National Academies Press: OpenBook
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

RESPONDING TO

Oil Spills      

IN THE U.S. ARCTIC

MARINE ENVIRONMENT

images

Committee on Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment

Ocean Studies Board
Division of Earth and Life Studies

Polar Research Board
Division of Earth and Life Studies

Marine Board
Transportation Research Board

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
                          OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS

Washington, D.C.

www.nap.edu

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS • 500 Fifth Street, NW • Washington, DC 20001

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

Funding for this study was provided by the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, the American Petroleum Institute under grant number 2011-105958, the U.S. Coast Guard under cooperative agreement number DTMA1H11001, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management under purchase order number M11PX00116 and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement under purchase order number E12PX00061, the Marine Mammal Commission under purchase order number DC-260-79EC085782, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under contract number WC133R-11-CQ-0048, the Oil Spill Recovery Institute under grant number 12-10-02, and the National Academy of Sciences. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.

International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-29886-5
International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-29886-5
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2014942825

Cover photograph provided by Richard Glenn, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.

Additional copies of this report are available for sale from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313; Internet, http://www.nap.edu/.

Copyright 2014 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr., is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr., are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.

www.national-academies.org

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

COMMITTEE ON RESPONDING TO OIL SPILLS IN ARCTIC MARINE
ENVIRONMENTS

MARTHA R. GRABOWSKI, Chair, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, New York, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York

THOMAS COOLBAUGH, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, Fairfax, Virginia

DAVID F. DICKINS, DF Dickins Associates, LLC, La Jolla, California

RICHARD GLENN, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Barrow, Alaska

KENNETH LEE, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia

WILLIAM (LEE) MAJORS, Alaska Clean Seas, Prudhoe Bay

MARK D. MYERS, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

BRENDA L. NORCROSS, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

MARK REED, SINTEF, Norway

BRIAN SALERNO,1 BIMCO, Washington, D.C.

ROBERT SUYDAM, North Slope Borough, Barrow, Alaska

JAMES M. TIEDJE (NAS), Michigan State University, East Lansing

MARY LOUISE TIMMERMANS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

PETER WADHAMS, Cambridge University, United Kingdom

POLAR RESEARCH BOARD LIAISONS

MOLLY McCAMMON, Alaska Ocean Observing System, Anchorage

CARYN REA, ConocoPhillips, Anchorage, Alaska

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STAFF

DEBORAH GLICKSON, Senior Program Officer

LAUREN BROWN, Associate Program Officer, Polar Research Board

STACEE KARRAS, Research Associate

HEATHER CHIARELLO, Senior Program Assistant (until April 2013)

PAYTON KULINA, Program Assistant (from June 2013)

_____________

1 Resigned from the committee.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

images

Preface

Balance. This is an important word in the Arctic, an area that serves as an integrator of many of the Earth’s large-scale systems and processes, and also an area where choices made have substantial impact on the Arctic and its neighbors. Many competing forces coexist and collide in the Arctic: harsh environmental conditions, economic drivers, science and technology capabilities, logistical and infrastructure challenges, ecosystem protection needs, food security concerns, and the needs of traditional cultures and societies. Balancing the needs and requirements of these forces is part of the challenge and opportunity presented in the complex, large-scale system that is the Arctic.

Within this context, the National Research Council was asked by eight sponsors who represent many of these drivers to consider the adequacy and sufficiency of resources, technology, research, human resources, funding, and logistics to respond to an Arctic oil spill. The committee sought to balance in its work traditional and scientific knowledge of the Arctic and of oil spill response operations, engineering, technology, policies, procedures, and equipment. It considered the needs and concerns of the committee’s sponsors; government, public, private, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations; citizens and organizations with Arctic interests; and the needs and interests of Arctic inhabitants. The committee also considered lessons learned from events and case studies from oil spill response efforts around the world.

The committee’s work was enhanced by the participation and input provided by a number of individuals, organizations, and groups, many of whom are listed elsewhere in this report. The committee solicited input from workshop participants, speakers, and experts across the spectrum of traditional knowledge, science, engineering, vessel and oil spill operations, and regulatory and government affairs. The committee’s work was also enhanced by the insight, experience, and collegiality of its globally distributed members, as it followed the tenets of an earlier National Research Council (1996) report, to “get the science right and get the right science; to get the participation right and get the right participation; and to develop an inclusive and thoughtful analytic-deliberative process.” The result is a report that considers the adequacy of and needs for oil spill response in the U.S. Arctic, drawing on the wisdom and expertise of many in and of the Arctic, and that considers significant challenges in an important ecosystem.

It was my privilege to work with our committee; our project sponsors; our study director,

Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

Deb Glickson; Polar Research Board Associate Program Officer Lauren Brown; Ocean Studies Board Director Susan Roberts; Marine Board Directors Joedy Cambridge and Scott Brotemarkle; and the rest of the National Academies staff during the course of this study. Thank you all for sharing your wisdom and insight. May we meet again in future endeavors.

