have been assigned on an ad hoc, part-time basis, sometimes not until an 

 incident occurs. Our philosophy toward salvaging and treating oil -soaked 

 birds has often been one of avoidance and one based strictly on a practical 

 understanding of the biological significance of such losses. 



Ladies and gentlemen, our planning and response to oil spills must be 

 sharpened dramatically so that the Service can fully meet its responsibilities 

 under the National Contingency Plan. This workshop will provide an excellent 

 basis for accomplishing this. 



9/10 



