[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
Attachment 1 OIL SPILL RESPONSE MANUAL FOR THE APALACHICOLA RIVER COASTAL ZONE WORMATION CENTER JACKSON GADSDEN CALHOUN LIBEwry GULF FRANKLIN Apalachee Regional Planning Council TD 427 .P4 045 1984 COASTAL ZONE INFORMATION CENTER IF YOU KNOW OF AN 019, SPILL (-',Alljl-j: (800424-8002 OIL SPILL RESPONSE MANUAL FOR THE APALACHICOLA RIVER PREPARED BY THE APALACHEE REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL March 1984 Project Manager - Barbara Hoagland Research & Writing - Robert G. Brunger Fiscal Coordinator - Janice Guilford Typist - Diane Nissley Executive Director - Ane D. Merriam 'US Department of Commerce NOAA Coastal Services Center Library 2234 South Hobson Avenue Charlestoz:4 SC 29405-2413 This project was funded with a Coastal Energy Impact Program Grant through the Office of Federal Coastal Programs in the Florida Department of Community Affairs, with funds from the United States Department of Commerce, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (PL 92-583) as amended. Much of the information in this manual was adapted from the South Florida Oil Spill Response Handbook, the State of Florida Dill Spill Response Hankbook, and the Florida Coastal Pollutant Spill Contingency Plan. The Technical Report prepared as a part of this study by Research Planning Institute was the source of much of the information used in the fourth section. Special thanks are due to the many Individuals who contributed to the form,substance, and review of drafts of this Manual. Apalachee Regional Planning Council Room 321, Calhoun County Courthouse 425 East Central Avenue Blountstown, Florida 32424 (904) 674-4571 ABOUT THIS MANUAL This Manual is intended to be a practical aide to law enforcement officers, local officials, and others who live along the Apalachicola river or who are concerned with its protection. It is not a technical. manual for oil spill experts, but it does put information In the hands of people who may be among the first to see or hear of a spill. By knowing whom to call a quicker response can be achieved and damage lessened. The first section (white pages) is an "Action Simmary" which tells whom to call, what to tell them, what to do while waiting for help, and how the state and federal response to an oil spill is organized.. The second section (yellow pages) is a "Directory" listing all of the federal, state, and local officials who may be involved in responding to an oil spill. The third section (green pages) is a discuss ion of "Oil Spills and the Law, including jurisdictions, liability and claims information, and a summary of state and federal laws. The fourth section (pink pages) is a discussion of "Oil and The Apalachicola River System," including ecological and commercial considerations. The fifth section (blue pages) is a series of nineteen "Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps" covering the entire length of the Apalachicola River. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION A (White Pages): ACTION SUMMARY Before the Spill: How Local People Can Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 1 Upon Discovery of an Oil Spill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 2 What to Tell Them on the Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 3 What to Do While Waiting for Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 4 How Agencies Respond to an Oil Spill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 5 Containing the Spill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 6 Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 7 Documentation and Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A- 8 SECTION B (Yellow Pages): DIRECTORY First Respondants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B- 1 Federal Regional Response Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B- 2 State Response Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B- 3 County Contacts . . . . . . . * * * * * * , * * * * * , * * * * * * * * , ,B-1 3 Other Local and Regional Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 6 Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 8 Wildlife Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 9 SECTION C (Green Pages): OIL SPILLS AND THE LAW Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C- 1 Legal Responsibility of the Party Causing the Spill. . . . . . . . . . . . . C- 2 Federal Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C- 3 State Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . C- 3 Jurisdictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C- 4 Funds Available for Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C- 5 SECTION D (Pink Pages): OIL AND THE APALACHICOLA RIVER SYSTEM Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D- 1 The Value of Natural Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . D- 2 Commerce on the River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D- 3 Oil within the River System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D- 4 Table 1 - Classification and properites of oil types with respect to their behavior during spills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D- 5 Sensitivity of River Environments to Spilled Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D- 6 Strategies for Minimizing Environmental Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . D- 7 SECTION E (Blue Pages): ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX MAPS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E- 1 Locator Map/Species List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E- 2 Key to Map Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E- 3 11,SI Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E, - 4 0 ACTION SUMMARY BEFORE THE SPILL: HOW LOCAL PEOPLE CAN HELP Oil spills are a potentially serious problem in the Apalachicola River. The flow of the river, the extensive flood plain, and the high degree of environmental sensitivity of much of the valley make it imperative that a spill should be stopped and contained as rapidly as possible after it occurs. Local officials and residents along the river valley are generally not oil spill experts, of course, but with a little bit of common sense and some preparation, they can play an important role in keeping the damage to a minimum. * Be familiar with the material in this manual; it can save you time in the event of a real emergency. * All oil spills should be reported immediately! Don't wait until it gets out of hand. * Know your territory. If you know the local roads and locations of bout ramps, you can give guidance to oil spill responders A-1 A-1 UPON DISCOVERY OF AN OIL SPILL Get Help! If you see or hear of an oil spill on the river, the first thing you should do is to get help All oil spills must be reported. Call: (800) 424-8802 This is the National Emergency Response Center; it is a toll free number an there is always someone there. Once they hear from you they will begin a series of phone calls alerting various state and federal officials about the emergency. If for any reason you cannot get through to that number, or if you want to make extra certain that the right people learn about the oil spill, there are other numbers you can call which will also trigger a response. (904) 488-1320 Florida Emergency Center (24 hours; call collect and leave your name and number - they will call you back) (800) 342-1829 Florida Department of Natural Resources (24 hours: this is the (904) 488-5757 agency which will send out the Marine Patrol) (904) 488-0190 Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (daytime - other times call Emergency Center) (205) 690-2286 U.S. Coast Guard (24 hours) (404) 881-406 2 Environmental Protection Agency (24 hours) A-2 WHAT TO TELL THEM ON THE PHONE When you get through to someone there is a series of questions which will help them in their response. If you don't know the answers to all of these questions, or even most of them, it is better to give some information than none at all. � Tell who you are and where you are calling from. If you are not the one who discovered the spill, give them the name of the person who did. � Where is the spill? What is the mile marker number? � What time was the spill discovered? (Or when did you learn of it?) What is the source of the spill? Is there a vessel nearby? Does it have an identification number or other markings? Can you tell what might have happened to cause the spill? (e.g., a collision, a barge gone aground, a ruptured tank, etc.) Do you know what type of oil (or other substance) has been discharged? Can you tell how extensive the spill is? Have there boen any Injin-410 What are the weather conditions and river conditions In the vicinity? Has any action been taken thus far to control the spill? If so, what, and by whom? A-3 WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING FOR HELP Once you have made your phone calls and given a full report of everything you know so far, take a good look at the situation. If