M. Grabowski, Chair
Committee on Responding to Oil Spills in the
U.S. Arctic Marine Environment

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

images

Acknowledgments

This report was greatly enhanced by the participants of meetings held as part of this study. The committee would like to acknowledge those who gave presentations at committee meetings: Bill Adams (Remote Energy Security Technologies Collaborative [RESTCo]), Doug Baird (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]), Geoff Baker (Crowley Maritime Corporation), Mary Baker (NOAA), Lawson Brigham (University of Alaska, Fairbanks [UAF]), Christy Bohl (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement), Gene Brooks (Maersk Line, Ltd.), Harry Brower, Jr. (North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management), Larry Dietrick (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation), Hajo Eicken (UAF), Michael Faust (ConocoPhillips), Jeffrey Ferguson (NOAA), Adrian Gall (ABR, Inc.), Larry Hinzman (UAF), Charles Hopson, John Hopson, Jr. (Wainwright Public Works), Christopher Ives (RESTCo), Christopher Krenz (Oceana), Nettie La Belle-Hamer (UAF), Joe LoSciuto (ASRC Energy Services), Joe Mello Leavitt, Amy Merten (NOAA), Vince Mitchell (Lamor Corporation), RADM Thomas Ostebo (U.S. Coast Guard), Ed Owens (Owens Coastal Consultants, Ltd.), Ed Page (Marine Exchange of Alaska), Shirish Patil (UAF), Vladimir Romanovsky (UAF), Stan Senner (Ocean Conservancy), Gay Sheffield (UAF), Kirk Sherwood (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management), Brad Smith (NOAA), Mark Swanson (Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council), Fran Ulmer (U.S. Arctic Research Commission), Peter van Tuyn (World Wildlife Fund), Peter Velez (Peter Velez Engineering LLC), Glen Watabayashi (NOAA), Thomas Weingartner (UAF), and Peter Winsor (UAF).

The committee would also like to thank Karissa Goessl and Patrick Curtin of LeMoyne College, who assisted at the committee’s third meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska.

This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Research Council’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their participation in their review of this report:

PER JOHAN BRANDVIK, SINTEF Marine Environmental Technology

LAWSON BRIGHAM, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

BILL EICHBAUM, World Wildlife Fund

JOHN FARRINGTON, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

JACQUELINE GREBMEIER, University of Maryland

MOLLY McCAMMON, Alaska Ocean Observing System

HUMPHREY MELLING, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

JOSEPH MULLIN, Joseph Mullin Consulting

PARTHA PATRA, Columbia University

STEPHEN POTTER, SL Ross Environmental Research Ltd.

PONISSERIL SOMASUNDARAN (NAE), Columbia University

WILFORD WEEKS (NAE), University of Alaska, Fairbanks (emeritus)

Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by RADM Malcolm MacKinnon (NAE), MacKinnon-Searle Consortium LLC, appointed by the Divison on Earth and Life Studies, and Bonnie McCay (NAS), Rutgers University, appointed by the Report Review Committee, who were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R1
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R2
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R3
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R4
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R5
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R6
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R7
Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R8
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R9
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R10
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R11
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R12
Page xiii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R13
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Transportation Research Board and National Research Council. 2014. Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18625.
×
Page R14
Next: Summary »
Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment Get This Book
×
Buy Paperback | $58.00 Buy Ebook | $46.99
MyNAP members save 10% online.
Login or Register to save!
Download Free PDF

U.S. Arctic waters north of the Bering Strait and west of the Canadian border encompass a vast area that is usually ice covered for much of the year, but is increasingly experiencing longer periods and larger areas of open water due to climate change. Sparsely inhabited with a wide variety of ecosystems found nowhere else, this region is vulnerable to damage from human activities. As oil and gas, shipping, and tourism activities increase, the possibilities of an oil spill also increase. How can we best prepare to respond to such an event in this challenging environment?

Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment reviews the current state of the science regarding oil spill response and environmental assessment in the Arctic region north of the Bering Strait, with emphasis on the potential impacts in U.S. waters. This report describes the unique ecosystems and environment of the Arctic and makes recommendations to provide an effective response effort in these challenging conditions. According to Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment, a full range of proven oil spill response technologies is needed in order to minimize the impacts on people and sensitive ecosystems. This report identifies key oil spill research priorities, critical data and monitoring needs, mitigation strategies, and important operational and logistical issues.

The Arctic acts as an integrating, regulating, and mediating component of the physical, atmospheric and cryospheric systems that govern life on Earth. Not only does the Arctic serve as regulator of many of the Earth's large-scale systems and processes, but it is also an area where choices made have substantial impact on life and choices everywhere on planet Earth. This report's recommendations will assist environmentalists, industry, state and local policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of this special region to preserve and protect it from damaging oil spills.

  1. ×

    Welcome to OpenBook!

    You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

    Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

    No Thanks Take a Tour »
  2. ×

    Show this book's table of contents, where you can jump to any chapter by name.

    « Back Next »
  3. ×

    ...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

    « Back Next »
  4. ×

    Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

    « Back Next »
  5. ×

    Switch between the Original Pages, where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

    « Back Next »
  6. ×

    To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter.

    « Back Next »
  7. ×

    Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

    « Back Next »
  8. ×

    View our suggested citation for this chapter.

    « Back Next »
  9. ×

    Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

    « Back Next »
Stay Connected!