Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands oil spill contingency plan

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

THE
COMMONWEALTH
OF THE
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

OIL SPILL
CONTINGENCY

AUGUST 1983

Property of CSC Library

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page no.

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Update Procedure
4
Section 3: Legal Authorities 15
Section 4: Federal Responsibilities and Role 20
Section 5: Oil Characteristics 29
Section 6: CNMI Bulk Oil Properties
Section 7: Recovery Equipment and Chemicals 31
Section 8: Inventory of CNMI Oil Spill Cleanup Resources 43
Section 9: Notification, Communication and Reports 53
Section 10: Oil Spill Fund Activation Procedures 58
Section 11: CNMI Chain of Command 68
Section 12: Operational Response Steps 72
Section 13: Response Steps 79
Section 14: Methods for Cleaning Up Oil Spills 81
Section 15: Disposal 88
Section 16: Monitoring 91
Section 17: Classification of Resource Priority 93
Section 18: Physical and Environmental Setting 95
Section 19: Risk 110
Section 20: Resources at Risk 112
Section 21: Guidelines for Decision-making 114
Section 22: References 116

SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION

Intr oduction

The CNMI Oil Spill, Plan has been prepared by the CNMI Department of
Public Health arid Environmental Services, Division of Environmental
Quality as part of its' approved work program for FY 1983. The Plan
covers the coastal, locations of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. only. Inland
sites were not considered. The purpose of this plan is to provide
information necessary to:

understand the behavior and effect of oil in a marine
environment;

present methods and procedures to respond to oil spill
situations;

identify locations having higher risk of oil spills;

designate important economic, natural and recreational
resources for priority protection;

document the event for the purposes of cost recovery,
enforcement and plan updating.

The CNMI Plan has been developed primarily for the CNMI government
I
audience, therefore considerable background information about has been
provided from numerous sources. Information has been derived from

Austrailian, Indonesian, European, Caribbean, and United States
references to present a well-rounded approach thought to be most
applicable to the CNMI Situation.

The Plan has also been prepared to serve as the Local Contingency Plan
for the Northern Marianas component of United States Region IX Oil
Spill Contingency Plan. The United States Coast Guard has prepared
similar up-to-date contingency plans for all other regions of the
United States. Special effort has been made to make this plan
consistent with United States policy as presented in the Region IX
Plan, the National Contingency Plan, legislation and regulation.

Regional Plans identify a pre-designated On-Scene-Coordinator (OSC)
who has overall responsiblity for oil spill response. The DSC is
normally a ranking representative of the USCG for marine spills and
the EPA for inland spills. As the nearest qualified representative of
either agency is located in Honolulu and San Francisco, respectively,
it has become the policy to develop a memorandum of understanding
between the Federal government and in this case the CNMI. The MOU
would specify a CNMI official as the pre-designated OSC and outline
procedures for Federal coordination and access to the Federal cleanup
fund.

The CNMI Plan has been developed under the assumption that such an MOU
has been consumated. The specific responsibilities of the OSC and
response team have been delineated in a manner believed to facilitate

coordination between the CNMI response team, a Federal response team if the situation requires
it, and the Federal system of compensation and enforcement.

Procedures contained in the Region IX Plan for accessing Federal
cleanup funds have been closely followed, however, the procedures were
modified to provide for a CNMI official in the role of a the Federal
DSC. .Such procedures must be considered during the actual negotiations
of the CNMI-Federal MOU.

Information about Oil spill clean up methods provides a general
explanation of the range of possible responses. In an actual oil spill
event, the OSC must use best judgement to determine the most realistic
and cost-effective methods on a case-by-case basis. Since it is not
possible to predict actual circumstances of an oil spill, specific
step-by-step procedures cannot be identified, although classifications
and priorities of operations have been clearly reported.

In the CNMI, oil spills have been classified as minor, with cleanup
activities Usually completed within one day. Information contained in
this plan is applicable to the minor spills. However, increased
consideration is given to larger spills occuring at sea or nearshore
which would overwhelm CNMI response capabilities. It is in such cases
where direct Federal participation is warranted. Mobilization time for
a major Federal response is estimated to be a minimum of 48 hours,
with 72-96 hours perhaps more realistic. During the period between the
discovery of the oil spill and arrival of Federal cleanup forces, the
CNMI must be prepared to best deploy its limited response capability.

The Plan identifies and describes the organizational structure
considered necessary for complete response to four phases of an oil
spill event ranging from discovery to cost recovery.
It is important that actual personnel be assigned to each role and that each person become
thoroughly familiar with assigned duties and responsibilities. It may be desirable to assign
collateral assignments which may be more realistic in minor spills. The personnel filling each role
should periodically meet to discuss and amend the roles as necessary to best fit the circumstances.

However, succesful response to a significant
oil spill event depends upon each person's acceptance of full
responsibility for assigned duties. Equally critical is the acceptance
of the OSC as the person in
by the response team, and the CNMI government. It is further
recommended that at least annually, the team undertake a full scale drill to practice for the real event.

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Update Procedures

The CNMI On-Scene-Coordinator has the overall responsibility for maintaining this contingency
plan.

This plan should be reviewed on an annual basis, updated as new
information develops and distributed to all recipients. If there have
been no changes for a. particular year, a negative report should be
distributed. As new spills occur, reports of the incident should be
distributed for inclusion in the plan immediately. Errata sheets
should also be prepared and distributed as often as necessary.

The Plan has been organized for easy update. Each numbered page may be
removed and a new page inserted in its place. To ensure a complete and
current plan, each amendment should be recorded in the following form:

RECORD OF AMENDMENT

AMEND AMENDMENT DATE POSTED BY DATE POSTED

Legal Authorites

CNMI LEGISLATION PERTAINING TO OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLANNING INCLUDES
THE FOLLOWING:

Public Law 1-40, effective10/9/79, "CNMI Disaster Relief Act of 1979"
Section (2)(a) (2), Findings and Intent states:

Emergency and disaster may include loss of life, human suffering, loss
of income, and property damage resulting from typhoons, tornadoes,
storms, floods, high waters, wind-driven waters, tidal waves,
earthquakes, droughts, fires, and other catastrophies;

Section (2) (b) (2) , (3) and (5) states the intent of the legislature is
to:

Clarify and strengthen -the roles of the Governor and the mayors in the
prevention of , preparation for, and response to, and recovery from
disasters;

Provide a disaster management system embodying all aspects of
pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster responses;

Authorize and provide for coordination of activities relating to
disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery by agencies
and officer of the (CNMI) , and similar U. S. i nter governmental and
foreign activities in which the (CNMI) and its political subdivisions
may participate.

Section (4), Definitions states:

Disaster means occurrence or imminent threat of a widespread or severe
damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural
or man-made cause, including but not limited to ... oil spills, or
other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger
or damage ...

Section (6)(a) establishes the CNMI Disaster Control Office within the
Department of Public Safety, supervised by a Disaster Control Officer.

Section (6) (c), (d) , (e), (f)(6),(f)(8), (f)(9), (f)(10) and
(f)(12) state:

(6)(c) The Disaster Control Officer shall take an integral part in the
development and revision of local disaster plans prepared under
(Section 7 of the Act) ...

(6)(d) In preparing and revising the (CNMI) disaster plan, the
Disaster Control Office shall seek the advice and assistance of local
government, business, labor, industry, agriculture, civic and
volunteer organizations, and community leaders...

(6) (e) The (CNMI) disaster plan, or any part therof, may be incorporated in regulations of the
Governor or executive orders which have the force and effect of law.

(6) (f) The Di saster Control Of f i ce shall:

(6)(f)(2) Coordinate with appropriate government agencies to procure,
and,pre-position supplies, ... materials, and equipment;

(6)(f)(6) Establish and operate, or assist political subdivisions and
their disaster agencies to establish and operate, training programs
and programs of public information;

(6)(f)(8) Plan and make arrangements for the availability and use of
any private facilities, services and property, and if in fact used,
provide for payment for Such Use under terms and conditions agreed
upon or under the provisions (of this Act) in the absence of such
agreement;

(6)(f)(9) Establish a register of persons with types of training and
skills important in emergency prevention, preparedness, response and
recovery;

(6)(f)(10) Establish a register of mobile and construction equipment
and temporary housing available for use in a disaster emergency;

(6) (f) (12) Cooperate with the United States Government and any public
or private agency or entity in achieving any purpose of this Act in
implementing programs for disaster prevention, preparation, response
and recovery;

Public Law 1-44, effective 2/4/80, "Establishing the office of Civil Defense Coordinator..."
Section (1) establishes the Office of the Civil Defense Coordinator
within the Department of Public Safety.

Section (4) Purpose, states: It is hereby declared that it is the best
interest of the people of the Commonwealth ... to provide a system of
civil defense for the protection of life and property -from ... natural
disaster or other emergency and to establish procedures and plans to
mobilize and utilize all available resources to respond to that
emergency.

Section (8), Emergency Authority, states: The provisions of this
Section shall be operative only during the existence of a state of
emergency proclaimed by the President of the United States or the
Governor of the (CNMI). The Civil Defense Coordinator shall have the
same authority and ability to utilize federa and Commonwealth
property, departments, facilities, agencies, personnel, immunity from
Suit and waiver of federal and Commonwealth Administrative Procedures
Acts as may be so provided or delegated by the Administrator of the

Federal Civil Defense Administration by Title III, Sections 301-306, of the Federal Civil
Defense of 1950, as ameneded, including but not limited to: preservation of life and property, for
clearing debris and wreckage, and for making emergency repairs to and temporary
replacement of transportation facilities or public facilities
damaged or destroyed.

Pub li c Law, ef f ti ve 10/19/81, "Commonwealth Ports Authority Act"

Section (5) Powers of the Ports Authority states;

(5)(b) It shall have exclusive jurisdiction to plan, establish,
develop, ... and regulate the ports ... to protect, police ...

(5)(e) The Authority shall have the power to adopt and enforce rules
and regulations for the orderly, safe, and sanitary operation of its
ports. Public safety officers of the Commonwealth shall have the power
to make arrests when necessary to prevent or abate the commission of
any offense against any rule or regulation of the Authority, against
the laws of the Commonwealth when any such offense or threatened

offense occurs upon any lands within ports operated by the authority.

Section(12) states: In case of any major public calamity, or whenever
it is in the interest of aviation or shipping safety, or necessary to
keep the ports operable by the Authority, the Board may determine that
the public interest and necessity demand the immediate expenditure of
funds to keep the ports facilities open to traffic or in a safe
condiion, and thereupon to authorize the expenditure of such sums as
may be needed Without Observation of the provisions requiring
contracts, bids or notices ...

Section (16) Penalties states: Any person who violates any provisions
of this Chapter, or any valid rule or regulation promulgated under
this Chapter, or who refuse or neglects to comply with any lawfull
order given by the Executive Director or his delegate concerning the
operation of the ports under control of the Authority, is punishable
by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed 3
months, or both, upon conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section (16)(a) states: Any person who violates any provision of this
Chapter, or any rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder, or any
term, condition, or limitation of any permit, certificate, or
operating authority issued by the Authority shall be subject to a
civil fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation. If such violation
is a continuing one, each day such violation continues shall
constitute a separate offense.

Public Law 3-23, effective 10/8/82, "Commonwealth Environmental
Protection Act"

Section (2)(a) Policy and Purpose states: (... it is the policy of the

Commonwealth -->

(2) (a)(1) to affirmatively protect the right of each person to a clean and healthful
public environment, as guaranteed by Section 9 of
Article I of the Constitution;

(2) (a) (2) to establish and enforce environmental standards to protect
and preserve the marine resources of the Commonwealth

(2)(a)(4) to afford special consideration to the environmental
quality of places and things of cultural and historic significance to
contribute to the protection and preservation thereof, in
implementation of Section 3 of Article XIV of the Constitution;

(2)(a)(5) to maintain optimal levels of air, land, and water quality
in or-der to protect and preserve the public health and general safety;

(2)(a)(7) to preserve, protect, and improve the aesthetic quality Of
the land, water, and natural resources of the Commonwealth in order to
promote the beauty of the Commonwealth for the enjoyment of its
residents and visitors;

Section (b) states It is the purpose of this Act to implement the policies set forth
...through... establishment of a sound legal basis for the development and implementation of environmental plans
and programs, ... relating to the preservation, protection,
maintenance, and enhancement of the quality of the environment of the
Commonwealth.

Section (B) (c) Environmental Programs states: The Chief Shall develop
and administer programs, including where appropriate a system of
standards, permits, or prohibitions, to prevent or regulate the public
health or welfare from any significant adverse effect of the
activities.

(8)(c)(1) discharge of pollutants anywhere within the jurisdiction (of the Commonwealth);

(8)(c)(2) transportation, storage, use, and disposal of solid wastes
and other hazardous substances;

Section (9) Enforcement, Remedies, and Penalties states:

(9) (a) The Chief, pursuant to regulations issued by the Director,
shall have the power to issue any necessary order to enforce the
provisions of this Act, any regulation issued under this Act, and any
term of a permit granted pursuant to this Act. Such order may require
that any person violating such provision or term cease and desist from
such violation immediately or within a stated period of time, and may
require that such person take such mitigating measures as may be
necessary to reverse or reduce any significant adverse effect of such
v i ol at i on. Such order may apply to any person in addition to the
violator when necessary to protect public health or welfare.

(9) (b) At the request of the Chief, transmitted through and with the
approval of the Director, the Attorney General shall institute a civil action in the Commonwealth
Trial Court for a temporary restraining
order, injunction, or other appropriate remedy to enforce any
provision of this Act, any regulation or order issued under this Act,
or any term of a permit granted pursuant to this Act.
(9)(c) If any person fails to comply with any provision of this Act,
or any regulation or order issued under this Act, or any term of a
permit granted Pursuant to this Act, after notice of failure and the
expiration of any reasonable period allowed for corrective action, the
person shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for
each day of the continuance of such failure. A person shall be liable
for an additional penalty for any amount expended by any agency of the
Commonwealth in taking any necessary action to reverse or reduce any
significant adverse effect of the violation when the person is
unwilling Or- unable to do so...

(9) (d) Any person who knowingly and willfully (1) violates any
provision of this Act, or any regulation or order issued under this
Act, or any term of a permit granted pursuant to this Act ... shall,

upon conviction, be Punished by a fine of not more than $50,000, or by
imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Each day that a
violation... continues...shall constitute a seperate violation.

(9) (e) Whenever a corporation or other entity is subject to
prosecution under subsection ( (d) of his section) , any officer or
agent of such corporation or entity who knowingly and willfully
authorized, ordered, or carried out the proscribed activity shall be
subject to the same f ines or imprisonment, or both, as provided for
under such subsection.

Section (11) Intergovernmental Cooperation states: In carrying out his
duties under this Act, the Chief may consult with any other
appropriate governmental entity, international organization, or
regional organization. The Chief may enter into cooperative
agreements with any entity or organization, and may apply for,
receive, and administer any grant related to his duties under this
Act, eithr directly, or through the Director or the Governor, or
through any other person designated by the Governor ...

Public Law 3-42, effective 1/7/83, "(CNMI) Nuclear and Chemical Free Zone Act"

Section (2) Statement of purpose and policy states:

(2)(c) The purpose of this Act is to ... ban the dumping of nuclear
and chemical wastes into the ocean and seabed surrounding the,
Commonwealth.

Section (3) Def initions states:

(3) (a) Chemical wastes means ...any other chemical which is toxic to
the animal or plant life of the ocean as identified by any federal law or
regulation which is applicable on its face to the Commonwealth or
by agreement between the Commonwealth and the United States
Environmental Protection Agency.

Section (5) Prohibited Acts states:

(5)(b) It is unlawful for any person to dump crude oil, fuel oil,
heavy diesel oil, lubrication oil, hydraulic fluid, or any mixture or
any petroleum product containg any of these in the ... zone
established by this Act.

Section (6) Enforcement states:

(6)(a) Primary responsibility for enforcement of this Act shall be
assumed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Coastal
Resources Management Office.

(6)(b) Any officer who is authorized by the Department of Natural
Resources and the Coastal Resources Management Office to enforce the
provisions, of this Act may:

I
(6)(b)(1) arrest any person, if there exists probable cause to believe
that such person has committed an act prohibited by Section 5 of this
Act;

(6)(b)(2) board, search or inspect any vessel or aircraft which may be
found within the Exclusive Economic Zone upon probable cause that such
vessel or aircraft may have on board any Substance proscribed for
dumping by this Act;

(6) (b) (4) seize any vessel or aircraft used or employed in, or when
there exists probable cause to believe that such vessel or aircraft
was used or employed in violation of any provision of this Act;

(6)(b)(4) seize any other evidence related to any violation of any
provision of this Act;

(6)(b)(5) execute any warrant or other process issued by any Court of
competent jurisdiction.

Section (7) Criminal Penalties states: In addition to the civil and
criminal penalties provided in the Marine Sovereignty Act of 1980
(P.L. 2-7), a person is guilty of a felony offense if he knowingly and
willfully commits any act prohibited by this Act or knowingly or
willfully aids, abets or assists another in such commission.
Conviction of any violation of this Act shall be punished by a fine of
not more than one million dollars, imprisonment of not more than ten
years, or both.

Section (8) Civil Penalties states: In addition to the civil and

criminal penalties provided in the Marine Sovereignty Act of 1980, any
person who violates any provision of this Act may be fined in an
amount of not more than one million dollars. Any vessel or aircraft
used in connection with a violation of this Act is subject to
forfeiture to the government of the Commonwealth. The crew and
personnel of such vessel or aircraft may be detained and summarily
deported if criminal charges are not anticipated.

Public Law, effective__________"Coatal Resources Management Act of 1982"

Section (2) Policy states: It is the policy of the (CNMI) to:

(2)(a)(4) Plan for and manage any use or activity,with the potential
for causing a direct and significant impact on coastal resources.
Significant adverse impacts shall be mitigated to the extent
practicable;

(2)(a)(6) Provide for adequate consideration of the national
interest, including that involved in planning for, and in the siting
of , facilities ... which are necessary to meet requirements which are
other than local in nature;

(2) (a) (8) Mitigate to the extent practicable, adverse environmental
impacts, including those on aquifers, beaches, estuaries and other
coastal resources while developing an efficient and safe
transportation system

(2) (a) (10) Maintain or improve coastal water quality through control
of erosion, sedimentation, runoff , siltation, sewage and other
discharges;

(2) (a) (13) Require compliance with all local air and water quality
laws and regulations and any applicable federal air and water quality
standards;

(2)(a)(15) Manage ecologically significant resource areas for their
contribution to marine productivity and value as wildlife habitats,
and preserve the function and integrity of reefs, marine meadows, salt
ponds, mangroves and other significant natural areas;

Section (4) CRM Office, Powers, Functions and Duties states: (CRM)
shall have the following:

(4)(a) to coordinate the planning and implementation of the coastal'
resources management policies by the Commonwealth government;

Section (12) Penalties states:

(12) (a) Any person who materially violates any provision of this Act
or any regulations or any order issued hereunder, shall be subject to
a civil fine not to exceed $10,000 per day for each day the violation
occurs.

(12) (c) In addition to the foregoing and in order to deter further
violations of the provisions of this Act or regulations issued
hereunder, the Attorney General may maintain an action for, exemplary
damages, the amount of which is left to the discretion of the Court,
against any person who knowingly violates any provision of these
regulations.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION PERTAINING TO OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLANNING
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

Federal statutes, regulations and administrative orders relative to
pollution control are summarized in a tabular summary. Responsible
Federal agencies are also shown.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act,
(42 USC 96701):EPA, FEMA, USCG, DOI, DOL, DHHS, and others.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended USC 1251 et seq.):
DPA, USCG, COE, Justice.

Safe Drinking Water Act amendment to the Public Health Service Act (42
USC 201): EPA

Refuse Act of 1899 (33 USC 407;411) (aka Rivers and Harbors Act of
1899): COE, USCG, Customs, Justice.

Toxic Substances Control Act (42 USC 2601): EPA.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 1976 (42 USC 6901): EPA.

Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1976 (33 USC 1401
et seq.): EPA.

Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1974 (49 USC 1801 et seq):
EPA.

Ports and Waterways Safety Act, as amended (33 USC 1221 et seq.):
USCG.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (7 USC 121
et. seq.): EPA.

Deepwater Ports Act of 1974 (33 USC 1501 et. seq.): DOT, DOI.

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended (43 USC 1331): DOT, DOI.

Oil Pollution Act of 1961, as amended (33 USC 1001-1001.5): USCB,
Customs, COE, State.

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 USC 1531): FWS, NOAA.

Intervention on the High Seas Act (33 USC 1471-1487): USCG.

R'e.lated fed'etal statutes, not specif ic to oil. and hazzardous 'materials.-.
control but, appl'icable to release prevention and cl,ean.Up in certain
cases include:

Disaster Relief Act of 1974: FENA, all federal agencies.

U.S. Navy Ship Salvage.Authori ty: U. S. Navy.

rhe Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 701-718): FWS.

STATUS OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS DEALING WITH SHIP-INDUCED
POLLUTION:

(NOTE: The most recent source of this information is dated September
1978, therefore the status reported hereunder may have changed unless
otherwise noted.)

Fhe International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the
-Sea by Oil 1754 as amended in 1962

55 countries have ratified or otherwise accepted this Convention
which has been in force since 111av 1967. The original Convention came
1 -:3 -force..) in Hay 1958.
int

- The 176? amendments to this Convention have been accepted by :38
countries and came into force on January '210, 1?78.

The Convention contains measures for the control of operational
-discharges from ships through generally prohibiting all discharges
within 5C_) miles from nearest land, and by controlling the volume of
discharge beyond that area. To give a measure of control in case of
collision or QrOUnding the iiiaximum size of tank-s of a tanker is
1 i mi ted.

-rhe International Convention Relatinq to Intervention on the High Seas
in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties 1969

- 31 countries have ratified or otherwise accepted this Convention
which has been in force since June 1975.

This Convention deals with the rights of a coastal state to
-intervene and take measures to protect its coastal and other related
interests where a maritime causalty involving oil occurs on the high
seas, which may be reasonably expected:-,.to result in grave and imminent
danger to those interests.

The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution
Damage 196?

32 countries have ratified or otherwise accepted this Convention,
which has been in force since June 19, 1975.

_.This, Convention -aim,_:; at ensuring that adequate compensatibn (through
compul sory i n5LArance) '.i s avai 1 ab I e to per-sons who 5u,f f er ui 1 pol I Lit i on
damaqe result ing from 'friaritime casualties involving ships. carrying oil

Q
as e
cargo. Th liability placed on the shipowner is strict, but
limited except in cases*where the owner is actually at fault.

The International*'Convention Ion the Establishment of an International
Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971

11 Countries have ratified or otherwise accepted this Convention.
This convention is not yet in force. Although sufficient ratifications
have been received, the total annual tonnage of oil received by these
countries is below the required 750 million tons.

- This Convention augments the Civil Liability Convention as a
supplementary source of compensation in those cases where either (a)
-there was no compensation due from the owner of the ship involved in
the casualty or (b) the compensation due from that owner was
insufficient to cover the compen5ation required. The fund when in
force will be funded from levy placed on oil received in shore
terminals after being transported by sea.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships
1973

2
4. Countries have ratified or otherwise accepted this Convention
which is not yet in force as there are many technical difficulties to
overcome. The Convention requires the acceptance by 15 states
representing not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of world merchant
ships.

This Convention will eventually replace the 1954 Convention for the
-Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil. The main objective of the
Convention is to eliminate pollution of the sea by oil and other
harmful substances which may be discharged operationally, and to
minimize the acciden 'tal discharge of such Substances. It goes well
beyond the present Convention as it also covers ship construction,
equipment, provides for regular surveys and certification as to
compliance with the requirements of the Convention.

(NOTE: the source of the following two paragraphs is from a USCG
letter dated March 18, 1981.)

The Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention was held in
London in February 1978, under the auspices of the Intergovernmental
Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO). As a result of that
conference, new tanker safety requirements were adopted in Protocols
to the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) and the 1973
Marine Pollution Convention (MARPOL). The SOLAS Protocol adopted
requirements for improved steefing gear systems and procedures,
radars, collision avoidance aidsl inert gas systems, port state
inspections, and flag state responsibilities. The MARPOL Protocol

added requirements for the construction or modif ication of tankers in
rel ation to segregated bal last tanks and crude oi l washi ng systems.
These improvemen ts were largely preventative measures, designed to
reduce the collision or other casualty, and to eliminate the discharge
of oil-contaminated water into the marine environment during normal
ship operations.

The SOLAS Protocol is scheduled to enter into force in the United
States on May 1, 1981. The MARPOL Protocol is not in force at this
time, but many of the recommendations contained therein have been
adopted as United States regulatory requirements. Thes new standards
are reflected in part in the latest amendments to regulations
contained in 33 CFR Part 157 (concerning segregated ballast, crude oil
washing systems, vessel operations, tank vessel inspections, dedicated
clean ballast tanks), and 33 CFR Part 164 (navigational safety
regulations, steering gear, dual radar).

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V. ederal Rec-SpOnSibility. and Role

The CNMI Oil Spill Contingency Plan is organized to be. consistent with
the Federal Region IX Oil Spill Contingency Plan. 'This section
provides an overview of the Federal.planning and response
oraanization.

Federal Pol.icy

The Congress has declared that it is the policy of the United States
that there should be no discharge of oil into or upon the waters of
the United States, the adjoining shorelines or into or upon the waters
of the contiguous zone, or which may affect natural resources
belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management
authority of the United States. Conqress further intended that
removal or remedial action or other response measures consistent with
the National Contingency Plan whenever any pollutant or containment
which may present an imminent and substantial danger to the public
health or welfare is released or threatens to be released into the
environment.

Federal piDlicy has been extended by the Intervention on the High Seas
Act to include taking action on the high seas when the Commandant of
the Cc,,-::kst Guard declares a grave and imminent danger exists to the
coastline or related interest of the U.S. from pollution or threat of
pol I Ut j. on.

In accordance with Section 311(d) of the Act, whenever a marine
disaster in Or' upon the navigable waters of the United States has
created a substantial threat of a pollution hazard to the public
health or welfare, because of a discharge or an imminent discharge of
large quantities of oil from a vessel, the United States may: (a)
coordinate and direct all public and private efforts directed at the
removal or elimination of such threat; and (b) summarily remove and,
if necessary, destroy such vessel by whatever means are available
without regard to any provisions of law governing the employment of
personnel or the expenditure of appropriated funds. This authority
has been delegated Linder Executive Order 11735 to the Administrator of
the EPA (for inland spills) and the Secretary of the Department in
which the Coast Guard is operating, in an and for the waters for which
each has reponsibility to furnish or provide the OSC under the Region
IX Plan.