you are actually at or near the spill site, there may be some steps you can take right away that will stop or limit the spill. Shutting off a leaking valve, ceasing to pump through a ruptured fuel line, or plugging a leak are examples of simple and obvious actions which might get overlooked in moments of great excitement. You might also be able to protect some of the river shore if the spill is drifting downstream. Placing a log or brush barrier at the mouths of small streams or at the edge of low vegetated areas might prevent oil from getting into those more sensitive areas. Similarly, there might be an opportunity to contain small pools of oil with sandbags under certain circumstances. It is true that containment of a really serious spill will require more than hastily cut brush or some sandbags, but don't forget that a little ingenuity can sometimes go a long way. One thing that can be done even by those who are not at the site of the spill is to take notes. Notes taken on the scene may be very valuable later on to determine what actually happened and who is to blame. Don't assume that someone else is doing it. Your notes should include all of the points you covered when you phoned in your report, but also include names of witnesses besides yourself if there are any. Note the time at which any new developments occur or when new information is reported to you by someone else. Whenever the federal or state representative arrives on the scene, offer them your notes; this will save them time in getting oriented to the situation. Remember to put your own name and phone number on the notes for later reference. A-4 HOW AGENCIES RESPOND TO AN OIL SPILL As soon as the state or federal emergency offices receive a phone call telling them about an oil spill in the river their first action is to alert the other key members of their res2onse team (see the "Directory Vyellow pages). This creates a condition of readiness should they be asked for advice later or if their presence at the site is required. The next thing that the agency representative will need to do is to arrive on the scene and verify the report. Since federal responders are some distance from the river (the Environmental Protection Agency is in Atlanta and U.S. Coast Guard is in Mobile), they have a practicing arrangement to rely heavily on the reports of the state agency representatives, the Florida Marine Patrol (coming from Panama City) and the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (coming from Tallahassee). Their report will determine what kind of response will be made, including the decision about whether or not a federal presence is required. The state agency representative will assess the incident with a series of questions. 1. What is the size of the discharge? By definition, there are three size categories for discharges in inland waters: Minor discharge less than 1,000 gallons Moderate discharge between 1,000 and 10,000 gallons ,Major discharge more than 10,000 gallons 2. What other factors are important besides size? slz@ -alone is not the only factor which determines the severity of a spill. Other factors are likely to be particularly important in evaluating any spill in the Apalachicola River. For example, if a minor spill occurs In or endangers a critical area or threatens public hetilth atid welfaro, it Is imtofnatic4lly upgraded. It is also upgraded if the Incident beconlem the focus of a Ittw enforeaMent action or if it generates critical public concern. The importance of the distinction lies primarily with determining who will be in charge. Moderate or major spills are more likely to require the actual presence of federal agencies whose On-scene Coordinator will assume responsibility for directing the overall spill response. State agency representatives will handle lesser discharges and the early stages of larger spills. 3. Has the response of the spiller been adequate? Those responsible for the spill are required to report the incident and take such action as they can to clean it up. Shipping companies may be able to shut off a spill and contain it satisfactorily without any outside assistance. It is, in fact, in their best interest do so, as they are liable for the costs incurred by state and federal agencies. If agency representatives determine that such response has been satisfactory their role then shifts to simply monitoring the action being taken. 4. Is more help needed? If the spiller has not successfully contained the spill, or if the origin of the spill is unknown, then the state agency representative on the scene may request that an oil spill contractor be summoned, that containment equipment be delivered to the river, or that Coast Guard assistance be requested. Any of these actions may be authorized by the State Response Team Chairman (the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Natural Resources) based on the choice which would be quickest and most effective. A-5 CONTAINING THE SPILL The details of containing and cleaning up an oil spill can get quite complex, but the general principles are fairly simple. * Shut off and secure the source of the spill. * Contain the released material to keep it from contaminating new areas. * Clean up the contained material. * Clean up the already contaminated areas. While some of the equipment used in containing and cleaning up an oil spill is somewhat specialized, such as the booms, which serve to hold the oil from drifting away, and skimmers, which remove the oil which is at or near the surface, other equipment used can be as ordinary as a front-end loader or as commonplace as a shovel. The decisions about which equipment to use and where to use it are best left to experts. It would be helpful to remember a few basic points, however. * The highest priority for protection is to keep the oil out of the most sensitive areas: salt and fresh water marshes; cypress and hardwood swamp areas; and low lying vegetated bluffs. * The cleanup of contaminated areas is never perfect; some damage will always be sustained. Particular care should be taken to insure that cleanup efforts do not create more damage than would be caused by letting the oil residue weather and break down on its own and natural processes restore themselves to productivity. A-6 LIABILITY Polluting the navigable waters of the United States, such as the Apalachicola River, is against the law, and spillers are liable for the costs of cleanup, damages, and civil penalties that may be issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. They are also in violation of state law, and subject to a third degree felony charge, if they fail to report a spill incident. If, after the incident is over, claims need to be pressed, the cooperation and reports of local people who may have been witnesses or have rendered assistance during the clean up efforts will be valuable supportive evidence in proving the state's case. Individuals who participate in clean up efforts in good faith are free from any personal liability claims which may result from their efforts during the incident. Those who participate in clean up activities and expect to be paid or reimbursed for costs need to receive prior approval of the federal or state official in charge (the On-scene Coordinator). Individuals who sustain damages to their property as a result of the spill may receive compensation. They should contact the Florida Marine Patrol office in Panama City (see "Directory"/yellow pages) as soon as possible for the appropriate paperwork. For additional discussion of this topic see the section on "Oil Spills and the Law" in the green pages of this Manual. DOCUMENTATION AND REIMBURSEMENT Paperwork is not as important as decisive action during an oil spill, but it is an important part of the administrative and legal workings which follow. Since large amounts of money may be involved and local governmental entities may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses they incurred during the incident, good record keeping is required. There are three particular aspects of this which are important to local officials. First, as already mentioned, 1,Ae riotes of what you see and hear. Write down names of witnesses. Keep a rutwing notation of what time new developments occur. The more complete your report, the more tiseful It becomes. Second, be sure to ask for written authorization from the On-scene Coordinator to back up any verbal approval which they may give to authorize you to act. Retain any invoices or other documentation of costs ( particularly personnel time sheets) you may incur. Third, remember that reimbursement is a cooperative effort involving several state and federal agencies, local governments, individuals, and the party responsible for the spill. Be sure to coordinate your claim with and direct your questions to the State Agency Coordinator in the Department of Natural Resources (see "Directory"/yellow pages). A-7 0 DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION Federal National Response Center 1 -800 -424-8802 Entire Apalachi- Responsibl cola River. agencies a level. F U.S. Coast Guard (205)- 690 -2286 Apalachicola River Responsibl Captain of the Port (day or night) south of the U.S. determinin P.O. Box 2924 98 Hwv. Bridge; cleanup ac R Mobile, AL 36652 the Intracoastal Waterwav including Jackson River T and Lake Wimico. