Co-Chairs: Alternate Co-Chairs: Coordinators:

Ragan Broyles, EPA Region 6 Wes McQuiddy, EPA Region 6 Steve Mason, EPA Region 6

Michael Sams, USCG 8th District Capt David Edwards, USCG 8th District Todd Peterson, USCG 8th District

Region 6 RRT By-Laws (August, 2013)

For information on the next upcoming RRT meeting, click here

Current Information:

NRT Statement on Use of Dispersants Inland

"After EPA review, products may be listed on the NCP Subpart J Product Schedule in accordance with 40 CFR 300.900 et seq. The listing of a product on the Product Schedule does NOT mean that EPA approves, recommends, licenses, certifies, or authorizes the use of that product on an oil discharge.  Additionally, the listing of a product on the Product Schedule does not mandate the use of that product by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC), state, industry, or any oil spill response organization. Only a FOSC may authorize the use of a product that has been listed on the Product Schedule. RRTs and Area Committees may predetermine the suitability of using a product at a particular location, provided that product is listed on the Product Schedule. In some cases, these "preauthorization zones" have been established for designated areas.  The FOSC may authorize the use of products not already pre-authorized for use in a pre-authorization zone, or may authorize the use of products outside of a pre-authorization zone, under the process established by 40 CFR 300.910.  In determining the proper response, the FOSC must consider a number of factors unique to each oil discharge when determining which- if any- products should be authorized for use to address the discharge.  No single product has been scientifically proven to work more effectively than other products in all potential discharge response situations."

National Response Team Atypical Dispersant Operations

The National Response Team (NRT) developed the Environmental Monitoring for Atypical Dispersant Operations: Including Guidance for Subsea Application and Prolonged Surface Application (approved May 30, 2013) to assist On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) and RRTs in making incident-specific decisions regarding atypical dispersant use, including expedited decision making. The Environmental Monitoring for Atypical Dispersant Operations is a living document envisioned to continue addressing monitoring challenges as they become necessary; and, as resources allow, other atypical dispersant applications. In its current version, this document contains the following: 

·         Subsea Application Guidance – generally applies to the subsurface ocean environment, focusing particularly on operations in waters below 300 meters and below the average pycnocline. 

·         Prolonged Surface Application Guidance – supplements and complements the existing protocols as outlined in the SMART monitoring program where the duration of the application of dispersants on discharged oil extends beyond 96 hours from the time of the first application.

                                      

Region 6 RRT: Who We Are                                                                       RRT 6 is the federal component of the National Response System for the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Region 6 RRT is composed of representatives from sixteen federal departments and agencies and each of the five States.           It is co-chaired by the Chief of the Removal Branch from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regional office in Dallas, Texas, and the Chief, Marine Safety Division, of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) Eighth District Office, located in New Orleans, Louisiana.          The RRT usually meets twice a year at various locations throughout the region.There are 13 Regional Response Teams (RRTs), one for each of ten federal regions, plus one for Alaska, one for the Caribbean, and one for the Pacific Basin. Each RRT maintains a Regional Contingency Plan (RCP) and has state, as well as federal government, representation.          The standing RRTs are planning, policy and coordinating bodies and do not respond directly to the scene. The RRT provides assistance as requested by the On-Scene Coordinator during an incident.         Additionally, the Region 6 RRT is responsible for preparedness activities including planning, training, and exercising to ensure an effective response to releases of hazardous substances and oil spills.

Region 6 RRT:  Goals                                                               Under the NCP, Section 300.115(b)(2): The incident-specific Regional Response Team shall support the response, coordination, and other efforts of the designated On-Scene Coordinator/Remedial Project Manager [as well as State, Tribal, and local response organizations] at the scene of a discharge or release. Under the NCP, Section 300.115(i):         The standing RRT shall recommend changes in the regional response organization as needed, revise the Regional Integrated Contingency Plan as needed, evaluate the preparedness of the participating agencies and the effectiveness of  Area Contingency Plans for the federal response to discharges and releases, and provide technical assistance for preparedness to the response community.         The standing Regional Response Team shall be responsible for Regional planning and coordination of preparedness and response actions.               Region 6 RRT:  Mission Statement         The mission of the Region 6 Regional Response Team (RRT) is to protect public health and safety and the environment by ensuring coordinated, efficient, and effective support of the federal, state, tribal, local, and international responses to significant oil and hazardous substance incidents within Region 6, as mandated by the National Contingency Plan (NCP).         We are also committed to providing for the development of the Regional Integrated Contingency Plan (RICP), as well as Area Contingency Plans (ACPs) and coordination of preparedness activities prior to a pollution incident by addressing regional and international issues and providing guidance to industry, State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs), and Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs).