New Bedford/Fairhaven Harbor

1. New Bedford/Fairhaven Harbor Analysis of Chronic Oil Spills in New Bedford / Fairhaven Harbor

2. Outline • Problem • Harbor Overview • Analysis • Findings • Recommendations • RRT Input

3. The Problem • Reports of minor oil spills in the harbor are at a rate of one every two weeks. • Source of spills was unknown with potentials being land-based ground contamination, drainage systems or from surface sources such as large fishing fleet, oil transport facilities or barges, marinas or commercial deep draft vessels.

4. Costly Response and Investigation • Approx $205,000 spent on Federalized clean-ups over the past 2 years by accessing the OSLTF • Sampling can cost up to $200 per sample through the MSL • On average, up to 8 samples may be taken on any given investigation. • Samples are not always conclusive.

5. Harbor Overview • Harbor is located at the mouth of the Acushnet River flowing into Buzzards Bay. • The size is approximately 2 square miles. • The harbor may contain in excess of 1200 vessels; both recreational & commercial. • New Bedford commercial fishing fleet consists of approx. 500 vessels.

6. The Harbor • {Insert Chart or Map of Harbor} New Bedford Harbor

7. Approx 1 NM Approx 2 NM New Bedford Harbor Hurricane Barrier

8. The Analysis • Established an interagency team • Looked at Activities • History • Increased Surveillance • Reviewed Past Investigations

9. The Harbor Project Team • Partnering of local agencies to minimize & mitigate the occurrences of pollution in New Bedford / Fairhaven Harbor • Harbor Development Commission • New Bedford Harbor Police • MA Department of Environmental Protection • MA Division of Marine Fisheries • US Environmental Protection Agency • US Coast Guard

10. Harbor Activities • Commercial Fishing Vessel Fleet • Oil reception & delivery facilities • Fish Houses • Commercial General Cargo Facilities • Passenger Ferries • Passenger Fishing Charters • Recreational vessel moorings & marinas • Shipyards/Vessel Repair Facilities • Steamship Authority Repair Facility • Commercial Salvage/Towing Operators • Tourism/Cruise Ship Reception

11. Fishing Fleet

12. Fuel Barges

13. Insert Picture of Mobile Transfer Truck Mobile Fuel Delivery

14. Foreign Cargo Vessel

15. NE Fast Ferry

16. Passenger Ferry CUTTYHUNK

17. Steamship Authority Fairhaven Complex

18. History • Since 2006, USCG has received on average 1 reported discharge of oil/hazardous material every 2 weeks • Most are “Mystery Spills” – no known source • Many are “not” feasible for cleanup • Commonly these spills consist of diesel fuel, lube oil, hydraulic oil and paint • Possible sources include: Fueling operations, bilge pumping, house keeping runoff (vessels and piers), dredging, paint chipping, sanding and bottom cleaning

19. Past Investigations • Majority of spills lack a Responsible Party • Delayed/lack of notifications reduce response capability • Sampling to identify a RP can be difficult due to the large number of possible sources confined in small area • Sources on pier are difficult to link to a RP • Common probable sources during investigations include vessels, land based runoff (buckets and barrels staged on pier) and Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSO’s) • Land based runoff and CSO’s probable during heavy rains • Vessels have continued to be most probable source • New Bedford Harbor is restricted by a hurricane barrier • Prevents a flushing effect and increases the probability of recurring sheens from trapped sources

20. Coal Pocket/Steamship Pier 28 Jan 09

24. Findings • Increased vigilance within the Port • Landside Harbor patrols and Waterside patrols with NBPD • Found discrepancies during transfers of fuel • Found rubbish & waste oil buckets/drums dockside • Heard concern from fishing community regarding location for proper disposal • Collected and analyzed two years of reported spill data • Data suggests discharges occurring in vicinity of large collection of commercial fishing vessels while moored at the dock and during transit within the harbor • Collaborated with MA DEP & local municipal officials to analyze road run off/sewer drain correlation • Found possible correlation

26. Recommendations • Continue Education • Availability to the community through presence • Pamphlets and hand outs discussing the requirements under FWPCA and Amendments • Job Aids outlining the regulations governing the transfer of oil and the proper process of conducting fuel transfers • Out reach to local school (primarily middle schools) • Enhance Coordination & Enforcement • Increased presence through partnering with NB Marine Police, MA DEP & U.S. EPA • Conducting additional monitors of fuel transfers, including off hours. • Implement requirements for transfers to be reported to the COTP in advance • Improve Infrastructure • Bilge Water/Waste Oil Reclamation • Partnering with State & local agencies to put in place at no cost to the customer resources to remove the accumulation of bilge water/oil • Texas General Land Office has been operating such facilities since 1996 • HDC currently in process of applying for grants for such a facility

29. Moving Forward – Port Initiatives • Port of New Bedford seeking first “Green Port” designation – Northeast • Current Programs • Established fishing for energy recycling program • Constructed modern trash shed with built-in traps in event of accidental spills/leakage • Established best management practices for conducting operations at pier • Short Term Goals • Establish waste oil reception barge • Storm water management on piers and wharfs • Long Term Goals • Renewable energy technology • Short Sea Shipping • Alternative Fuels

30. Regional Response Team Input • Suggestions? • Questions?