B. Chemical Oil Dispersing Agents and Their Feasibility for Use: Gerard P. 

 Canevari 



Mr. Canevari, representing the Exxon Corporation, Floraham Park, New Jersey, 

 spoke on the feasibility of using chemical oil dispersing agents. He cited 

 several advantages of using dispersants: (1) biodegradation is increased; 

 (2) damage to marine birds is reduced or avoided; (3) the hazard of fire is 

 eliminated; (4) the oil does not wet the surface and adhere to sand particles; 

 and (5) the formation of tar balls is prevented. According to Mr. Canevari, 

 self-mixed dispersants could be sprayed on an area, with only a low level of 

 chemical toxicity resulting. 



C. Federal Viewpoint on Use and Potential of Chemical Oil Dispersants : 

 J. Stephen Dorrler 



Mr. Dorrler of the EPA office at Edison, New Jersey, discussed the use 

 of dispersants in accordance with the authorization under the national contin- 

 gency plan. He said that dispersants may be used at the discretion of the 

 On-Scene Coordinator (OCS). He indicated he would use dispersants when, in 

 his opinion, their use would involve only a minimal hazard to life and property. 

 The EPA representative on the RRT should be consulted when dispersants are 

 being considered. On the basis of this consultation, the EPA member could 

 recommend that dispersants be used to reduce hazards to waterfowl. The EPA 

 representative could also recommend the use of dispersants when they would 

 reduce overall environmental damage. The question and answer period that 

 followed his speech revealed some aspects of the very difficult process of 

 decision-making in cases; e.g., where it is necessary to trade one environmental 

 factor against the other in deciding whether to use a chemical dispersant. 



D. Restoration of Oil -Contaminated Shorelines: Robert W. Castle 



Mr. Castle of the URS Research Co. at San Mateo, California, spoke on 

 the problem of restoring oil damaged habitats and the monumental task of 

 cleaning up shoreline areas. He discussed how beach cleanup is accomplished. 

 Commander Corbett came back to present an example of some of the latest tech- 

 niques used in boom deployment and how booms could be specially deployed in 

 waterways to divert oil around sensitive areas. 



SESSION V. MINIMIZING IMPACTS OF OIL SPILLS ON AQUATIC BIRDS 



A. Techniques for Dispersing Birds from Oil Spill Areas: John G. Ward 



Dr. Ward with LGL Limited, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, spoke on various 

 techniques for dispersing birds from oil spill sites. He stated that birds 

 "habituate" to deterrent techniques, and for this reason, no technique can be 

 used for any sustained length of time. In most cases, the birds continue to 

 come back. This, he said, is ample evidence that in general there are no 

 effective, "foolproof" techniques. Also, there are no known techniques for 

 offshore coastal areas and for seabird colonies. 



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