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (404)-881-4062 Apalachicola River 245 Courtland St. (day or night) north of.the US determinin Atlanta. CA 30365 Hwv. 98 Bridge. action is t Bureau of Emergency Management (904)- 488-1320 Entire Apalachi- Responsiblity Deoartment of Communitv Affairs cola River agencies a 1720 South Gadsden Street Tallahassee. Florida 32301 D E State Agency Coordinator 1 -800 -342 -1829 Apalachicola River Responsiblity Department of Natural Resources (day or night) south of the determinin 3900 Commonwealth Blvd. (904)-488-5757 Hwy.20 Bridge. action is t T Tallahassee, Florida 32303 (day or night) Emergency Operations Coordinator (904)-488 -0190 Apalachicola River Responsibility Department of Environmental Regulation (dav) north of the determinir 2600 Blairstone Blvd. (904)-488 -1320 Hwv. 20 Bridge action is t Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (night) DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL F E* AND THEIR ROLES D CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY E R FEDERAL REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAM (RRT) -Listed below Unless otherwise Responsible for planning and preparec-ess A (Members listed below) specified, jurisdic- for oil and hazardous substance spiIN ' diction covers entirE During actual spills members are call-, L Apalachicola River as necessary to assist the on scene system. coordinator. R Co-Chairman E G Captain Delmar Smith (504)- 589-6271 Apalachicola River Activate the Federal Regional Response Chief Marine Saftev Division (dav) south of the US Team, contact members I U.S. Coast Guard (504) - 589-6225 Hwy 98 Bridge: the 0 Hale Boggs Federal Building (night) Intracoastal Water- 500 Camp Street way including Jack- 11 New Orleans, La. 70130 son, River and Lake A Wimico. L Al Smith, Chief (404) - 881-3931 Apalachicola River Activate the Federal Regional Environmental Emergency Response Branch (cav) north of the US Team. contact members. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Re-ion n- (404) - 881-4062 Hwy. 98 Bridge. R 345 Courtland Street (day or night) Atlanta. Georgia 30365 E ZD S P On Scene Coordinator (OSC) 0 commander V.0. Eschenburg (205) - 690-2286 Apalachicola River Primary responsibilities of OSC CaDtain of the Port south of the US 9 direct all Federal pollution N U.S-. Coast Guard, 8th District Hwy..98 Bridge, ef f orts. S P.O. Box 2924 the Intracoastal Mobile, Alabama 36652 Waterway including * collect all pertinent informaticn,- E Jackson River Including potential impacts on and Lake Wimico. health and welfare: nature. location and movement of spi-7: T natural resources and property that could be impacted: and E for protection. A (Dutics continued on next page.) DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL F AND THEIR ROLES E CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION D E Al Smith, Chief (404)-881-3931 Apalachicola River pro Environmental Emergency Response Branch (dav) north of the US for R U.S. EPA Region IV (40-4) - 881-4062 Hwy 98 Bridge con A 345 Courtland St. (day or night) Res Atlanta, Georgia 30365 Sci L dev pla R app E cle G Action I Not O for N taking A if S L if n known act Cleanup sta R E Federal Members S Department of the Interior P Primary: Jim Lee (404)- 221-4524 0 Regional Environmental Officer (day) S.E. Region (404)-939-8945 Department of the Interior (night) 75 Spring Street, SW E Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Alternate: Wavnon Johnson (404)-221-6343 Senior Staff Specialist (dav) T Region IV (HR/RCA) (404)- 292-6732 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (night) E 75 Spring -Street. SW Atlanta. Georgia 30303 A M DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL F AND THEIR ROLES E CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTIO3 RESPONSIBILITY D E Departm nt of Health and Human Services K Paul Roper (404) - 221-2396 A National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (da_v or night) Department of Health & Human Services L 101 Marrietta Tower, Suite 1007 Atlanta, Georgia 30323 R DeDartment of Justice E G W. Thomas Dillard (904) - 681-7360 U.S. Attorney (dav) Hobbs Building o Suite 4014 2 247 North Bronough Tallahassee, Florida 32301 A DeDartment of Defense US NrTnv L Primarv: Col. Tate (404) - 363-5,551 Headquarters Second U.S. Army Fort Gillern R Forest Park, Georgia 30030 E s Alternate: Lt Commander David Pohl (404) - 362-3006 (dav) P (40-4) - 478-4161 0 US Armv Corps of Engineers (night) Primarv: Ronald Moore, Chief (404) - 221-6792 S Natural Disaster Branch (day) Emergencv Manaoement Division (404) - 981-1850 E US Army @orps o-f Engineers (night) 410 Title Building T 30 Prvor St. SW Atlanta, Georgia 30303 E DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL F E AND THEIR ROLES D CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION E R Alternate: Leo LaVinka, Chief (404) - 221-6792 Emergency Management Division (day) A 410 Title Buildling (404)- 289-8786 L 30 Pryor St. SW (night) Atlanta, Georgia 30303 R E Department of Energy John Merrick (803) - 725-2889 G Emergency Management Specialist (day) Savannah River Operations Office (803) - 725-3333 I Office of External Affairs (night) 0 Department of Energy P.O. Box A N Aiken, South Carolina 29802 A L Department of the Navy Dean Harr (800 - 743 - 4 9 6 1 Disaster Preparedness Coordinator (dav) R Commander Naval Base (8 0 3) - 871 - 8322 E Charleston. South Carolina 29408 (night) S Federal Emergency Management Agency P Russell Yarbrough (404) - 881-3442 0 Federal Emergency Management Agency (dav) 1375 Peachtree Street, N.E. (404) - 881-2400 N Suite 686 (day or night) S Atlanta, Georgia 30309 E Florida Members Department of Natural Resources (refer to State T Department of Environment Regulation Response Team E Bureau of Emergency Management for personnel and Department of Communitv Affairs telephone numbers) A DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY 3TATE RESPONSE TEAM (SRT) Listed below Unless otherwise The SRT is the State Body respons@ '@':)' I e (Members Listed Below) specified, jurisdic- for preparing for coastal oil spills. tion includes entire acting separately from but in coonfin- Apalachicola River ation with the Federal RRT. Durir-z- S Svstem. spills, members of-the SRT are T activated as necessary to assist an,.: advise the SRT Chairman and the A State Agency Coordinator (SAC). T Co-Chairman E Elton J. Gissendanner, Executive Director (904) - 488-5757 South of the Overall management and direction of Department of Natural Resources (day or night) Hwy. 20 Bridge SRT, including authorization to R Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building activate, direct, and deactivate; 3900 Co mmonwealth Blvd. principal pUblic spokesman for SR7 E Tallahassee. Florida 32303 Including authorization of infor7na-__-*_-- or the press; advises the Governc- S re2-ardino- the need for a Declara::- P of _`7merc='encv Proclamation. 0 Victoria TschirCKel. Secretarv (904) - 488-4805 North of the Department oll Environmental Regulation (dav) Hwy 20 Bridge S__ Twin Towers Building ZD (904) - 488-1320 E 2600 Blairstone Blvd. (night) Tallahassee, Florida 32301 T State Agency Coordinator (SAC) E Carolann DeFord Bowen (904)- 488-5757 Responsible to the Chairman of the S-,;:.te A Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building (day or night) Response Team (SRT) for coordination of 3900 Commonwealth Blvd. the team during a coastal spill. Coort@_-ia: - M Tallahassee, Florida 32303 with the Federal OSC. Collect all in,,'.--- mation concerning the spill and tranSlmlt to the SRT. Collect and verifv all sL=3-.