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US-CAN Salish Sea Full Scale Exercise 2011

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Thursday, 6/23/11, 9:00 a.m.

Salish Sea oil spill Unified Command approves test to burn oil

OAK HARBOR-- Unified Command responding to the oil spill in the Salish Sea are considering using a new tactic – in-situ burning - for cleaning up the oil.

Unified Command decided today to do a test burn of the oil on top of the water, also known as in-situ burning (burning in place). In-situ burning can significantly reduce the amount of oil on the water, thereby greatly reducing the risk to marine animals and birds and to the shoreline. Future consideration to use this method will be based on the effectiveness of the test burn, weather and other considerations.

The results of a trial conducted with oil dispersants last evening, June 22, in the Strait of Juan De Fuca were not as effective as hoped because of the heavy oil type and unfavorable weather conditions.  The use of oil dispersants will continue to be tested, if wind speed and direction and wave size increase.  

Air models conducted by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate no adverse impacts to public health.

Meanwhile, mechanical cleanup operations will continue today as response staff deploys more absorbent boom and skimming boats continue to recover oil.

Information about the oil spill can be obtained via the Washington Department of Ecology website at www.wa.ecy.gov/spills  or by calling the Joint Information Center at (703) 669-7741. Media inquiries can call 703-669-7740. Financial claims regarding damage from the spill can be made by calling 853-234-5724 for U.S. and 1-800-555-1234 for Canada. Trained volunteers wanting to assist may call 1-800-865-8337.

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Thursday, 6/23/11, 8:00 a.m.

Oil spill responders estimate more than 200,000 gallons spilled into Strait of Juan de Fuca; Port Townsend ferry route closed

OAK HARBOR-- US-CAN Salish Sea 2011 responders reported around 4 p.m. yesterday an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 gallons of  Intermediate Fuel Oil 380 (IFO-380) was spilled in the waters of  the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca on the evening of June 21, 2011.

The area affected stretches from the west shore of Whidbey Island, extending westward toward Gordon Head in British Columbia. The U.S. and Canada are employing resources on water, shore, and in air to contain and recover spilled oil.  More responders are joining the efforts throughout the day. An investigation continues as to the source of the spill.

As a result, the Washington State Department of Transportation have temporarily closed the Port Townsend –Coupeville ferry run. Ferry patrons are asked to check www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/index.cfm for updates and alternate routes.

According to Capt. Scott Ferguson, USCG Federal On-Scene Coordinator, the spill trajectories indicated that the oil will impact the Southern San Juan Islands and enter Canadian waters by later tonight.

The heavily oiled shoreline is still contained to a nine mile radius from Partridge Point to halfway down Admiralty Bay at Whidbey Island. Seven areas are set for clean-up. The Washington State Department of Health issued a health advisory yesterday discouraging people from harvesting or consuming fish caught in the area. That advisory is still in effect.

“A safety zone has been established around the oil spill and a restricted area has been set prohibiting transit through the most heavy oil areas,” said Ferguson, adding that Haro Strait is an alternate route.

Environmental experts on-scene continue to work with trained volunteers in treating 125 oiled birds. A total of 24 oiled sea lions were spotted over Smith Island during the latest helicopter over flight. A pod of Orcas were in the vicinity of the oil spill and were diverted to keep them safe.

Island County Sheriff Office personnel and local fire rescue helped two kayakers contaminated by oil who came ashore at Fort Casey State Park yesterday.  They have been reported to be recovering well.

“The Unified Command’s top priority is the safety of responders rapidly and aggressively recovering oil and minimizing the risk to human health and environmental impacts to fish and wildlife,” said Ferguson.

The public is strongly advised to stay away from contaminated water and shorelines and to not touch oily surfaces.  If oil is spotted, please contact 1-800-OILS911 (1-800-645-7911).

Updated information can be found on www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html or for public inquiries please call 703-669-7741. Media inquiries can call 703-669-7740. Financial claims regarding damage from the spill can be made by calling 853-234-5724 for U.S. and 1-800-555-1234 for Canada. Trained volunteers wanting to assist may call 1-800-865-8337.

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Wednesday, 6/22/11, 5:30 p.m.

Unified Command Conducts Dispersant Trial

OAK HARBOR-- The Unified Command (UC) is scheduled to conduct oil dispersant trials Wednesday night at the eastern end of the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

The UC is exploring all options to facilitate a rapid clean up of the spill, and reduce environmental impacts in the water column and shoreline.

Dispersants are chemicals used to expedite the natural break-down process of oil.

One thousand gallons of Corexit 9500 dispersant will be deployed three miles off shore via workboats.

The UC worked with the Regional Response Team as required by the Area Contingency Plan, to explore all available technologies to combat the spill.

Mechanical clean-up operations will continue through the night via skimming boats, boom deployment and shoreline assessment and clean-up.

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Wednesday, 6/22/11, 4:45 p.m.

