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A State Perspective on Impacts of Deepwater-Horizon Incident Northwest Area Committee Meeting Astoria, Oregon Jeff Christensen Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 18 November, 2010 SOME POSITIVE OUTCOMES OF DEEPWATER-HORIZON ON THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST #1) We are reminded that a significant disaster can strike any at any time #2) Existing stockpiles of equipment are replaced and in some cases upgraded #3) Personnel in private and public sector gain valuable experience #4) We exercised mutual aid in a new and different way #5) Oil spill research lessons learned In Situ Burning Dispersants Modeling efforts #6) Lessons learned from organization of the response action Joint Information Center Public Affairs Finance Unified Command FOSC SOSC RP Local, Tribes Logistics Liaison Officer Safety Officer Operations Planning SPECIFIC ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST RESPONSE COMMUNITY #1) Even in a case of a SONS, state roles and responsibilities for protecting public health and the environment are relevant #2) West Coast perspective on our region’s ability to assist Gulf and Eastern Seaboard States #3) How do we address public understanding and expectations? #4) How can we do a better job involving communities and local governments in planning and drills and exercises before an incident? #5) Should we revisit worst case planning standards for contingency plans and the Area plan? Northwest Area Contingency Plan National Contingency Plan • The Northwest Area Contingency Plan is the primary Federal policy and guidance document for responding to releases of oil and hazardous substances to water or land for three states: – • Idaho • Washington • Oregon AND three regional Federal operational areas: • USEPA Region 10 • U.S. Coast Guard Puget Sound • U.S. Coast Guard Sector Portland • Identifies a command structure for event management For more information… • http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/cu/index.htm • Jeff Christensen, Manager Emergency Response/Environmental Cleanup Land Quality Division Oregon DEQ (503) 229-6391 [email protected]