Pre-Spill Planning

While the protection of people and property are always the highest priorities in the event of an oil or chemical release, the impact on shorelines, both marine and inland, is also of considerable importance. Many rivers and lakes are utilized not only as primary drinking, agricultural and industrial water sources but also as corridors for waterborne traffic and fisheries. Marine shorelines are important recreational features as well locations where significant commercial and subsistence food harvesting occurs.

The effect of a spill on an environmentally sensitive shoreline can be devastating. To this end, mapping is essential of the shoreline and near-shore resources that could be at risk in the event of a discharge. This procedure, frequently referred to as pre-spill sensitivity mapping, forms an essential component of the contingency plan and provides a framework for the protection of those assets.

Preparations would include procuring or arranging for the availability of suitable equipment to exclude the spill from, and/or treat, the identified sensitive areas as well as the training of personnel in the effective use of such equipment. Such planning and provisions must reflect seasonal variations in both the populations of the affected areas (bird nesting, fish spawning, etc) and the condition of the water body itself (open water, ice covered or a mixture of both). Water flow levels can also seriously impact a response with the freshet of a river and consequential flooding usually greatly increasing the potential area at risk.

During a Spill

When a spill occurs, it is essential that the actual shoreline resources threatened be quickly identified, categorized and quantified so that suitable clean-up equipment can be assigned to mitigate the contamination. Shoreline Clean-up and Assessment Technique (SCAT) is the widely accepted approach applied to accomplish this.

CSRO offers consulting, planning and training services related to this subject as identified below:

   •   Identification and mapping of resources that may be at risk
   •   Contingency Planning
   •   Recommendations as to the most appropriate response equipment and best        resource protection and countermeasures strategies on a seasonal basis
   •   Training of responders in both classroom and field environments for safe and         effective operations at a spill
   •   Shoreline Clean-up and Assessment Technique (SCAT)
   •   Shoreline clean-up and remediation