Geographic Specific Tactical Response Plan
Author | : Cynthia Anne Lederer |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 104 |
Release | : 1999 |
ISBN-10 | : 0599557486 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780599557482 |
Rating | : 4/5 (86 Downloads) |
The Geographic Specific Tactical Response Plan (GSTRP) is a model, which provides a practical guide for oil spill management and response. It utilizes the Incident Command Response System framework, identifies area specific Environmental Concerns (biological, ecological, chemical, physical, archaeo-cultural and socio-economic), bases response option selection on these Environmental Concerns while maintaining the simplicity necessary for an effective field oil spill response model. Currently, the United States Coast Guard is mandated under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to develop and utilize Area Contingency Plans (ACPs) for all oil spill response operations. Unfortunately due to the size and magnitude of information these plans are ineffective as a field response tool. the author, to determine the most effective and reliable parameters necessary for a field response tool targeting environmental concerns, used a conceptual historical research approach. These parameters were set and defined in general, then they were specifically applied to Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama. Once this application to Mobile Bay was complete, an unstandardized focus group of experts reviewed and deemed the Environmental Concern generic and specific parameters reliable, then used this information to prioritize the sensitive areas within Mobile Bay for inclusion In the model. This entire model is grounded in a Geographic Information System database to ensure easy replicability and allow for continual revision of information. It includes the pictorial representation of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration chart for Mobile Bay overlaid with the Environmental Sensitivity Index to provide a comprehensive nautical and environmental interactive mapping system. This model proposes to limit the obstacles inherent in oil spill response operations by predetermining the sensitive areas and response option selection in an effort to present a unified front of all affected federal and state environmental agencies. the United States Coast Guard response management system must evolve to the next level based on research and experience from preparedness exercises and oil spill operations. This model represents the next evolution in oil spill response planning for the United States Coast Guard.