In addition to any other actions taken by the CNMI or other
governments, when the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast
guard is operating determines there is an imminent and substantial
threat to the public health and welfare because of an actual or
-threatened discharge of oil into or upon the waters of the United
States from any onshore or offshore facility, he may require, through
the Attorney General, the District Attorney General secure the relief
necessary to abate the threat.

Federal Responsibility

TO implement* Federal. policy, Federal aqencies have re-sponsi Ibilit.ies,
established by statute, to respond t an oil discharge- Section
below, outlines the general re5ponsibi 1 i ties of each agency.
All Federal agencies are responsible'-for minimizing the occurrence of
disch@arges and for developing the capability to respond promptly in
cases of discharges from facilities they operate or supervise, and for
mak-ing resources available for regional spill response operation.
Participating Federal agencies have the following additional
responsibilities: to lead all Federal agencies in developing programs
to minimize environmental damage from pollution incidents; to develop
the capability for rapid coordinated response to any pollution
. cidents; to provide representatives to the RRT; to advise the RRT
and the OSC; to keep the RRT informed of changes in the availability
I n

of resources affecting the operation of the Regional Plan.

Spill Re5ponse Activity and Coordination - General

For pollution response activities, Federal On-Scene-Coordination is
acccm-ipl i shed through a single pre-desi.Qnated a(3ent, the OSC. The OSC
reports to and receive@3d@@,-Jcpfrom an RRT. GenEr--@,-=ly,@e 00-C for
the coastal zone is the U.S. Co-@@=t Gu,@ird and for the inland wate-rs
from the EPA. The U.S. Depart(-nent of Defense will furnish OSC with
respect to discharges from DOI) facilities.

Regional Response Team

The RRT is comprised of representatives of the Federal and State
aqencies. Industry and special interest organizations are granted
observer Status upon request. Observer status places the named
organization on the mailing list of RRT activities and minutes.
Meetinqs of the RRT are open to the public. The full participation of
high level representation from the CNMI is desired. The RRT serves as
the regional body for planning and preparedness actions prior to a
pollution incident and for coordination and advice during a pollution
incident; the representatives of EPA and USCG act as co-chairman of
the RRT. Each Federal participating agency designates one member and
at least one alternate to the RRT. When the RRT is activated for a
pollution incident, the chairman shall be the EPA or USCG
representative, depending upon the are in which the response is taking
place.

RRT Functions and Responsibilities

1. .The Chairman ensures that the provisions of the regional and local
contingency plans are adequate to provide the OSC with appropriate.
technical and professional assistance from the participating agencies
commesurate with an agency's resources, capabilities and
responsibilities within the Region. During a pollution emergency the
memebers of the RRT shall insure that the resources of 'their
respective agencies are made available to the OSC as agreed to and
specified in the Regional and local contingency plans.

The RRI designates f-epresentativet of partidipating.'agencies to
work with the*OSCs to develop local plans and to plan for the use of
agency reSOL(F-CEIS located within the OSC's area o@ responsibility which
do riot require RRT involverrient.

When riot activated for a pollution incident, the RRT serves as a
standing committee to recommend needed policy changes in the regional
response organization, to revise the Regional plan as needed and to
evaluate the preparedness of the agencies and effectiveness of local
plans for coping with pollution emergencies. The RRT:

a. Maintains a continuing review of regional and local pollution
emergency reponse operations and equipment readiness to insure
adequacy of regional and local planning, and coordination for
combating discharges of oil. RRT also recommends revision of the
National Contingency Plan to EPA via the NRT on the basis of
observations of response operations.

b. Reviews the functioning of the OSC to insure that local plans are
developed and fully coodinated among involved agencies.

C. Develops procedures to promote the coordination of Federal, state
and local governments and private agencies to responsd to pollution
incidents.

d. Considers necessary changes in policy on the basis of continuing
evaluation of regional response actions tat.--.en in combating discharges
of oil.

e. Maintains a readi ness Posture to respond to a nationally
significant discharge of oil.

f. Maintains a continuing surveillance of incoming reports from all
OSC's and activates the RRT when appropriate.

4* The RRT shall act as an emergency response team to be activated in
the event of a discharge involving oil which when activated during a
pollution response, agency representatives will meet and:

a.. Monitor and evaluate reports from the OBC insuring their
completeness. The RRT will advise the OSC on the duration and extent
of the Federal response and may recommend specific courses of action
in combating the discharge for consideration by the OSC.

b. Request other Federal, State, local government or private agencies
to consider tat%ing action under their existing authorities to provide
resources necessary for combating a discharge or deployement of
personnel to monitor response operations.

C. Assist and coordinate with the OSC in formulating public
information releases and for information transfer between the OSC and
Washington DC headquarters of the agencies concerned, to as to

minimize or prevent dissemination of spurious and incomplete
information.

d. Advise the regional head of the agency providing the OSC if a
shift of on-scene-coordination from the pre-designated OSC to another
OSC is indicated by the circumstances or progress of a pollution
discharge.

General Agency Responsibilities

1. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service)

The USDA provides expertise in the area of forest and wilderness
management. USDA Forest Service personnel frequently act as OSC until
relieved by the pre-designated OSC.

2. Department of Commerce (NOAA, NMFS, NWS, NOS)

The DOC, through NOAA, provides Support with respect to living marine
resources, meterological , hydrologic, ice and oceanographic data, tide
and current information; charts and maps, and satellite imagery.

3. Department of Defense (USA, USN, USA-COE, USAF, USMC)

DOD, consistent with its operational requirements may provide
assistance in critical, pol lution discharges and in the mantenance of
navigation channels, salvage, removal of navigation obstructions, and
in certain cases cleaning and control of major oil spills.

4. Department of Energy

DOE has responsibility for certain hazardous waste incidents

5. Department of Health and Human Services (CDC NIOSH)

DHHS is responsible for providing expert advice and assistance
relative to those discharges that constitute, or may constitute, a
threat to public health and safety.

6. Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA maintains an awareness of pollution emergencies and evaluates any
request for a major disaster declaration received from a Governor
pursuant to PL 93-288. During a Presidentially declared emergency,
FEMA will coordinate and direct the Federal response, including
relocation, evacuation and housing.

7. Department of Interior (USFWS, USGS/MMS, BLM, NPS, BIA)

DOI Supplies expertise in the areas of oil drilling, producing,
handling, oil pipeline transport, land, fish and wildlife including
migratory birds, marine mammals and endangered species. Liasion with
the CNMI and other territores is accomplished by DOI.

8. Department of Justice (U.S. Attorney, 'Torts)

DOJ can SUpply.e."pert legal advice to deal with complicated judicial
questions arising front discharges and Federal agency responses. DOJ
will also assist by.issuing orders and by providing litigation.

9. Department of Labor (OSHA)

DOL in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services
provids advice and assistance concerning occupational health
guidelines.

111, Department of Transportation 1U MARAD)
E@ic@

DOT provides expertise regarding all modes of transporting oil and
hazardous substances. Through the USCG, DOT suppplies support and
expertise in the domestic/international fields port safety and
Security, marine law enforcement, navigation and construction, the
manning, operation, and safety of vessels and (narine faC:iliti0S
Additionally, the Coast Guard maintains C0ntinU0USlV manned facilities
tt--tat are capable of command, control and surveillance +or the oil
dischargges occurring on the waters of the U.S. oi- the high seas. The
U-31CO is responsible for ring the RRT arid -for implementing,
developing and revising, as necessary, the Regional and local plans.

11. Department of State

State will provide leadership in developing joint international
contingency plans. It will also provide assistance in coordination
when a pollution discharge transects international boundaries or
involves foreign flag vessels.

1-2. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA provides expertise regarding environmental effects of pollution
incidents and environmental pollution control techniques, including
assessment of damages. EPA also advices the RRT and OSC in the degree
of hazard a particular discharge poses to the public health and
safety, and coordinate scientific efforts in support of the RRT in
inland sectors. EPA is responsible for co-chairing the RRT and for
local plans. EPA will coordinate with USCO regarding pollution
control and protection of the environment in the preparation of
Regional and Local Plans.

Oil Characteristics/Toxicity/Classes

Properties of Oils

Although , oil is often referred to as though it i s a uni f orm substance,
it is in reality a complex mixture of mainly hydrocarbon components
with differing physical, chemical and bilogical properties. The basic
product, as obtained from geological strata, is termed crude oil.
From this a wide variety of other products are derived during the
refining process. In order of increasing density (specific gravity)
the main ones can be classed as gases, gasoline, kerosene, fuel oils,
lubricating oils, residual fuel oils, asphalt and paraffin. The
physical and chemical characteristics of these products differ
enormously, to some extent dependent upon the crude from which they
are derived.

Oil Spill Classes

Size classes of discharges - The following classifications are
provided as guidance for the OSC and serve as; the criteria for the
actions delineated in Section . They are not meant to imply
associated degrees of hazard to public health or welfare, nor a
measure of public enviromental damage. Any discharge that poses a

substantial threat to the public health or welfare, or results in
critical public concern shall be classed as a major discharge
regardless of the following quantitative measures.

1. Minor Discharge means a discharge to coastal waters of less than
10,000 gallons of oil.

2. Medium discharge means a discharge of 10,000 gallons to 100,000
gallons of oil to the coastal waters.

3. Major discharge means a discharge of more than 100,000 gallons of
of oil to the coastal waters, or a discharge which poses a substantial
threat to the public health or welfare, or results in critical public
concern.

Source: Guam Oil Spill Plan (COMNAVM Section)

Descriptive terminology for oil spill sitings

Mousse: A water in oil emulsion formed when water is mixed with oil by
some agitation process such as wave action. This form of oil is more
readily formed by heavier oils than lighter oils. If a mousse is
formed it can range in color from light brown to rust and dark brown.
The color is dependent on the type of oil, the amount weathering it
has undergone, and the presence of surface active agents.

Pancakes: are generally seen as isolated patches of weathered oil.
They are roughly round or oblique, giving rise to their name, and can
range in size from about 6cm to a few kilometers in radius.

Sheen: The name ascribed to oil that is detectable by a dampened or
slick sea surface. Sheen can range from being visible only by the
slick it forms, to having a rainbow or gray color associated with it.

Slick: A smooth sea surface are resulting from suppression of small
capillary waves by oil.

Streamers: Lines of oil, of any form, aligned in windrows.

Tarballs: A formation of 'globules of oil' occurring when weathered
oil undergoes a series of physical processes that break up larger
patches of oil into compact semi-solid or solid masses ranging from
.5mm to 15 cm in diameter.

Weathering: Changes in the chemical and physical properties of any oil
through a series of natural processes.

Windrows: Parallel bands of oil and floating material on the water
surface with the lonq axis aligned to the wind direction.

Wind slicks: Patches of calm sea surface. Caused by localized areas of
wind shear where wind conditions change so rapidly that capillary
waves do not have time to develop. Wind slicks do not concentrate
material on the water surface as do windrows. Wind slicks may be
confused with an oil slick.
I

Source: An Approach to Observing Oil at Sea, in, Proceedings 1983 Oil
Spill Conference.

OIL FILM DESCRIPTIONS AS RELATED TO MAGNITUDE

STANDARD TERM APPEARANCE GALLONS OF OIL
PER SQUARE MILE
barely visible barely visible under most
favorable conditions 25

Silvery visible or a silvery sheen
on water surface 50

Slightly colored first trace of color may be
observed 100

Brightly colored bright bands of color are visible 200

Dull colors begin to turn dull brown 666

Dark much darker brown 1,332

Note: Each one-inch thickness of oil equals 5.61 gallons per square
yard or 17,378,709 gallons per square mile. Source: Guam Oil Spill
Plan

OIL COVERAGE

COVERAGE- PERCEN.TAGE ABD'REVIA'TION VISUAL CUE
ver@ light 1-'101/1. VL surface coverage of 'oil is much
less than visible water surface

light LT surface coveraae of oil is less
than visible water surface

Moderate 31-60% MD surface coverage is equally oil
and water

heavy HV surface coverage of oil is greater

than visible water surface

Source: An Approach to Observing Oil at Sea, in, Proceedings 19803 Oil
Spill Conference.

Characteristics of spilled oil:

I. Specific Gravity
2. Viscosity
Four point
4. volatility (flashpoint)
5. relative toxicity

Source: Region IX Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency
Plan

2-4

-- - - - - - - - - - - - ------ - - - - - - - - -

OIL COMPOsiTiON BY MOLECULAR TYPE Percent

Paraffin hydrocarbons (alkanes) .................... I ...... 3o
Napt@hene hydorcarbons (cycloalkanes) .............. ....... 50

Aromatic hydrocarbons ................................... 15

Nitrogen, Sulfur, and oxtygen-containing compounds (NSO). 5

OIL COMPOSITION BY MOLECULAR SIZE (NUMBER OF CARBON ATOMS PER
MOLECULE)

Percent
Gasoline (5-10) ......................................... 310
k`.erosene (10-12'@) ........................................ 10
Light Distillate oil ............................ 15
Heavy distillate oil (20-40) ............................ -@2 5
Rec-sidU,Rl oil (more than 4C_)) ....................... u ..... 20

Source: CI*X'M Oil Transshipment Report (March 1981)

CHARACTERISTIC IMPACTS OF OIL POLLUTION ON MARINE LIFE

1. Coating and asphyxiation (example: barnacles and other intertidal
organisms);
2. Poisoning through direct contact or ingestion (example: ingestion
of oil by pr-eening birds, contact poisoning of vascular plants);
-soluble to--,,ic petroleum components (example:
Exposure to waLer
sibtidal fishes and invertebrates);
4. Destruction Of more sensitive juvenile forms (example: fish eggs
and larvae); and,
5. Disruption of body insulation of warm blooded animals (example:
diving birds).

Harmful indirect effects of oil pollution may include:

1. Destruction of food sources;
2. Synergistic effects that reduce resistance to other stresses;
3. Incorporation of carcinogenic and potentially mutagenic chemicals;
4. Reduction of reproductive success;
5. Disruption of chemical clues essential to survival, reproduction
and breeding; and
5. Reduction of life support habitat.

Source: CRM Oil transhipment Report March 1?81.

E'stimated typical toxicity ranges (Ppirl) for Various Substances

r g a n i s m SA D 42Fuel oil/ f resh crude weathered crude
kerosene

Flora 1 (D-.1 o(D 50-1(--)0 lo(4)-10(5) coating more signif-
icant than toXicity

Finfish S-50 '. ne_ 15 - 2 5

Larvae 1-1 .5-5 10 (1-7) -10 (3)

1::,e I aq i c
crustaceans 1-10 5-50 10 (3) -10 (4)

Bastropods 10-100 --lo-50C-) 10 (4) -10 (5)

=C
Bi val ves 25-250 10 (4) - 1 () (5)

Denthic
crustaceans 5-5(-" 1 C) - I C-) (4)

other benthic
invertebratesl-IC-) 5

SOILkable aromatic derivatives (aromatics and napthL-noaromatics).

Source: Freeman, Coastal Zone Pollution by Oil and other Contaminants

SPILL CAUSES

A. Accidental Spills:

Accidental spills range from small spills during tanker loading and
unloading operations to major disasters. Not all spills are from oil
tankers. Most ships run on diesel or fuel oil and may have substantial
bunkering capacities. Of world shipping only about one ship in ten is
an oil tanker. It has been estimated that non-tankers account for 10%
of oil entering the oceans.

B. Human Error:

About half of known spills occur during bunkering operations. Others
result from bilge or ballast discharge, during deck washing or
trarisfer operations. These spills are almost always caused by failure
to turn off valves, pipes incorrectly fitted or tanks overfilled
through error or negligence.

C. Equi pment Fai l'Ure:

Many spills, part i c6l ar I ylarge ones are blame.d on equi piment failure
and structural damage. Comprehensive precautions are taken by the oil
industry to preventaccidents''thrOUgh equipment fai lure and defective
equipment, by fail-safe instrumentation, expert maintenance and
thorough testing and inspection. This particularly applies to
shore-based refineries and offshore rigs.

Almost all spills result -from hum,@tn error, or equipment failure.

Source: adopted from Oil Spills: Prevention and Control of Oil
Pollution in the Marine Environment, Parliament of the Commonwealth of
Austral i a.

SPILL BEHAVIOR

Oil tends to mix, with sediments due to water turbidity. Oil mixed with
coastal sediments may cause erosion by carrying the sediments out to
s:ea. Oil mi-ted with sediments of turbid water may sink. into the water
column, or to the bottom.

When petroleuwi are spilled to to the sea, a number of mechanisms
come into play:

Spreading: The first observable phenomenon following a spill is the
tendency of the oil to spread into a slick over the water surface.
Exceptions are certadn Crude and heavy residual fuel oils which have a
high specific gravity causing them to solidify or sin@--.. The horizontal
spreading of oil over the water surface will occur even in the absence
iD+ wind and water currents and is caused by the force of gravity and
-the surface tension r--)+ water which is generally greater than that of
the floating oil mass.

'The importance of oil,slick spreading has long been recognized. Not
only does the process control the extent of the contamination area but
,it influences the rate of weathering processes such as evaporation,
@dissolution, photo-o-cidation, and biodegradation that are involved in
'the ultimate fate of oil.

Oil spreads initially by the force of gravity, counterbalanced by
inertial forces first and then viscous forces. As the slick becomes
thin enough, the surface tensions at the oil-air and oil-water
interfaces become the dominant driving forces in overcoming the
retarding viscous forces. This continues until the slick ceases to
spread, As a general rule, most crude oils will spread to a thickness
of approximately :3mm in one hour and to approximately 0.77, mm in ten
hours and will continue until the oil forms a virtual monomolecular
layer (approximately 0.5 micrometers thick.) on the sea only
discernable as an area where the surface capillary waves are damped
and giving the appearance of a slightly silvery sheen. When such a
situation is reached natural dissipation of the oil is rapid. In
turbulent seas wind and wave action tends to dominate with the slicl%

2 5

e I Ong at i ng paral I el. to' the prevailing -wind direction.

Movement: . Oi Ion the Surface of the sea moves under the influence of
wind and current. The effect of current alone is direct, that.is the
surface slick will move in te'same direction and at the same velocity
as the surface water. Wind alone moves oil at about 3% of its own
velocity, thus a wind speed of 60[..-.m/h *will move oil downwind at 2km/h.
A windspeed in excess of about 16km/V-.-. will also tend to break a slick
up into streaks or windrows. When both wind and current are
significant their effects are additive with the resulting movement
being a vector of the two components. This situation is often
complicated by local variations in wind and currents. While tidal
CUrrents can be an important consideration when predicting the
movement of oil near shore their cyclic and generally self-cancelling
nature means that only wind and residual currents are usus;ally
significant for long range predictions.

Evaporation: Evaporation is the conversion of a liquid to a vapor.
PecaUse evaporation can account for the loss of up to 60% of a spilled
I ight- crude oi I , evaporation is an extremely important process
affecting the lifetime of the spill and the e,,.,,tent to which
ant/offshore resources fi-i@--ty be, iiiipacted.

The rate of evaporation is &ss-umed to be it fUnction of six key
physical parafneters. type of peLroleLtffi, spill area, wind speed, vapor
pressure, slick thickness, and temperature. The spill area is closely
correlated with the evaporation and spreading process. As slicks
spread, lighter fractions are evaporated rapidly, resulting in changes
in oil composition and the, physical -chemi cal characteristics of the
oil, which in turn affect the spreading rate.

Most crude oils spilled in temperate waters will lose up to 40% of
their volume in the first 2.4 hours, whereas with residual fuel oils
little evaporative loss will occur even after 40 hours (approximately
2% for a heavy fuel oil at 74 degrees F). At the other extreme, light
refined products such as gasoline, kerosine and gas oil will evaporate
almost competely within a relatively short time. In such cases,
cleanup may not be necessary, although other hazards are created.
Gasoline evaporates at about 50% of its original volume within 7-8
minutes at 68 degrees F creating a considerable fire hazard since the
ignition potential in the surrounding atmosphere becomes dangerously
high.

Dissolution: Dissolution is a process in which the soluble
hydrocarbons in oil dissolve in the water. Understanding the
dissolution rate of hydrocarbons in water is useful in prediciting
both weathering pathways and possible biological harm. There is
evidence that the hydrocarbon compounds which are most toxic to marine
organisms, namely the aromatics and low molecular weight alt-.-anes, are
also those which dissolve most readily from a slick. These
hydrocarbons tend to evaporate at a Much greater rate than they
dissolve, removing the most volatile components before they can
dissolve and enter the water column. However, it is important for oil

2 6

sp i 11 i m pa c tas.@=-, ess.@-Fienvt- to calculate the remaining concentration of
hydrocarbons in the water column in order to determine.' toxicity
potential.

The rate- of dissolution is consider ed to be a function of type of
pett@oleum, alkalinity of water and its pressure; the surface area,
volume and the boundary layer thickness of the oil particle, oil
temperature; and the apparent roughness of the sea surfaace.

Emulsification: Emulsification is a mixture of oil and water which is
either water-in-oil, or oil-in-water. The process involves the
dispersion of water droplets into the oil medium, turning the oil into
a thick sticky mixture commonly referred to as 'chocolate mousse.'
This process is significant because emulsification may result in an
increase in the effective volume of the spilled oil as much as a 4-5
fold. The formation of water-in-oil emulsions is generally a negative
factor in both the natural and man-induced removal of spilled oil from
the sea and shore. The formations of these emulsions Usually Occurs in
the first 10 hours or so after the spillage. The rate and extent to
which water-in-oil emulsions are formed depends upon the type of oil
involved and the the prevailing sea state. Emulsions can be extremely
stable and may contain up to 80%. Water. Such conditions may persist at
sea for several dEiys or e,,..--en weeks.

The mechanism by which,water droplets become incorporated into a slick
is still in doubt. It is generally established that different oils
have different Susceptibilities to emulsion formation and that
emulsification is primarily a function of turbulence and composition
of the oil, although temperature may play some role. A critical
factor in determining the mousse formation is the amount of natural
surfacant present in the spilled oil. Other factors are believed to
include such parameters as asphaltene and resin contents, mixing
energy, pH, and temperatUre.

Dispersion: Dispersion is the reduction of oil-water interfacial
tensions by natural process or the addition of chemical agents. The
rocess of dispersion of oil particles into the water column is
important because it largely determines the lifetime of the slick
which, in turn, determines whether or not a given slick is likely to
impact a nearby shoreline.

The natural dispersion process is very complicated and the exact
nature of the fluid mechanics is not well understood. The most common
supposition is that breaking waves cause the oil layer to be propelled
into the water column thus forming a 'shower' of oil droplets. Most
of the oil particles rise again to the slick and coalesce there, but
some ot the smaller oil droplets diffuse downward and become
permanentyly incorporated into the water column. It is likely that
the dispersion rate is a function of the oil slick thickness,
oil-water interfacial tension, sea state, and in particular, the
fraction of the sea which is covered by breaking waves.

AUtO-OXidation: Oxidation is the combination of hydrocarbons with

2 7

oxygen. The term auto-oxidation may include photo-oxidation,
bio-oxidation, and the normal chemical oxidation with phot-oxidation
being the most important. It involves the oxidation of hydrocarbons,
producing some intermediate or end products which are water soluble.
The process may occur over weeks or months, but affect the spilled oil
in a minor way in terms of the volume of oil involved. Because of the
potential toxicity of the oxidation products to aquatic organisms, the
process becomes important in the context of biological impact.

Biodegradation: Biodegradation is the change in the chemical and
physical properties of an oil through biological activity. The
process has a significant effect on the removal of oil from the marine
environment. Many species of marine bacteria, fungi and yeasts
oxidize petroleum hydrocarbons by utilizing them as a food source. No
single microbial species can utilize more than 2-3 hydrocarbon types
and most preferentially consume the light ends.

The rate of degradation is dependent upon a number of factors
including temperature; the availability of nutrients containing
nitrogen and phosphorus; oxygen, and the type of oil and stage of
weather i ng. As bacteria can only attack that part of the oil which is
in contact with the water, the opportunity for degradation is enhanced
by thinly spread oil or by oil-in-the-water emulsions where a greater
surface is exposed for microbial attack. Conversely, water-in-oil
emulsions degrade at a much slower rate since any incorporated micro
organisms are effectivly surrounded by oil which reduces the rate of
replenishment of vital nutrients and oxygen.

Sinking/Sedimentation: Sedimentation of oil can occur when it is
weathered to the point where its specific gravity is greater than that
of the water, although this is probably a minor factor causing the oil
to sink either to a midwater position or to the seabed. it is more
likely that the oil adheres to particulate matter with densities
greater than the water that the oil weill settle as part of the
oil-particulate floc. Thus, in the presence of sediment a significant
portion of the spilled oil may be flocculated and then sink to the
bottom. Factors influencing the process include the type, size and
load of sediment, the salinity, the contents of sulphur and organic
matter (particularly humic acid) in the oil, and the degree of
agitation.

Source: adapted from A Review of the State of the Art of Oil Spill
Fate/Behavior Models, and, An Approach to Observing Oil at Sea, in
Proceedings 1983 Oil Spill Conference; also from Measures to Combat
Oil Pollution prepared for Environment and Consumer Protection Service
of the Commission of the European Communities, by The International
Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited.

4 c 3 1 1 T T CD :1 T Y-k 3a t@,j @D

C? Li C:y -1: -4 =3 E3

CNMI Bulk Oil Properties

The types of bulk oil, and the amount brought into the CNMI during
1982, are:

1. High grade kerosene (jet fuel) - 3,204,390 gallons
2. Auto diesel oil (ADO) - 1,830,864 gallons
3. Regular automobile gasoline (MOGAS; gasoline 90 RON) - 2,936,220 gallons

4. Residual fuel oil (RFO) 6,170,390 gallons

The first three figures are for Saipan and Tinian combined--separate
figures are not available by island; Rota figures are not available.

Mobil Oil Micronesia brings in the first three types every two months
via MV Micronesian Sunrise and transfers to its tanks on Saipan and
Rota via pumps from the ship's berthing at Charlie Dock and Tinian
Dock.