- documentation for cost recovery and expenditure reimbursement. Develop aric . maintain the State Contingency Plan. Approve all disbursements for cleanL:. DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION Members Department of Natural Resources Primary: Col. Don Ellingsen (904) - 488-5757 South of the Hwv Administe (day or night) 20 Bridge jurisdictio 3900 Commonwealth Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32303 and cleanu Florida Co monies for S negotiate T investigat provide te A T Alternate: Floyd E. Adams (904) - 488-5757 E (day or night) R Department of Environmental Regulation E Primary: Jeff Taylor (904) - 488-0190 North of the Protect in Twin Towers Building (day) Hwv 20 Bridge. to Oil spill S 2600 Blairstone Blvd. (904 - 488-1300 Coordinat P Talahassee, Florida 32301 (night) determine disposal sites 0 dispersant N S Alternate: Greg Lee (904) - 488-0190 E (904) - 488-1320 T Department of Community Affairs Primary: Bill Lee (904) - 488-1320 Will act a E Bureau of Emergency Management (day or night) Team if A 1720 S. Gadsden St. direct co Tallahassee, Florida 32301 with loc M affected pollution Alternate: Gordon Guthrie (904)- 488- 1320 taken in (dav or night) emergen DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY DeDartment of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles Primary: Captain Z.V. Smallwood (904) - 488-5370 Provide traffic supervision and control S Division of Motor Vehicles (day) for all surface transportation routes Neal Kirkman Building (904)- 222-8633 adversely affected by a coastal pollution T Apalachee Parkway (night) incident. This action' includes the close A Tallahassee, Florida 32301 coordination with local public safety officials. Upon request by the State T Agency Coordinator, provide security and crowd control within the affected area of L E coastal pollution incident. Upon reque-st bv the State A--ency Coordinator. provide R vehicle escort service for heavv over-the- road shiDments of contamment and/or E clean uD'ec'ai D m ent. Upon request by t1he @tate A-encv Coordinator. make availaole S ZD - the use of aircraft assic-ned to the DFIS'll- P 0 Alternate: Lt. Raker (904) - 488-6557 Way) (904) - 926-30213 S_- (night) E Peoartment of Law Enforcement T Primarv: Willis Booth (904) -488-3231 Provide laboratory support for the Division of Local Law Enforcement (904) - 385-6815 analyzing of pollutant samples obtained E Assistance durin'- the investigation of a coastal A P.O. Box 1489 pollution incident. Upon request of the Tallahassee, Florida 32302 State Agency Coordinator, provide M assistance with conducting any criminal investigations that may result from a coastal pollution incident. aim M DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY Alternate: Mike O'Connell (904)- 488-3231 (dav) (904) - 893-0484 Department of Legal Affairs S Primary: Bruce Barkett (904)-488-9935 Assist and provide consultation to the Attorney General's Office (dav) State Agency Coordinator and all pani- T The Capitol (90'4)- 224-0077 cipating State Response Team membeers A Tallahassee, Florida 32301 on legal matters pertaining to a coas-ial pollution incident. Direct the gathe7ing T of facts or other materials bv team members for proper utilization in ar-'- E civil or criminal Droceedings ari-sin, a coastal pollution incident. R E Alternate: Kent Zaiser (904)- 488-9935 (dav) S (904") - 576-2464 P (night) 0 1i DeDartment of Nlilitarv Affairs S Primarv: Captain Jerry Vaughn (904)- 824-8461 Upon request by the Governor. pro-.`--- P.O. Box 1008 (dav) predetermined manpower and log-is!-,@zal E St. Augustine, Florida 32084 (90 1) - 8 24-5 3 4-6 support to the containment and. man---al (night) cleanup of a coastal pollution inciden-.. T Alternate: Willis J. Cappo (904)- 824-8461 E (dav) A (904) - 471-2809 (night) M DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTIO3 RESPONSIBILITY Der)artment of Transportation Primary: C.R. Miller (904) - 488-3546 Coordinate and asssit with the contain- Office of Safety (day) ment and cleanup of any major coastal 101 Clifton Building (@64) - 877-4988 discharge that occurs on a state main- 2661 Executive Center Circle West (night) tained street or highway. Upon request Tallahassee, Florida 32301 by the Governor, provide vehicles and S drivers to be used in the transporting of pollutants from the scene of the disebarc- T to the disposal sites that have been approved by DER. This action can only b=- A taken through the issuance of an executiv T order. E Alternate: Robert A. Lavette (904)- 488-3546 (dav) R (90-4) - 877-7967 E (night) S P Game & Fresh lVater Fish Commission 0 Primary: Tom Goodwin (904) - 488-3831 Upon request of the State Agency Brvant Buildin- (dav) Coordinator. prepare an assessment cf Tallahassee. Fl@orida 32301 (904)- 893-2946 damage to wildlife populations and haoit, S__ (night) resulting from a coastal pollution inc_'Jen- In the event that an endangered or t, E threatened species is affected by the incident. coordinate with the appropriate federal and state authorities to ensure T the capture, cleansing, and rehabilitaricn. of those affected wildlife as well as all E other wildlife under jurisdiction of the A Commission. M Alternate: Allan Egbert (904)- 488-3831 (dav) (904)- 878-4301 (ni--ht) DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION Governor's Office Primary: Charles Reed (904) - 488-5603 Provide f The Capitol (day) for Exec Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) - 385-9382 members (night) bv the G releases, S the news T A Alternate: Steve Hull (904)- 488-4801 (dav) T (904)- 222-3312 E DeDartment of Health & Rehabilitative Service R Primary: Herman Stokes (904) - 487-1161 Upon request 1317 Winewood Building (day) Coordinator E 1-300 (904) -487-878-7884 to a coastal S Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (night) resource Rehabili P response 0 Provide where hu result of S E Alternate: Paul Charters (904)- 488-8901 (day) (904) - 222-0571 T (night) E A DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY Department of Commerce Primary: Joe Martinez (904) - 488-9377 Upon request of the State Agency Room 510-H (day) Coordinator, develop a generalized Collins Building (964) - 878-1478 economic impact assessment of the Gaines Street (night potential or existing effects of a coastal Tallahassee, Florida 32301 pollution incident, relying principally UDOr S the Agency's data bank and other readilv available socio-economic data. In making T such assessments, the DOC may coorcina-, with local governments, chamber of A commerce, planning organizations, or ot@.@ T organizations it deems appropriate. E alternate: Dean Gaiser (904)- 488-5530 (dav) (904) - 385-4639 E S P 0 N S-' E T E A DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY Jackson County Sheriff Johnnv McDaniel (904) - 482-3313 Jackson Countv County contacts may serve to render Sheriff, Jackson County (904) - 482-2132 local assistance as needed to designated Post Office Box 919 state and federal officials. Marianna, Florida 32446 John Madder (904) - 526-4500 Jackson Countv C Jackson County 0 Civil Defense Director U P.O. Drawer 510 Marianna, Florida 32446 N T Gadsden Countv y Sheriff W.A. Woodham (904) - 6217-923131 Gadsden Count%, Sheriff. Gadsden Countv Post Office Box 11-26 C Quincy. Florida 32351 0 N Charles Betts (904) - 62 7-927 3 Gadsden County Gadsden Countv T Civil Defense Director A P.O. Box 951 C Marianna, Florida 32446 T S Liberty County Sheriff Harrell Revell (904) - 643-2235 Libertv Countv Sheriff, Liberty County Libertv Countv Courthouse Bristol, Florida 32321 DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY A.G. Preacher -(904) - 643-2339 Liberty County County contacts may serve to rende:1 Liberty County local assistance as needed to designated Civil Defense Director state and federal officials. Liberty County Courthouse Bristol, Florida 32321 C Calhoun County Sheriff William "Buddv" Smith (904) - 674-5049 Calhoun County Sheriff, Calhoun County U Post Office Box 695 Blountstown, Florida 32424 T Royce Tra-lor (904) - 674-8075 Calhoun Countv Calhoun Countv y Civil Defense Director '--'5 East Central Avenue Elountstown, Florida 324224 0 N Gulf Countv T Sheriff Ken Murphy (904) - 2274-1115 Gulf County Sheriff. Gulf CountV A Post Office Box 970- C Port St. Joe, Florida 32456 T Bill Lamar (904) - 227-1735 Gulf Countv S Gulf County Civil Defense Director Gulf County Courthouse Port St. Joe, Florida 32456 DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY Franklin County Sheriff Jack Tavlor (904) - 653-2101 Franklin County County contacts may serve to render Sheriff, Franklin Countv local assistance as needed to designated Franklin County Sheriff's Department state and federal officials. Apalachicola, Florida 32320 James Joyce (904) - 653-8977 Franklin County C Franklin Countv 0 Civil Defense Director Franklin Countv Courthouse U Apalachicola, Florida 32320 N T Dorothy Rolstead (904) - 653-9319 Franklin County y City Clerk P.O. Box 10 Apalachicola. Florida 32320 C 0 N T A C T S DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL 0 T AND THEIR ROLES H E CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY R Steve Leitman- (904) - 488-4805 Through out region Technical support for DER responders. Department of Environmental Regulation L 2600 Blairstone Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32301 o C First Sergeant Jerry Thompson (800) - 342-1676 Thrxyugh out region Law enforcement support. A Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission (904) - 265-3676 L Rt. 4 Box 759 Panama City, Florida 32405 A N Brantley Goodson, Chief (904) - 488-6251 Through out region Law enforcement support. Division of Law Enforcement D Florida Game & Fresh @Vater Fish Commission 620 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 R E Dr. Robert Livinaston (904)- 644-1466 Through ou! ---z-ion Ccrsultant op riDarian and e5t-aar'.'