the site in Mono County, California. At the lead hot spots surrounding the assay laboratories, contaminated soils were excavated down to a depth of 1 foot and disposed of off-site. An indicator fabric was then placed in the bottom of the excavation and clean soil was backfilled. This approach minimized the disturbance of any artifacts, and it allows park staff to recognize when excessive erosion may be exposing contaminated soil at the surface. 10
EXAMPLES IN PARTNERSHIP Foster s Plating (the Site) was an inactive plating shop located in a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood in West Oakland, California. In January, 2009, EPA conducted a joint inspection with the OFD & the CA Dept of Toxics Substances Control to assess the threats posed by metal plating wastes at the Site. During the inspection, the team id d that corrosive & toxic wastes in the tanks and containers at the Site posed an imminent & substantial endangerment to human health & the environment. Air monitoring was continuous. All materials on-site were assessed, sampled & characterized for handling/disposal. 3920 gal of plating solutions were pumped out of tanks & containers. 25 totes were filled w/ plating solutions & transported off-site for disposal. All acid & alkaline sludge-like materials remaining in plating tanks were sampled, profiled, solidified & placed into drums. Plating vats were cut-up & shipped for disposal. 11
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