Guam Oil Refining Company (GORCO) brings in the residual fuel oil for
the Saipan power plant every two weeks by barge and pumps the oil from
the Baker Dock to a. tank.

Based on the 1982 figures, the average amount per shipment is:

1. High grade kerosene- 534,065 gallons
2. Auto diesel oil: 305,144 gallons
3. Regular automobile gasoline: 489,370 gallons
4. Residual fuel Oil: 257,099 gallons

The qualities of each oil are:

1. High grade kerosene:

A. Specific gravity: API at 60 degrees F, 47.6
B. Viscosity: At -20 degrees C, cSt, 4.3
C. Pour point: N/A
D. Volatility: 106 degrees F

u
41 >1
U L

>
00

Auto diesel o i l

A. Specific gravity: API at 60 degrees F, 33.0
B. Viscosity: SSU at 100 degrees F, 44.9
C. Pour point: Degrees F, +45
D. Volatility: 160 degrees F

Regular automobile gasoline:

Specific gravity: API at 60 degrees F, 60.9
B. Viscosity: N/A
C. Pour point: N/A
D. Volatility: N/A

4. Residual fuel oil:

A. Specific gravity: API at 60 degrees F, 20.4
B. Viscosity: SSU at 100 degrees F, 491
C. Pour Point: Degrees F, +75
D. Volatility: If flash point is below 175 degrees F, fire point is 325 COC degrees F.

RecoverYEqu_ipment,' and Chemicals

Containment bar.riers.:

Because of the natural' tendency of oil to spread on-water, it is
desirable to try-to confine a spill to the area of the discharge. The
purpose of containment is not only to localize the spilland thus
minimize the area affected but also to-facilitate removal of the oil
lby concentratinq it on the water Surface. Containment is, however,
inadvisable in the case of spills of fresh crude oils and refined
products in situtations that would present a fire hazard.

Containment barriers or booms are floating devices generally
resembling short curtains that prevent an oil slici..-. from spreading
beyond the barrier. Many different types of oil containment barriers
have been developed. These include floating booms, sorbent barriers,
air or water streams, air or bubble barriers and chemical barriers.
'
The most commonly used are the commercially available floating booms.
Several designs have been produced for conditions ranging from
lprotected waters to open ocean. Some types of barriers are designed
to be towed, while others are stationary. Barriers desianed for calm
protected waters would not be effective in strong currents or high
VJ 1-1 v E s .

Typical barriers have a vertical height ranging from 6 inches to 5
feet. An effective barrier must ride evenly with the waves and not
dip below the top of the @,lick or rise above the bottom. The major
limitations to the effectiveness of containment barriers are speed of
Current (or towing speed if the barrier is not stationary), height of
,@-javes, and thic[-.-.ness of the slick-.

Booms tend to be used in different ways in different situations.
Offshore the approach frequently adopted requires the utilization of a
large boom in a 'U' or a 'V' shaped configuration downwind and close
to the source of the spill in an attempt to prevent spreading and to
concentrate the oil prior to recovery.

-The second approach to the use of booms offshore is to deploy shorter
'lengths from a single pair of vessels in a sweeping mode. This method
can be particularly effective when employed to collect oil formed into
individual windrows or where wind and water movements continually
alter the direction of oil movement.

In more sheltered waters inshore, in estuaries and in harbors, booms
can be used in a variety of ways. They can be deployed in an attempt
to prevent ingress of oil into sensitive areas; they can be used to
contain oil in a harbor or along a shoreline prior to or during .
recovery operations; or they can be anchored in a diversionary mode.
'This is frequently the most successful method of operation as careful
consideration of the most appropriate angle and position of deployment
can reduce the current forces on the boom sufficiently to deflect the
cail to a sheltered situation from where it can be recovered. To
determine the length of needed boom multiply the point-to-point length

Of the"'i-:trea to be-: -protected t i mes -mk factor- of 1.03.

Al 1 booms suf@er from basic limitations brought about by't he forces of
'Nind, waves.and.currents. These frequently result in the failure of
booms and a resultant'los5 of.-oil. The most common Cause Of failure
is that a boom held in moving water tends to act as a dam; the
restrained surface water tends to be diverted downward and under the
looom. As the current flow beneath the boom reaches a critical
velocity, about 0.7 knots, oil will be drawn from the surface and
carried under the boom skirt. Thus it is important that booms be
--@llowed to flow downwater in order that the critical velocity is not
exeeded.

Improvised booms constructed of tangentangen, grasses, beached
seagrasses, thick buoyant rope, fire hoses, logs or any other material
,formed into a floating barrier can be of Value in protecting or
diverting oil away from sensitive areas. The basic limitations of
such systems is that they normally lack sufficient freeboard or skirt
to prevent the oil from going over or underneath. As an emergency
Me.aSUre Or as 4R_ supplement to commercially availble booms they can be
useful. In cer-t4M-in circumstances such as at the mouth of a. small
estuary or lagoon with little water movement, a physical dam of sand
Or some other readily available ataterial may be the most appropriate
solution although considerable thought has to be given to
environmental consequences of altering the water flow patterns and the
cleanup of the sand or@other materials.

In some circumstances,a high pressure air or water stream can be
deployed to deflect oil or to flush it from inaccessible areas or from.
.certain types of shorelines and structures. Such techniques, however,
encouraqe the formation of both water-in-oil and oil-in-water
emulsions which may have adverse consequences. They also require
constant attention when employed in a containment or deflection mode.

Oil recovery devices

Recovery of spilled oil from the sea surface or from shorelines is
clearly the ideal solution. Three basic approaches are available: the
use of mechanical devices, frequently called skimmers; the use of
sorbents or manual recovery using non specialized equipment.

Mechanical devices

Several mechanical devices have been produced for collecting oil from
the surface of the sea. Since the efficiency of an oil recovery
device is improved by increasing the thickness or depth of the oil
slick, these devices are frequently used inside a containment barrier.
Oil recovery devices include suction-types, weir-types, and moving
surface-types.

Suction skimmers float on the surface and use suction pumps to draw in
oil and water through tiny holes. A weir type skimmer has a vertical
dam or weir around it over which oil floats. A suction pump is

frequently. Used wl th the weir to recover the oil. Both weir and
suction devices wo r k b e st in calm waters.

Moving surface skimmers utilize a. moving material which absorbs or
causes oil to adhere-to it in preference to water. The oil coated
material then passes over a scraper, squeezer, or other device to
remo,,,;e and recover the oil. Skimming devices of this type have the
problem of tending to drive oil away from themselves by the motion of
the absorbinq or. collecting Surface. The speed of a skimmer is limited
by storage capacity and the ability of pumping equipment to transport
t.he recovered materials.

25-75% of recovered oil is in an emulsified form with a consistency
ranging from that of maple syrup to mayonnaise. The oil must usuallly
goes through a number of pumping processes. Most commonly available
centrifuqal or diaphram pumps cannot pump fluids the consistency of
ME(yonnaise. Centrifugal pumps frequently cavitate and burn out, while
some diaphram pumps pop their diaphrams. Viscous emulsions are best
handled by Pumps specially designed for this purpose. Positive
dispacement pumps are generally preferred, but certain specially
designed diaphram pumps and centrifUgal pumps may also be
satiS+aCtOry. Such pumps include positive displacement pumps such as
piston and cylinder, progressive cavity and rotating cavity types;
diaphram PUMPS such =@S those used for mineral slurries and food
products; and centrifugal pumps such as special tank.er offloading
types. I

Mechanical recovery of oil at sea is the most environmentally
acceptable method of dealing with oil pollution in that removal of the.
tail avoids the possibility of further environmental damage; mechanical
recovery devices do not in themselves cause any ecological damage; and
recovered oil may have a, commercial value thus alleviating disposal
problems.

Most mechanical recovery devices suffer -front a number of f undamental
limitations. First they will not operated effectively in anything but
relatively calm conditions. For most skimmers, waves in excess of
about 3 feet will result in recovery of a far greater quantity of
water than oil. Similarly the safe operation of many devices is
impossible in anything approaching moderate to rough seas. Current
movements of less than 0.7 knots are also required in order that oil
is not carried beneath deployed booms. Most devices are also limited
:in the range of oils they will effectively recover. Since many depend
upon the operation of external pumps, the limitations of such systems
to handle Viscous and highly weathered oils can be a severe handicap.
The effects of debris on the operation of many skimmers and the
logistics of handling and storing recovered oil impose further
restriction on their use.

The basic limitation of oil recovery equ@pment results from the
natural tendency of most oils to spread rapidly on the sea surface and
for slicks to become fragmented. The result is that the oil encounter
rate of the skimmer at the necessarily slow operating speeds will

almlost invariably' be so low that recovery of significant quantities of
oil will be virtuall-y i'm.possible. While booms may be used 'in a."U" or
"V" configuration in 'an attempt to overcome this limitation, their
deployment, operation and control is frequently very difficult and
often requires a minimum of three vessels and considerable logistic
support. 'To have -any chance of being effective, response action must
begin within hours of the oil release OCCUring and before spreading
land weathering are advanced.

'The approach of using recovery devices in association with short
lengths of boom deployed from vessels of opportunity and used in a
sweeping mode along individual windrows in many respects presents a
more realistic approach. However, encounter rates are again almost
:.Lnvariably low and large numbers of such systems would have to be on
scene rapidly in a major spill if a significant benefit was likely to
be achieved. Speed of response would also be essential'if weathering
and associated viscosity increase were not going to make pumping of
any combined oil difficult.

Sorbents

7he second major approach to the recovery of spilled oil is by the use
of sorbents. Ti-iese wort:: eithe-r by adsorption (adherence to SLkr+aces)
or by absorption (uptake into the structure of the m-aterial).

77here are three basic types of sorbent materials: mineral based,.
natural organic; and sy@thetic organic. All absorbents work on'the
same basic principle--oil either adheres to the outside of the
absorbent particle or is taken into the absorbent materials by
capillary action. In either case the absorption capacity depends on
the surface area available for oil to adhere to and the density of the
oil being absorbed.

Materials treated with certain agents improves the ability of the
absorbent material to be wetted by oil instead of water. This
treatment process improves the ability of the absorbent material to be
wetted by oil instead of water. This treatment for improving the
materials' natural water repellency reduces the absorption of water
and keep the absorbent floating at the surface where it will be
available to absorb the oil.

An inorganic absorbent found in the CNMI is volcanic ash; others
include such things as vermiculite, perlite and expanded perlite.
Inorganic materials are relatively easy to handle and are lightweight.
The recovery efficiency for inorganic absorbents ranges tetween 4 and
8 times their own weight in oil which is slightly better thah.most of
the natural organic materials. Inorganic materials because of the 'ir
light weight are difficult to distribute on an oil spill when the wind
is blowing, unless enclosed in pillows or absorbent booms. Since the
materials do not degrade in the environment, they must be recovered,
even if not soaked with oil. Recovery methods include dip nets, pool
skimmers, and if the material is such that it can be skimmed, vacuum
equipment or diaphram pumps may be used.

Natural organ.ic -materials, found in the CNMI include SUch tf.iings-as
tangentangen, beach.ed seacirasses, wood cellU105eL fiber., sawdust and
cut gr;--kss; others include Such things as peat moss, straw, milled
corncobs, and milled cottonseed hull.s. Being natural materials these
absorbents are nontoxic and relatively nonpersistent in.the
envi ronment. The biological oxygen demand varies greatly. All will
absorb water and eventually sint-, if oil is not first absorbed. The
efficiency of natural organic absorbents varies from 3-6 times their
weight in oil. All are relatively low cost products. Recovery steps
include manual labor and vacuuming equipment. Since these materials
are often easy to get, the inexperienced person faced with an oil
spill will often indiscriminately spread them on a spill as a first
reaction. This response has resulted in tremendous recovery problems.
Also, the high cost of recovery must be balanced with the low initial
cost of the organic materials.

Synthetic organic absorbents consist primarily of plastic foams or
plastic fibers. They include open and closed cell polyurethane foam;
urea formaldehyde foam, polyethylene; or polypropylene wall and
fibers. Synthetics are higher in cost, but they are usually much more
efficient, absorbing upwards as much as 1x_C_) to -25 times. their weight in
oil. Some of the urethane foams and polyethylene and polypropylene
fibers cart be harvested.and reused. Synthetics are available in a.. wide
range of configurations, including sheets, booms, cubes, and
rolls. The major problem with synthetic organic foams is that they are
persistent in the environment and must be fully recovered. Synthetic
organic absorbents h. ve a distinct advantage over all of the
inorganics and some of the natural organic absorbents in that they do
not present Such a monumental disposal problem. Almost all the
synthetics can have the oil removed from them and then be reused.
Others will burn well.

In general. sorbents do not play a major role in the initial stages 0-C'
the clean-up of a major spill on the sea. Mainly this is because of
the difficulties of applying and recovering sufficient of the material
to collect a significant,quantity of oil. Sorbents are therefore most
commonly used during the final stages of a clean-up'operation to
remove small amounts of oil remaining on water surfaces, shorelines or
other areas where other techniques are inappropriate or impractical,
They are sometimes also used in order to afford some protection to
shoreline areas where oil is likely to strand.

It should be emphasised that absorbent materials are suitable only for
removing the last vestiges of oil from a large spill or for recovering
very small spills. If absorbents must be used to prevent damage to a
beach or shoreline, discretion should be used.

Manual recovery

Most spills are ultimately cleaned up by the manual recovery of oil
using a variety of unspecialized equipment. For example, the removal
of oil from relatively inaccessible rocky areas, if considered

:1.5

necessary can -ususal.ly only be accomplished by personnel us CIC-4
shovels, scoops. and buc'kets. Similarly the removal of bul.k oil. from
wetland areas, such as Saipan's two mangrove areas, where physical
disturbance is frequently more damaging than the oil may again require
the use of manual methods. Even sandy beaches can,often be best
cleaned by small well controlled teams of workers using shovels to
remove the oil and sacks to transport it away. This is especially the
case if the oiling is slight and scattered over a wide area. The
removal of bulk oil from such areas will frequently require the use of
mechanical graders, -front.end loaders and bulldozers although control
of the operations is essential if excessive removal of beach material
is to be avoided. Tractor drawn sieving devices developed fr cleaning
general debris and tarry lumps from beaches can also be valuable if
the oil is highly weathered and can be retained by the screens.

Mechanical removal of oi I from coral rubble beaches presents many more
problems and invariably involves the large scale removal of large
volumes of beach material. In such instances other approaches,
including leaving the oil to weather and degrade naturally will have
to be considered if the adverse consequences of clean-up are not going
to outweigh the benefits of removinq the oil.

Steam cleaning equipment and hot water pressure washers are useful for
c@leaning oil from, sea walls, docrks, pilings and boats. They can also
be used later for cleaning of equipment before placing it back in
storage. Steam cleaners and pressure washers often have edUCt0r5
which are used to add cleaning chemicals or detergents to the water
strearro. Such chemicals must be approved before using to avoid a
violation of the law and undue environmental damage.

Fans., blowers and portable fire pumps can be used for moving oil from
around docks and pilings to an area where it can be recovered. Fans
and blowers generate wind which can push oil from between docks, or
build it up in front of floating skimmers. A fire pump and a section
of 2" fire hose can be used for moving oil from one place to another.
This equipment is not as good as a fan or a blower because the
agitation of the water tends to create an oil-water emulsion which may
be difficult to recover. A fire hose is useful for washing oil from
sea walls, docks and pilings.

Hand tools are indispensable at an oil spill, including shovels, wire
rakes, cane rakes, machetes, axes, dipnets, pitchforks, bushel baskets
and lawnspreaders.

Chemical agents

Chemical agents are grouped together because these materials do not
play a primary role in the control and recovery of spills. Instead,
they are normally used for final cleanup and polishing. Other uses
include cleaning the.shoreline, structures and equipment and removing
oil from water fowl.

It is the pol i cy of the Unitrd States to discourage the use. of
chemical treat(T-tent agen't's in preference of mechanical means of oil
recovery. Chem icals may be used anytime, anywhere at the discretion of
the Ifederal) On7SCene Coordinator to reduce the immediate hazards to
life and property dueto explosion and -fire. A list,of EPA approved
chemical 'agents is, i-ncluded elsewhere in this Plan.

Several types of treating agents are available. Their usage depends
to a large extent on the conditions of the individual spill and
guidelines or restrictions controlling their application. Among the
treating agents that have been used are:

Dispersants

The use of dispersants in U.S. waters is prohibited unless specific
permission is granted by the District Coast Guard Commander. The term
dispersant includes all chemical products which may be described as
detergents, emulsifying agents or solvent emulsifiers. These
substances are designed to promote the formation of an oil-in-wc-:kter
emulsion when sufficient mixing is provided. The emulsion tends to be
dispei-sed thrQL(ghOUt the sea by Currents and turbulence. The
dispersants themselves do not destroy the oil but enhance the natural
processes of degradation by breaking up t- he oil, preventing its
IV- ecombination as a sli.c[.-: and creating a larger surface area on which
-iatural processes may operate.

The use of dispersants has a nUmber of advantages. [email protected] of
dispersants mai...-.e possible a state of constant readiness for dealing
with major oil spills at sea when shoreline contamination is imminent.
Dispersants are easily stored and transported, and the initial capital
outlay is cotnp@:_kratively low. Dispersant application/agitation systems
are simple to operated and can be used from existing craft in open sea
conditions which preclude the use of physical recovery methods.

Dispersants are toxic to marine biota. In addition to the toxic
effects of the dispersants themselves, environmental damage may result
rom increased toxicity of oil arising from the use of dispersants.
Dispersants cause the oil to spread through the water column
f

increasing the chance that aquatic organisms will come into contact
with the toxic compounds in solution. In oceanic or deep water areas
these effects will not be significant as the volume of the
oil-dispersant mixture is small in comparison with the total volume of
seawater. Conversely in lagoons, areas with shallow waters or poor
water exchange, mangrove-fringed shorelines and fringing coral reefs,
this effect becomes increasingly potent.

Dispersants have limitations when used on oil at sea. Dispersants are
not suitable for dealing with stable water-in-oil emulsions (mousse)
or oils whose Pour point are near to or above that of the ambient
temperature. In practice, this means that dispersants, have little of
no role to play in spills of heavy fuel oils or crude oils which have
been able to weather. In some cases dispersant application has proved
to,be of no significant benefit as little as 1-4 hours after the

:37

initial spillage,

Dispersants can also have a role to play in shore cleanup,
particularly on 1ightly oiled beaches or as a final stage in cleaning
after the bulk oil has been removed by mechanical or manual
techniques. On tidal shores, application should be made on an
incoming-tide not more than 20 minutes before immersion, to avoid
penetraton of the oil into the beach and to minimize the possibility
of adverse effects on inter-tidal organisms. Usually, surf action is
sufficeint to give adequate dispersion, but in very calm conditions
additional agitation from fire hoses may be required.

At times when physical control and recovery are not feasible and
important resources or shoreline areas are threatened, disperants may
be the best option to control the spilled oil.

Sinking agents

Biodegradents

Biodegradation of oil can be caused by applications of certain
bacteria, fungi and yeasts. The process is very slow, largely
restricted to certain hydrocarbon components and is limited by
temperature, nutrients and the dissolved oxygen in the surrounding
waters.

A number of commercial preparations have been developed to enhance
natural biodegradation, but these products have the disadvantage of
being active only on oil in a floating state, which is not conducive
to efficient biodegradation. The uniform application and binding of
bacterial preparations and nutrients to floating oil presents severe
practical difficulties.

The technique is of little benefit to stranded oil if the oil is out
of contact with water since the micro-organisms can only function at
the oil-water interface. It may tie of some slight benefit for dealing
with oil stranded in enviromentally sensitive areas where a
nutrient-rich environemnt can be provided,however,oxygen

QUANTITY OF BOOM REDUIRED TO ENCIRCLE'A SPILL OF A GIVEN SIZE

QUANTITY, 0-%` BBL) OIL THIC@--:'.NESS (INCHES) FEET OF BOOM NEEDED

10 1 200
.1o 1@ I c)
.10 3 80

E7o
I 6oo
5 o
j z 380
%5 0 @80
3

10 1.2 9 0 0
lo 2 2:1100
I () 31 1700

6 -_T:" 1 7300
6- -',r 2 5_2 (--) 0
b.-. 4200

1 @9000
IsCY-) @7600
looo 2 "C"5 0 0

Typical VLCC capacity
The formula for determining the amount of boom feet required per
volume of oil is --,'the square root of (oil volume in barrels divided by
the oil thickness in inches),%, X (227.1) Source: Adapted from Oil Spill
,Cleanup Manual, Exxon Corporation.

PIT STORAGE REQUIREMENTS TO HOLD ENTIRE VOLUME OF SPILLED OIL AND ITS
ASSOCIATED PICi,-.`.ED-UP WATER

QUANTITY OF OIL STORAGE VOLUME REQUIRED TO TOTAL PIT LENGTH
13PILLED (K BBL) HOLD RECOVERED VOLUME 0z' BBL)
REQUIRED (FEET)

10 .5o 24

.5o 22. 5 0 120

1.00 5.00 240

10. 00 50.00 2400

63.00 315. 00 15000

1BOO.00 9000.00 430,000
Assuptions: no on-boArd separation of oil and water takes place;
specific gravity of oil is (--).90; no evaporation ta[-.:es place.
Source: Adapted from Oil Spill Cleanup ManUEA1, Exxon Corporation.

---------------

EFA ACCEPTED DISPERSANT PRODUCTS

1. Cold Clean Adair Equipment Co., Inc.
5"jie Mitchelldale
POB 19333
Houston, TX 7'/(-.)'-74
371
(713) 681-11

Gold Crew Ara Chemical Inc.
POB 5031 E.S.D.
San Diego, CA 92105
(714) 44-2-3346

3. Arco Chemical
D-609 Dispersant Arco Chemical Company
P 0 B 7-'7 0
Sand Springs, OK 74(-)6-::"
(918) 1538-e293

4. ECO Atlan'tol AT7 Aspra Inc.
4401 2--'-*rd Ave., West
Seattle, WA 98199
(221)6) 284-983*8

5. BO110oX
BP110oWD B.P. North America Inc.
6'.2o Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 100220
(2112) 399-o6w

6.@ CONCO Dispersant 1".* Continental Chemical Co.
27o Clifton, Blvd.
Clifton, NJ 07015
(201) 472-15000

7. Ameroid Oil Spill
Dispersant/LT Drew Chemical Corp.
One Drew Chemical Plaza
Dooton, NJ 07005
(2ol) 263-7600

8. Corexit 9527 Exxon Chemical Co.
Corexit 8667 1333 West Loop South
Corexit 7664 Houston, TX 77027
(713) 656-021-93

9. Atlantic Pacific GFC Chemical Company
Oil Dispersant 25:1.9 Old Okiechobee Road
West Palm Beach, FL T-`409
(415) 362.-606-5

lo. Mi-Dee Products, Inc.
POB 4815
Hayward, CA 94540
(415) 782'-8011

11. BTO-ALL PRO Pro-form Products Corp.
PRO-FORM 230 California Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94:306
(415) 321-52w, 5..'IoB

12. Sea Master, NS-555 Whale Chemical Co. Inc.
58 Winant Street
Staten Island, NY 10303
(212) 273-132_4

Source: Region IX Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency
P I art

QUANTITY AND TYPE OF B0011S FOR VARIOUS APPLICA-T IONS

APPLICATION TYPE OF BOOM QUANTITY
lircle a stricken Offshore or coastal, 3.X ship length
vessel depending on sea state
I
Contain leakage from
erminal operations inshore or coastal,
i depending on sea state 1.5 X ship length
Use with an ocean
Ik i mmer offshore 2-3000 feet/skimmer
Protected entrance to
angroves, wetlands,etc inshore 30-4 X width of water
I body

agoons, beaches,
etlands onshore (1.5 + current speed in
k.nots) X width of pro-
tected area*

In especially swift currents special booming techniques may be required,
including double booming; twice as much booming as indicated may be necessary.

our-CE? adapted from Oil Spill Cleanup Manual, Exxon Corporation.

IL
0

0 IL

Inventory of CNMI Oil Spill Cleanup Resources

I. SKIMMER:

1. Department of Public Works plans to buy a Douglas Engineering
skimmer and related accessories.. Pump capacityis 40,000 GPH.
2. Mobil Oil Micronesia has a SPCC system which includes a diaphragm
type pump With a ---- GPH capacity. System is made by Slickbar, Inc.

II. BOOM:

1. Coastal Resources Management Office has 1,O00 foot boom, Slickbar
brand.

2. Mobil Oil Micronesia has a 200 foot boom which is included in its
SPCC system.

Ill. ABSORBENTS:

Coastal Resources Management Office has three bales, each containing
200 pads 18"x18"x3/16".Tangan tangan is also available.

IV. DISPOSAL CONTAINERS:

1. Department of Public Works has one fuel tank truck (1,000 gallon
capacity) , one asphalt tank truck (1,000 gallon capacity) , one honey
wagon truck (700 gallon capacity) and drums (asked that 30 be reserved
for oil spills).

2. Department of Public Health and Environmental Services, Division
of Environmental Quality, has 10 to 15 55-gallon drums.

3. Black Micro Corp. has one tank truck which can be rented at $26
per hour.

4. Maeda Pacific Corp. has one 2,000 gallon tank truck which might be
made available in case of an oil spill.

V. HEAVY EQUIPMENT:

1. Department of Public Works has:
- Dump truck ( 5 & 10 c.y cap) 5
- Bulldozer: D-4 I
D-7 1
D-8 1
- Grader 1
- Backhoe
- Front end loader 3

2.Department of Natural Resources

Div. of Parks Recreation has

Tractor: Saipan 10
Tinian 3
Rota 3
- 4WD (Saipan only) 2

Agriculture Div. has:
- Bulldozer (all D-6): Saipan 3
Tinian 2
Rota 2
- 4WD (Saipan only) 1

Div. of Fish and Wildlife has:

- 4WD :(Saipan only) 1
- Department of Natural Resources also has one cherry picker

Civil Defense/Disaster Control has a 1978 landcruiser and a 1978
4--door Toyota sedan, both in poor condition.

4. Coastal Resources Management Office has Suzuki jeeps:

Saipan 4
T i n i an I
Rota I

5. Department of Public Health and Environmental Serv ices, Division
of Environmental Quality two 4WD Toyota pickups and one Suzuki jeep.

