WCRMC Strategic Plans

Earlier this year, SpillConsult was asked by WCMRC to write a number of strategic plans which outline their incident management philosophy and capability.  These plans explain how WCMRC respond to incidents of varying scale using the Incident Command System and compliment their over-arching Oil Spill Response Plan.

The first plan which was written was an Incident Management Plan which explained in detail the methodology WCMRC use to decide on what rescues and specialisms to mobilise in response to an incident.  Central to this was the consideration of limitations, complexity factors and potential for escalation.

A Shoreline Response Plan was then developed to illustrate how WCMRC use various methods of survey, collection and recovery to establish where spilled oil will make landfall and how best to clean it up without causing any additional damage (net environmental benefit).

SpillConsult then worked with WCMRC on developing a Waste Management Plan to describe the robust waste-control processes  and supply chain WCMRC has put in place to ensure that any waste produced as a result of responding to an incident is handled responsibly and safely.

A plan was then finalised which tackled non-floating or Sunken and Submerged Oil.  This plan described the factors which can lead to spilled oil sinking and analysed where on the British Columbia coastline this is likely to occur.  The plan also explained the tactical application of uSCAT (underwater cleanup assessment technique for sunken oil).

Finally, a plan was developed which covered Marine Response and the various on-water strategies WCMRC will employ in the event of an oil spill.  This plan focussed on WCMRC's enhanced containment and recovery capability but also touched on the use of dispersants and the importance of source control and surveillance and monitoring.

It was great to see these plans come together and we look forward to exercising them in the new year!