Birds, sea lions and other wildlife affected by Salish Sea oil spill

OAK HARBOR-- The oil spill in the Salish Sea is taking its toll on wildlife throughout the spill area, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) that is overseeing the wildlife recovery effort. 

The WDFW has received reports that 24 sea lions, and an unknown number of birds have been reported near a sheen around Smith and Minor islands.  Those islands--plus the San Juans, Whidbey Island and Partridge Bank--will be investigated tomorrow, June 23, 2011 during a five-hour overflight.

The flight will include an expert who can identify the different types of marine birds that are being affected.  It also will include a mammal expert and photographer to look for whales and other mammals that may be in distress. If required, efforts will be made to lead the whales out of the affected area.

Southern resident killer whales were sighted south of Stuart Island, heading north toward Boundary Bay.  A helicopter will be on standby on San Juan Island in case whales are seen heading toward the spill area.

Meanwhile, the San Juan Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has 125 birds currently being treated by volunteers, which is 75 birds more than the center’s capacity.  Volunteers will move 55 of those birds to the PAWS animal shelter in Lynnwood, Wash. for treatment.

Thirty-eight volunteer responded today to help clean the oil off of marine birds. Of those, 35 volunteers will be helping for three days and more will be brought in as needed.

Anyone needing additional information can contact the Incident Command Center at these numbers: 

Joint Information Center, public line: (703) 669-7741
Joint Information Center, for media only: (703) 669-7740
To report oiled wildlife:(800) 22BIRDS. Or, email oilwildlifevolunteers@ecy.wa.gov

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Wednesday, 6/22/11, 3:45 p.m.

OAK HARBOR-- Three town hall meetings are being arranged for residents in communities affected by the US-CAN Salish Sea oil spill (near Whidbey Island and south of the San Juan Islands). 

The Unified Command leading the oil spill response will hold the meetings tonight and tomorrow. Participating agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard; Washington Department of Ecology; Canadian Coast Guard; and San Juan and Island counties.

Times and dates as follows:

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Island County

Coupeville High School

8:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

San Juan County

Friday Harbor High School

Noon

San Juan County

Friday Harbor High School

8 p.m.

San Juan County

Lopez Community Center, Lopez Island

4:30 p.m.

The Unified Command has established a spill response website for the public to follow latest developments:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/incidents/US-CAN_SalishSeaFullScaleExercise2011/US-CAN_SalishSeaFullScaleExercise2011.html

To report spill-related damages: 800-280-7118

To volunteer: 800-856-8337

To volunteer for wildlife rescue: oilwildlifevolunteers@ecy.wa.gov

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Wednesday, 6/22/11, 12:20 pm

U.S., Canadian Coast Guards jointly responding to large oil spill in Salish Sea

OAK HARBOR-- A large-scale effort is underway between the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Island and San Juan Counties in responding to a large oil slick spotted at 9 p.m. June 21, 2011.

“The safety and welfare of the environment is our top priority and we are deploying expert resources from several federal, state and local agencies to ensure the containment and clean-up of this spill,” said Capt. Scott Ferguson, USCG Federal On-Scene Coordinator.

The initial report was made at 9 p.m. on June 21, by the captain of an Alaska-bound tug and barge transiting through Admiralty Inlet, who smelled petroleum and reported it to Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. Within an hour, local mariners reported a similar smell to the USCG and Ecology.

At 11 p.m., the USCG and Ecology investigation teams headed to Whidbey Island, and the U.S. Navy authorized an Incident Command Post to be established at the Naval Seaplane Base Whidbey Island.

Heavy  fog conditions persisted at 7 a.m. today, limiting the USCG and Ecology Pollution Investigation Team on scene at Partridge Bank on the west side of Whidbey Island, which is estimated as the nearest point of land to the initial report. The team also smelled fuel oil and saw an oil sheen along the waterfront.

The USCG Air Station at Port Angeles launched a helicopter at first light, reporting black oil on the water extending offshore of Whidbey Island and extending northwest in a large band toward the Gordon Head area near Victoria, B.C.

The oil slick is reported to be 10 miles long and one-half mile wide. The source of the spill is unknown and an investigation is underway.

“At this time, it’s believed to be a petroleum product,” said Ferguson. The Washington Department of Health (WADOH) has issued an advisory of no harvesting or consumption of fish, and shellfish within Marine Areas 7 South and Area 6 East of Dungeness Spit. The WADOH is working with local jurisdictions to assess the need for closures and identify risks to the public.  

From Shannon Point south to Buoy “R” Rosario Strait is closed to maritime traffic. Ships are being re-routed to Haro Strait. Fishing activities are prohibited in the area. There are no beach closures at this time.

Financial claims questions should be directed to 1-800-280-7118. To report oiled birds, call 1-800-22BIRDS. Pre-trained volunteer organizations should call 1-800-856-8337 or email oilwildlifevolunteers@ecy.wa.gov.
 

