PROBLEM DEFINITION 



Columbus H. Brown 



National Pollution Response Coordinator 



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 



Washington, DC. 



Today more than any other time in the past, our society has come to rea- 

 lize the problems that environmental contaminants pose. The Fish and Wildlife 

 Service (FWS) has a great responsibility to the American people along with 

 other Federal and State officials, industry, private organizations, and 

 individual citizens in protecting our natural resources for ourselves and for 

 future generations. 



The destruction of fish and wildlife habitats by land and water develop- 

 ment activities, as well as energy production, is quite evident throughout 

 this country. The remaining habitats are subject to contamination and 

 further damages by oil and hazardous substances. 



Tanker and barge groundings and collisions which result in the spilling 

 of oil and hazardous substances into inland canals, lakes, estuaries, and near 

 shore and oceanic waters pose a multiplicity of problems to fish and wildlife 

 populations and other natural resources. 



Train derailments and other land-based transportation accidents involving 

 spills of caustic acids, flammable chemicals, noxious gasses, toxic solvents, 

 pesticides, and other hazardous substances are being reported in increasing 

 numbers in recent years. Impacts have been witnessed in rivers, streams, 

 estuaries, and marshes. 



Pipelines, generally considered the most environmentally sound method of 

 transporting oil and industrial chemicals, have leaked and ruptured, dis- 

 charging their contents into wildlife conservation areas, estuaries, rivers, 

 streams, open waters, and into the air. 



Oiled birds have become our nation's symbol of consciousness when oil 

 spills occur. The frequent photograph of a wrecked tanker has become 

 symbolic of the cause of such contamination. The problem of oil spills goes 

 beyond the bird and the tanker. It includes the broad base of natural 

 resources and all modes of transportation that convey petroleum products. 