-- G Biology Departmtent ecosystems I Florida State University 0 Tallahassee, Florida 32306 N Woodv Miley (904) - 653-8063 (w, Lower river. Consultant on estuarine ecosvstem-zz A Natio-nal Estuarine Sanctuary (904) - 670-2981 (h) Apalachicola- Bay a-nd wildlife. L Bobby Howell Building, 7th Avenue Apalachicola, Florida 32320 C 0 Robbie Brunger, Regional Planner (904) - 674-4571 (w Throughout region Regional coodination and informatiz,7 Apalachee Regional Planning Council (904) - 224-7729 (h) center. N Calhoun County Courthouse, Room 321 T Blountstown, Florida 32424 A C DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL T AND THEIR ROLES H E CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILM R Eddie Sosebee, Resource Manager -(912) - 662-2814 Lake Seminole area Technical support: Natural resources Lake Seminole (912) - 662-2865 expertise L P.O. 96 0 Chattahoochee, Florida 32324 C Captain Gordon McCall (904) - 763-3080 Intracoastal Water- Among the first respondents in the A Florida Marine Patrol L P.O. Box 4395 way to the Pinhook; event of a spill; law-enforcenv!nt and from the Pinhook up prosecution support; technical support. Panama City, Florida 32405 the Apalachicola A River. N Captain Robert Lee (904) - 697-3741 Apalachicola River Among the first respondents in the D Florida Marine Patrol below the Pinhook event of a spill; law e-dorcement and P.O. Drawer P prosecution support: technical s-6ppo7t. Carrabelle. Florida 32322 R E J.W. McCartnev (904) - 48 7-1 4-70 Throughout region Technical information on hvdmiae-c G Northwest Flor@ida Water Management District svstems. Rt. I Box 3100 Havana, Florida 32333 0 X Homer Hirt (904) - 593-6495 Upper Apalachicola Director of port facility and prime A Port Director River launch site. L Jackson County Port Authority P.O. Box 719 Sneads, Florida 32460 C 0 Bob Kreigel (904) - 436-8300 Throughout region Technical support for DER responders. N Department of Environmental Regulation 160 Governmental Center T Pensacola, Florida 32501 A C T S DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITY Jorge Sanchez (904) - 763-1717 Available to work Oil containment and cleanup services Environmental Coastal Pollution through out the at the request of chief federal or state Cleanup Service, Inc. region. representatives on the scene 430 North Bonita Avenue - Panama City, Florida 32407 c Lt. Elmer C. Salling (904)- 234-4449 Through out region Maintains oil spill equipment; assistance Navy Coastal Systems available through U.S- Coast Guard 0 rallarna City, Florida 32407 request only. N T Tom Pidgeon (913) - 247-1146 available to respond Oil containment and cleanup services at Need-A-Diver Marine Services, Inc. anywhere. the request of chief federal or state R P.O. Box 5436 representatives on the scene. A Tampa, Florida 33675 co C F.- Jim Fears 305) - '1 84-2110 Availabl .eto respond Oil containment and cleanup services at cc T Cape Canaveral Marine Service, Inc. anywhere. the request of chief federal or state 0 8052 Astronaut Blvd. representatives on the scene. This firm R Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920 also manufactures oil spill equipment. S Robert P. Cochrane (205) - 666-3500 Available to respond Oil containment and cleanup services at Peterson Maritime Services, Inc. anywhere. the request of chief federal or state 1660 South Beltlifie Highway representatives on the scene. Mobile, Alabama 36609 Mark K. Ryckman (800) - 325-1398 Avail@ble to respond Oil containment and cleanup services at REACT (314) - 569-0991 anywhere. the request of chief federal or state P.O. Box 27310 representatives on the scene. St. Louis, MO 63141 DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AND THEIR ROLES CONTACT PHONE NUMBER JURISDICTION Marv Jane Shaw. President (904) - 769-0552 Through out region Technical information on wildlife. St. Francis Wildlife Care of injured wildlife. P.O. Drawer 20248 Tallahassee, Florida 32316 Mike Brim (904) - 769-0552 Through out region Technical information on wildlife. U.S Fish & Wildlife Service W 1612 June Avenue I Panama City, Florida 32405 L Dr. Bruce Means (904) - 644-3700 Through out region Principal authority on terrestrial wildlife D Biology Department in the region. L Florida State University I Tallahassee. Florida 32306 F Dr. Lothian Ager (904) - 487-1645 Through out region Principal authority on fishes in the region. Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area E P.O. Box 38 Midway. Florida 32343 E x P E R T S OIL SP%LS AND THE LAW INTRODUCTION The two primary laws, one federal and one state, which pertain to oil spill events are the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (PL 92-500) and the Pollutant Spill Prevention and Control Act, Chapter 376, Florida Statutes. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act states that there should be no discharge of oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States (Section 311(B)(1). Chapter 376, Florida Statutes also states that pollution of the coastal waters of the state is not prohibited. Both laws establish liabilities, responsibilities and response actions in the event of an oil spill. What follows is a brief summary of points in these laws. For more specific information refer to the actual statutes. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTY CAUSING THE SPILL Based on Section 311(C)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act the person responsible for the spill is to contact the U.S. Coast Guard to inform them of the situation. They are liable for all costs incurred during cleanup and should act to halt the flow of, contain, and remove the discharge. This action should be performed under the observation and monitoring of the Federal On-scene Coordinator. Chapter 376, Florida Statutes, requires that the party responsible for the spill contact the Florida Department of Natural Resources. Failure to promptly report a spill could result in fines of up to $50,000 per day. The party responsible is required to pay all costs incurred during clean up and should initiate cleanup actions immediately. A spiller is required to provide the following information to the Florida Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard: (a) Name, occupation, title, and telephone number of person making notification. (b) Type of pollutant spilled. (c) Location of spill (nearest city, river, bay, mile marker, etc.) (d) Type of installation or carrier involved in the spill. (e) Date and time (local) of spill. M Persons and agencies already contacted. (g) Size and characteristics of area already affected by the spill. (h) Containment and cleanup efforts to date. 0) Cause of spill if known. 0) Person or firm in charge of source. FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES Federal response to major oil spills involves a number of agencies. These agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior, etc, comprise the Federal Regional Response Team (see !he Directory for a listing of the Regional Agencies). The Regional Response Team is chaired by either the Chief of the Marine Safety Division at the Eighth Coast Guard District Headquarters in New Orleans (coastal spills) or a representative of the Environmental Emergency Response Branch of the Environmental Protection Agency in Atlanta (inland spills). Both the U.S. Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency have predesignated On-scene Coordinators who would be sent to the site in the event of a major spill. The On-scene Coordinator is responsible for directing prompt and appropriate action towards containment and removal of the pollutant. The responsibilities of the On-scene Coordinator are outlined by the National Contingency Plan (40 CFR 300). STATE RESPONSIBILMES The primary state agency involved with coastal oil spills is the Florida Department of Natural Resources; however, based on an agreement of cooperation between the Department of Natural Resources and the Florida Department of Environmental Regulationp The Department of Environmental Regulation has the ajor jurisdictional role in the upper portion of the Apalachicola River above the Highway 20 bridge. If the Federal Authorities have declined to accept responsibility in a cleanup effort the Department of Natural Resourses is responsible for assuring that appropriate clean up procedures are followed. