Nisqually River

Geographic Response Plan (GRP)

Update 2014-2015

Danielle ButsickResources at Risk Planner, Dept. of Ecology Spills

Overview:

• What are GRPs?

What kind of information is included?

• How does the update process work?

Where are we now?

• What are our challenges in updating the Nisqually River GRP?

• How can you help?

What are GRPs?

What are GRPs?• Annexes to the Northwest Area Contingency Plan (NWACP)

• Collection of information on resources at risk, and oil spill response

strategies for a specific geographic area

• Strategies are for floating oil, and don’t address ground water or land

spill response.

Types of Information in a GRP:

• Chapter 1. Introduction

• Chapter 2. Site Description

• Chapter 3. Response Options & Considerations

• Chapter 4. Response Strategies & Priorities

• Chapter 5. Shoreline Information

• Chapter 6. Resources at Risk

Types of Information in a GRP

(Chapter 4):Area and Sector Maps-

Types of Information in a GRP

(Chapter 4)

“Two-pagers”-

Types of Information in a GRP

(Chapter 4)

Response Strategy Matrices-

Types of Information in a GRP

(Chapter 4)

Priority Tables-

How does the GRP update

process work?

How are GRPs developed in

Washington?

Input from the Public and Stakeholders

– Trustee Agencies

• development of marine GRPs by ECY & USCG

• freshwater GRPs by ECY & EPA

– Public workshops to solicit comments and site information

– Tribes

– Other interested parties –BNSF, environmental groups, etc.

Subject Matter Expertise:

WA Department of Fish and Wildlife

WA Department of Natural Resources

US Fish and Wildlife Service

US Dept. of the Interior (Tribal/Cultural Resources)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

State Historic Preservation Office

Tribal Contacts/U&A Maps

Developing new strategies:

• Collect ‘new’ information –

public workshop, stakeholder input

• Visit existing and new strategy sites

– Regional significance of resource

– Likelihood of spill impacting habitat

– Could a strategy reduce impact to sensitive resources?

– Is a strategy safe and practical?

Response Limitations-“Oil boom is not

a wall”

Factors that influence the effectiveness of oil containment boom:

– Type of material spilled (persistent/non-persistent)

– Currents

– Winds

– Tides

– River Speed

– Debris

Where are we now on the Nisqually

River update?

• Public Workshop held Sept. 15th

– Comment period from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15th.

• Site visits are underway

– Approximately 40% have been completed

Next Steps:

Now - December Complete Site Visits

January Finalize strategy design and input data into GRP database

February Compose narrative chapters (1, 2, 6)

March Draft for agency partner review

April Draft for public review and comment

May - June 30 Finalize and publish, including Response to Comments

Challenges to updating the

Nisqually River GRP and how

you can help

What are challenges to updating the

Nisqually River GRP?• Access issues:

– JBLM restricted sites and

private property

– Undeveloped and rugged

areas with no known road

access

– -boat access only sites

(Nisqually Refuge)

• Few collection strategies- number

one priority is to get oil off of the

water

How you can help with the Nisqually

River GRP update:

• What I need from you:

– Specific locations (GPS coordinates, address, etc.)

– Site access information (contact information, driving directions)

– Resource of concern (habitat, public recreation, etc.)

– Help with site visits- show me your sites

Contact me:

Danielle Butsick, Resources at Risk Planner

Phone– 360-407-7281

Email – dabu461@ecy.wa.gov

More information on the Nisqually River GRP update process can be found on our website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/preparedness/GRP/NisquallyRiver/NisquallyRiver.htm

Questions?