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Emergency Response Notifications and EPA Response Capabilities

Emergency Response Notifications and EPA Response Capabilities. Gregory Ham On Scene Coordinator May 19, 2012. Notification Requirements Response Process Response Capabilities. Reporting Requirements. EPCRA Section 304 and CERCLA Section 103:. Reporting Requirements.

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Emergency Response Notifications and EPA Response Capabilities

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  1. Emergency ResponseNotifications and EPA Response Capabilities Gregory Ham On Scene Coordinator May 19, 2012

  2. Notification Requirements • Response Process • Response Capabilities

  3. Reporting Requirements EPCRA Section 304 and CERCLA Section 103:

  4. Reporting Requirements EPCRA Sections 311 & 312:

  5. For Oil spills, the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) requires that all spills of oil that reach a navigable waterway or adjacent shorelines (even a sheen) be reported to the NRC

  6. Responsible Party (Facility/Transporter) is required to notify the National Response Center • However, anyone can report a spill • For responders to be reimbursed under two Federal programs, there must be an NRC report

  7. National Pollution Funds Center – USCG – claims for oil spill response • Local Government Reimbursement Program – up to $25,000 reimbursement for haz mat responses

  8. Calls to the NRC are forwarded to: • Local Coast Guard office • Regional EPA office • Appropriate State/Local agencies • Other appropriate agencies

  9. EPA Duty officer receives a confirmation call from the NRC, then determines what actions to take: • Defer to State/Local agency (95%) • Send out an On Scene Coordinator (5%) • Activate an Incident Management Team (rare) • EPA also receives requests for assistance directly from State and Local counterparts

  10. What Can EPA Bring to a Response?

  11. On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)Roles • Authorities and duties - National Contingency Plan (NCP): • Pre designated by EPA or the USCG to coordinate or direct federal responses under subpart D of the NCP • Worker health and safety at the response scene • Prompt notification to natural resource trustees • Establish UC along with State/Locals and Responsible Party • Can mobilize special forces ie. EPA-ERT, EPA-NDT, USCG-NSF, EPA-NCERT

  12. Potential EPA Roles in Response • Assist with containment and controlling spread of contamination • Assess extent and magnitude of contamination • Assist in assessing public health risk • Assist with disposal of hazardous wastes • Assist in safeguarding of responders • Identify/implement decontamination options • Assist in determination of when an area is safe to reoccupy

  13. Unified Command Structure Federal State Unified Command Local Tribes PRP/RP

  14. If requested/agreed upon, EPA can take the lead in performing a cleanup, or overseeing the responsible party in conducting the cleanup • Enforcement authorities – negotiated consent agreements or unilateral orders • EPA cleanup using EPA contractors • (Cost Recovery)

  15. Biological & Ecological Surface & Subsurface Training Analytical Information Management Engineering & Remediation Environmental Response Team Air Monitoring Health & Safety Counterterrorism

  16. Program ASPECT Structural Engineers and Industrial Hygienists to assess safety of impacted structures Materials and HVAC Engineers to develop decon strategies for buildings Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology Disposal experts to identify waste treatment, transportation, and disposal options National Decon Team Health Physicists, chemists and toxicologists to advise on contaminant behavior and by-products

  17. Questions? • Gregory Ham • On Scene Coordinator • USEPA • 701 Mapes Road • Fort Meade, MD 20755 • ham.greg@epa.gov • 410-305-2776

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