cleanup involving chemicals, we would want a chemical expert to be there. The 



same is true with a bird cleaning operation, if this is what we are doing, 



because the public will want to know what we are doing to protect the fish 

 and wildlife in the area. 



No matter how much good planning is done or how good a LRT is, there will 

 be occasions when they are in a situation they cannot handle. And, we have a 

 mechanism to help them in this particular case. This is the RRT. I will not 

 elaborate on what the RRT is going to do. I shall simply state that at this 

 point it is the group that you are going to go to on the local team, when you 

 need some supplies, more people, and you cannot deal with it at the local 

 level . 



There are going to be differences of opinion as to what are the prior- 

 ities on the scene from time to time. Everyone will have to recognize that. 

 There are State people, local people, concerned public citizens, and your- 

 selves, all with an interest in your particular area of expertise. We will 

 look to you to try and to get these groups together in hopes of reaching a 

 consensus. No matter how hard you try there are going to be occasions when 

 agreement cannot be reached. When disagreement occurs on the local team, do 

 not hesitate to bring it to your representative on the RRT once you have made 

 an honest effort to solve the problem at the local level by bringing the prob- 

 lem to the OSC's attention. But, you really must make an effort to let the 

 OSC know how you feel. If you cannot resolve it at the local level, take it 

 to the RRT. 



The worst thing that anyone of us can do in this particular effort is to 

 sit there and be disturbed about something rather than try to resolve the 

 problem. This is important for all of us. We have to get to the point that 

 we can work with one another and tell each other what is on our minds, express 

 our concerns, our opinions, and carry out what we consider to be our respon- 

 sibilities and feel that we have the right to do that. This is extremely im- 

 portant. I encourage all of you to take a very active role in all aspects of 

 the LRT and the RRT. 



I assure you that the National Pollution Response Coordinator takes an 

 active role on the national level. He expresses his concerns and he carries 

 out his responsibilities. This is the only way that we are going to improve 

 what we have now by admitting where we have problems, bringing them to the 

 attention of the appropriate individuals on the team, and trying to solve 

 these problems collectively. 



We have an outstanding mechanism for dealing with- pollution emergencies. 

 It can only get better by the concerted efforts of all of us who are involved. 

 I know how much you people have done in the past in support of the OSC's. For 

 the U.S. Coast Guard and for EPA, I thank you very much. We look forward to 

 working with you in the future. 



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