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Wednesday, 6/22/11, 12:40 pm

PUBLIC NOTICE

Three community meetings are being arranged for residents in communities affected by the US-CAN Salish Sea oil spill (near Whidbey Island and south of the San Juans).  The Unified Command leading the oil spill response will hold the meetings tonight and tomorrow. Those agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard; Washington Department of Ecology; Canadian Coast Guard; San Juan and Island counties.

June 22, 2011

Island County

Coupeville High School

8:00 p.m.

June 23, 2011

San Juan County

Friday Harbor High School

Noon

June 23, 2011

San Juan County

Friday Harbor High School

800 p.m.

June 23, 2011

San Juan County

Lopez Community Center, Lopez Island

4:30 p.m.

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Wednesday, 6/22/11, 9:20 am

Fish and Wildlife solicits trained volunteers for rescue operations

OAK HARBOR-- As a result of an oil sheen spotted off the western shoreline of Whidbey Island today, citizens trained in working with oiled or injured wildlife should call the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife at (360) 902-2614.  Citizens should not attempt to rescue any injured wildlife. 

State and federal officials are beginning wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Although there is no need for non-trained civilians in this specialty area at this time, the public is encouraged to report oiled or injured wildlife.   

Citizens interested in volunteering for wildlife rescue operations should call 1-800-22BIRDS (1-800-222-4737)  and for location.  Citizen volunteers should not go to the scene of the spill without instructions from wildlife rescue officials. 

The state Natural Resource Damage Assessment Team was created in 1989 to oversee the protection and restoration of natural resources that result from oil spills and other hazardous material releases.  Representatives from the state Departments of Ecology, Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, Health, Parks, Office of Archaeological & Historical Preservation, along with federal agencies and tribal governments, serve as members of the committee.

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Wednesday, 6/22/11, 8:30 am

Joint Information Center established for US-CAN Salish Sea oil spill

OAK HARBOR--A Joint Information Center (JIC) has been established in order to provide immediate response to the news media and the general public regarding the US-CAN Salish Sea oil spill, in conjunction with the spill’s unified command center.

Representatives from the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards, San Juan and Island counties and the Washington Department of Ecology, are available to respond to news media inquiries.  All media calls regarding the status of the spill response effort will be handled through the JIC.

The JIC and command center are located at the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island Seaplane Base in Building 13.

The telephone number for the general public is: 703-669-7741.

The news media only telephone number is: 703-669-7740.

Updated information about the spill will be posted at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html

NOTE to editors/news directors: Security access to NAS Whidbey Island requires escort.  Call the Joint Information Center for base access information.

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Wednesday, 6/22/11 5:00 am

Coast Guard, Ecology respond to report of oil spill

SEATTLE --The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology responded to a reported oil sheen near Oak Harbor, Wash.

The Coast Guard first received a report about the oil sheen in Port of Washington Narrows at about 3 a.m. today.

Investigators from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Puget Sound left Seattle about 3:15 a.m. to investigate the spill. Ecology spill responders also went to investigate the spill.

The source and responsible party for the spill are unknown at this time.

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Friday, 6/17/11 10:24 am 

The US-CAN Salish Sea 2011 PREP Exercise is a full-scale, government led, multi-agency exercise that will be conducted on Wednesday, June 22 – Thursday, June, 23, 2011. The exercise is designed to evaluate the capabilities and effectiveness of the federal, state, local and tribal partners to carry out their collective responsibilities, as outlined within the Northwest Area Contingency Plan and Canada – United States Pacific (CANUSPAC) Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (JCP).

This exercise provides the response community an opportunity to improve preparedness by validating information and procedures within the contingency plans; identifying weaknesses (for correction in subsequent versions of the plans); identifying strengths (to share as best practices); and practicing command and control within an incident command/unified command framework.

Elected Officials & VIP Briefing Agenda
Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 13:30 – 15:30 PM
13:30 VIP’s report to the:
Best Western Harbor Plaza
Main Conference Room
33175 State Route 20
Oak Harbor, WA 98277-8713

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Friday, 6/17/11 10:24 am 

Special exercise will test spill readiness for Ecology, Coast Guard, partner agencies

A National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) practice oil spill response will be conducted June 21-23, 2011, to test the readiness and skills needed to effectively manage a major environmental incident.

The Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Navy and other federal, state, and local entities will partner to enact a rapid and well coordinated response to protect the state’s highly valued environmental, cultural, and economic resources from simulated oil-spill damage. This training provides a valuable opportunity for these agencies to work together. They will also be evaluated on their ability to mount planned, first-stage response strategies using the Northwest Area Contingency Plan and Incident Command System processes.

With the “spill” occurring in the waters west of Whidbey Island, the Command Center for over 200 drill participants will be located on the Seaplane Base at Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Wash.).  No oil will be spilled, but containment booming, oil-skimming vessels, other boats and aircraft will operate in the area during the exercise.

As part of the exercise, the Joint Information Center will post updates and releases under “Hot Topics” in the right hand of the Department of Ecology’s Spills Program page: Ecology’s Spills Program website.

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Map of DRILL Area

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Registration

Tuesday Briefing

Wednesday Morning Briefing

The Joint Information Center (JIC)