Basically, this scheme is a formalization of information flow that should 

 occur between the various interest groups represented on the RRT and the OSC. 



The object of cleaning up spilled oil is to diminish the exposure time 

 of the oil to the living components of that portion of the biosphere that is 

 affected. This includes man as an affected party as well as the simplest 

 form of life present. A priority scheme should incorporate subjective factors 

 as well as real and natural forces that must be considered by the OSC. 



One of these factors is the influence of public opinion. The public 

 voice may be the combined outcries of many individuals who have the same 

 common complaint or it 'may be the voices of a few vociferous individuals who 

 may be more concerned with their particular welfare. This is not to say that 

 all outcries and criticisms will be satisfied, but at least some of the rancor 

 will be diminished when the public discovers that its concerns have been 

 recognized and are being addressed. 



Any cleanup effort can be challenged by the public. The way to mitigate 

 these challenges and criticisms is to be aware and focus upon these concerns 

 prior to the spill such as when these concerns are addressed in a prespill 

 contingency plan that incorporates cleanup priority schemes. 



The OSC does not want to be forced to "react." He would prefer to act 

 as the prime motivator to insure that activities are performed according to 

 a prescribed plan of action. 



The important point is that everyone is in this together working 

 towards a common goal of minimizing the environmental damage from oil spills. 



REFERENCES 



Bugee, S.L., and CM. Walter. 1973. The response of macroinvertebrates to 

 gasoline pollution in a mountain stream, pp. 725-732. In Conference of 

 prevention and control of oil spills, Am. Petrol. Inst., Washington, DC. 



Dennis, D.M. 1977. Effectively recovering oil spills to ground water, pp. 

 255-258. ^Conference on oil spills (prevention, behavior, control, clean- 

 up). Am. Petrol. Inst., Washington, DC. 



Department of the Interior. 1979. List of endangered and threatened wild- 

 life and plants, Federal Register 40(12) :3636-3654. 



Foget, C.R., E. Schrier, M. Cramer, R. Castle. 1979. Manual of practice for 

 protection and cleanup of ocean, estuarine, and inland shorelines. Vol. I, 

 EPA Contract 75:68-03-2542 Report. 124 pp. 



Schultz, D., and L.B. Tebo, Jr. 1975. Boone Creek oil spill, pp. 583-588. 

 In Conference on prevention and control of oil pollution. Am. Petrol. Inst., 

 Washington, DC. 



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