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the enforcement of Chapter 376s Florida Statutes 4nd the disbursement of funds established by the Pollutant Spill Prevention and Control Act. J11RISDICTIONS In practice the matter of jurisdiction may become secondary to the questions of how quickly a response can be made and where oil contamination may drift before It is finally contained. The federal agencies, for example, rely to some degree on state agencies which can respond much more quickly, to help them assess the degree to which their involvement is actually needed; in some cases, the state's response may be all that is required. In other situations the agencies may freely respond on an "as needed" basis. Nonetheless, there are established jurisdictional boundaries about which it is helpful to know. The Environmental Protection Agency responds to incidents north of the U.S. 98 bridge and up the river channel just north of the city of Apalachicola; the U.S. Coast Guard covers the Intracoastal Waterway and Apalachicola Bay. The state's boundaries are somewhat different, with the Department of Environmental Regulation covering the area north of the SR 20 bridge between Bristol and Blountstown, and the Department of Natural Resources covers the area to the south. Within DNR1s area, the Carrabelle office of the Florida Marine Patrol responds to situations below the Pinhook and in Apalachicola Bay while the Panama City office responds to situations in the Intracoastal Waterway and up the main channel of the river. The map below visualizes these jurisdictional boundaries. JACKSON OE GADSDEN CALHOUN NR LIBERTY GULF FRANKLIN SC THE PINHOOK Map I- Jurisdiction with regard to oil spills in the Apalachicola River system. P-A FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CLEANUP The Federal Pollution Revolving Fund was established by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. This fund provides up to $35 million for the purpose of removing oil from the waters of the United States. This fund is to be used in the event that the discharger is unknown or the discharger's clean up actions are inadequate. The person responsible is required to reimburse the fund for monies spent for cleanup procedures. This fund is administered by the U.S Coast Guard. The State of Florida may apply for and receive monies from this fund for costs incurred during response to an oil spill (Section 311 (C)(2)(H)). The state of Florida also has a state fund upon which it may draw for financial assistance. The Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund was established by the Pollutant Spill Prevention and Control Act (Section 376.11, Florida Statutes). Monies from this fund are to be used for administrative costs to the Department of Natural Resources for enforcement of Chapter 376, all costs expended for cleanup of all natural resources damaged by the discharge of pollutants, all costs which are the results of the discharge of pollutants, and the acquisition of spoil disposal sites in specified areas. Monies spent for cleanup are to be recovered from the party causing the spill. Persons claiming to have suffered damages as a result of coastal oil spill can apply to the Florida Department of Natural Resources for reimbursement from the Coastal Protection Trust Fund. CK OIL AND THE APALACHICOLA RIVER SYSTEM Introduction The introduction of petroleum into the waters of the Apalachicola River would be an unwelcome event. In the best of situations, where the spill is quickly controlled, the pollutant effectively contained, and the spread minimized, there is still some short term and long term damage sustained by the local environment. Real life oil spills have the potential to be much worse, with a number of factors contributing to the potential severity: the size and type of the spill; prevailing weather and river conditions; the relative isolation of much of the river, contributing to a slower response time; and the very extensive stretches of highly sensitive environments along much of the river's course and the immensely productive estuarine system in Apalachicola Bay. The inevitability of environmental damage is a discouraging prospect for those faced with the need to react to a real incident, but it is a fact that oil spill containment within the river system may present situations for which there is available only a minimally adequate response (e.g., keeping spills out of flooded hardwood swamps). In some cases nothing is known about what might actually occur (e.g., coping with a current well over three miles per hour makes containment very difficult). It is important to understand, then, that the existence of any oil spill response manual is an effort to minimize very serious damage rather than a pat formula for erasing it. This section of the Manual discusses briefly some of what is known about the natural systems and commerce of the river and the sensitivity of riparian and estuarine environments to spilled oil in order to provide a basis for that "best effort." The Value of Natural System The Apalachicola River begins at the Georgia-Florida border where the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers come together in an area contained by the Jim Woodruff Dam and known as Lake Seminole. For 106 miles it winds its way south until it spills out the drainage of much of Alabama and Georgia and six of Florida's counties into Apalachicola Bay. At the point of its discharge, it carries more water than any other river in Florida. Size is not the only unique feature about the Apalachicola River. It is the only river in the state the headwaters of which arise north of the coastal plain, a feature which accounts for much of the biotic diversity in the region. The upper eastern portion of the river drains an area with the greatest physical relief in all of Florida, making that part of Liberty and Gadsden Counties a geologically unique province. Because of the relatively undeveloped nature of most of the river valley, the water quality has remained unusually high, a fact which helps explain why Apalachicola Bay is one of the most pristine estuarine systems In North America. The value of such a collection of interlocking natural systems as are represented in the Apalachicola basin is impossible to quantify, as so much of it represents intangible and aesthetic worth. Natural scientists, who have observed that the region is as biologically distinctive as the Everglades, consider the area a living laboratory. Certain plants and animals in the area are found nowhere else in the world (e.g., Torreya tree, amphiuma salamandar), while others are uncommon, rare, or endangered (e.g., mountain laurel, bald eagle, black bear). In recent years conservation concerns have led to a variety of efforts aimed at preserving this unquantifiable, but irreplaceable, natural resource. Federal efforts, such as the National Estuarine Sanctuary, state resources, such as the Conservation and Recreation Lands program, and private organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land, have all contributed to these preservation efforts. The value of a species is impossible to quantify, but there are real and measurable economic values associated with a high quality environment, most notably in the fishing and shellfishing industries of Franklin County. The county is one of the state's major seafood centers; direct catches there are worth more than $11 million annually, providing the livelihood for 70 percent of the county's workers. The extensive wilderness reaches of the Apalachicola valley support another important local economic resource, recreational hunting, fishing, and boating. While no one has been able to calculate with certainty the amount of revenue this generates, it is clearly considerable. The number of bait and tackle shops, fish camps, boating supply stores, motels, local restaurants, and similar local businesses is such that there has been a consistently strong local opinion supportive of the preservation of the river. D-2 Commerce on the River It remains a challenge to the river counties to live comfortably with a strong desire to preserve the river's water quality and at the same time actively promote commercial use of the river in an effort to expand economies greatly in need of diversification. The Jackson Port Authority, near Sneads, is actively interested in promoting increases in shipping business, and Blountstown has facilities which could be used and expanded given the right commercial opportunity. Economic development planners in southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama see the river and its connection with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway as an important component of an overall industrial expansion and commercial trade program. Whether or not such increases will occur is a live issue for the mid 19801s. There has always been some commercial traffic on the river since territorial days, but it was not until the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Jim Woodruff Dam in 1954 and initiated a series of channel improvements in the river shortly afterward that commerce became more than passingly important. Commercial volume has topped one million tons annually on occasion, but not since 1977, and the cost of the system's maintenance is well in excess of its current commercial yield. It is, in fact, one of the most expensive waterways in America. Developers claim that the removal of a series of rock outcroppings in the upper river in early 1984 will encourage increased shipping volumes. Some navigational impediments remain, however, such as the winding nature of the lower river, and the natural fluctuations of the river's flow which, despite the rock's removal, make the desired nine foot channel unpredictably unavailable. Regardless of whether the overall volume of commerce rises or not it remains highly probat)le that petroleum products of all sorts will be an important component of that traffic. Petroleum has