6. Department of Public Safety has:

- Patrol cars
- Pickups
- Investigation cars 4

The Fire Division has:

Saipan:
- 1,500 gal. fire truck- 2
Note: Each is equipped with
1,500 -foot 2 1/2" hose and
400 foot 1 1/2" hose
- Ambulance 2
Tinian:
- 750 gal. fire truck (ordered) 1
- Ambulance 1
Rota:
-1,000 gal. fire truck I
- Ambulance I

7. Mobil Oil Micronesia has trucks and pickups.

8. East-West Rental Center of Saipan (prices are as of July '83):
EQUIPMENT: NUMBER CHARGE

4-ton truck 4 85"

9. Black Micro Corp.

Dump truck: 10 c.y. 3 $31/hr.
Rack type; 22 c.y.1 69"
End dump type; 24c.y.1 25"
Bulldozer: Baby dozer 1 29.50"
D-7 1 72.50"
D-8 1 78"

Grader
Backhoe: Regular 2 36.50
Gradall arm type 1 53"
Front end loader:2c.y. 2 40.50"
5 "

Pickup 5 14.50"
Crane:25 ton 1 62.50"
35" 1 71"
50" 1 83.50"
Scraper (18 c.y. haul cap.)1 73.50"

l. Western Equipment Inc.:

Dump truck (14 c.y.) 2 20 "
Backhoe 1 30 "
Crane (12 tone) 1 50 "
11. Camacho Equipment Rental:

Dump truck (10 c.y.) 2 22"
Bulldozer:D-8 1 50"
TD 25 (D-8 equivalent)1 50"
Backhoe 1 22" Truck tractor 1 35"

12. Guerrero Bros, Inc.:

Dump truck: 5 c.y. 2 20"
10 " 1 25"
Backhoe 1 25"

13. Construction and Material Supply, Inc.:

Dump truck (10 c.y.) 1 24"
Bulldozer: Baby dozer 1 24"
D-8 1 58"
Backhoe: Ford 1 28"
Jumbo 1 32.50"

Flat bed truck 1 22.15"
Crane: 9 ton 1 44"
Auger type 1 42.50"
With bucket 1 46"

4. Sablan Enterprises, Inc. (nos. not available):

Dump truck 17.50"

21.50"
Payloader 45"
Flat bed truck 13"

15. Maeda Pacific Corp. (doest not rent out but might help in case of
an oil spill):

Dump truck:3 c.y. 1
5 " 1
12" 2
Backhoe 2
Grader 2 2

VI. MARINE EQUIPMENT:

1. Department of Natural Resources

Div. of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, has one
Nikonos camera, one 15 foot Boston Whaler with 2 35-h.p. engines, plus
three diving tanks equipped with regulators.

Div. of Parks & Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, has one
16 foot wooden and one 16 foot tri-hull fiberglass boats.

2. Department of Public Safety has a 24 foot fiberglass with a
235-h.p. Johnson engine on Saipan and a 18 foot fiberglass on Tinian,
plus diving gear seats on Saipan.

3. Coastal Resources Management Office has a Mark IV Zodiac and three
40 h.p. Johnson engines. Coastal Resources Management Office also has
one Nikonos IV camera..

4. Department of Public Health and Environmental Services, Division
of Environmental Quality has a Mark III Zodiac boat with a 20 h.p.
engine and 100 feet anchor rope. The division also has a Nikonos
camera and five mask, fin, and snorkel sets. The division also has a
water quality laboratory and all the necessary equi pments for water
sampling.

5. Mobil Oil Micronesia plans to obtain one boat by October.

VII. AUXILARY EQUIPMENT:

1. Coastal Resources Management Office has 100 foot anchor rope for
the Zodiac.

2. Commonwealth Ports Authority has five 50-foot 4" diameter hoses.

3. Department of Natural Resources

Division of Fish and Wildlife has three reels of 5/8 poly rope @ 1,200
foot each.

Division of Agriculture has one to two hand powered sprayers on Saipan
and one power sprayer for each island. Department of Natural
Resources also has pumps and a 500 gallon tanker.

4. Department of Public Safety has two binoculars and three cameras.

5. East-West Rental Center of Saipan, Inc. has:

Wheelbarrow 2 $8/day
Electric compressor (1-h.p.) 2 $21/day
Water pump: 2" (10,00O GPH) 2 $50/day
3" (17,000 GPH) 1 $67/day
Note: Both pumps come with 25 foot suction hose and 25
foot
discharge hose.

6. Black Micro Corp.

- Pump (no specification available) I $6.50/hr.
- Compressor: 175 CFM 2 $16/hr.
600" 3 $27/hr.

VIII. PORTABLE LIGHTING:

1. Department of Public Works has three 20 KW and one 50 KW
generators and several flashlights.

2. Disaster Control has four spotlights and eight flashlights.

3. Commonwealth Ports Authority has nine spotlights which are mounted
on poles around the dock and which their beam direction can be changed
towards several directions in the water.

4. Department of Public Safety has over 12 flashlights.

5. Department of Public Health and Environmental Services, Division
of Environmental Quality has two flashlights.

is. East-West Rental Center of Saipan has the following generators

(the prices are as of July, 1983):

No. Price
1,200 watt 1 $24/day
3,000 " 1 30"
4,000 " 2 37"
5,000 " 3 42"
17.500 " 1 80"

7. Black Micro Corp. has the following generators:

5 kilowatt 1 $7/hr.
15 " 1 13 "

8. Maeda Pacific Corp. has the following generators which it might be
willing to lend to the CNMI government but does not rent out:

10 KVA 2
30" 6
45" 1

IX. COMMUNICATION:

I. Disaster Control uses Motorola equipments which can reach points
throughout Saipan via its office or base stations. All frequencies
can also be connected through via Disaster Control. There are 19 VHF
portables and two VHF base stations, plus three HF base stations.

2. Department of Public Works uses five Motorollas: No. 13, No. 14,
No. 15, Unit 2 and Unit 6.

3.Coastal Resources Management Office uses four radios.

4. Commonwealth Ports Authority has radios capable of communicating
with Tinian and Rota. Has Motorolla base station and radios in the
vehicles, plus portables.

5. Department of Public Safety has a base station that can
communicate with Rota and Tinian and has the frequencies of the
hospital, Disaster Control and Department of Public Works.
Department of Public Safety also has 12 portable Motorollas and a
mounted radio -in each vehicle, in addition to VHF radios for its sea
operations.

6. Mobil Oil Micronesia uses SSB radios capable ofcommunicating with
other Mobil stations in Micronesia.

X. PERSONNEL:

1. Disaster Control-: Three radio dispatchers, two radio repair and
maintenance, four handling 24 hour communication, on search and
rescue/medivac, one planner. One also doubles as a photographer.

2.Coastal Resources Management Office has four staff members on
Saipan and one coordinator on Tinian and Rota who are considered as
resource persons in case of an oil spill.

3.Commonwealth Ports Authority has four resource persons in case of
a spill.

4. Department of Public Works has 30 employees under the
Transportation/Road Maintenance Branch.

5. Department of Natural Resources has nine resource staff members.

6. Department of Public Health and Environmental Services, Division
of Environmental Duality has one environmental engineer, one
chemist/lab Supervisor and four environmental technicians.

7. Department of Public Safety has 72 officers on Saipan, 12 on Rota
and 8 on Tinian. Its Fire Division has 16 firefighters on Saipan,
three on
Rota and two on Tinian.

8.Mobil Oil Micronesia has ten staff members who could be utilized
in case of a spill.

XI. DIVERS:

1. Disaster Control: Mr. Felix Sasamoto is certified.

2. Coastal Resources Management Office: Miss Cindy Bowers and Mr.
Ben Aldan are certified for Saipan and Miss Lee Taitano on Rota is
certified.

3. Department of Natural Resources: Six are certified.

4. Department of Public Works: One is certified.

5. Department of Public Health and Environmental Services, Divison of
Environmental Quality has five certified divers.

6. Department of Public Safety: Seven certified (5 -Saipan, 1-Tinian,
I-Rota)

XII. TRAINING::

1. Disaster Control: No formal oil spill training. Mr. James Reyes
has three years (four spills in all) experience in oil spills and Mr.
Felix Sasamoto was an hand in two spills. Mr. Nick MUna and Miss
Rachel Hinzten are instructors in First Aid and Mr. Sasamoto is an
instructor in Red Cross.

2. Coastal Resources Management Office: Miss Cindy Bowers and Mr.
Ben Aldan have attended workshops and conferences on oil spill and are
both exposed to oil spills. Miss Lee Taitano from Rota is also

exposed to an oil spill.

3. Department 0f Public Works: Mr. Jack Duenas attended an oil spill
workshop in Honolulu. Mr. John Guerrero has assisted in spills
before. Mr. Guerrero has requested for are formal training in oil
spills to the Department of Public Works Director.

4. Department of Natural Resources: Mr. Rufo Lujan was a member of
Contingency Planning of Guam arid has helped in three clean ups before
as a biologist., Mr. Frank Aldan has oil spill training on Guam with
experience. Mr. Arnold Palacios has helped in an oil spill clean up
before. Department of Natural Resources has three wildlife and three
fishery biologists.

5. Commonwealth Ports Authority has four persons that were involved
with oil spills before.

6. Department of Public Health and Environmental Services, Division
of Environmental Quality staff members are exposed to some spills in
the Commonwealth, but have no official training. They are trained in
marine water surveillance, monitoring and sampling techniques.

7. Department of Public Safety boat operators are trained with search
and rescue, first aid, and boating safety. Its Fire Division
firefighters are all trained as medics.

XIII. 0THER:

I . Disaster Control has harbor charts of Saipan and Tinian.

2. Department of Natural Resources has general navigational charts.

3. Coastal Resources Management Office has four portable cassette
players and a hydrographic map of Rota.

4. Commonwealth Ports Authority has Saipan harbor maps and standard
nautical maps of Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the Northern Islands.

5. MPLC has topographic maps and aerial photographic maps (as of
1976; scale of I in 2,000 meters) of each island.

6. Department of Public Safety has topograhical maps and precinct
maps of each island.

XIV. CHEMICALS: None

Address of Resource Entities on Saipan:

1. Mr. Frank Chong
Disaster Control Officer
Civil Defense/Disaster Control
Office of the Governor
Tel: 6592

2. Mr. Joaquin Duenas
Transportation/Road Maintenance Branch
Department of Public Works
Tel: 9761

3. Mr. Carlos Shoda
Executive Director
Commonwealth Parts Author i ty
Tel: 67315

4. Mr. Nicolas Guerrero
Director
Department of Natural Resources
Tel: 9830

Mr. Vic Chong
Chief
Parks and Recreation Division
Department of Natural Resources
Tel: 6280

Mr. Ruf Lujan
Chief
Fish and Wildlife Division
Department of Natural Resources
Tel: 9729

5. Mr. Fel ix Cabrera
Director
Department of Public Safety
Tel: 6333

6. Mr. Jesus Villagomez
Executive Director
Marianas Public Land Corporation
Tel: 6914

7. Mr. Manuel T. Sablan
Program Coordinator
Coastal Resources Management Office
Office of the Governor
Tel: 6623

9. Mr. Carl Goldstein
Chief , Division of Environmental Quality
Dr. Torres Hospital
Saipan, CM 96950
Tel: 6984, 6114

8. Mr. John Temengil
Manager, Saipan/Tinian Branch
Mobil Oil Micronesia
P.0.Box 367
Saipan, CM 96950 Tel: 9453

9. Mr. Alex Wongchuking
Manager
Western Equipment Inc.
P.O. Box 117
Saipan, Cm 96950
Tel: 9561

10. Mr. Augustine Camacho, Owner
Camacho Equipment Rental
San Roque
P.O. Box 53
Saipan, CM 96950
Tel: 9715

11. Mr. Herman Guerrero
Manager
Guerrero Bros, Inc.
P.O. Box 924
Saipan, CM 96950
Tel: 6258

12. Mr. Ariel Austria
Accountant
Construction and Material Supply, Inc.
P.O. Box 609
Saipan, CM 96950
Tel: 6136

13. Mr. Pete Dela Cruz
Manager
Sablan Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 166
Saipan, CM 96950
Tel: 6109

14. Mr. Bill Miller
Manger
East-West Center of Saipan, Inc.
P.O. Box 233 CHRB
Saipan, CM 96950
Tel: 7193

15. Mr. Rosell Torres
Manager
Black Micro Corporation
P.O. Box 545
Saipan, CM 96950
Tel: 6549

16. Mr. Tom Nielson
Ass't. Manager
Maeda Pacific Corporation
P.O. Box 810
Saipan, CM 96950 Tel: 7195

SECTION 9

Notification,
Communication
& Reports

Notif ication, Communications, Reports

Notif ications of oi 1 discharge-s in the CIN4111 should @be- reported
immediately to:

Commonwealth Emergency Management Officer
San Antonio
Saipan, CM 9695jo
,Tel 6592 or 6678

'If this procedure is impractical notify:

CNMI Department of Public Safety SAIPAN
!3usupe, Saipan
Tel 6:3331 or 6431

CNMI Department- of Public Safety ROTA
Police Main Office
Tel 433

(11\1111 Department. of Public Safety TINIAN
F e 1 2 2

CNMI Department: of Public Safety representatives on Saipan, Tinian and
Rota shall immediately notify the CNMI Emergency Management Officer,
Saipan.

'The CNMI Emergency Management Officer shall immediately notify the
CNMI OSC.

[Reporting

Initial CNMI OSC notification of the Federal OSC may be by telephone
-followed by a teletype message. Initial assessment and all subsequent
Information will be forwarded expeditionsly in pollution report format
(POLREP). POLREFIS will be submitted in a timely manner as developments
occur and as plans for the next days activities are formulated.

The Federal OSC will be responsible for communication with the
Regional Response Center (RRC).

POLREF Format is as follows:-

FROM: CNMI OSC

ACTION: Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

VIA: Federal OSC

INFO: Duty Officer, USCG Marine Safety Office, Honolulu
Commander, 14th Coast Guard District, Honolulu
USCG Marianas Section, Agana Guam

2, T

UNCLASS (subject classification numbers)

POLREP (sequential number) (description/title) (mediLkffl/Maj0r)

1. SITUATION (give full details of the spill or sitings including type
of oil, quantity of,oil in gallons, name of person making
notification, cause of discharge, location, time of discharge, time of.
discovery, on-scene weather (wind at knots, seas.at - feet,
temperature F), equipment and materials on-scene)

.2. ACTION (Summarize all action ta@--:en by the party responsible for
the spill, by CNMI forces, and by the USCG and Federal agencies)

3. PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (Include all planned action by the party
responsible for the spill, by the CNMI, and by the USCG and other
Federal agencies. Include any recommendations as to future USCG
involvement related to the need for the RRT or NRT assistance in
containment of the spill or assistance in cleanup).

4. STATUS (Indicate case closed, case pends, or Federal participation
terminated, as appropriate)

To facilitate the reporting of an oil discharge or potential dishcarge
into waters of the United States and adjacent shorelines, a single
report should be made to the following office:

Oceania Discharge Reports

Duty Officer
USCG Marine Safety Office
433 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 546--7146

If this procedure is impractical the report-may be made to:

USCG Marianas 'Section
Agana, Guam
'Tel (671) 3301 -:8 1 e 1

USCG Rescue Sub-Center
Guam
Tel (671) 3731@-610(-_)

OSC REPORT

The OSC report is a document which outlines the specific details
surrounding the pollution incident, and cleanup efforts. Its purpose
is to distribute the knowledge and experience gained by the CNIII
and/or Federal OSC during the course of the incident, to highlight any
problem areas and/or solutions for the problems enountered for the
benefit of all. The NRT and RRT will review all OSC Reports.

It is the responsibility of the CNIII OSC to submit the OSC Report to
the Federal OSC within 45 days after the completion-of cleanup
activities. The Federal OSC shall submit the report within 60 days of
the completion of cleanup activities. A report shall be submitted for
each major oil discharge, and medium discharge involving unique
problems or solutions. A report will also be required for any
discharge when requested by the RRT. The content of the report is
specified in Section 300.56 of the National Contingency Plan.

Communications

The CNMI government operates an emergency communication vhf radio
network
Intra-governmental communications should be established via this
network utilizing common channel (177.175 mhz). The CNMI Department
of Public Safety operates a separate channel at 166.95C) mhz. The CNMI

Department of .1::'ublic'Wori::s operates at 166. c7(,)(--) mhz. The'common channel
reaches all radios in the system via radio patches made through the
Emergency Management Office ba5e.station.

The predesignated Federal OSC and all field units will utilize channel
ei vhf-FM. Channel 81 is established for use by mobile stations,
including portables, for communications required to coordinate marine
environmental protection operations. Channel 81 will remain under the
control of the USCG.

Channel 81 will be used for interface communications among government
agencies and non-government entities involved in discharge removal
operations. Non-governmental agencies Will use USCG owned radios and
should be limited to.supervisory personnel. Equipment loaned for this
purpose would be operated as USCG stations unlicensed by the FCC. When
portables are loaned for this purpose, the OSC should assign voice
call signs according to user function in the cleanup operation (eg.
beach supervisor 1, skimmer 2, etc).

Disaster Warnings

If the properties of a spilled Substance pose an immediate threat to
human life and property, through toxic gases. explosive or flammable
hazard, dissemination of disaster warnincls should be made by the CNMI
Emergency Management OTfice. The CNMI OSC and other parties shall mal.-:e
every reasonable attempt to accomplish direct communication with CEMA.

Response to Public Inquiries during spills

DUrinq many spills, the press and interested bystanders will be
seeking information regardng the source, cleanup efforts, etc. The OSC
will instruct cleanup forces and monitors to direct all inquiries to
the OSC or the PIO. Control has to be maintained on the accuracy and
authority of information released in order to provide the public with
reliable information. Due to the size of the CNMI community, any oil
spill should be reported to the newsmedia. The following personnel to
be notified will be able to determine whether the spill is newsworthy.

Pacific Daily News Frank Rosario 6423
Marianas Variety Bob Grimac 6341
Commonwealth Examiner Derson Ramon 72.31, 7232
KSAI Radio Stan 6520, 6521
WSZE Radio Angel Ocampo 9304 -

The CNMI Public Information Officer is Jack Angelo, tel. 6106, 6129.

Content of Public Releases

The OSC usually does not deal with the press until incident response
is well underway and has aroused public attention. The following
guidelines may aid in responding to inquiries from the press.

a. Summarize the particulars of the case in your mind or on paper so

that an adequate chronology can be given. Concentrate on the 5 W's,
(who, what, when, where, why) .

b. Give facts,not opinions, when responding to inquiries.
C. Give a narrative explanation rather than an abrupt 'yes' or 'no'.
d. Appear open and straight forward when responding; do not respond
with incomplete or doubtful answers.

Section 10

Oil Spill Fund
Activation Procedures

0i I Spi 11. Fund Act i*vat.i on Procedures I If unds)

A primary purpose of this Plan is to encourage the person responsible
For a discharge.to take appropriate remedial action promptly. Usually
this will mean that.the cost of removal of the discharge shall,be
borne by'the person-responsible for the discharge. The OSC and other
officials associated with the hand,ling of a pollution emergency shall
make a substantial effort to have the discharger voluntarily accept
this responsibi.lity.

In the event that the person responsible for the discharge or threat
of-discharge does not act promptly, does not take or propose to take
appropriate actions to remove the discharged Pollutants, or if the
person responsible for the discharge is unknown, CNMI and/or Federal
discharge removal actions may be initiated pursuant to Section
311(c)(1) of the Clean Water Act. The discharger, if known, is liable
for costs of such CNMI and/or Federal removal actions in accordance
with Section 311(f) of the Act.

In order to access the fund, the OSC must determir-ie that the following
E
ituation exists to meet the criteri-a:
, L

I . That oil has been discharged into Or upon the waters of the CNHI
and or tVie United States or adjoining shoreline; and

That the OSC has given the discharger legal notification of
improper or inadequate cleanup action and the discharger has failed to
voluntarily conduct adequate cleanup action; or

The identity of the discharger is unknown.

The OSC shall exert adequate control of removal operations so that he
can certify that reimbursement from the Fund is appropriate. Care
must be exercized to insure that misunderstandings do not develop
about reimbursement of funds expended for removal activities. The OSC
should not knowingly request services for which reimbursement is
mandatory unless reimbursement funds are known to be available.
Similarly, agencies supplying a reimburseable service should determine
source of reimbursement before committing resources necessitating
reimbursement.

Funding of response actions not associated with any removal activity,
such as scientific investigations, law enforcement or public
relations, is the responsibility of the agency having statutory or
executive responsibility for those specific actions. Surveys of
whether pollution cleanup or abatement is appropriate can be charged
to the Fund.

Procedures for Activating the Fund

The CNMI OSC will pr.ovide the Federal OSC with the following written
information (following a telephone communication) who shall provide
such information to the Commander, 14th Coast Guard District in

accordancp with the Region IX Plan,

1 Statement 'that the OSC has determined that Federal discharge
removal actions.are necessary;

Description,and. location 'of the discharge;
-3 @ate spill occurred and type of pollutant;

4. Estimated c ost of removal actions reimburseable from the Fund.
The estimate should include all Phase III and IV activities (only);

5. Estimated time needed for removal;

6. Name of discharger or suspected discharger, if known.

Reporting and Accounting Procedures

1. As soon as practicable after termination of Phase IV actions, the
OSC will submit to the Federal OSC a list which includes the following
information. Such information shall then be provided to the Commander,
14th Coast Guard District.

a. Naifi-ies of --Agencies and contractors authorized by the OSC to
participate in Phase III or IV actions;

b. a general description of the functions of each agency
performed; and

C. an estimate of the cost of each function performed.

2. Within :30 days of the termination of Phase IV actions, each CNMI
agency must submit to the CNMI OSC:

a. An-itemized list of costs that it desires t o be paid from
the Fund.

b. An itemized list of costs to be recovered against the
responsible party under Section 311(f) or (g) of the Act.

3. Within 60 days of the termination of Phase IV actions, the CNMI
OSC shall all reimburseable expenses to the Federal OSC who shall
submit such information to the Commander, 14th Coast Guard District.

4. Each CNMI agency desiring payment of costs from' the Fund must keep
accounting data to support the itemized costs and submit that data to
the CNMI OSC at his request in such form as the Federal OSC may
prescribe.

Reimburseable Expedi tures

'This section applies to the CNMI when it is acting as the Federal OSC
as provided under the CNMIlFederal 110U. This section does not apply to

the CNIII when.the, Federal OSC haS assumed direct com,mand of. ..c I eanup
actions.

The CNMI will be reimbursed from the Fund for.expenditUreS authorized
by the CNM1 OSC which-were financed.from agency funds and which were
incurred'in rei-no.val.operation-s. 'Reimbursable expeditures are defined
by ZZ CFR 1 53.

333 CFR 15:3.407 provides that the following costs incurred during
performance of a Phase III. or IV activity, as defined by 33 CFR 300
Subpart E, as authorized by the CNMI and/ or Federal OSC under the
authority of Section :111(c) of the Act and the CNMI/Federal MOU, or
during the removal or elimination of threats of pollution hazards from
the discharges, or imminent discharges, of oil or hazardous
Substances, and the removal and destruction of vessels, so authorized
by the CNMI and/or Federal OSC under the authority of Section 311(d)
of the Act are rei .. bursabe to the CNMI:

a. Costs found to be reasonable by the OSC incurred by
government industrial type facilities, including charges for overhead
in accrordance with the agency's industrial accounting system.

b. ACtUcR1 cost for which an agency is required or authoriZed
by law to obtain full reimbursement.

C. Costs found to be reasonable by the OSC incurred as a
result of removal activities that are not ordinarily funded by an
agency's regular appropriations and that are not incurred during
normal operations. These costs include but are not limited to the
following:

i. Travel (transportation and perdiem) specifically
requested of the agency by the OSC.
ii. Overtime for CNMI personnel spec'ifically
,requested to be on-scene by the OSC.

iii. Incremental operating costs for vessels,
aircraft, vehicles, and equipment incurred in connection with the
removal activity-

iv. Supplies, material, and equipment procured for
-the speciric removal activity ad fully expended during the removal
activity.

V. Lease of rental equipment for the specific
removal activity.

vi. Contracts costs for the specific removal
4tkCti Vi ty.

Limitations on use of the Fund

The FU.nd may be used only during Phase III and IV. re sponse activities
and to remove substantia'I threats.

CNMI Access to the.FLknd

CNMI Removal Activities

This section applies.to the CNMI in situations in which the Federal
OSC is the responsible official and when the CNMI OSC is acting in a
support role to the Federal OSC.

The CNMI if affected by a discharge may act where "necessary" to
remove such dishcarge and may be reimbursed from the Fund for the
reasonable costs incurred in such removal. FWPCA Section 311(c)(2)(H)
states that removal by a state is "necessary" when the (CNMI and/or
Federal) OSC determines that the owner of oprator of the vessel or
onshore facility from which the discharge occurs does not effect
removal properly and that:

a. CNMI action is required to minimize or mitigate
significant damage to the public health or welfare which Federal
aciton cannot minimize or mitigate; or

b. removal or partial removal can be effected by the CNMI at
a cost which is not significantly greater than the cost which would be
incurred by the Federal departments or agencies.

Not withstanding the above, CNMI removal actions are not "necessary"
if not in compliance with Federally sanctioned cleanup techniques and
policy.

2. CNMI removal operations are considered to be Response Phase III
and/or Response Phase IV actions to the extnet that the same
operations undertaken by a Federal agency would be so considered.

Access of the Fund by the CNMI shall be through the predesignated
Federal OSC via the CNMI OSC.

CNMI Agency Reimbursement

The CNMI OSC will seek reimbursement for removal operation
expenditures on behalf of all CNMI agencies identified in this Plan.
CNMI agencies -shall use standard CNMI Department of Finance Job Orders
to bill the CNMI OSC. The CNMI OSC shall the CNMI equivalent of
BF-WE30. Refer to the project number assigned by the USCG to the
Federal OSC. The CNMI OSC shall mail the bill to the Federal OSC for
certification -that services and materials for which billing is
submitted were requested by the Federal OSC.

Monitoring Cleanup Operations

When the discharger underatakes appropriate cleanup operations, the
CNMI and/or Federal OSC monitors progress and provides counsel, No

operelt", ingf.unds EAeprovided f or *this activity. The. Fund s not
activated; and .,t .hus" there is no provision for paying the '.CNMI for ilts
monitorinq activiti.es.

Prohibited Discharge From a CNMI or.Federal Facility.

