Response. Recovery. Restoration.
Addressing the BP Oil leak has been multi-faceted. Communication has been a challenge for everyone in this unprecedented event. While it may appear few measures are being taken, in actuality a number of organizations have been heavily involved. To clarify actions, the following steps are unfolding: Response, Recovery, and Restoration.
Response has involved the initial actions to stop the leak, address water bound oil, and prepare for “land fall.” These activities included the offshore techniques employed by BP such as the skimmer boats, dispersants, fire booms, and various mechanical techniques at the well head source of the leak. The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed a massive number of floating booms across the states in an effort to protect critical habitats. They have also placed HESCO barriers and created sand berms among other things.
In the background to these highly publicized protective measures are an impressive number of research institutions, marine science labs, state and federal agencies, non-profit groups, county and city governments, who have mounted sizable monitoring activities. These groups are collecting information on everything from water quality, fish, shellfish, plants, sediment, and ground water in preparation for potential damage by the oil. This information is crucial to understanding future changes that will occur in the ecosystem. Also, a high number of experts are involved in modeling and forecasting the movement of the oil in the Gulf of Mexico. You may not see them on TV, but the information all these people generate is critical.
Volunteer organizations have been at the ready collecting thousands of names of people who want to help. They have been advocating on behalf of the Gulf of Mexico or working directly in impacted communities. Many have helped organize pre-clean up events by getting people on the beaches to remove trash prior to the oil’s landfall. The hard part for most groups is “hurry up and wait” for what may happen on the coast. It is difficult to predict what resources will be needed as impact may vary from state to state.
This entire Response effort is coordinated through a “Unified Command” led by U.S Coast Guard, BP, and a state’s water quality agency such as the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The response effort also includes the initial cleanup of the oil in the water and as it comes on shore. It is too soon to know just how long the oil will continue to flow from the Deep Water site. Estimates vary from weeks to years of cleanup operations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures the safety protocols for people doing the work. The protocols are established through the Code of Federal Regulations.
The difficult situation for volunteer organizations in this phase is the fact that anything contaminated with oil is considered hazardous waste. Therefore, clean up requires specialists who are already trained in handling various types of toxic materials, the protocols for collecting samples, and the reporting requirements. Clean up activities will avoid putting volunteers in the way of any potential harm.
Many people have expressed an interest in helping oiled wildlife. This too requires special training and permits. In fact, some zoos which house exotic wildlife do not have the proper permits and materials necessary for handling local wildlife. Added to this complication is that different animals may require specialized care. Tri-State Rescue & Research is the lead organization to respond to oiled wildlife. Many other wildlife organizations are already actively responding and have the capabilities and credentials necessary to assist.
The Recovery phase has set in motion a number of emergency planning efforts at all levels of the above mentioned Response organizations. Research institutions and various non-profits are redirecting their operations to address collecting information related to the oil leak. Meeting agendas are changing at the last minute so attendees can provide their expertise on how monitoring, modeling, and assessment of the damages should proceed. Addressing the “toxic waste” issue has sent many organizations scrambling to prepare their staff with HAZWOPPER (Hazardous Work Operations and Emergency Responses) training so they may begin to collect the critical data needed. In addition, protocols for collection have to be reviewed carefully as instrumentation can be greatly affected by oil contamination, thus changing the results.
The Recovery phase of addressing the BP oil spill incident is just starting. These efforts will take years. Recovery here is the assessment of damages to the natural resources. These assessments are guided by strict rules outlined through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process. NRDA addresses the requirements for ecosystem data collection and the long term cost associated with the cleanup. This is done in conjunction with trustees from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of the Interior and respective state trustee agencies. These state agencies may be different than the Response agencies.
The State trustees working with federal agencies and regional organizations are breaking out into working groups that address: sediment, birds, human uses, marine mammals and turtles, chemistry/sampling, fish, shoreline, submerged vegetation, water column, and even things like aerial imagery.
All of this information will help to tell us what damage the oil has caused to the natural resources and apply monetary value to that damage. This sets the stage for the last and longest phase of addressing the BP oil spill incident – Restoration.
While the true Restoration phase may be some months away, early planning stages are beginning for this too. What happens during Response and Recovery will have an impact on Restoration. How information is collected today will be important for informing future Restoration activities. When these projects begin, a multitude of partners will undoubtedly be involved.
It may feel like not much is being done. But behind the scenes a lot of individuals have worked long days and nights to address this crisis. People might not be able to go to the coast and help with the initial cleanup, but they can make a difference right at home.
What You Can Do
The easiest thing anyone can do is make a donation to their favorite organization. Research carefully the charity you want to support and make sure they are accomplishing goals that are important to you. You may find that these organizations are in your own hometown.
If you want to get out and do something, find something nearby. There are 32 continental states and two Canadian provinces that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Participating in local cleanups helps your own town, shows pride in your community, and keeps that trash from washing down onto someone else.
Local wildlife and habitat groups are often underfunded and understaffed, and likely to welcome help. Participate in local planting activities, use native plants at your home, and help keep area green spaces clean. If a migratory bird makes it from the Gulf region to your town, make it a healthy stop over for it.
For links to more information www.gulfallianceeducation.org.