historically constituted somewhat more than one-fifth of the volume of goods shipped on the river, for as much as 200,000 tons annually. Of that amount, asphalt, tars, and pitches comprise about 36 percent of the total. Gasoline comprises 28.5 percent while other petroleum products, such as distillate fuel oils, naptha, an4 petroleum solvents are shipped in lesser amounts. Oil Within the River �Xstem There are many different types of petroleum products ranging from highly refined light oils to very dense materials such as asphalt. The toxicity of oil varies according to the type, but generally there are two categories of toxicity: acute toxicity refers to the short-term (four days or less) lethal effects of harsh chemical components of the oil; chronic toxicity refers to sublethal effects occurring over a longer period of time. Chronic toxicity may be either from chemicals, such as carcinogens, or from physical effects, most notably the smothering effect that oil can have on most plants and those animal species which are unable to move away from a contaminated area. This latter effect is one of the more prominent and obvious features of an oil spill and may present further difficulties in that some of the areas most vulnerable to chronic damage may be those in which it is difficult or impossible to conduct any effective cleanup operations. In the event of an oil spill the nature of the contaminant is one of the more important facts that responders will need to know. Nonetheless, the contaminant itself does not necessarily remain static once introduced into the flow of the river. Evaporation of some of the lighter components of oil can be very rapid and substantial; as much as one-fourth of the volume of a spill may evaporate during the first 24 hours in a relatively calm area, although within a flowing stream it would probably be much less than that. Some oil components (contrary to popular belief) may be dissolved by the, water; this may lessen the volume of the oil mass, but it does not alter the toxicity of the dissolved components. A particularly important physical reaction which would be very probable in any spill within a flowing system is the formation of an emulsion of oil and water. The evaporation or solution of some components of the oil, combined with the agitation produced by the current on the remaining oil mass, will produce an agglomerated viscous mass known as mousse. Mousse presents difficulties for cleanup, as it does not necessarily float. It may go undetected or unstopped by booms or settle in a quiet water area with a smothering effect. Moreover, once contained, the water must be separated from the oil for effective cleanup. For a summary of the physical and chemical properties of different types of oil and their toxic effects within the river system, refer to Table 1 on the following page. D-4 TABLE 1: Classification and properties of oil types with respect to their behaviorduring spills. OIL TYPE EXAMPLES PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES (1) Distillate fuels o Spread rapidly o Acute toxicity is related to the content and concentration Light. such as gasoline, o High evaporation and solubility rates of the aromatic fractions volatile diesel. No. 2 o Tend to form unstable emulsi;ns o Aromatic fractions are very toxic due to the presence oils fuel oil o Very toxic to biota when fresh primarily of napthalene compounds and, to a lesser extent. o May penetrate substrate benzene compounds 0 Can be removed from surfaces by simple o Heavv- molecular-weight compounds are acutely less agitation and low-pressure flushing toxic, but may be chronically toxic since many are either known or potential carcinogens o Acute toxicitv of individual aromatic fractions will varv among species due to differences in the rates of uptake and release of these compounds o Marsh plants, and Cypress and hardwood swamps may be chronically affected due to penetration and persistence of aromatic compounds in -sediments (2) Medium-to-heavv o Moderate-to-high viscosity o Acute and chronic toxicitv in benthic =,anisms is ModerateO paraffin-based o Toxicitv variable depending on Ii.-ht to result from: to-heavv refined, oils and fraction' comDosition 1) Mechanical or physical coverage - oil comDleEe',-_- oi 14@ crude oils o In tropical climates. rapid evapor2tion -mothering, organi .sms. -often cawszirz c@eath and sulution form less toxic xeathered -1) Chemical toxicit%- - results froin @re ex-Dosure r@f -;erv residue with toxicitv due more to toxic aromatic fractions of the oil to marine [email protected] smothering 3) A combination of mechanicai or physical covera--- o Light fractions may contaminate interstitial and chemical toxicity water o Mechanical or phvsical -smothering c2uses acute tox;ci!-: in o Tend to form stable emulsions under high many benthic organisms and chronic toxicity in manv physical energy conditions suDmerged or partialIv submers,,ed olants (eSDeciallv o Variable penetration. a function of cypress) substrate grain size o High potential for sinking after weathering and uptake of sediment o Genera I I y removable from water surface when fresh o Weather to tar balls and tarrv residue (3) Asphalt, Bunker C, o Form tarry lumps at ambient temperatures o Acute and chronic toxicitv occurs more from smothering Residual No. 6 fuel oil, o Nonspreading effects than from chemical tocicity. due to the small oils wast oil o Relativelv nontixicdue to substrate proportion of toxic aromatic fractions found in heaw, 0 May soften and flow when stranded in sun residual oils o Cannot be recovered from water surface o Toxicity is more common in submerged or partialIv using most cleanup equiDnIent submerged plants (especially cypress) and sedentary 0 Easilv removed manualfv from beaches organisms than in mobile organisms o Acute and chronic toxicitv also results from thermal stress. due to the elevation of temperatures in oiled habitats Sensitivity of River Environments to Spilled Oil The shoreline of the Apalachicola River and Lake Seminole includes a wide variety of different physical types of varying degrees of environmental sensitivity. In general, the steeper the slope on bluff areas, the finer the grain of sand on spoil banks and exposed areas, and the less the amount of vegetation in lower areas, the lower the degree of sensitivity. On the other end of the spectrum, the flatter land, the wetter surrounding areas, and the heavier vegetated zones are all generally very highly sensitive to contamination. (This concept of increasing degrees of sensitivity is the basis for the map series included as the blue pages in this Manual.) Such generalizations about sensitivity do not tell the full story about the river, however. For one thing, submerged parts of the river also vary in their sensitivity; rocky areas and snags, for example, are areas where fish tend to be concentrated. Another very important factor is the water level of the r4ver. The flow volume of the river may vary by as much as a factor of ten during the course of a year, and at times a place usually considered to be the bank may actually be several feet under water. In the Apalachicola lowlands such flooding may extend for miles. Vertical rocky walls and exposed bluffs, common along the upper third of the river, represent relatively low risks of contamination. The amount of oil that would adhere would be small due to the slope and the effect of the current, and the impact on plants and animals would be slight. Cleanup efforts in such places would probably not be needed, though there are exceptions in places where relatively quiet backwater eddies might tend to collect pools of oil; in such places the oil could be skimmed. Exposed sand or gravel beaches and training dikes, found throughout the river course, vary In their sensitivity depending on the permeability of the surface. Irregular surfaces would tend to hold oil the longest and resist efforts to clean It. Although they would almost certainly be contaminated In the event of a spill, there are relatively few plant or animal species associated with them, thus limiting their sensitivity. Trainipg dikes are a partial exception to this, as they provide fish habitat. Manual cleanup efforts can be successful If care Is taken not to remove too much of the substrate. Vegetated bluffs and vegetated low banks are considerably more sensitive owing to the greater degree of plant and animal association there. Higher banks are more resistant because they are not as exposed to the oil and because plant roots tend to run deep. Lower areas may be prone to being Inundated and smothered by oil. Low pressure spraying and application of sorbent materials may be effective in helping to clean such areas after the oil has accumulated, although such methods may be limited by the ease of access, depending on the water level. D-6 The most sensitive areas within the whole river system are the cypress and hardwood Swamps and the fresh and salt water marshes. Although such areas are heavily concentrated In the lower half of the