ExpG@nses for such discharges are to be borne by the CNMI agency whose
facility is responsible for the prohibited discharge. The Fund is not
available to pay the'CNMI for the payment or reimbursement of its cost
incurred in the removal of oil discharged from a vessel or facility
that it owns or operates.@

Prohibited Discharge From a non-CNMI or non-Federal Facility

Federal cleanup activities, including those cleanup activities the
CNMI Undertal%-es in conjunction with the CNMI/Federal MOU,, are
instituted when the pollution discharger is: 1) unknown, or 2) does
not act promptly, or does not talre or purport to take appropriate
cleanup action. "Direct" costs incurred for this purpose are
chargeable to the Fund. If and when the identity of the discharger is
established, the Coast Guard bills these "direct" costs to the
discharger as well. as certain "indirect" charges (personnel and
equipment charges which would have been incurred during normal
operations).

Documentation for Enforcement and Cost Recovery

A part of any oil spill cleanup is the investigation and documentation
function supporting enforcement of the FWPCA. It is necessary,
therefore, to establish uniform procedures for collection of samples,
taking of photographs and collecting other information consistent with
the several phases in federal response situations in which the CNMI is
acting as the Federal OSC, and in support of later direct Federal
response.

Necessary information and sample collection must be performed at the
proper times during Federal involvement in a spill, for later use in
identifying the party responsible, in cleanup cost recovery, damage
recovery, and civil and criminal enforcement actions under appropriate
CNMI and Federal statutes.

-rime is of great importance s ince wind, tide, and current may disperse
:)r remove the (evidence, and witnesses may no longer be available.
iFhus, during the phase of discovery and notification, containment and
contermeasures, cleanup and disposal, and restoration, the OSC must
take the necessary action to ensure that information, recordsv and
samples adequate for legal and research purposes are obtained and
safeguarded for future use.

Elements of Violatio n Under Section 311 FWPCA

Section 311(b)(3) of the Act prohibits the discharge of harmful
quantities of oil into or upon the navigable waters of the United

S t a t es adjoining shorelines (to 3 miles),or into or upon waters of
the Contiguous Zone(3-12 miles) , in connection With activities under
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act or the Deepwater Fort Act of
1974, or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining
to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States.
A harmful quantity is defined in 40 CFR 110 as that amount which will
cause a film or sheen on, or sludge or emulsion in or under the water.
The only exception in the minor amount of oil discharged from the
exhaust of a "properly functioning' marine engine.

The Act provides for a civil penalty Of up to $5,000 against the
owner/operator or person in charge of the source of the discharge.

Section 311(b)(6) of the Act mandates that, as soon as the
person-in-charge of the vessel or facility has knowledge of a
discharge, he should report the discharge to the U.S. Coast Guard or
to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Coast Guard National
Response Center is prepared to receive such calls.

The Act provides for a criminal penalty of up to a $10,0OO fine,
imprisonment for one year or both, for failure to notify.

Section 311(j) of the Act provides for the creation of regulations
(a) establishing methods and procedures for removal of discharged oil
(33 CFR 153) , and (b) establishing procedures, methods and equipment
and other requirements for equipment to prevent discharges and to
contain discharges (33 CFR 154, 155 156).

The Act provides for a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for violation of
liability or pollution prevention regulations.

Section 311(f)(1) establishes that except where the spiller can prove
that the discharge was caused solely by (a) an act of God, (b) an act
of war, (c) negligence on the part of the U.S. Government, or (d) act
of a third party, financial liability to the U.S. Government will be
in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 for an onshore or offshore
facility for oil spill cleanup. Cleanup liability is unlimited if
the discharge is proven to result from willful negligence or willful
misconduct within the privy and knowledge of the owner. Further,
vessels must carry a Certificate of Financial Responsibility to cover
their potential liability. Such cleanup costs constitute a maritime
lien collectible in an action in rem against the vessel in a U.S.
District Court.

Investigations and documentation of evidence must be performed in a
timely manner throughout the oil spill event. As several agencies may
be on scene and documenting the incident for violations of other laws
and cosdes, cross exchange of evidence may be valuable and is
encouraged. General procedures for evidence gathering are outlined
below.

The elements which must be established for a Section 311(b)(3)
violation are as follows:

1. Establish that-an.oil discharge occurred.

2. Establish that'a harmful quantity was discharged. Verify that a
film or sheen Was created on or a sludge or emulsion w.as deposited in
the waters.

:3. Establish that the discharge entered into or upon the waters of
the U.S. or upon the adjoining shorelines or into or'upon the waters
of the contiguous zone orinto waters where the U.S. exercizes
exclusive resource management authority. Use photographs and/or
written narrative recording the path of the polluting Substance from
the source until entering the water.

4. Establish the source of the discharge. Particular attention must
be paid to establishing the 'link' between the discharge and the
source. Take samples from the water-and the suspected source. Take
samples from other vessels in vicinity even though the investigation
indicates that these vessels may not be the source.

5. Establish the identity of the owner or operator or person in
charge of that SOUrce.

The el ements k-@oh i ch must be estab 1 i shed f or a Sect i on :111 (b) (6)
violation are as follows:

NOTE: A violation of Section 311(b)(5) is a criminal violation, thus
Miranda warnings must be given to persons suspected of violating this
Section of the, FWPCA.

1. Establish a violation of Section of the Act.

In. ent occurred.
.:L Verify time and incidL

3. Identify person in charge of vessel or facility at that time.

4. Establish the time the person in charge 'had knowledge of' the
discharge.

5.. Establish any reporting procedures taken by the person in charge.

6. If reported by a perso6 other than the person in charge, identify
relationship to person in charge.

Documentation of Cleanup Costs

Cleanup costs are always documented irregardless of whether the CNMI
OSC is acting in the Federal role. Such documentation will facilita*te
payment of costs from te Fund, and to enable the CNMI Attorney General
or the U.S. Attorney to substantiate a liability claim against the
discharger in court as provided in Section 311 (f) (1) of the FWPCA.
Further, if the discharger is known, he must be provided with legal
notification of his liability for cleanup under the Act. If the

-C eanup i sproceeding :in 'an inadequate manner, the spiller *must be
advised to increase his effforts, or the cleanup will be' taken over by
the? C[411I when in a Federal role, or by the Federal Government.
Legal.Notice to,c)uspected.Discharger

If an alleged.spiller can be identified, and cleanup is required., the
OSC must immediately notify the owner/operator or appropriate
responsible person., in writing of CNMI and/or Federal interest
regarding his liability of cleanup, and other aspects of Section 311
FWF'CA and/or CNMI statutes as appropriate.

Lecial Notice of Improper Action

If the alleged spiller fails to inititate cleanup action, or
inititates improper or inadequate cleanup action, the OSC must advise
the !E;piller in writing that his acitons are considered inadequate and
that he is liable? for cleanup Cost incurred in the event of a Federal
Cleanup, including when CNMI is acting in a Federal role.

Documentation Procedures

It is noted that cleanup funding may only be utilized when:

a. The elements of the proceeding requirements of this Section are
satisfied and;

b. The source of the discharge is unk-nown; or

C. The spill occurred from a non-Federal and/or non-CN11I owned vessel
or facility and the owner/operator after legal notification refused
cleanup; and

d. The CNMI OSC when acting in the Federal role must directly request
or order services or equipment and effect a purchase contract (verbal
or otherwise) before services can be paid from the Fund.

Accounting procedures for administration of the Fund are outlined in
33 CFR 153.

The OSC is required to keep detailed records of personnel and
equipment utilized in the cleanup. Participants must submit invoices
to the CNMI OSC for certification who shall forward such certified'
invoices to the Federal OSC for final certification prior to being
paid. CNMI agencies will submit 'direct' costs on the CNMI equivalent
of Form SP-1080. Private contractors will follow.normal-invoice
procedures.

The CNMI OSC must reconcile all invoices with the purchase orders and
with completed records of performance/receipt. The CNMI OSC then

makes a certif icati on on the original invoice. This statement
cert if i es that the act ions f or wh i ch reimbursements are' being
requested werre authorized as Phase III or Phase IV removal costs, and
that they are reasonable, and roper -'f or payment -from the Fund. ' This
proceps is repeated by the Federal OSC who shall have final.certifying
aUthoility over CNMI authorized costs.

Documentation of resources expended must be made by Ia 11 parties to
carry out the provisions outlined above.

Federal Pollution Mon itor Documentation

When the Cleanup is Federally funded, including when the CNMI is
acting in the Federal role during Phase III and Phase IV removal
activities, each monitor assigned to a spill site is required to keep
meticulous records to document cleanup costs. Daily sheets should be
made up and turned in to the Cleanup Manager and must reflect areas
for which charges would be made to the government. The record sheet
should be made out on-scene by the monitor as equipment and persionnel
are arriving, etc. ' and riot when the Monitor ia asked. to sign
contractor work sheets.

a. Personnel will be listed by name and position including time
arrived and time departed.

b.. Equipment

1. Consumable Equipment such as sorbent booms, pads, etc-,
shall be accounted for by quantity used in whole bundle quantities
on I y. Care must be taken to ensure the monitor witnesses the opening
ol: a bundle of pads or bags of sorbent boom. Do not give credit for
partial bundles or single sections of boom. When the spill cleanup is
completed, the contractor should be required to turn over any opened
pack*s of material since the Fund will normally be charged for the
entire pack even if not completely expended. If the rate schedule
i ric'ludes rakes, shovels, etc., as consumable, these should be
collected for use in later oilspill cleanup activities.

2. Non-consumable equipment should be individually checked in
and out. Boats, motors, trucks, trailers, radios, etc. should be
listed separately. The Cleanup Manager should be consulted if
questions arise about contract items.

Enforcement Procedures

Civil Penalty Hearings

iolations of Section 311(b)(3) (discharge) and 311(j) (pollution
prevention and liability regulations) carry civil penalties of up to
$5,000 per offense. Documentation of these violationsis developed by
the CNMI OSC, particularly when acting in a Federal role. Such
documentation is; transmitted to the Federal OSC who is responsible for
validity of the documentation. The Federal OSC forwards the

documentation to' the'- 141th.-U--)CG District Marine Environment al
Protection (mep) Office (Honolulu). The violation is checked for
legal sufficiency, and,the violator is given an opportunity for.an
informal hearing on the matter'." The violation docum6ntation must show
,a. prfeponderance-of evidence' in order to assess a penalty. A
desighated hearing Officer will conduct the informal hearing and will
asseess an appropriate penalty. The amount of the penalty is based on
the size of the business of the owner/operator, the ability of the
owner/operator to remain in business and the gravity of the violation.
The spiller may appeal the Hearing Officer's decision to the
Commandant.

Criminal Penalty Procedures

Violation of Section 311 (b)(6) of the Act (failure to notify) carries
a criminal penalty of up to a $1o,000 fine, one year imprisonment or
both. Documentation of this is developed by the CNMI OSC when acting
in a Federal role and sent to the Federal OSC who is responsible for
its validity. 'The Federal OSC is sent to the 14th USCG District
(mep) Office. The violation documentation must provide evidence
'beyond a reasonable doubt' rather than the less stringent
,preponderance of evidence' required for the civil penalty hearings.

Violations are processed and referred to the U..S. Attorney for action
as he deems appropriatL

Collection of Cleanup Costs

Collection of cleanup costs is accomplished under the Collection of
Claims Act. The cost records as developed by the CNMI OSC and approved
by the Federal DSC are transferred to 14th USCG District Finance for
assembly and payment of direct costs to participating agencies and
companies. If the spiller is known, a total claim including direct
and indirect costs is prepared for collection by the District Legal
Officer and/or the U.S. Attorney.

SECTION 11
CNMI CHAIN OF COMMAND

CNMI chain of command by responsibili ty

ON SCE;N.E'COORDINATOR:' the Federal or CNMI official
*predesignated by agreement of EPA, USCG and CNMI wholly responsible to
coordinate.and direct the response to.spills, and discharge removal
efforts at scene of a discharge. all response parties are directly or
indirectly supervised by the OSC.

The CNMI OSC is

DUTY OFFICER: directly responsible for the personnel involved
with the spill. it will be a function of the duty officer to
coordinate the action of the forces operating under the OSC in order
to ensure that all directions from the OSC are properly executed.
This individual will directly supervise command post personnel, and
will plot the movement and projected track of the spill, and advise
the OSC.

The CNMI Duty Officer is

WATCHSTANDER: The command post watchstander will function to
assure that the COMMUnications required by the OSC are properly
maintained and that those logs and records required by the OSC are
kept. The Watchstander shall keep the duty officer advised of
pertinent information affecting the cleanup efforts such as the
weather forecasts, tide changes, sunset, sunrise, etc. The
watchstander shall report directly to the duty officer. He shall
ensure that all information and/or inquiries are passed to appropriate
personnel.

The CN11I Watchstander is

RECORD KEEPER: The record keeper will maintain records
regarding the type and number of on-scene Personnel and equipment
utilized during the spill cleanup effort. He will record expendable
resources utilized, certify liquid water hauler reports and document
all contracts and purchase orders negotiated by the OSC. The records
will be utilized to verify purchases made with regard to spill cleanup
and to document the government claim in litigation with the alleged
spiller.

The CNMI Record Keeper is

HISTORIAN: The historian is assigned the duties of preparing
and maintaining a chronological record of important events in the
spill history. This chronology may be used to :a) develop POLREPS; b)
to augment the spill investigator's report; c) as a basis for the
OSC's report required by 1510.56 of the National Plan.

The CNMI Historian is

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER: The PIO will be assigned as

necessary to d6velop-and i7-oordinate press releases at -the scene as
directed by the OSC The PIO shall arrange all press conferences
and/or interview s. The.'PlO will be...the liasion with the media'and
will provide access to the cleanup operation when such activities will
not*interfere with the ongoing cleanup. He will coordinate all VIP
visits and-overflights as may be necessary.

The CNMI Public Information Officer is

LOGISTICS OFFICER: The Logistics officer will be responsible
for the establishment and maintenance of any berthing, messing, and
supplies required during the cleanup. He shall ensure that all
contracts entered into meet appropriate standards, and will prepare
any purchase orders for the OSC's signature to obtain equipment and or
materials required for the cleanup manager as authorized by the OSC.

The CNMI Logistics Officer is

CLEANUP MANAGER: The cleanup manager plays one of two roles:

Role I: If the spiller does not accept responsibility for the cleanup,
is unknown, or is proceeding in a manner not acceptable to the OSC,
the cleanup mc-inager assumes responsibility for the cleanup operation
as directed by the OSC. The cleanup manager determines the actions to
be taken, orders the necessary equipment and personnel, and works
closely with any contractors to ensure the spill is cleaned up in a
thorough and efficient manner. The cleanup manager shall channel
requests through the logistics officer to obtain necessary equipment.
Additionally, he may have to utilize and integrate other personnel or
volunteers into his work force. He must also be alert to see that all
safety standards and procedures are followed.

Role II: In the case where the spiller accepts responsibility for the
cleanup, the cleanup manager supervises and directs the monitoring
activities. The number of monitors involved will be dictated by the
extent of the spill. Monitoring is done to determine the ability of
the forces and equipment at a particular a site to accomplish the
cleanup tasks assigned to them. Monitors will be required to keep the
cleanup manager informed of the progress of cleanup in their assigned
areas. Additionally, the cleanup manager will work closely with the
duty officer to ensure that personnel.relief is provided for meals,
rests, etc as needed.;

The CNMI Cleanup Manager is

MONITORING PERSONNEL: Monitors will report to the cleanup
manager and will be responsible to ensure that a proper cleanup is
being conducted. They shall maintain records.of the personnel and
equipment used for each calendar day whenever a cleanup is conducted.
When the spiller is conducting the cleanup, they shall act as te OSC's
eyes to evaluate the extent and effectiveness of the spiller's
e4forts.

CNMI Monitoring i ncl Ltd e.:

INVESTIGATOR PERSONNEL: Investigator personnel will
investigate and document the causes and extent of the spill. They are
responsible for obtaining timely statements, samples, and photographs
of such violation. Investigators will determine the extent of the
spill and report. same to the duty officer or OSC so that cleanup crews
may be directed to that area.

CH11I Investigator Personnel include:

SCIENTIF71C SUPPORT COORDINATOR: The SSC will work in
conjunction with CNMI and Federal agencies and individuals to provide
highly qualified scientific assistance to mitigate the environmental
and socioeconomic impact of major spills. The SSC will conduct a
preliminary assessment at spill onset to determine threatened
resources and to advise on the least environmentally degrading methods
of spill cleanup. The SSC will provide scientific assistance in
assessing environmental damage resulting from spills; and to maximize
research and development opportunities offered by a spill, especially
with respect to improving future response capabilities.

The CNMI Scientific Support Coordinator is

0 S CRespons i b i I i ty

The OSC is responsible for ensuring that all oil and hazardous
Substance discharges are properly removed. The methods for effecting
cleanup operations, in order of preference, are:

a. Spiller's personnel and equipment (or that of a contractor hired by.
the spiller).

b. Spiller's personnel (or spiller's contracted personnel) and Coast
GLtard/Federal Equipment.

c. Coast Guard contracted personnel and equipment.

d. Coast Guard/Federal personnel and equipment, and

e. CNMI personel and equipment (or CNMI's contractor)

Selection of appropriate option will be based on the specifics of each
incident.

Under the National Plan,: the OSC is responsible for the coordination
and direction of all efforts aimed at the removal of the discharge.
I

In the absence'of a Federal OSC, the CNMI OSC shall:

a. Immediately determine pertinent-facts about a particular spill,
such as its potential impact on huma n health and welfare; the nature,
aimodnt and locationof the*material spilled; the probable direction and
the rate of travel of.the material; and the resources and
installations which may be affected and the priorities for protecting
them, consistent with this-plan.

b. Determine the extent and nature of response necessary:

1. When the spiller can and does take adequate and proper action, the
OSC will monitor the cleanup to ensure adequacy, to identify hidden
trouble spots, etc.

2.. When the spiller can not or will not take proper action, or when
the spilller is unl-.-nown, the OSC will assume control of the removal
operation and will conduct such operations as necessary to complete th
removal

3. In either case, containment shall be initiated immediately.
Cleanup and disposal will begin as soon as proper equipment and
personnel can be brought to the scene.

C. Request participation of other forces and the RRT through proper
channels.

d. Immediately initiate and direct investigation, documentation and
cost recovery actions, as appropriate.

e. Assure timely release of information relating to the spill. The
OSC has final releasing authority on all such information (including
POLREPS, press releases, requests for notice to mariners, security
zones, restricted air spaces, etc.) Press releases Will be issued an a
timely basis and will be developed by the PIO as available.

SECTION 12
OPERATIONAL RESPONSE STEPS

J 0 Act'lons
operational RUSP nse,

Phase I Discovery and notification

17k
The CNt1I- Disaster' Control Office maintains 24 hours telephone and
radka watch.

Discharge Di scovery

A discharge includes but is not limited to any spilling, lea[.-:ing,
pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping of oil (or any other
hazardous substance).

A potential discharge is any accident or circustance which threatens
to result in a discharge. A discharge may be discovered through:

a. A report submitted by the discharger in accordance with statutory
regulations.

b. Through deliberate search by vehicle, vessel, police patrol or
other monitoring personnel.

c. Through random or incidental observations by governmental agencies
or the general public.

d. Incidental reports of fires, collisions, vessel grounding, or
natural disasters such as storm damage and earthquakes.

Receipt of Discovery Report

The Disaster Control Officer- receiving a report of a dishcarge shall
immediately notify the designated CNMI Or3)C. Inaccurate or too little
informaton will cause unnecessary delays, therefore, the reporter
shall be prompted to provide the following minimum information:

a. Time discharge discovered or occurred.

b. Specific Location to the extent available

1. place name or other geographical description, or
2. lattitude and,longitude, or
3. Distance and direction from a charged object or geographic
locations, or
4. Vessel Berth, marina, slip number

C. Extent of coverage, color, substance, type and suspected source.

d. Is the caller reporting on behalf of the responsible party?' If so:

1. Name, address, location and telephone number of the caller..

Name, address, location and telephone number of responsible

7 A2_

]arty.
E'2. If a vese.1, own spi I I obtain the name of vessel-,'
nationality, documentation or, local registration number.
A sample pollutioln report which' should be utilized'by persons
receiying notifi(:ation of. a discharged is provided in

Phase II Preliminary Assessment and Initiation of Action

General

The importance of this phase cannot be overemphasized. Preliminary
assessment of the situation sets the response posture. Frequently,
spills are underestimated on first arrival, the spill may appear to be
in a. relatively small area, and estimates of the amount spilled may be
i naccurate. The natural forces of wind, gravity, and tide will
disperse the oil over a much wider area prior to the arrival of
cleanup equipment. It is this wider area that should be considered
for planning and response. fr1nowledge of the fate of the oil spi.lled in
similar situations in the same area should be used for comparison.
Night spills are particularly troublesome as it is difficult to
r:@,valuate their extent or position. Overreaction is easily rectified,
but underreaLtion could permit expansion of the spill and prolong the
cleanup.

Fiction

Investigator Actions

The OSC is responsible for promptly initiating preliminary assessment
which will include:

a. Determining the source of the spill if possible.
b. Conducting -a complete survey of the spill and affected
area, c. Establishing good communication with .the OSC and/or the
Duty Officer and keeping them informed of the situation.
d. Establishing the parameters of the organization that will
combat the spill.
e. Keeping everyone informed as to the situation and progress.

OSC Actions

The OSC must conduct a preliminary assessment using all available
in+ormation, supplemented where necessary and possible by an on-scene
inspections.

The OSC shall Undertat%e actions to evaluate the magnitude and severity
of the discharge or threat to public health and welfare and the
environment, assess the feasibility of removal; determine the
existence of potential responsible parties, and ensure that authority

7 3

eXists, to tt'ndElrt ake all actions.

The 05C, in consultati on wiLh legal authorities whenever possible,
shall make a reasonable effort to have the dischai-ger'voluntarily and
promptly perforin removal actions. The OSC shall ensure adequate
Surveillance over whatever actions'are initiated. If effective
actions are not being tak.en to eliminate the threat, or if removal is
not'being pr9perly done, the OSC shall so advise the reponsible party.

If the spiller is Unknown, refuses to initiate Voluntary cleanup, or
initiates inadequate cleanup, the OSC will take over direction of
cleanup efforts. if the spiller assumes liability, the OSC will
assume a monitoring role. Continuing efforts should be made to
encourage response by the responsible parties.

There are several steps to be considered. The OSC must:

C-1. Determine if cleanup can be monitored/directed by assigned
personnel and equipment, or if additional personel and equipment will
be reqUired.

b. Direct arid monitor- on-scene resources.

c. Evaluate present and anticipated resources.

d. Initiate investigatlon and documentation of the incident.

e. Respond to public inquiries regarding the incident.

Direct and Monitor on-Scene Resources:

The OSC will monitor cleanup and investigate the extent and
concentration of the discharqed c3il. Oil spill cleanup operations
must be constantly updated as new investigative reports are received
and as areas become cleaned. Highest priority should be given to: a)
securing the source of the discharge, and b) initial containment
24forts as outlined in this plan.

Communications are paramount to the success of directing and
monitoring the cleanup effort. The OSC will ensure adequate
-communications are provided for on-scene forces and from the OSC
Command post to Federal counterparts if convened.

E-7valuation of On-Scene Forces

Upon takeover of a spill, the OSC will initially call in
lore-contracted or prearranged cleanup forces. If the OSC is in a
monitoring role, he will monitor the spiller's efforts.

-Fhe OSC must be constantly alert to the changing oil spill situation,
and must antiC]Lpate the build-up or reduction of on-scene forces,
shelter, provisions, communications,or other support equipment that

Wi 11 bm necessry. Roquest for S-Lipport not immediately and locally
available be made.-to the Federal OSC.

Initiate investigation and documentation

Documentation Must be initiated Early in the spill Situation.'
Detailed guidance is outlined in the preceeding section.

Response to public inquiries:

The press and interested bystanders will be seeking information
regarding the source, cleanup efforts, etc. The OSC will instruct
cleanup forces and monitors to direct any inquires to: a) the OSC. b)
PIO, or c) the spiller's representative. Control has to be maintained
on the accuracy and authority of in-Formation released in order to
provide the public with reliable information.

Use of Volunteers:

In many pollution emergency situations, volunteers desiring to assist
.n mitigating the effects of the discharge present themselves at the
scene. The OSC shall be prepared to handle this eventuality.
Declining to accept their assistance may not be a. viable option. The
Volunteers are likely to put themselves to work, often to the
d6triment of overall response, if not given task-s.
The spiller Should be Lncouraged to handle volunteers as part of his
removal activities. As long as the spiller is taking adequate steps
to remove or mitigate the effects of the discharge, CNMI action will
be limited to monitoring; therefore, the use of volunteers
appropriately should fall to the discharger. If the discharger
refuses to deal with volunteers and the volunteers are unwilling to
accept this, -the OSC must act to insure that response activities are
not impeded.

The OSC shall designate one or more persons to tat..-.e charge of
volunteers. 'This designee should be selected on the basis of
knowledge of resonse techniques, ability to deal with the public, and
leadership capabilities.

Information for and education of volunteer personnel in general
response operations and procedures, as well as specific details of the
discharge, is mandatory if response efforts are to be effective. The
OSC should establish and maintain training programs for volunteer
education for rapid on-site use.

Volunteer efforts should not normally be used to physically remove the
oil, particulary when hazardous procedures or materials are involv6d.
Volunteers should be assigned only to tasks with minimum safety risks
such as beach SUrveillance, logistical support, bird and other.
wildlife treatment, and scientific investigation.

Phase III Containment, countermeasures, cleanup and disposal:

General

Defensive actions should begin as soon as possible to prevent,
minimize or mitigate damage to the public health or welfare or the
environment. Actions taken to-limit-the spread of oil in this phase
are e,%tremely cost effective. Booms and other barriers to confine the
Dil and limit its spread, or to k.eep more oil -from entering the water,
simplify cleanup by concentrating the oil. The timely availabilty of
numerous cleanup contractors or prearranged crews is an important
-asset.

Action:

Actions may include analyzing water samles to determine the Source and
spread of the oil". controlling the source of the dishcarge, measuring
and sampling; damage control or salvage operations; placement of
physical barriers to deter the spread of the oil or to protect
important resOLtrces; and the use Of chemicals and other materials to
restrain or disperse the the oil.

