Roundtables

One of the important functions the Task Force serves is to provide forums for discussion on emerging issues and topics of interest to the Task Force jurisdictions. Many of the round tables that took place between 2002 and 2008 focused on challenges or concerns germane to many or all of the Task Force jurisdictions. Participants from industry, associations, agencies and community organizations took part in the discussions of regulatory challenges, policy gaps, science needs and communication aspects of the issue. These discussions often resulted in recommendations that were vetted and supported across the stakeholders and partners.

Many of these recommendations helped form the basis of new policy and rule-making within the Task Force member jurisdictions.

Rail Roundtable November 5, 2015,  Portland, OR
The Task Force hosted a roundtable on the state of rail oil spill planning on the West Coast. The purpose was to convene a forum of representatives from the rail industry along with federal, state and local governments with regulatory responsibility to discuss preparing for and responding to oil spills by rail. This roundtable provided an opportunity to share perspectives and information on preparedness and planning efforts underway across the participating organizations. It also intended to foster conversation on appropriate measures and best response practices that could be implemented in the near future, to ensure an advanced level of readiness across the region to address the rapid increase in movement of oil by rail.

Agenda Rail Roundtable 2015 (pdf)

Presentations
Galena IL Derailment 2015 (PowerPoint file) – Paul  Ruesch, EPA Region 5
Mt. Carbon WV Derailment 2015 (PowerPoint file) – 2015 – Dennis Matlock, EPA Region 3

Meeting Summary
Rail Roundtable Summary Report FINAL (pdf)

Previous Task Force Roundtables
Between 2000 and 2006, the Task Force facilitated seven roundtables on several important topics of interest. The table below provides a summary of key findings and highlights from the round tables.

ROUND TABLE TOPIC
YEAR
OUTCOME
Roundtable: Rail Preparedness Planning
2015
Discussed oil spill preparedness and response planning across the West Coast with industry, tribal, federal, state and local governments, first responders, state leaders and community groups. Identified opportunities for improved collaboration and gaps in inland preparedness planning.
Green Ports
2008
 Discussion of and recommendations for oil spill response, water quality, and waste management in port services to ships and port operations.
Expanding Response Options
2006
 Discussion about and recommendations for low-visibility and night-time oil spill response operations.  
Places of Refuge
2005
 The creation of a planning and decision-making template to address ships’ requests for a Place of Refuge for use by the West Coast Area Committees.  
Spills from Trucks
2005
 Recommendations for state/provincial agencies and transport operators to improve oil transport safety.  
Cruise Ship Pollution Prevention
2004
 Led to the creation of the California State Cruise Ship Environmental Task Force which subsequently led to the creation of the Marine Environmental Protection Program for California.  
How NRDA Really Works
2002
 Trustee and industry panels discussed injury assessment and damage determination, plus settlements and restoration.  
Oil Response Readiness
2000
 Two panels discussed oil response equipment inventories and equipment
mobility and made recommendations.