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Action Plan 17:
Preventing Oil Pollution
October 17, 2011 draft finalAbout the new Buzzards Bay CCMP Action Plans
The Buzzards Bay NEP is now updating our 1991 landmark Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) to reflect the great progress achieved since that plan was finalized. It will include new or updated goals, objectives, and management solutions to meet the environmental needs for Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed throughout the next decade.
On this page is a draft action plan from the updated Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The text on this page is a public draft provided to invite comment and discussion of the subject by residents and stakeholders. It may contain goals and recommendations that have not yet been endorsed or approved by the Buzzards Bay Steering Committee. The views or information contained here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the US Environmental Protection Agency.
We want your feedback on this action plan. First, please read the entire Preventing Oil Pollution Action Plan. Then at the bottom of this page click the "rate this action plan" button to provide comments on each goal, objective and defined management approach contained in this Action Plan. Based on your feedback, we will update and revise all the action plans in the new CCMP.
Action Plan 17: Preventing Oil Pollution
Problem
This action plan addresses the most conspicuous and discreet discharges of oil to Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed . Chronic and catastrophic discharges of petroleum products have degraded Buzzards Bay and its watershed. Unless we reduce pollution risks, future catastrophic discharges will likely occur. Managers and first responders can minimize future threats by improved navigation protocols and more effective res-ponses. Chronic discharges continue through various point and non-point sources of pollution, but these releases may be reduced or eliminated through the implementation of Best Management Practices, more effective recycling programs, or the improved treatment or elimination of discharges.
The 2003 Buzzards Bay oil spill resulted in the passage of the 2004 Massachusetts Oil Spill Prevention Act and companion legislation. The Act, required among other things, pilots and tug escorts for certain oil shipments in Buzzards Bay. The federal government and Commonwealth have fought over these navigation rules in state waters, and this matter needs to be resolved.
Goals
Goal 17.1. Reduce the amount of petroleum hydrocarbons entering Buzzards Bay.
Goal 17.2. Minimize the occurrence of oil spills in Buzzards Bay, both large and small.
Goal 17.3. Minimize the environmental effects from oil inputs to Buzzards Bay.
Objectives
Objective 17.1. To promote a regional strategy for preventing oil spills and hydrocarbon discharges.
Objective 17.2. To promote a coordinated regional strategy for responding to large oil spills.
Objective 17.3. To implement a source-reduction plan for chronic inputs of hydrocarbons into Buzzards Bay.
Objective 17.4. To provide adequate facilities for the collection of waste oil from cars and boats.
Objective 17.5. To take enforcement actions against the illegal discharge of oil.
Solutions
To reduce future hydrocarbon discharges and impacts to Buzzards Bay will require reducing the likelihood of catastrophic spills, improving the cleanup effectiveness and response time when spills do occur, and reducing chronic hydrocarbon release, like those associated with stormwater discharges and vessel operation in Buzzards Bay.
Future oil spills will be minimized with improved navigation aids and tracking. To reduce future impacts of oil spills that do occur, the presence of escort tugs, increased local availability of response equipment, improved training and coordination among municipalities, and continued improvements and evaluation of strategies contained in response strategies are all needed measures. Completion, by NOAA, of a water circulation model for Buzzards Bay will greatly improve predictions of the location of oil landings after a major spill. Installation of a navigation buoy system like that in Narragansett Bay will also assist with navigation and spill response. The state also needs to develop an oil spill damage assessment monitoring plan in collaboration with local universities and research centers to establish a protocol to speedily collect data essential for the environmental damage assessments after a spill.
With respect to chronic discharges of oil, the most important action to reduce illicit discharges in New Bedford Harbor and Buzzards Bay is the construction of a bilge water collection and oil separation facility to process bilge water from commercial vessels in the harbor. Increased use of 4-stroke engines will minimize hydrocarbon discharges from recreational boats, and municipalities can set an example by using 4 stroke engines for harbormaster vessels. Reduction in stormwater related hydrocarbon discharges is addressed in the municipal stormwater plans as described in Action Plan 3.
Costs and Financing
The greatest single local cost under this action plan is the construction of the bilge water oil separation facility for New Bedford Harbor, which might cost $500,000 to build and $50,000 per year to operate. These costs could be funded with the Oil Spill Act
Measuring Success
The effectiveness of measures prevent and to remediate catastrophic spills will take a decade to evaluate. Quantities of oil recovered at a bilge water oil collection facility would be an easier measure to track, as would be allowable limits of hydrocarbons in permitted discharges. Reductions of non-point sources of hydrocarbon can only be evaluated programmatically.
To fully understand the basis of these goals and objectives, and possible management approaches, please read the complete Preventing Oil Pollution Action Plan (October 17, 2011 draft final, pdf file).