All attempts will be made by investigators and other response
personnel to limit the flow of the spreading contaminant consistent
with health and safety considerations. Usually the spread of oil can
be slowed down or stopped by using some -form of barrier. As effective
control depends upon the timeliness of deployment, all effort shoud be
made to deploy nearby 6arrier resources as soon as possible.

Appropriate actions should be tak.en to recover the oil or mitigate its
effects. Of the numerous chemical and physical methods that may be
used, the chosen methods should be the most consistent with protecting
the public health and welfare and the environment. Sinking agents
shall not be used.

Oil and contaminated materials recovered in cleanup operations shall
be disposed of in accordance with this plan, or Federal Regional Plan
if convened.

General Pattern of response

When the OSC receives a report of a discharge; actions normally should
be taken in the following seqUence:

1. Immediately notify the Federal OSC who in turn will notify the
RRT.

2. Investigate the report to determine pertinent information such as
the threat posed to public health or welfare or the environment, the
type and quantity of oil, and the source of the discharge.

Officially classify the size of the discharge and determine the
course of action to be followed.

4. Detcrmine whether a d-Ischarger or other person is properly
carry-1. rig out rti-moval . Relcloval i @_ done proper 1 y when.

1_.. The cleanup is +ul ly su+f ici ent to minimize or mitigate
damage to the public welfar e.

b. The removal efforts are in accordance with applicable
regulations and guidelines, including the Federal Plan.

The preliminary assessment will probably show that the situation falls
into one of five classes:

1. If the investigation shows that no discharge exists, the case
shall be considered a false alarm and should be closed.

2. If the investigation shows a minor discharge with the responsible
party tak'ing proper removal action, contact should be established with
the party. The removal action should be monitored to ensure continued
proper action.

'7" If the investiaation shows a minor dishcarge with improper removal
action being taken, the foll-owing measures shall be [email protected],

a. An immediate effort shOUld be made to top further
pollution.

b. The responsible party shall be advised of what action will
be so considered appropriate.

c. If the responsible party does not properly respond, he
shall be notified of his potential liability for punitive fines under
CNMI law and/or Federal response performed under the Clean Water Act.
Liability under CWA includes all costs of removal and may include the
costs of assessing and restoring damaged natural resources and other
actual or necessary costs of a Federal response.

d. The OSC shall notify the Federal OSC who will notify the
RRT.

e. Information shall be collected for possible recovery of
response costs.

4. When the investigation shows that an actual or potential medium
oil discharge exists, the OSC shall follow the same general procedures
as for a minor discharge. The Federal OSC shall be,notified who shall
determine whether to recommend activation of the RRT.

5. When the investigation shows an actual or potential major oil
-discharge, the OSC shall follow the same general procedures as for
minor and medium discharges.

Phase IV Documentation and Cost Recovery

This section closely follows Federal Quidelines. It asS-Umes that the
CNMI has negotiated an 1"IDU with the USCG to permit the CNIII to
recovery costs as provided by the CWA, and that the CNMI USC is acting
n the role of Federal OSC. it is further assumed that USCG will take
appropriate action to recover CWA e-'-,penditures from the responsible
iparty and to prosecute violations of Federal law. In order to
facilitate these steps, it is important tht the CNMI follow federal
procedures for documentation and cost recovery. In the event of a
spill of such magnitude that Federal response is necessry, the CNMI
role will become a support role for federal actions. In such cases
CNMI documentaton will form the basis for further documentation of
Federal costs incurred. CNMI should, however, continue to document its
costs -for later- recovery, and continue to investigate the discharge
+or potential prosecution under CNMI authority,

Documentation shall be collected and maintained to support all claims
for financial reimbursement as provided.in.the Clean Water Act and to
form the basis for subsequent cost recovery. In general,
documentation should be sufficient to prove the source and
circumstances of the incident, the responsible party or parties, and
impact and potential impacts to the public health and welfare and the
environment. When appropriate, documentation should also be collected
for scientific understanding of the environment and for the research
and development OX 4mproved response methods and to-hnology.
c

The OSC shall ensure the necessary collection and safeguarding of
information, samples, -arid reports. Samples and information must b 'e
gathered expeditiously during this response to ensure an accurate
record of the impacts incurred.

The OSC is responsible for proper documentation of a response
activity. Investigation, documentation and enforcement procedures
include all actions taken to record the events of the spill situation
and to ensure adequate documentation for cleanup cost recovery and
potential prosecution under CNMI and/or Federal laws.

Proper documentation for cost incurred as a result of CNMI response to
an oil pollution incident is of extreme importance for two primary
reasons. First, cost must be sufficiently documented to allow for
subsequent recovery from the responsible parties. Frequently, this
involves legal proceedings and cost documentation must, in all cases,
be sufficient to withstand scrutiny of the court. Second, costs must
be documented to permit recovery from the Oil Pollution Fund for
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by CNMI.

Section 13
Response Steps

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nni irig, Equipment *and Training for Oil Pollution Control,

Section 14
Methods for Cleaning Up
Oil Spills

Methods of Cleaning Up Oil Spills

Once an oil spill has occurred ther are a number of steps that should
ta[.--.e place. First, the spill is discovered and notificaton is given
to the appropriate authority. Second, the spill is evaluated and a
course of action inititated. third there are containment and counter
measures, and lastly, documentation and cost reovery of the clean up
operation.

There are four cases of oils spills which must be considered:

a. an oil spill at sea which will not foul coastal land areas;
b. An oil spill at sea which will foul coastal land areas
unless dissipated;
c. An oil spill at sea which has fouled coastal land areas;
d.. An oill spill in internal waters which has fouled land
areas.

Case 1. The oil spill at sea which will not foul a coastal land area
Carl USUally be left to dissipate itself by natural means
(bio-degradation, wave action, evaporation of volatile Compounds,
etc.) regardless of whethic-;!r the oil spilled is 6. heavy or light oil.
-1-1--te location, size and -11orcast direction of movement of the slick.
should be widely disseminated to permit commercial and private
ships/bo,@-Ats to avoid t@e slick area. The slicl%* should be @.-:ept under
surveillance until rendered harmless by natural action.

Case -2'. An oil spill at @_ea which will foul coastal land areas unless
dissipated must be subjected to -the following critical analysis,

a. If the area is remote, not utilized for recreation and does ot
1nclude regularly harvested fisheries, it is very probable that less
harm would be :done to the ecology, regardless of the oil product
spilled, by taking not direct action and allowing the oil to dissipate
through natural action.

b. If the area is remote, not-utilzed for recreati on but does include
a regularly harvested fishery, spills of heavier oils could be
:.Lgnored, but spills of ligher oils should be dissipated as far at sea
as possible. This decision should have to be made based on the best
information available at the time at the scene.

c. If the coastal laod area is utilized for recreation, all spills
should be dissipated as far at sea as possible by chemical means.
Provisions should be made to counteract small oil patches, scum, etc.1
which might reach the shoreline utilizing sorbents, chemicals and/br
mechanical removal.

Case 3. An oil spill at sea which has polluted a coastal land area
must be subjected to analysis similar to but more critical than that
of case 2 above.

a. If the polluted area is remote, or utilized for recreation and no

regularly hi-na-vested -IlFiEhery is located there, the most reasonable
course of action will p.-obably be to take no direct action and let the
area cleanse itself by natural means. This course of action may not
be politically acceptable because of the emotiorialisfrn which usually
surrounds an oil pollution incident. A decision of this type would
require the agreement of a number of CNMI and possibly Federal
agencies and can only be made based on direct information from the
scene.

b. If the affected area is used for recreation and/or includes a
regularly harvested fishery, cleanup action must be initiated
immediately and prosecuted vigorously. The exact form(s) these
actions should take can only be determined by the On Scene 'Coordinator
since the use of chemical dispersants may do more E-coloqical damage
than the oil. Sorbeiits should be available as should containment-booms
mechanical remov.-al equipment, earthmoving equipment, etc. an oil
5pill/pollution incident under the condil-ion5 described above would
require a level of expertise which is not routinely available in the
CNMI. Until Pacific Strik.& Force teams arrive Lon scene, desiqnated
CNMI Parties MILIst be prepared to tal,:e correct and effective action.

Case 4. An oil spill in internal waters is the most probable kind
of oil spill. Such an oil spill will invariably foul valuable land
areas. Removal operations must be prosecuted quicklyr, vigorously and
accurately. Oil which has not yet contacted the shoreline should be
confined by booms, mechnically removed and treated with sorbent
material. Sorbent materials should be distributed on shore where oil
has accumulated; sorbents should not be deployed in the water unless
the vast majority of spilled oil has been recovered. Chemical
dispersants should only be deployed if authorized by designated CNMI
conservation authorities. Expert advice concerninq the best ways of
dealing with the clean-up of the spill Should "a requested from
Federal counterparts.

Protection of Inshore Waters

One of the most basic lessons to be learned from all major oil spills
is that if a substantial quantity of crude or relatevely persistent
oil is lost by an instantaneous release close to the coast it is
highly unlikely that any response at sea will be sufficiently
effective to prevent some, if not most, of the oil reaching inshore
waters and shorelines unless offhshore winds and currents prev 'ail
Faced with the reality of the situation, all that has been possible to
do has been to minimize the extent of the damage.

Experience has shown the impossibility of protecting the whole length
of a threatened coastline. However, on many occasions a lack of
detailed knowledge of local resources and agreed policy on priorities
for protection has resulted in the limited response capability
available being so widely spread that the effort was inadequate in all
areas with the consequence that no location received any effective
protection at all,

The problem of protection and Clean-Up 01@ inshore waters and
shorelines has often been @Urther exacerbated by a. lack: of suitable
equipment and trained operators. Delayed and incorrect deployment of
the equipment that has been available has also frequently occurred as
a. result of the lack. of planning and local personnel experienced in
its use. For example, schemes for the deployment of booms during
incidents fr-equently have been over-ambitious, attempting to totally
prevent ingress of oil into areas rather than trying to minimize
contamination in a realitic manner. This has resulted in booms being
deployed in Situations where the effect of wind, waves and currents
was greatest. As a consequence, booms have been totally ineffective,
or at worst, irreparably damaged. Even when booms have been sensibly
located, freqently they have not been supplemented by a suitable oil
collection capabiltity, and have often been left unattended,
especially at night, with the result that tidal changes or excessive
accumulations of oil have neqated any good effects that had previously
been achieved.

Another problei-it eniountered at oil spills related to the compatibiltiy
of different [email protected]:es of eqUipment. Often the On Scene Coordinator has
Lo accept, through lack of any immediately available alternative, a
iumber of different booms. These will inevitably differ in their
dimensions, ii-iodes of construction, flotation characteristics and, most
importantly, mechanisms forjoining sections together. To protect a
wide area it m.-ay be necessary to join together two different makes
This has always proved to be very difficult and only accomplished by
the use Of I-OPIL', chain, prayer or some oter arrangement. Such a joint
has invariably proved to be a point of weakness where oil can escape,
often with damaging consequences.

The CNIII should use particular care to ascertain that equipent on
hand, and planned put-chases are fully compatible with CNMI owned
equipment and equipment owned by oil companies and other private
Parties.

Clean-up Response on Shore

The need for a rapid response has not normally been so critical as for
the clean--up operation at sea or the deployment of protective measures
in inshore waters. The one major exception has been the case of
concentrations of oil deposited on beaches or trapped in coves, etc.
that could be moved by subsequent tides or changes of wind thereby
causing widespread contamination of areas that may otherwise.have
remained unaffected. While the rapid and effective containment and
recovery of such oil has frequently been vital during ma .Jor oil spills
it has rarely been accomplished.

The choice of cleanup response ashore again depends upon the nature
and extent of the fouling, the characteristics of the area and the
efficacy of the treatment methods available. There have been many
occasions during major spills when the best course of action has been
to do nothing. However, leaving the oil to degrade and dissipate
naturally has proved to be even more difficult once the oil is ashore

8-
...:I

and conspicuous to the the public. All too often this has resulted in
over-reaction and the massive mobilization of manpower and machinery
when doing nothing, or at most a limited response would have been more
effective and less damaging in the long term. Thus while sensitive
areas such as coastal wetlands have been shown to recover quickly from
single foulings they have been found to still show evidence after
several years of the physical damage caused by vehicles or even
personnel used during cleanup operations. Animals on rocky shores
have similary been shown to be resistent to oil especially if it has
weathered at sea for a period and to be significantly affected only by
a severe coating sufficient to smother them. Far greater damage has
been caused during many spills by the unnecessary use of high pressure
hoses, steam, dispersants or other techniques used to remove the oil.
A similar situation has been found to apply to sandy beaches when the
amount of fouling has been light. The alternative to natural
dissipation and degradation has been the physical removal of the ailed
sand and an associated large quantity of clean sand. On a number of
occasions such large scale removal of sand has not only reduced the
amenity value of the area, but has also enhanced erosion sometimes to
the extent that replacement material has had to be deposited in an attempt to remedy the situation.

When removal of oil from shorelines has been necessary, the methods
employed have usually been relatively straightforward and on most
occasions have not required sophisticated clean-up equipment. For
example, removal of oil -from tourist and recreational beaches has
usually been best accomplished by the combination of small teams of
laborers with shovels and limited mechanical equipment (e.g. graders,
bulldozers, front-end loaders). When contamination has been
sufficiently heavy, it has frequently been possible to use suction
trucks or skimmers to remove much of the oil.

A variety of methods and a great deal of improvization have been found
to be requrired to clean up a contaminated shoreline. Non-toxic
dispersants if approved, heated seawater, steam, high pressure hosing
and sand blasting of manmade structures, use of sorbents, careful
trimming of coated vegetation and a wide variety of other methods in
addition to physical removal have a have all proved useful,
particularly during the final stages of cleanup. Inevitably,
shoreline clean-up has always proved time-consuming and labor
intensive. It has also never been possible to achieve the same degree
of cleanliness in all areas.

Sorbents should be deployed on important shorelines and beaches in
advance of a spill reaching shore. By using sorbents as a preventitive
device instead of a recovery device, severe contamination can be
avoided. Any type of sorbent which will remain on the shoreline
without blowing away is adequate for this purpose. This includes
sorbent sheets and sorbent booms tied together.

The materials should not be spread on the shoreline too soon. Make a
calculation of the drift rate, and in consideration of the tide, to
plan the best time to deploy.

In many cases oil will have reazhed the shoreline before protective
steps could be taken. Particulate sorbents and some sorbent sheets
can be used to leech oil from the surface of a beach if the oil has
not so.-zkl:-.ed in too far. This works especially well below the high tide
level where the sand is water soaked. If sorbents are spread on these
areas at low tide, some oil will be absorbed immediately. Then as the
tide comes up, water will force oil out of the sand where it will then
be absorbed. The oily sorbents can then be recovered easily either by
skimming or by hand. The area should be boomed-off before using the
sorbents to prevent it fom getting away.

Priority of Cleanup Operations

It is extremely important in the early hours of a spill that all
personnel involved k.now priority of operations to be carried out.

The first step involves the stopping of the discl targe. This may be
range from closing off valves, divert-ing flows to impound areas,'
removal of the damaged -hip), the moving of the ship to a less
vulnerable area, the lightering of the cargo, the stopping oi- a. leak
with a patch, the trans-i-I'erring of car-go to other tanks which are not
damaged, or if feasible, by eni--ircling the ship or other point of
discharge with oil spill control booms to retain the oil.

The second step involves implementing a plan to protect sensitive
ehvironmental Systems Such as mangroves, critical or important
habitats, economically and recreationally important beaches and other
7
areas before the oil reaches them. This protection may involve booming
with oil spill booms or using deflection booms to cause the oil to
bypass the sensitive area and impact less sensitive areas.

The third step is the prevention of the released oil from coming into
contact with the coastline by dealing with it offshore. This may
involve the use of mechanical means to contain and remove the oil or
may include chemical treatment by dispersants to disperse the floating
oil into the water column.

The fourth step assumes the above phase is unsuccessful and that the
oil is pooled against the coastline in areas where the coastline
serves as a natural boom to collect and pool the oil or where booms
can be used to hold the oil in pools and prevent it from moving. If
the oil can be removed at this point, the removed material will be in
the least contaminated condition and the cost per unit volume will
usually be lower. It is particularly desirable to collect the oil
where it can be most easily removed, in consideration of environmehtal
damage which can result from removal actions.

If the oil becomes stranded on the shore, a variety of processes are
needed to remove it. Priority is usually given to removal from the
beach because the use of mechanical equipment may lead to a higher
recovery rate and more thorough removal. Removal from the wetlands and
rock areas follow in the priori-ty sequence.

After the loose or liquid oil. is removed, the priority shi-fts to that
of removing the materials contaminated by the oi I , Such as vegetation,
trash, collected absorbents, etc.

The final steps in the impacted zone are the intensive cleanup by
washing with low and high pressure water systems and other forms of
cleanup to leave the coastline in.a condition where it can again be
used. Part of this cleanup is the restoration of damaqed environment
or of those areas damaged in the cleanup operation Such as access
roads, interi'm storage pits, damage to roadways and indirect damage,
such as to hotels by cleanup crews.

The final steps dealing with the collected material are the
consolidation of the materials from the interim storage areas near the
impacted zones to final storage areas and the activities to reclaim
the oil or to dispose of the oil.

TYPICAL PRIORITY OF RESPONSE OPERATIONS

I . z'::)top the discharge of oil.

171 Protect endangered environmental systems of greatest value.

Con'ain and re
L move the oi I - or otherwi se- prevent i t f rom comi ng
ashore.

4. Remove floating oil and mousse from the water where possible and
transport to interim liquid storage.

5. Remove stranded oil from beach faces to interim liquid storage.

6. Remove stranded oil from wetlands to interim liquid storage.

7. Remove oiled sand, beached seagrasses, dead vegetation and
detritus and transport to interim dry storage.

B. 'Polish' cleanup by deployment of sorbents, cleaning rockfaces,
ramps, breat-.-.wa-ters, etc.

9. Move materials from interim storage to final di5posal sites.

10. Restore environmental systems damaged by the oil or by the
protection and cleanup operations.

It. Reclaim or dispose of residual materials.

"DO'S AND DOWTS" FOR CLEANING A SANDY BEACH

HAT TO DO WHAT TO AVOID

Consider amenity use of affected Do not overclean; in particular do not
[
each, seasonal influences and remove more sand and substrata than is
cological advice to determine the absolutely necessary.
degree of optimal cleanup.

ear in mind that under unfavorable Do not let machinery/people run over
londitions a. second cleanup may be contaminated beaches before cleaning.
necessary.
If dispersants or other chemicals Do not use dispersants without first
are used, apply them with the obtaining USCG approval. Do not use
ricoming tide. undiluted dispersants. Do not use
I fresh water to hase down dispersants.

dhelsion of oil to sand may be pre-
fl, ented by using herding agents.
Use earthmovirig machinery, @r where Do not pile-oily sand higher th a n
mpossible, manual labor to gather
til and oily sand.

ecide whether on-site disposal is Do not 'bury' oily debris or plow
rossible; if *not arrange transport into the ground. Avoid driving oil
or temporary storage. into inaccessible areas or tidal and
subtidal zones. Raking of the top
I
layer of sand is, however, an appropr-
iate way to accelerate biodegradation.

f necessary, move unaffected sand Do.not destroy vegetation bordering
Into areas where large volumes of the beach more than absolutely neces-
oiled sand have been removed. sary; instead accept slightly oiled
spots. Avoid displacing roci::s and
boulders lodged in the beach.

ource: Adapted from: Proceeding of the 198@@ Oil Spill Conference, page 387.

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Disposal

Large quantities of oil and oily debriB are recovered during cleanup
operations at sea and onshore. The formation of water-in-oil
emulsions and the incorporation of sand, seaweed and other debris has
almost invariably resulted in a requirement to deal with a volume of
material that has been in excess of the total quantity of oil
originally spilled.

The techniques for dealing with such material have included:
re-refining of relatively uncontaminated oil; landfarming, composting;
dumping at inland sites; incineration and treatment with a cloaking
agent for subsequent use as land fill. All techniques have been shown
to have consi'derable limitations, not the least of which has been the
inability to deal with large quantities of materials. All have also
proved to have secondary detrimental effects when a strict level of
control has not been exercized. For example, severe air Pollution has
resulted from uncontrolled burning and incineration; potable water
Supplies have been contaminated by indiscriminate disposal on land.

During most spill,-, a combination of methods have beer-, employed with
the majority of material being deposited on land. Frequently,
however, suitable sites have not been designated at the planning stage
with the result that dumping has been carried out indiscriminately or
delays have been experienced while safe sites were located.

Procedures for dealing with reovered oil and oily debris are many but
all. have limitations. Relatively uncontaminated oi.1 may on occasions
be accepted by oil refineries, especially if they possess slop
reception facilities. However, there is frequently considerable
reluctance to take large quantities in view of the fact that water and
salt contamination may interfere with the normal operations of the
plant. The oil havinq lost its liqht ends throuqh evaporation is also
of reduced value and may only be worth processing after blending with
naphtha or other petroleum products rich in low boiling components.
Commercial reprocessors of waste oil will frequently regard the
treatment of oil recovered from clean-up operations as uneconomic for
similar reasons. Reclamation is therefore rarely a viable method for
disposing of large amounts of oil and is certainly not the economic
proposition it is often made out to be, especially if transport and
storage are costly.

The high viscosity particularly of weathered oil and em ulsions can
introduce severe problems in pumping and handling collected oil. Some
relief can be given by the use of recently formulated chemical
emulsion breakers, which have the effect of reducing the viscosity*of
many oil-water mixtures. These additives do not always achieve
complete phase separation of emulsions, but the reduction in viscosity
is often sufficient to improve Pumping operations.

Probably the most frequent procedure for disposal, particularly of
heavily contaminated oil, is burial. However, selection of the site
is critical if contamination of ground water supplies and other

d etrimental effects are to be avoided. Consideration of the soil
conditions, geological Structure and surface topography is also vital
in order to determine the potential for the oil to migrate in all
'directions. Because of t- ,hese and other related problems land disposal
in an unavailable option in many locations.

Burning of recovered oil is a commonly used technique, especially
where on--site disposal is advantageous because of transport
difficulties. However, heavily weathered or emulsified oils will
rarely burn easily and may need the addition of some [email protected]:ing agent.
Once burning, all oils can also produce thick black smoke which can
also carry droplets of unburned residues causing an unacceptable
degree of air Pollution and possible contamination of nearby areas by
'blact-.: rain'. The location at which burning is carried out therefore
has to be chosen with care, especially if p'enetrat 'ion of the substrate
by the heated oil is also to be avoided. Low temperature burning will
also tend to leave a tarry residue which may cause subsequent disposal
problems.

Procedures that make use of natural. or artificially enhanced
biodegradative processes have been found to be successful in some
instances. One approach is to spread the material on land followed by
fertilizers and repeated plowing to ensure adequate aeration and high
rates of biodegradation. Commercial preparations of bacteria may be
added but often naturaily occurring Populations Suffice. As with
buri,al. land fzirming should only be carried'out after a careful
conside*ration of soil type, drainage patterns, climatic conditions and
nature of contaminated material. While it has been proved that Such
procedures can result in rapid removal of oil and the growth of crops
or--,I-,,, months after- treatment, it remains applicable only to lightly
oiled material and so contributes little in instances of extensive and
severe contamin,--ation. Similar comments apply to composting techniques
where contaminated oil is mixed in layers with other organic materials
and fertilizer.

Use of lightly contaminated sand and shingle in road construction,
land reclamation and similar works has also on occasions proved
successful, given prior detailed investigation of the particular sites
involved. The use of quicklime (calcium oxide) which reacts with the
water and at the same time acts as an efficient cloaking agent has
been found to render such approaches more viable.

Contamination of shorelines often results in large-scale removal and
disposal of clean as well as soiled sand and shingle. One recent
approach that has proved promising on a smal scale in the on-site
separation of water-in-oil emulsions and cleansing of beach material
so that the recovered oil can be taken away and the cleaned sand or
shingle returned to the beach directly, thereby removing the necessity
to transport large quantities of water and substrate.

In the CNMI consider ation should be given to temporary storage of the
oil and oily debris in 55 gallon drums, waste tanks, plastic swimming
pools and lined temporary impoundments. As water separates from the

ac?

reco vered oi I i t can be drai ned of fal I owi ng the oi I to become
concentrated for efficient recovery. It' should be noted that most
membrane liners have a projected longevity in contact with oil of less
'than one vear with polyethyline lasting less than one month. Oil may
also be u@ed for dust control on roadbeds. Certain types of oil, once
recovered, may be classified as hazardous waste, subject to RCRA
regulations. In such cases, funding may be available to transport the
material to approved disposal sites outside the CNMI (Region IX Plan,
page XVIII-1).

The DEQ designated temporary storage site for the CNMI is
The DEQ designated permanent storage site for the CNMI is

9C)

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Moni tori ng

-This section Sets forth general guidelines for monitoring oil A nd
related contamination for the protection.of critical zones and
enforcement of water quality. Monitoring can aid in conserving the
,productivity of particularly valuable species or particularly
productive Waters.

Initially, monitoring should be carried out +or suspected or known
pollutants which may be dangerous to the life and productivity of
these zones. Monitoring will ensure the control of discharges and to
confirm the absence of unwanted pollutants in the marine environment.

Petroleum and its products are known to be toxic to marine life in
hiqh concentrations, but the sublethal effects are not well known.
Sublethal concentrations of petroleum hydrocarons and halogenated
hydrocarbons can affect general productivity in various ways: through
inhibition of growth, disturbance of feeding patterns, interference
with reproduction, etc. It is not known at what levels hydrocarbon
pollution can be sa-Fely tolerated in the marine ecosystem; hence,
criteria are lac@-.:ing for guiding monitoring as well as standards for
water quality.

Estuaries and nearshore waters which receive contaminated 'runoff
should be monitored for heavy metals, coliform and halogenated
hydrocarbons. Heavy metals and total coliformi should be periodically
monitored in the flesh of shellfish. Heavy metals should also be
monitored in the flesh of food-fish which spend most of their time in
estuaries (e.g near the Lower Base mangrove area).

In waters not yet polluted or only lightly polluted and where Public
health is not threatened, monitoring should be undertaken until
baseline studies have been carried out. The health and productivity
of these waters can be better monitored by periodic study in sample
areas of the aquatic environment and its biota. Species diversity,
community structure, or other indicators of ecosystem health and
productivity are better measures of possible pollution than the
monitoring of small concentrations of substances whose sublethal
biological effects are not well known.

