The format of the planning activity is that of identification of task 

 components rather than that of detailed project plans. The latter would be 

 formulated as part of the continuing contingency planning and response pro- 

 gram. 



Scientific and Engineering Activities Prior to the Spill 



The success of oil spill control operations is highly dependent on pre- 

 planning operations. For the scientific and engineering community, these 

 preliminary activities generally fall into two categories: (1) information 

 needed for the planning and response activities, and (2) information needed 

 for the assessment of the impact of an oil spill. These two categories of 

 data are not mutually exclusive. Information gathered for one purpose will 

 be useful for the other. 



A group of nine prespill activities follows: 



1. Determine what areas need to be protected by identification of 

 areas susceptible to damage and the relative risk of impact. 



2. Determine the physical properties of the oils transported in 

 the area with regard to how they behave if spilled and what 

 will be their environmental impact. 



3. Develop methodology to determine where the oil will go in the 

 event of a spill . 



4. Determine how environmental systems are to be protected by 

 providing information on products and procedures for oil spill 

 cleanup including test programs, studies of oceanographic and 

 hydraulic features, and properties. 



5. Provide information on technology of protection and cleanup, 

 beach access and transportation, and selection of disposal 

 sites. 



6. Evaluate logistical resources capable of supporting the 

 cleanup effort. 



7. Develop appropriate training programs for scientific, engineer- 

 ing, and management personnel likely to be involved in spill 

 situations. 



8. Document the existing environment from which to measure change. 



9. Develop the scientific and engineering response plan. 



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