Myths and Realities of Oil Spill Planning and Response: The Challenges of a Large Spill"Over the past 20 years, governments and industry have expended considerable effort to improve spill preparedness and response. This paper reviews where improvements have occurred, which elements have been most or least effective, and where future investment should concentrate. There are a wide variety of approaches to spill response. There is no universal solution to an oil spill, and all available strategies may be required. Despite its proven effectiveness, dispersant use often is discouraged, possibly because of a persistent myth that it wilil cause lasting environmental damage. Responders, therefore, often are denied use of what could be the most effective tool in the right circumstances. Other myths persist-for example, the purchase of more equipment is the solution. The reality is that, without proper planning and support, additional equipment solves nothing. Future efforts must concentrate on strengthening spill infrastructure. Another myth is that mobilising every available resource leads to better response. The reality is that, by selecting appropriate techniques and resources, together with strict cost control, successful response can be conducted at a sensible cost. Politicians, the media, environmental interest groups, and the public must be educated that, despite response improvements, oil almost always will come ashore. In most cases, however, the environment will not be permanently damaged. Unless public expectations can be reduced to accept this, investment wil never be perceived as a success. It is concluded that, in some places, response capabilities have improved. Unfortunately, in many other places, they have not: too many myths remain, and too few realities are understood"--Abstract |
Contents
MYTH OR REALITY? HAS IMPROVED PERFORMANCE HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT | 13 |
MYTH OR REALITY? HAVE RESPONSE CAPABILITIES TO CLEAN | 15 |
MYTH OR REALITY? HAVE INCREASED RESPONSE CAPABILITIES | 21 |
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achieved actions agreements amount Appendix areas arrangements assistance authorities bases Centre clean co-operation co-operative companies conducted considered containment contingency planning Convention costs countries critical damage determine developed discussion dispersant effective efforts Environment environmental equipment established example exercises experience Exxon Valdez spill formed Fund impact implemented important IMPROVED PERFORMANCE increased interest groups investment issues LARGE SPILLS last 20 Limited Location maintained major major oil major spill Marine mechanical ment MYTH OR REALITY observed occurred offshore oil industry oil spill response operation OPRC organisation OSRL past perception personnel political Pollution ports positive preparedness prevent programmes protection REALITY REALITY recovered recovery reduced regions reports response capabilities response technique result risk salvage Sea Empress shoreline cleanup significant spill management stockpiles success tanker technical Tier tion tonnes various Vessel