The development of manpower and laboratory capabilities for monitoring
marine pollution.shoud be done in coordination with other monitoring
efforts, particularly where expensive instruments or highly skilled
technicians are required.

Water samples should be taken at: lower reaches of estuary on a weekly
basis for heavy metals and halogenated hydrocarbons; shellfish grounds
on a monthly basis for total coliforms; outfalls on a weekly basis for
total coliform and heavy metals; midestuary on a monthly basis for all
sustpected pollutants and physical and chemical parameters.

Sediment samples should be taken where fine-grained materials

accumulate every 2-3 years to test for heavy metals, petroleum
hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons.

Biota (shellfish) samples should be taken monthly or more frequently
to test for Escherichia coli.

Sampling equipment. which should be kept on hand for monitoring oil
spills include: 1 bound notebook; 1 box, 12 guage shotgun cleaning
patches; 10 500ml nalgene graduated cylinders; 10 cases of 1 pint
stoppered sample bottles and manila custody tags; I ballpoint pen; and
10 1" wide sticks.

Section 17
Classification
of
Resource Priority

CLASSIFICATION OF SHORELINE VULNERABILITY TO OIL SPILLS
ULNERABILITY SHORE-LINE TYPE COMMENTS
INDEX
1, Exposed roc:l.::y headlands Wave reflection @-.:eeps most of oil off-
shore. No cleanup necessary.

2 Eroding wave-cut Wave swept. Most oil removed by natural
platforms in sedmiment- processes within [email protected].
ary rock

:3 Fine-grained sand beach oil does not penetrate sediment, +acil-
itating (riechani-cal recovery if necessary.
Otherwise oil will persist several months.

4 coarse-grained sand oil may sink and/or be buried rapidly,
beach mak.inq cleanup di+ficult.Under moderate
to high energy conditions, oil will be
removed naturally within months from
most of the beachface.
Ev'-posed, compacted Most oil will not adhere to or penetrate
tidal +Iat compacted tidal flzkt.CleanLtp usually riot
necessary.

6 Mixed sand and gravel Oil may undergo rapid penetration and
burial. Under moderate to low energy
conditions, oil may persist for years.

7 Gravel beaches Same as above. Cleanup should concen-
trate on high-tide swash. A so 'lid
asphalt pavement may form under heavy
oil accumulations

B Sheltered roc@--:y coasts Areas of reduced wave action. Oil may
persist for many years.Cleanup is not
recommended unless oil concentration is
very heavy.

9 Sheltered tidal flats Areas of great biologic activity and low
wave energy. Oil may persist for years.
Cleanup is not recommended unless oil ac-
cumulation is very heavy.These areas should
receive prior protection by using booms or
oil sorbent materials.

10 Mangroves Most productive of aquatic environment.Man-
groves should not be altered. Protection of
these areas by booms and sorbent materials
should receive first priority.
q
ource: Adapted from Gundbach and Hayes, Marine Technology Society Journal
2(4), 1?78, in Oil Spill Cleanup Manual Vol.II, Exxon Corporation.

C?3

CLAr-33SIFICATION OF RES'OUi-%"CES PRIORITY

.PRIORITY 1: Endangered '!threatened species and critical habitat. This
category includes any species of plant or animal identified in CNMI or
Federal list5..Critical habitat is a specific term used in those
habitats that have been identified as being essential to the
reproduction or success of the species in question.

PRIORITY 2: Reproduction, nursery, and rearing areas. This category
includes breeding grounds, nursery areas, and rearing habitats for all
organisms, but particularly for marine mammals, migratory birds, and
fish species of importance. This category focuses on sensitive life
stages and important habitats such as wetlands, m angroves and cora Is.

PRIORITY 3: Fish and wildlife concentration areas. This category
includes those habitats known to have high population levels of.birds,
fish and mammals. These are areas where large numbers of animals may
be impacted.

PR I 0r-,,' I T N' 4 :Aquacultural areas. This includes private and
governmental facilities such as fish hatcheries, commercial oyster
operations, and similar facilities where the stock may be replenished
from elsewhere,

PRIORITY 5: Recreational and indUStrial areas. This category includes
other habitats and -facilities which might be affected, such as
marinas, water intakes, nonsensitive shorelines and beaches and
docking facilities.

Source: Dispersant Use Guidelines for Federal Region IX and X, in
Proceedings, 1983 Oil Spill Conference.

Concern for biological damage due to oil spills in tropicia 1 waters
should concentrate on 3 threats:

1. Oil spills an spawning grounds of shrimp and other important
species, due to the toxticity of oil to developing eggs and larvae.

2. Oil spills in nearshore nursery areas, again because -of the
relative greater vulnerability of juvenile forms to oil pollution.

3. Tainting of fish flesh and fouling of fishing gear, both of which
may cause local hardship.

9 4

Section 18
Physical
and
Environmental Setting

Physical and Environmental Setting

Saipan is about 13. miles long, averages approximately 4 miles in
width, and has a total area of 46.7 square miles. The dominant
topographic feature is an axial upland area extending through northern
three-fourths of Saipan. The northern, eastern and southern
coastlines evhibit moderate to steep slopes arid cliffs, I owlands with
a narrow barrier reef run parallel to the shore along the western
coastline.

The climate of Saipan is tropical with little variation in
temperature. Rainfall averages 831 inches a year with the heaviest
rainfall occurring from July through October. A dry season occurs
from January to April. Trade winds predominate on. Saipan. During the
rainy season, -from July to October, the wind direction and velocity
are variable.

The predominant winds are the 'trades" that blow from the east and
northeast at an average velocity of 10.5 mph. These trades are most
pronounced from January through May when the winds blow -from northeast
L o' the time.
and eas'-northeast more than T

-
rwo @-.:inds of storms contribute to the climatic character of the CNMI:
Smal I"-scale storms, cor.-Isisting cif thunderstorms and Squalls, and large
systems of tropical storms and typhoons. The CNMI is within the
breedinq Qrounds' of typhoons of the Western *Pacific. From 194? to
1969, 4C) typhoons and 30 tropical storms have passed near Saipan.
Since 1969, five major storms have caused severe damages: Typhoon Jean
in April 1960; Typhoon Pamela in May 1976; Tropical Storm Carmen in
August 1978; Typhoon - in _; and, Typhoon - in-.

Average annual temperature is 111.5 degrees F, Th is v ry littl e
ere L
flUCtUation in temperature, which normally ranges between 78 and 85
degrees F. The extreme minimium temperature of 68 degrees F was
recorded at Garapan while the extreme maximum, also recorded at the
same location, was E39 degrees F. The hottest period is usually
between the months of June and October, while the cooler period is
between the months of January and April.

Saipan has either barrier or +ringing reefs along most of its coast.
Major coastal habitats include beaches, rocky shores, mangroves,
coastal strand, limestone forest, volcanic forest, disturbed and urban
areas and offshore islets.-A barrier reef runs along nearly 90 percent
of the western shoreline, forming Sai pan Lagoon.

Saipan Lagoon extends from Agingan Point on the south to Magpi Point
on the north. The lagoon covers about 13.5 square miles and is about
2 miles wide off the Tanapag Harbor., 0.5 miles off Garapan and 0.4
miles off Chalan k.anoa. Most of the lagoon floor south of American
Memorial Park is less than 10 feet deep. North of that site, in the
main harbor area, depths are more variable and range up to 30 feet in
the ship channel, Most of the lagoon area has a sandy bottom but
scattered rubble and coral patch reefs are also present. Although

9-
Ii

mar i iie vegetation stabilizes ti-te sand in sUffie Placc-S, patterns on
aerial photographs indicate that there is extensive shifting in most
of the lagoon due to currents. There are few areas o+ extensive coral
cover within the lagoon, however, lUXUriant coral does occur along the
lagoon's outer edge.

The offshore reef protects the lagoon and shorline from ocean swells.
Inshore chop is generally light since roughly 90% of the time winds
are from the northeast.

Astronomical tides are measured at Apra'Harbor Guam, the nearest tidal
station considered applicable to the study area. Tidal data at Apra
Harbor referenced to mean lower low water were obtained from the
National Oceanic and Atmosperic Adminitration, National Ocean Survey.
Tides are characteristically diurnal.

Ref erence Fe et-

Highest tide, observed 3.31
Mean higher high water 2.4(--)
Mean high water 2 . .3-5
Mean tide level 1. 4 5
Mean sea level 1.41
Mean low water 0.6(--)
Mean lower low water
Lowest tide observed -o.89

Temperature of the waters of Saipan L agoon varies from'22 degrees C in.
the night to a high in the upper thirties. Solar heating is reported
to cause the larqe temperature variations in the shallow waters
nearshore.

Ocean current patterns around the CNMI are similar to those
experienced by, most islands in the central Pacific. The North
Equatorial Drift Current, which sweeps past the CNMI from east to west
is responsible! for much of the energy that transports water along the
coast of -Saipan. It has been theorized that the current tends to
split on the northern and ' southern corners of Saipan and pass along
the western coastline. This was partially verified in 1977 when.
drogue measurements were taken in the open coast area off Tanapag-San
Roque. Drogue measurements indicated that movement of the s'urface
current is generally parallel to the western coastline of Saipan-with
mean speeds of 25 cm/second.

Nearshore currents are influenced primarily by the tides with flood
current moving in a.westerly direction and ebb currents in an easterly
direction. It is reported that tidal currents flow northward at a rate
of 0.5 to I knot during flood tide conditions and southwesterly during
ebb tide in the Garapan area.

Current studies suggest that the Tanapag Harbor area of Saipan is an
area of convergence where water from the northern and southern parts
of the lagoon meet and flow back into the ocean through the opening in

-the barrier rc--ef

Water movement is Primarily controlled by wind speed and 'direction and
maintains a relatively consistent direction irrespective of tidal
f I UC t Uat ion. Surface drOgUes and dye patches generally moved to the
west-southwest at speed of approx i matel y 0. 115 knots and the subsurf ace
currents moved in the same direction at slower spe eds of approximately
0.04 knots.

Current structure within the laqoon is mainly influenced by the inflow
of water across the reef and its OUtward transit through passes in the
reef. Currents; are southwesterly from Tanapag Harbor while the
current in the lagoon fronting Garapan is generally northward 'except
for short.stretch.es immediately north of several small passes.

At runtan Flores,.water currents moved generally in a westerly
direction. In E-cho Bz-:iy, the mangrove swamp channel had a positive net
outflow due to -1 spring discharge in the swamp. Water movement in the
principal areas of Tanapag Harbor was more variable suggesting an
eddying effect. It has been reported that oil and flotsam tended to
drift to the west and southwest, away from the shoreline toward the
ocean, but' the data also indicated an onshore drift may occur at
certain times of tPle --Y,ear. This area of convergence is also considered
to be high in plankton., mak.ing it an important feeding area for fish
larvae.

The lagoon area fronting the Garapandrainage basin is composed of a
noncontinuous reef structure extending -from the Punton Muchot to the
small boat ramp. To the south of the small boat ramp and extending
beyond the southern boundary of the Garapan drainage basin is a
continUOUs reef structure.

General circulator-i pattern 'is an offshore transport from the lagoon
fronting the area between the Hyatt Hotel and the small boat ramp.
The offshre water transport takes place primarily through the openings
in the shallow coral reefs, in conformance wi th hydraulic principles.

The direction of the current is virtually independent of the tidal
range, A continuous southwesterly component occurs in the lagoon ar ea
fronting the Hyatt to Hafa Adai hotel area except during flood tide
condition. During this period, the transport component was found to
be nearly parallel to the shoreline. Only after moving southward
toward the Hafa Adai Hotel-will the flow component divert to the
offshore direction. One study reported the current speed at Garapan
dock area as moving northerly from 0.5 knots to 2 knots depending upon
the tide,

Water in the lagoon -immediately south of the small boat ramps moves
north and exit'the lagoon through the opening of the channel of the
small boat ramp. The. reason for this is the continuous reef extending@
beyond the southern boundary of the Garapan drainage basin impedes the
offshore water transport.

The general cirulation pattern of the lagoon area fronting
Susupe/Chalan is depicted on Map __. The major factor
influencing the Current pattern in this area is the reef opening of
the Sugar Dock Channel and shoal.

Water within this area. converge toward the reef opening-shoal area for
transport out of the lagoon area, consistent with the principle of
flow seeking the path of least hydraulic resistance.

Water to the south of the reef opening flows northward. Since the
shoal presents an obstruction to the flow, water is diverted offshore.
The reef seaward of the shoal is noticeably eroded probably due to the
relatively high velocities of the converging flow stream seeking
outlet to the sea. The eroded reef area has a concave shape with an
opening of 300 feet and a depth of 2OO feet.

Water north of the reef opening flows southward toward the reef
opening of the Sugar Dock. channel. Because of the relatively narrow
opening of the reef and the converging flow from both north and south,
the velocities through the reef are higher (35 cm/sec) as compared to
the velocities found in the lagoon (16 cm/sec).

It is noted that circulation pattern is independent of tidal cycle
(flow is in the same direction at a specific location during both ebb
and flood tide). There is a continuous offshore transport component in
the reef opening and near the shoal.. This implies that transport of
water into the lagoon is primarily over the reef with the outflow
primarily through openings in the reef.

The wave characteristics affecting the western coastline of Saipan are
shown below. The majority of waves are generated from easterly
tradewinds. The deepwater wind waves are generally 276 feet in height
with periods of 6-12 seconds.

Beaches of Saipan Lagoon consist mainly of loose lime-sand. These sands
are classified medium to coarse-grained and well sorted to very well
sorted. Lagoon sediments are derived from several sources: (1) those
Of calcium carbonate compositon from the organic reef (2)
approximately 1100 to 1600 tons of calcareous detrites per square mile
is attributable to the excrement of fishes. Most of Saipan Lagoon has
a sandy bottom interspersed with small rubble and coral patches.

Marine Resources

A Survey fish resources of Saipan Lagoon was completed by Amesbury
et al which identified 24 fish habitats and 249 fish species in Saipan
Lagoon. Twenty-two species of fish were identified as economically
valuabe. The mangrove area. near Charlie Dock and. a coral thicket
offshore from Garapan Dock were recommended for preservation due to
their uniqueness, diverse fish community and limited areal extent.
The mangrove habitat contained the highest density of mullets and
leiognathids. The coral thicket had the highest density of large
squirrelfish and other valuable fish and a high diversity of fish
species. Eleven other habitats in various mid-lagoon and barrer reef
locations were also found to have a high diversity of fish species.

An Enhalus acoroides seagrass habitat can be found at Tanapag Harbor
and Garapan Dock sites. While the seagrass habitat was not specified
as a unique habitat, the survey indicated that rabbitfish were found
to be the most abundant food fish present, and goatfish and snappers
werre found to be relatively abundant. Because of the high density of
economically valuable fish found in the seagrass habitat, the habitat,
along with 20 Others were recommended for preservation.

Fish and larvae surveys in the lagoon found the highest concentration
of fish eggs associated with the Halodule uninervis seagrass beds at
Chalan Kanoa and the highest concentration of fish larvae associated
with the mangrove community ner Charlie Doc. Fish eggs and larvae
were widely distributed throughout the lagoon and formed a major
component of zooplankton sampled. The mean density of fish eggs
collected in Saipan Lagoon was 14.3 individuals per cubic meter. The
highest densities were obtained in the Halodule seagrass bed. The
maximum number of fish larval forms collected was 3.1 individuals per
cubic meter in the mangrove channel. The inner Tanapag Harbor had the
highest concentration of zooplankton.

The abundance of zooplankton as a whole appears relatively low,
however, the concentration of fish eggs and larvae is particularly
pronounced. Habitats of richly developed seagrass beds primarily
composed of Halodule uninervis seem to be exceptionally productive
areas in terms of the production of fish eggs.

The irregular and slow water rate and the generaly eddying effect of
the waters of 'the inner harbor area make the area an especially likely
area for the accumulation of nutients and the possible development of
an enriched plankton community. After exhausting the food reserves of

its egg sac, it would be adadvantageous for a larval fish to be in an
area of enriched food supply to support its rapid development and
growth. With egg production occuring in the north and south
extensions of the lagoon and with allowance for the time lag in larval
development during transit to the harbor area, the hatched larvae
would then be in the richest area of food production within the
lagoon, i.e., the mangrove channel and the inner harbor areas.

The results of the zooplankton analysis made by Amesbury suggest that
the protection of the rich Halodule beds, the mangrove channel and the
adjacent areas are integral to the maintenance and development of a
viable fishery in Saipan Lagoon.

Habitats richest in fish species were those associated with the
barrier reef, coral rich habitats near Island, and the rich
growth of Acropora near Garapan dock.

Seagrass beds between Puntan Flores and Tanapag village have been
estimated to cover 100 acres. It has been reported that it is believed
that the seagrass beds formed 3 zones an algal mat Enhalus acoroides
and Halodule-Halophila. The algal mat extended 100-200 feet seaward
from the shoreline. The zone was characterized by warm waters, fine
sands and silt and anaerobic muds. the Enhalus zone was about 300
feet wide and seaward of the algal mat zone. Waters were generally
turbid, but the seagrass covered about 90% of the substrate. The
Halodule-Halphila zone was about 1000 feet from shore in clear waters
near the lagoon slope growing on coralline-algal rubble. Corals and
fishes increased in abundance in this zone.

The shallow nearshore habitat supports marine vascular plants
Halophila ovalis and Zostera nana in lesser abundance with the algae
Halimeda, Caulerpa, padina, Hydroclathrus and Turbinaria. The
characteristic invertebrate life in these meadows include nereid,
spinoid, and terebellid worms, and holothurians (sea cucumbers). The
black cucumber Holothuria atra is by far the most abundant holothurian
within this habitat. The blue starfish Linckia laevigata, the bun
urchin Tripneustes gratilla and the snakelike synaptid Opheodesoma
are other echinoderms which are well represented in this habitat.

Corals of the -southern end of the barrier reef are abundant on the
wave-washed seaward margin, becoming scattered and patchy on outer,
shallow part of platforms; more abundant and diverse on inner deeper
parts of the platform, particularly where it grades into lagoon moat.

Corals of the northern end of Saipan Lagoon are absent to widely
scattered along the inner part of the moat, becoming scattered to
patchy along the middle part of the moat, and more abundant at outer
parts, particulary where it grades into the barrier reef. There are
diverse and abundant corals on surface and sides of patch reefs at the
northern end.

Corals of the northern end of the barrier reef are abundant on
wave-washed, seaward margins, becoming patchy and scattered an outer,

l00

shallower parts of the platform, more abundant and diverse on deeper
parts of the platform where it grades into the lagoon. Coral's, are
particularly, abundant and diverse along deeper platforms and on patch
reefs southwest of Managaha Island.

Corals of the northern end of the lagoon are absent to widely
scattered along inner parts of the lagoon north of Puntan Flores,
locally common to absent in disturbed areas between Puntqan Flores and
Puntan Muchot, becoming scattered to patchy in deeper parts of the
lagoon, and more abundant at outer parts where it grades into the
barrier reef and fringing reef of Managaha Island. Corals are diverse
and abundant on coral mounds and most patch reefs; abundant on
fringing reef-flat platform to the north.

Beaches generally contain fragments of coral, calcareous red algae,
Mollusks, Halimeda (an articulated calcareous green alga),echinoids,
foraminifers, and small amounts of hard parts from marine organisms.
The percent of composition varies greatly from place to place,
depending for a large part upon the type of marine communities which
occupy the adjacent reef and bench platforms or shallow offshore
slopes. Small amounts of organic debris are also found intermixed with
beach deposits, particularly along the intertidal portion of the
foreshore slope where tides and waves carry algae and other plant
remains up onto the beach. Storm tides and waves may periodically
carry similar organic materials into the backshore beach deposits as
well.

Beaches support only a marginal diversity of marine animals. Large
numbers of ghost crabs Ocypode burrow in clean deep sands. Few small
box crabs Calappa are occasionally found at the water's edge where
they remain partially buried with sand. Numerous hermit crabs and
amphipods inhabit the swash zone.

A great number of sea and migratory birds are also known from Saipan.
These include 14 seabirds (albatrosses, Shearwaters and Petrels, Storm
Petrels, Tropicbirds and Frigatebirds), 20 shorebirds (Plovers,
Sandpipers and snipes),
and 10 species of Gulls and Terns.

Shoreline vegetation can be classified as coastal strand which include
creeping vines, low shrubs, and grasses. Important plants in this
group include casuarina, wild hibiscus, beach morning glory,
breadfruit and a variety of grasses. In some locations Formosan Koa
and Kamachile are found.

One Federally listed threatened species is reported in Saipan Lagoon,
the green sea turtle chelonia mydas. No breeding sites are known to
occur in the lagoon. There are no marine mammals.

Recreation

Garapan Dock provides a pole fishing site. Trailered boats headed for
offshore trolling and bottom fishing grounds are launched from the

101

Garapan, Sugar Dock, American Memorial Park and Seaplane boat launch
ramps. Pole fishing, spear fishing and cast net fishing commonly
occur in the lagoon, along the shoreline and reef edge. The Acropora
formosa coral thicket in the lagoon offshore from Garapan attracts
fishermen and skin diving sightseers because of the diversity of fish
fauna and relatively safe swimming waters. A surfing site is located
on the south side of the entrance channel at the edge of the barrier
reef. The entire coastline of Saipan Lagoon may be considered as a
public beach.

Numerous small sailboats, windsurfers and jetskis may be found near
all the hotel areas. Equipment rental concessions may also be found.

Wet berthing sites are located at American Memorial Park, Charlie Dock
and Delta Docks and offshore annchorages in Tanpag Harbor. There are
no commercial marinas. Tourist oriented boats such as glass bottom
boats and charter cruisers, pleasure boats such as sail boats and
cabin-cruisers mostly utilize these sites.

No historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
are found in Saipan Lagoon. The remains of a 1920's era Japanese
Lighthouse guarding the entrance to Garapan Dock are found on the
barrier reef and appears likely to be eligible for inclusion to the
National Register. Garapan Dock, Sugar Dock and the seaplane ramps
were constructed by the Japanese and may have historic value, although
they were not listed by the CNMI Historic Preservation Officer.

Managaha Island, and Invasion Beach sites are in the process of becoming
nominated for the National Register. The entire Saipan Lagoon is proposed
for listing the CNMI Register of Historic Places.

The Beaches fronting and adjacent to the Hyatt, Inter-Continental,
Hafa Adai and Royal Taga Hotels are important economic resources.
Managaha Beach may also be considered an important economic resource.

The Coastal Resources Management Program has designated the shorelines
of Saipan, Tinian and Rota as an Area of Particular Concern, except for
the port areas of each island which are separately designated as a Port
and Industrial Area of Particular Concern. All reef enclosed waters of
Saipan, Tinian and Rota are designated as a Lagoon and Reef Area of
Particular Concern. This APC includes Saipan's Managaha Island, Bird Island
and Forbidden Island, and Anjota Island of Rota. The Mangrove area near
Charlie Dock is designated as a Wetland Area of Particular Concern. Tinian's
Goat Island and Naftan Rock are protected by the CNIII Division of Fish and
Wildlife due to the islands' significance as a a major bird rookery for the
southern Marianas.

There are no industrial activities occurring in CNMI waters. There are two
point source discharges of treated sewage at Tanapag Harbor and Angingan
Point. There is one intake point at Hafa Adai Hotel.

Saipan Harbor is the central commercial port of entry for Saipan and the
rest of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It is

situated at the northwest side of Saipan at 115 degrees 14' north and
145 degrees 4-3' east longitude.

Saiptan Harbor consists of an outer anchorage area, Garapan anchorage
and the Puetta... T,-:,n-zkpag Harbor Basin, The entrance c"annel is about
300 feet wide, 1500 feet long, and has a least depth of -29 -feet tILLW.

The shore of the harbor is fringed by shallow flats composed of sand,
Coral rubble, and live coral bottoms which end abruptly in a steep
dredge face. The barrier reef protects the harbor to the west
enclosing the hectare laqoon.

The outer anchorage affords shelter during prevailing easterly winds,
but none during infrequent westerly storms. This -anchorage, which
lies from 3-5 imiles offshore, is suitable only for temporary anchorage
for large vessels.

The inner anchorage, which includes Garapan Anchorage, contains
numerous berths in depths ranging from 15C..' feet to over 180 feet,
holding ground fair to good, with coarse coral sands. This anchorage
lies from- 1-2' miles offshore.

Range Light Bay is a small bay about 1---e feet deep formed between the
seaplane ramps on the north and Echo Dock on the south, The bay
sediments are coral rubble and sand.

Echo Dock is a small point of land about loom southwest of the
seaplane ramps. Although it is no longer used as a dock, remains of
wood pilings and a concrete seawall can be seen. It is adjacent to
the Mangrove area.

Echo Bay lies between Echo Dock on the north and Delta Dock to the
South. An abondoned concrete pipeline runs from the shore to the edge
of the dredged area. near the southern end of the bay, 1, mangrove lined
stream empties into the harbor at-the southern end of the bay. An oil
pipeline transporting RFO crosses the stream at the mouth of the
stream.

Delta Dock is a small point just north of Charlie Doctr..It is used
primarily for small fishing boats, a ferry service and government
small craft.

Charlie Dock is the central commercial port for the island. It is L
shaped and has about 530' feet of berthing space along its north side,
Berths, with depths of 25 feet to 20 feet are available along the
north and west sides of the pier. Depths of E3 feet are found alongside
the South side of the pier. Mobil Oil Micronesia Inc. tankers ofiload
various petroleum products from the western face of Charlie Dock.

Charlie Bay is a semi-enclosed area of about 6 acres between Charlie
Dock. and Baker Docks. Approximately 1/2 of the bay is sheltered from
wave action by Charlie Dock. The unprotected southwestern half

I o.-.T

receives heavy t-Urbulence due to the direct impingement of waves from
seaw8rd and the reflection of waves from the northwestern side of
Baker Dock. Tlrie complementary e_rFfect of these two sources seems to
double some wave heiqhts in this area.