river basin, they may be found throughout the system. Fresh water marshes, for instance, are a preponderant part of the Lake Seminole area. Oil In any of these areas would not only be chronically destructive with a smothering effect and long term chemical damage, but would also be very difficult or impossible to clean. Although some of these environmentally sensitive areas would have better flushing action than others, thus speeding the natural cleansing process somewhat, the damage that could be sustained could be substantial. In some wetland areas the use of sorbents could prove effective in limiting the spread of further contamination. Care should be taken, particularly in areas where some flushing does take place, that cleanup efforts not do more damage than the oil would. Strategies for Minimizing Environmental Damage Determining the most effective way to cope with an oil spill is a function of location, magnitude, types of contaminant, and river conditions. Whenever possible, booms should be deployed at the openings to backwater areas to avoid the contamination of those more sensitive zones. Multiple diversionary booms may be deployed in selected low-velocity stretches of the upper river to slow and contain a spill so that it may be collected by skimmers. In the lower river, an area completely dominated by the most environmentally sensitive areas, the most important strategy is to keep the oil within the channel rather than allowing it to filter into the swamps. Multiple booms may be successful in containing the oil so that it can be collected. In all cases, it is best to prevent the oil from drifting into the swamps or wetlands. The most overriding environmental consideration of all is the protection of Apalachicola Bay from contamination. The importance of the bay as a source of oysters and other seafood and as a spawning and nursery area for finfish of various types makes it vital that all possible efforts be made to prevent oil from any spill occurring in the river from ever reaching the bay. An oil spill of any magnitude in Apalachicola Bay would be a major environmental and economic catastrophe. ENVI[RONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX MAPS INTRODUCTION The Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps have been designed to provide information to oil spill responders concerning the environmental effects of a spill. Information about wildlife, shoreline types, and river access is included. The Locator Map (p. E-2) shows how the nineteen maps cover the entire river basin from Apalachicola Bay to a point well north of the Jim Woodruff Dam. The numbers along. each side of the river channel correspond to a scaled evaluation of the relative environmental sensitivity of that particular stretch of 77, the river. The higher the Oumber, the greater the degree of sensitivity. Thus a section noted as number 8 (vegetated low banks) is a more sensitive area than one designated as number 4 (c@arse grained sand beach). Note that opposite banks of Ilk: the river are often of two differing environmental types. The numbers adjacent to the species indicator symbols correspond to the species listed on p. E-2.-/ these represent the oil sensitive wildlife found along the Apalachicola River. The maps also /indicate other important informationt including the location of boat ramps, suggested boom deployment sites, access roads, and tributaries. Theoe maps are block and white versions of la r color-coded originals, a full set of which is:permanontly on file In the offices Of the Apalachee Regional Planning Council In Blountstown. COASTAL SENSITITY ATLAS - APALACHICOLA RIVER SYSTEM, FLORIDA SPECIES LIST 31 SHELLFISH 00 4 PINK Shrimp Penaeus duoraram 43 American Oyster Crassosbea virginica 49 Blue Crab Callneces sapidus 50 White Shrimp Penaeus setiferus 51 Blown Shrimp Penseus Aziecus 71 Rock Shrimp Sicyonia sp. 73 Squid Loligo sp. REPTILES 30 3 O American Aligator Alligator mississippiensie 30 6 O Atlantic Loggerhead Ards Caretta Caretta 10 0 Aligator Snapping Turtle Macrickennt temmincki 11 0 Suwannee Cooler Chrysemys cibcubba suwanniensis 12 Florida Red-belied Turtle Chrysemys nelsoni 13 0 Barbours Map Turtle Cirmpoorr barboud 14 Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum 15 Flatwood Salamander Ambystoma cingulatum FISH 1 2 98 American Eel Ariquilla rostrata 4 102 Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynctius 104 Stiped Bass Morone saxatilis 107 Spotted Sea Trout Cynocion nebulosus 109 Reddrum Sciaenops ocellata 3 111 Southern Flounder Paralichthys fathostigma 115 Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus 116 Mullet Mugil cephalus 123 Croaker Micropogon unclufatus CHATTAHOOCHEE 124 Whiting Menticirrhus americanus 30 5 6 125 Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhychus 00 142 Alabama Shad Alosa alabamae 143 Skipjack Herring Alosa chrysochloria 144 Hogchoker Tinectos maculatus 145 Moutain Mullet Agonostones monticola 7 146 White Bass Morone chrysops 147 Carp Cyrrinus carpro 148 Sunshine Bass Morone sp. BLOUNTSTOWN 149 White Catfish Ictalurus catus 150 Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatue 9 8 151 Yellow Bullhead Ictalurus natalis 152 Brown Bullhead Ictalurus nabulosus 153 Small Bullhead Ictalurus brunneus 154 Black Crappie Pomonia migromaculalus 10 155 Largemouth Bass Microptenus salmoidea 156 Bluegill Leponia macochirua 157 Readena Sunfish Lapornia microlopus 158 Chain Pickeral Eson niger 12 11 BIRDS C Waterfowl E Wading birds 13 14 F Seabirds 8 Double-crested Cormonant Phalacrocorax suritus 77 Osprey Pandion taliautus 88 Least Tem Sterna abitrons 107 Paregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 15 123 Southern Bald Eagle Halissetus laucocephalus 133 Black Skimmer Rynchops niger 135 Sandwich Tem Sierra sandvicerisia 137 Royal Tem Sierra maxima 16 139 Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinue 152 American Oystercalcher Hearnalopus paliatus 154 Wilson Plover Charadrius wilsoria 182 American Kestral Falco sparverius 17 187 Wood Duck Aix sporisa MAMMALS 18 APALACHCCIA 8 River Otter Lutra carunterisis 30 Roundtailed Muskrat Neoiber alleni 31 Beaver Castor canadensis 19 Endangered Rare Threatened Special Concern GULF OF MEXICO 85 15 85 00 84 45 LOCATOR MAP 1, VERTICAL ROCKY SHORES AND SEWALLS 2. EXPOSED BLUFFS 3. FINE-GRAINED SAND BEACHES 4. COARSE-GRAINED SAND BEACHES 5. MIXED SEDIMENT BEACHES 6. RIPRAP STRUCTURES, GRAVEL BEACHES AND CROSS LEVEES 7. VEGETATED BLUFFS 7a. EXPOSED TIDAL FLATS 8. VEGEIATED LOW BANKS 9. CYPRESS AND HARDWOOD SWAMPS 10a. FRESHWATER MARSHES 10b. SALTWATER MARSHES 0il Sensitive Wildlife COMMERCIAL CRABS RAPTORS COMMERCIAL SHRIMP WADING BIRDS OYSTER BEDS DIVING BADS COMMERCIAL SQUID FISHERIES SEABIRDS COMMERCIAL OR SPORT FISHES SHOREBIRDS TURTLES, SEA TURTLE NESTING MIGRATORY WATERFOWL ALLIGATORS, LIZARDS, OTTERS, BEAVERS, MUSKRATS SALAMANDERS Key to Wildlife Access and Markers Protection SUMMER BOOMS DOT IS SEASONS BOAT PUMPS COLOR IS TYPE OF ORGANISM SPRING FALL SYMBOL IS GEOLOGICAL TYPE NUMBER IS PERCENT WINTER 24 28 15 3 7 34 33 3c 2. 01 12 ho It 14' It 4*0 to 30. 29 29 '14 1, It 34 31 32 -77 = =110 &w C." A 0 1 5 0- ESI MAP NUMBER 1 ino, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A A Jk -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 71 14 aj. 16 as E& NU L MM 2 to. Ar 10 $0. 10. to. It r- 10. 10. 10. lom to& 100 7, to. 10. 3 23 108 a too! mo'@! 10. to. to. '10 to too a ills Ott -J' J tqo Ift 41 no Joe oom -t - - we 10. Amalie- 'g. ft C--d feepit 3V C C-" CWW-mm a. C@ imp ESI MAP an a.- c NUMBER 3 ---------------- ale Cb IC MAP NUMM 4 10. to. 14 5 3 lop ij A 0- 32 - - ----------------------- -L-3 wm Is W-0 L==-j 70 22 21 24 40 **go rw. 10 wa a." I aw I MAP mo@s- gammyon UMBER 5 -!7W 11#4 V All. Olt 2S IQ r 114 NUAM ED ED V-1 2 4 4 13 3 EB 23 2. 0 21 14 32 35 it If 4 It 21111 Go" as KEY r.@Imi w Iasi ESI MAP ww NUMBER 7 me-ON Vi 4W.", 4w 7x* q) V- 6@. A@ EVEN 0 a 1-01 'x; 1000, 100, 'Ile r ......... ZA oll .4 ppm P@. 114.111, c-d I" C C@t 40 fto c"m ft@ mw,w@ vbo KEY t. sr-w. ow 4@ 3"m mm" colms w losl pap t ESI MAP NUMBER 9 UT 40o" IL -IT Eil 3 "2 AQ 'IOU 7 7 4"o. gov L I ESI mAp. M 6L AW. 2 47 Ago iR-- 11. 1-: A N A N A @1. 1) ft -J; '15. 4F 40 a. C." I A 0 1 1 .5 0 1 ESI MAP 0*.*& "m C..ft NUMBER 11 -A 4v Latmw LA MA sm Po AD ES all' UZI..p 2 7 44 @it S V, @EO m.r rw lip vN p"" M.Aft ft ESI MAP NUMBER 13 E-16 't lk .L Raw o d; .d dr 4p, MAP -7 %1 EEI E@D t, Er -PL-jvn-A 16 j'a rat 47- gr Wa poftu E, .,nlb.. W" RK" col@* on last pa" ESI MAP NUMBERIS E-l 8 17 tv .4.4 0 41 4*1 6. JL 74 14- nb, 7.4. '4 lit 161 10. Is is mi ON lo. 0,4o AM fte C4" ANN's's al@ pk@ -- INK" -I.. lost polls. 7-- or .0 ESI MAP pt-@ pw-, iam ft ARAIGNIFTSIR to ft@ essol aw@ft@@ - NUMBER17 am -R-20 'Bel, IST 0 fob Wh ;@7 ob Ub 10% 74 som ES 471 MAP RAM "book", 10 Vb lob 3,@ 70 10b lob" EJ. a Vb 10b ob tOb 3 lob 3 ;4, b 3 3 Vb IA, fill, 3 *b cm 76 l0b 7. lk 101l Is, 70 lob O"d ft@ 0- FW@ m MOLES "3' 3 3 I A ESI MAP NUMBER 19 3 6668 14103 6600 IF YOU KNOW OF AN OIL SPILL CALL: (800) 424-8802