Bak.er Doc[.-.- is located southwest of Charlie Dock and Charlie Bay.* It
consists of coral fill bounded primarily by iron pilings.
Approximately 4-6 feet from the dock the bottom has been dredged to
20-30 feet, creating a steep coral rubble slope. The northern side is
used weekly to offload Bunk.er C grade petroleum supplied by GORCO of
Guam and barged to Saipan by Saipan Shipping Corporation (SaiShip) for
use in the Saipan Power Plant,

Baker Bay is an area of about 4.2 acres between Bak.er Doc[-.: and Able
Dock. The bottom has been dredged near the two docks and consists
primarily of fine sand and silt with occasional roc[-.:s and metal
debris.

Able Doct-.- li,es southwest of Dak@er Dock- and formerly had a concrete
r
Tacing descending vertically to the coral rubble bott-om. Most of tile
dock -Facing northwest toward the harbor has subsided. The area is now
characterized by concrete slabs ax-r-ayed in various -A14-Atudes in a 2one
extending from above high water to About 6 -feet below MLLW. Beyond
the concrete is a sloping terrace of boulders, metal debris and coral
rubble. The terrace ends in a steep dredge face.

Iron Pilings lie in 11 parallel rows of 57 pil ings each, immediately
southwest of Able Dock. These pilings formerly Supported a wharf
which was part of Able Dock:. They are steel I-beams standing
vertically in water about 15 feet deep. The pilings support a good
growth of corals and algae. Water depth off the old wharf is
estimated to be t( feet.

Dump Bay is a small bay south and behind the iron pilings. The shore
in this area is currently being used as the Saipan's only dump.

Unai Sadog Tase is a large shallow bay of about 50 acres with a depth
of 3-6 feet located west and southwest of the iron pilings and the
dump. The shore along this bay is fine silt and clay covered with a
blue-green algae. Approximately 20-30 feet from the high-tide line the
bottom becomes sandier and is dominated by the seagrass Enhalus
acoroides which forms a band about 45 0 feet wide,

American Memorial Park is-located between Micro Beach and the Saipan'
Harbor area. Two dredged areas exist. One includes a channel which is
used extensively by tour boat operators. The site also serves as a*
mooring area for pleasure craft. The other basin is a small harbor
under construction at the time of the invasion of Saipan. Erosion of
coral fill areas where sheet piling and wooden retaining walls have
deteriorat-ed resulted in excessive turbidity. The dredged channel
contained the highest density of juvenile jac1-,:s in Saipan Lagoon

Garapan Dock is located directly adjacent to the community of Garapan.

104

It is Situated on the west coast of Saipan a 15 degrees 12" north
1-attitude -an 1,45 degrees 42" east longitude. Garapan Dock.- consists of
a 495 foot concrete pier, several wooden piles, wreck-:s, a formerly
dredQed entrance channel and dock:ing area. The dock: is surrounded by a
OIC-) feet wide, B-127' foot deep dredged area. Dredging has also occurred
along the shoreline for a distance of about 450 feet north and south
of the dock:. The area is presently used as a trailering and launch
area for fishing boats and for embarl.,ing and di sent bark-A ng tour boat
passengers.

Chalan F.'anoa Sugar Dock-. is located in the Chalan Kanoa-Susupe
communities, The dock- is a concrete pier approximately 2.75 feet long.
A Culvert beneath the dock: allows the passage of strong currents that
are evident in the offshore waters. Water depths at the culverts
varies from 0.3-3 feet depending on the tide.A launching ramp is
available for trailer boats. The existing channel is shallow, being
partially filled by sand which prevents entry and exits for most
vessels during low tide. Sugar Dock- is the site of extensive fishing
and boating activity. Spear fishing also OCCUrS along the edges of the
dredged area and cast net fishermen stalk: mullet along the beach.

T inia`-1

Tinian is a low relatively -flat island in the southern Marianas, 3-
.miles southwest of Saipan. Tinian is 12.6 miles long (north-south)f
6.1. miles wide with an area of 4'22 square miles. The island of Aguijan,
about 5 miles southwest of Tinian's southern tip, is part of the
Tinian Municipality.

-Fhe Tinian shoreline is for-fried predominantly by sea cliffs 20-100 feet
high, although same cliffs reach nearly 500 feet along the southeast
coast, There are few well developed beaches, most near Tinian Harbor
and San Jose Villaqe.

Climate, weather, winds, waves, tides and sea current conditions are
quite similar to those found on Saipan.

Tinian Harbor is located at 14 degrees 58' nort'h latitude and 147
degrees 37' east longitude. It consists of a basin formed between the
mainland and an offshore reef on which a break-water has been
constructed. The harbor has a length of over one-half mile and a
width of one-eigth to nearly one-fourth mile. The harbor depth ranges
from 3 to 30 feet. A boat launching area is*lbcated near the juncture
of the shoreline with the breakwater.

Shores adjacent to the harbor are cliffs and rocky slopes and, in some
places, the shoreline is bordered by reefs.. San Jose Village is
located short distance northeast of the harbor.

Fringing reefs have a width to 540 feet, relatively flat along the
outer parts, mostly submerged during low tide. Corals are widely
scattered along the inner part, restricted mostly to holes and
depressions, locally abundant along the outer fringe.

105

Barrier and Lagoon fringing reef-flat platforms have a width to 300 feet along unaltered
platforms. The outer 3/4 of the barrier reef platform and enclosed lagoon have been
altered by dredging, filling, and construction of breakwater and harbor facilities.
Corals are scattered, locally abundant along lagoon and seaward margins.

The Harbor area of the lagoon enclosed by the breakwater has been altered by dredging,
filling and construction. Corals are widely scattered to 1ocally abundant on some
knobs and mounds. Seagrass patches are widely scattered at shore.

An oval patch reef with a length of 900 feet and a width of 540 feet exists south of the
harbor area. It has a substrate of irregular reef rock, with some local patches of sand,
gravel, and coral algal rubble. Corals are abundant and diverse on platforms and slopes.

A beach is located east of the docks approximately 660 feet 1ong with a width of about
60 feet. It is composed of bioclastic materials from gravel size to coral-algal rubble.

The rocky shoreline is chacterized as a low, pitted, and pinnacled with few pockets of
bioclastic beach deposits, composed mostly of gravel and rubble. Rock is Marianas Limestone.

The shoreline along dock, piers, and breakwater and areas between breakwater and dock
have been artificially filled.

Ocean fauna is abundant and includes tuna, bonita, barracuda, sharks, sea bass, eels,
flying fish, octopus, many kinds of crustaceans and porpoises. Reef species reported
include sturgeons, butterfly fishes, wrasse, parrot fishes, damsels and qoat fishes
as well as eleven other fish families. The foraminifera Calcerina spengler and several
forms of coral are found in the reef flat zones of nearby beaches. The reef margin
zones have little or no coral, though the reef front zones of the beaches, in areas
away from wave assault, show a decided increase in coral colonies. The coral found in
the Submarine terrace zone of the beaches is not as dense as the reef fronts, but does
grow in scattered mounds and raised areas. Certain macroinvertebrates observed in the
areas were sea cucumbers, sea urchins and a few gastropods along with a member of the
family mollusca pelecypoda. The beach areas are abundantly endowed with hermit crabs.

Rota

The island of Rota is located approximately half-way between Guam and Aguijan Island
just south of Tinian. Rota is approximately 40 miles from Guam and 50 miles from Tinian.

The irregularly shaped island has approximately 32 square miles of land and is
approximately 11 miles long, northeast to southwest, and 4 miles wide.

106

The predominant winds on Rota are the easterly t-radewinds which occur
over 7C_) percent of the time. The:trades are strongest and most
constant between November to June, when windspeeds of 15-225 mph are
common" During the typhoon season, from July through October, the
tradewinds are often absent and wind direction and velocity are
var i ab I e.

Strong tidal currents and wave setup induced Currents on the shallow
reef flat dominate the current patterns in the West Harbor area. The
flow patterns on the reef flat are dictated by the natural or manmade
depressions and breaks in the reef flat. In the harbor area, the
currents both northeast and southeast of the existing channel set
toward the harbor and then exit through the deeper channel as a. rip
current, Current speeds in excess of several knots have been observed
on the reef f 1 at adjacent to the harbor and a Z knot current out of
the channel is estimated to be typical during the ebbing tide.- The
current Vel0CitieS are accelerated during periods of high waves.
Currents setting seaward in the entrance channel in excess of 10 knots
have been reported.

Based on physical measurements, the water quality of Rota is oceanic,
in character and of good quality. Water temperatures are uniform
ranging from 81-83F degrees. Water salinity averaged'34 parts per
thousand, similar to ocean waters. -Lower water temperatures and
s-alinity Values suggest a. discharge of groundwater onto the reef flat.
Dissolved oxygen v.2klLtes ranged from 7-9 ppm with -an overall mean of 8
ppm, indicating satura@ed or supersaturated conditons. Water turbi*dity
values were below I Jack.son Turbidity Unit indicating relatively clear
waters on the reef f lat.

West Harbor is located on a 1,200 foot wide and 0-2 foot deep fringing
reef on the west side of Tapingot Peninsula at approximately 14
degrees 52 north lattitude and 145 dearees 5' east longitude.

The shall ow reef f lat provides natural protect ion from wave energy by
causing larger waves to break on the reef face and then -further
dissipating wave energy by bottom friction as the incoming wave
propogates across the reef. Aniota Island located on the reef affords
further protection.

There are two beaches to the east of West Harbor. One is approximately
1700 f eet 1 ong and about 15-60 f eet wi de. The second beach i s about
1050 feet long with a width of 15-30 feet. They are composed of
bioclastic materials of sand and gravel size intermixed with
coral-algal rubble and some scattered boulders. A third beach
intermixed with rocky shoreline extends about 750 feet. along the north
and south of Taipingot Peninsula. Beach deposits are bioclastic,
mostly coral-algal rubble intermixed with some sand and gravel.

Rocky shorelines are characterized as steep slope and cliffs
buttressed with boulders and blocks at places along the north and
south sides of the pen.insula.

1o7

Anjota Island is a low lying pitted and pinnacled limestone island irregularly
surrounded by blocks and boulders with intermittent patches of rubble and sand.
Part of its shore has been altered by the construction of a breakwater.

The reefs east and west of West Dock contain the most diverse and luxuriant reef-flat
community on Rota. East of West Dock the community is distributed across the entire
platform. Except for a few scattered colonies in holes and depressions, corals are
mostly absent along the southern platform. A narrow band of seagrgrasses. Enhales
acroides may be found along the shore between West Dock and Anjota Island. A dense
mat of edible algae Caulpera racemosa is reported at the site of the old Anjota Island
causeway.

Dominant coastal strand vegetation consists of blinding tree Excoecaria algalocha,
hunig Messerschmidia sp., nanaso Scaevola sp. and heliotrope Heliotropium anomalum.
Nigas Pemphis acidula, a salt tolerant shrub is common on exposed limestone rock
along the shore and around Anjota Island.

A total of 30 resident and non-resident birds have been reported on Rota in the last
40 years. The total includes 11 migratory shorebirds which use the Japanese-Mariana
Flyway and which are regular visitors to the Marianas. Six of the migratory birds
are thought to breed in the Marianas. Migratory shorebirds known to have visited
Rota incude the golden plover Pluvialis dominica, the wandering tattler Heteroscelus
incanus, the gray-tailed tattler Heteroscelus brevipes, and the ruddy turnstone
Arenaria interpres. The seaward cliffs of Taipingot Mountain provide a nesting and
roosting place for the Audubon's shearwater Puffinus inherminieri, the brown booby
Sula leucoqaster, the Common noddy Anous stolidus, and the white tern Gygis alba.
Other birds found in the vicinity of West Harbor include the reef heron Demigretta
sacra and the white-collared kingfisher Halcyon chloris. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service believes that the white-tailed tropic bird Phaethon 1epturus, the red-footed
booby Sula sula, and the brown noddy Anous stolidus also breed on Rota.

East Harbor is adjacent to Songsong Village an Sosanjaya Bay on the southwest coast
at approximately 14 degrees 5' north latitude and 145 degrees 5' east longitude.
The harbor is used primarily for small craft. It has a harbor area of approximately
27,000 square feet. The reef is approximately 300 feet wide, which is much narrower
than at West Harbor, and 1-2 feet deeper, thus providing less natural wave protection.

There are two existing concrete docks at East Harbor, however, these were severely
damaged by Typhoon Pamela in 1976. An offshore mooring and pipeline are currently
used to offload diesel fuel and gasoline from Mobil Oil Micronesia Inc. tankers.

Park and recreational needs for island residents are organized around beach areas
and historic sites. Beach areas designated for protection by the Rota Physical
Development Master Plan include Mochon Area

l08

Genera1 Park, Agusan Beach Park, Tatachog Beach Park, Taipingot General Park,
East Coast Nature Preserve and Wilderness Area.

Fishing activities include reef foraging for shellfish and octupus, spearing,
net casting for small schooling fish, trapping and pole fishinq over the reef
during calm seas. Trolling and bottom fishing also occur from boat launch
locations at East and West Harbors.

109

:=3, C-- f-- C:j r-I

FR :i 1-::

The risks of a major oil spill occuring near the shores of the CNMI under present
conditions are few due to the relatively light ship traffic. The risk of open ocean
spills may be somewhat higher due to the higher numbers of ship traffic found in the
roads existing to the west of the CNMI which carry traffic between Australia/New Zealand
and Japan/Korea/Taiwan. Little or no sea traffic is found to the east of the CNMI,
therefore the risk of spill occuring is small. Probably the highest risk is associated
with minor spills incidental to normal shipping and bunkering operations.

Wind conditions protect the CNMI from exposure to oil spills which may occur along the
north-south ship roads 70-90% of the year. Such wind conditions however, place the CNMI
directly in the path of oil which may be spilled to the east, however, the risk is low.
During the period from July to October the wind speed and direction is variable. During
this period, oil spilled to the west of the CNMI may present a higher risk.

Small spills near the shoreline would generally be sheltered by the islands from prevailing
winds. Water currents would then play an increased role in oil movement. In Saipan Lagoon,
water moves from the north and the south toward Tanapag Harbor where it converges with a
mild edding effect, and exits through breaks in the reef with the major break located at
the shipping channel.

The coastal sites with the highest risk of oil spill occur for each
island is the location where oil is transferred from ships to share
storage facilities. On Saipan, the site where the highest volume of
oil is offloaded with the greatest freqency is Baker Dock: where every
two weeks approximately 257,099 gallons of RFO is offloaded from Baker
Dock.

Another coastal site with a high risk: of oilspill occuring is Charlie
Dock where approximately 507,362 gallons of jet fuel, 289,887 gallons
of automotive diesel oil, and 464,902 gallons of gasoline every two
months. (Note: figures for separate volumes of fuel delivered to
Saipan and Tinian were not available, therefore 95% was assumed to be
delivered to Saipan based on percentage of population. Bimonthly
figures Were derived by dividing 95% of annual volume of each product
by 6.)

Other Saipan coastal locations of risk: are the Mobil Storage
facilities near Baker Dock: and the two pipelines transporting RFO
across the mangrove stream to the power plant and from Charlie Dock to
the Mobil tank farm.

Mobil Storage Facilities consist of 6 tanks: 1. 10,734 bbls; 2. 18,129
bbls;3. 1,994 bbls; 4. 21,089 bbls; 5. 5,111 bbls; 6. 10,368. The
CNMI Government storage facility for RFO has a capacity of
bbls.

110

At Tinian, all oi1 is off1oaded from the Mobi1 OiI/Taga Oil Company
pipeline facility located on the northeast dock. This site handles
approximately 26,703 gallons of jet fuel, 15,257 gallons of automotive
diesel oil., 24,469 gallons of gasoline every two months.

Tinian has two 40,000 gallon tanks for storage of diesel and two
40,000 gallon tanks for storage of gasoline. Tanks are located about
500 feet inland from Tinian Harbor.

At Rota, all bulk fuels are offloaded from an offshore mooring
facility located at East Harbor. There, approximately gallons of
Jet fuel, gallons of automotive diesel oil and gallons of
gasoline are offloaded every two months.

Section 20
Resources
at
Risk

RESOURCES AT RISK

Numerous sites in Saipan, Tinian and Rota contain important reosurces
which merit priority protection. Protection measures are identifies
elsewhere in this Plan. To the extent practicable, designated
resources should be protected first by containing discharged oil
before it can move to designated resources. If this is not possible,
oil should either be trapped or deflected by boom. If this is not
possible, or as added precaution, resources may be treated with
sorbent materials in advance of impact. If designated resources have
been fouled with oil, this guide should serve to focus the priority of
cleanup efforts.

Maps accompanying this Plan identify designated important resources
described hereunder, and locate areas for boom deployment. The OSC,
however, is responsible for determining the best methods for
protecting and cleaning up designated resources in consideration of
this Plan, available equipment and personnel, response time,wind and
current condiions and other special circumstances of the event.

Saipan

Saipan Lagoon contains many important resources which should be
protected in the event of an oil spill of any size which threaten one
or more of the resources. This Plan will designate and map the
location the resources which have been reported to have the highest
values. In order of apparent priority the following resources are
believed to be most deserving of priority protection. For an
explanation of resource value, refer to Section_______.

Resources Location- value

1. Manqrove Community Echo Day natural/economic
2. Mangrove Community Unai Sadog Tase natural/economic
Managaha Island Barrier Reef economic/recreational
4. Micro/Hotel Beaches Puntan MUchot economic/recreational
5* Acropora coral thicket Garapan Dock natural/recre ational
6. Halodule uninervis beds Chalan Kanoa natural/economic
7. zooplankton Inner Tanapag Hrbr natural/economic
S. exposed fringe/barrier
corals and reef Lagoon natural
9. Algal mats Puntan Flores-- natural/economic
Tanapag
10. Algal mats Garapan natural/economic-,"
11. Beaches Island-wide recreation/natural-
i2. Charlie Dock Tanapag Harbor economic
13" Smiley Cove American Mem.Park recreational
14. Water Intak.e Hafa Adai Hotel industrial
15. Garap4=-tn Dock Garapan recreation/economic
16. Sugar Dock- Chalan 1--:'anoa recreation/economic
17. Iron f::*ilings Dump Bay natural

Important resource areas outside of Saipan Lagoon include Unai

112

Dangkulo Agingan Beach, Unai Peo Beach, Unai Obyan Beach, Unai Laulau,
Unai Kagman, Unai Laulau Katan Beach,Unai Obyan Beach, Unai Laulau,
Hasngot Beach, Unai Talofofo Beach, Jeffries Beach, Hidden Beach, Bird
Island and Beacch and Forbidden Island.

Tinian

Resources extant near Tinian Harbor which should be protected from any
spill include:

1. Corals Outside brkwater natural
2. Taga Beach near harbor recreation/economic
3. Patch Reef 450 S of harbor natural
4. Aguijan Island/Naftan
Rock 5 mi.SW Tinian natural
5. Taga Beach 1 mi.S Harbor recreation
6. Tinian Dock/Brkwater Tinian Harbor economic
7. Breakwater Beach north of brkwater recreation

Beaches outside, the Tinian Harbor area to be protected inlclude: Unai
Tachunua Beach (east coast) Unai Chiyet (northeast coast) , Unai Babui
Beach, Unai Chulu Beach (both northwest coast), Unai Peipeinimaru
Beach (approx 1' north of breakwater).

Rota

Resources extant near Rota Harbors which should be protected include:

1. Anjota Island West Harbor natural
2. Enhales acroides West Harbor natural
Songsong Beach West Harbor recreation
4. West Harbor West Harbor economic
5. Taipingot Beach West Harbor recreation
6. Teneto Beach East Harbor recreation
7. Pona Paint Beach East Harbor recreation
8. Boat Launch Ramps East Harbor economic

Other important resource areas outside of East and West Harbors
include: North coast areas: Mochon Beach, Agusan Swimming Hole, Tagua
Beach, Guata Beach, Tateto Beach, Unylan Beach, Sonton Beach, Tatachog
Beach. South coast area: Baboa-Afa Beach and Tomag Beach.

123

Guidelines For Decision-making and Conflict Resolution

Obstacles to decision-making arise when groups and individuals
responding to a spill have differing perspectives on a problem. Many
potential problems can be resolved before a conflict throuh good
planning and frequent interaction among responding groups.

Most spill. responders have been in conflict situations and usually
have written off these problems as personality conflicts. This
simplistic answer ignores a variety of subtle interactions and
messages. if the OSC is attuned to these messages, a great many
conflicts can be resolved before they can disrupt the spill response
effort.

To understand these messages, and their underlying behavioral
motivations, the OSC's and groups involved in spill response should
think about why a particular group is represented on the response
team, what its purpose or functions are and what the individual
representing that group expects. First responders are concerned with
protecting public welfare through fire, law and order and medical
services. Mission-oriented agencies are concerned with protecting
natural resources and preventing pollution, and affected parties are
trying to minimize personal losses, obtain relief , and carry out
assined tasks. It is between the individuals representing these
groups that conflicts often occur.

It is important to recognize that each response team member also
represents a group or agency. Within that external group, the
individual functions and behaves in an environment which may be quite
different from that of the response team. Certain norms of behavior
probably exist within that group, and purpose and group goals may be
well defined. The role of the individual within that group also may
be well defined, and a certain pattern for communications,
decision-making and overall leadership established.

In addition to the norms and expected behavior established by the
group, each individual has his own personal needs that directly
influence his behavior. Some people have very strong power drives and
want to be in charge of the situation. Others are highly motivated to
accomplish tasks assigned to them, either by the team leader or
external (group or agency. Still others are motivated primarily by a
strong need to socialize and interact with other team members.

In one way or another, all are driven by a need for status- they have
to know where they fit in, and many want to be as high on the ladder
as possible. Finally, most individuals involved in a response effort
usually have to report their success, or lack therof, to another
person, usually their boss. For a variety of reasons most people want
to do their job well, and a successfully completed job carries with it
all manner of rewards. This need to do a good job strongly motivates
most of the response team members.

Face-to-face interaction during the planning process can define

114

Section 21
Guidelines
for
Decision-making

clearly a purpose and the goals of the response team, thus minimizing
behavioral conflicts. Objectives to be achieved can be agreed upon,
and the broader organizational responsibilities of participating
agencies can be addressed. Second, the roles to be played by each team
member arid represented agency can be identified. Role conflicts can
be resolved and ambiguities addressed.

Third, the mechanisms for decision-making also can be discussed at
such a meeting. They include: decision by default (lack of a group
response); unilateral decision (authority rule); majority vote;
consensus; or unanimity. Fourth, alternatives for resolving conflicts
can be agreed on, such as: ignore it, smooth over it; allow,one person
to force a decision, create a compromise, or confront all the
realities of the conflict (fact and feelings), and attempt to develop
an innovative solution.

Fifth, means and patterns of communication can be resolved. This
would include not only establishing radio frequencies and other
electronic means of communicating, but also establishing patterns of
information flow Among group members. Finally, leadership roles and
hierarchies can be established. Although an OSC may be in charge of an
operation, a variety of other leadership roles Under him need to be
filled if a. response effort is to be successful.

Interaction among team members can take the form of both periodically
scheduled meetings and planned drills and exercises. Such
interaction, quite subtly, will establish the status of each member,
including leadership roles, and it will become apparent who can be
relied on to carry out assigned responsibilities. The job of each
team member will be better understood by all, and underwritten norms for
the response team will evolve.

Conflicts can be anticipated and minimized. If causes of such
conflicts are sorted into two lists labeled 'substantive issues' and
organizational factors, a simple tool for understanding and
forestalling potential conflict situations can result. The
substantive issues are real and can be resolved through the
conscientious involvement of all affected groups in the planning
process. Organizational factors also are real and can best be dealt
with by just getting to know one another better through frequent
communication and joint training exercises, where one learns what to
expect from the other person under a variety-of situations.

If this interaction fails to occur before an actual oil spill
incident, an OSC can expect much of his time will be taken up in
resolving conflicts under less than ideal conditions and under the.
vigilant eyes of CNMI and federal agencies, the news media, and others
affected by the spill.

Section 22
References

References- Used in Preparation of CNMI Contingency Plan

Peter H. Freeman, Coastal Zone Pollution y Oil and Other
Contaminants: Guidelines for Policy. Assessment and Monitoring in
Tropical Regions; Based upon a case study in Indonesia in 1973; Office
of International and Environmental Programs, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, DC, 1974.

Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Oil Spills Prevention and
Control of Oil Pollution in the Marine Environmental Report from the
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and
Conservation, September 1978.

EPA, API, USCG, Proceedings 1983 Oil Spill Conference; Prevention,
Behavior, Control Cleanup, February 28-March 3, 1983.

Willard F. Smith, Planning, Equipment, Training for Oil Pollution
Control Slickbar, Inc. , November, 1975.

Measures to Combat Oil Pollution, The Improvement of Oil Spill
Response within the European Economic Community; A report prepaired by
The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited for the
Environment and Consumer Protection Service of the Commission of the
European Communities; date unknown, circa 1982.

USCG, Coast Guard Marine Safety 0ffice, Guam, Pollution Contingency
Plan; December 1981.

USCG, EPA, Region IX Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency
Plan December 1982.

Final Detailed Project Report and Environmental Statement, Saipan
Small Boat Harbor. Saipan, Northern Marianas, March 1981.

Army Corps of Engineers, Susupe-Chalan Kanoa Saipan Mariana Islands
Flood Control Study Detailed Project Report and Environmental
Statement; Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District; June 198O.

Army Corps of Engineers, Final Detailed Project Report and
Environmental Statement, Rota Harbor Project Rota, Mariana Islands,
Navigation Improvements; Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District;
March 1980.

Army Corps of Engineers, Preliminary Port and Harbor Study of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Prepared for the United
States Department of Interior by the Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu
District, May 1981.

Steven S. Amesbury, et al, A Survey of Fish Resources of Saipan
Lagoon University of Guam Marine Laboratory Technical Report #52,
March 1979.

L.G. Eldredge, R.H. Randall Atlas of the Reefs and Beaches of Saipan
Tinian and Rota, University of Guam Marine Laboratory, 1980.

Issues Related to the Construction of a Major oil Transshipment
Facility in the Northern Mariana Islands Draft Report: Coastal
Resources Management Office, Coastal Energy Impact Program, Planning
and Budget Affairs, Office of the Governor, March 1981.

Orville T. Magoon, Editor, Coastal Zone 83 Volume II; Proceedings of
the Third Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management. San Diego, CA,
June 1-4, 1993.

Exxon Corporation, Oil Spill Cleanup Manual, Volume II Response
Guidelines; December 1979.

US Department of Commerce
NOAA Coastal Services Center Library
223d South Hobson Avenue
Charleston, SC 29405-2413