Circumpolar Map of Resources at Risk from Oil Spills in the Arctic
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Introduction

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Introduction

The Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response working group of the Arctic Council conducted a detailed risk assessment of activities posing trans-boundary threats to the Arctic environment[1].   The risk assessment can be found at http://eppr.arctic-council.org/risk/riskcover.html. 

 

The risk assessment concluded that one of the threats to the Arctic is a release from the transportation and storage of oil.[2]  There are other risks; however, a release from transportation and storage of oil was considered one of the greatest threats.

 

The threat from oil is generally local in nature but can affect migratory species and human populations that are dependent on those species.  Therefore, the EPPR working group determined that identification of specific resources at risk is necessary to frame prevention, preparedness and response programs and strategies to address this threat to ensure that prevention and response programs in place are adequate.

 

All the Arctic counties have national oil pollution prevention, preparedness and response programs.  Information on these programs can be found in the EPPR web site.  Specifically:

  

EPPR's Arctic Guide:  http://eppr.arctic-council.org/arctic-guide.html. The aim of the Guide is mainly to inform on EPPR arrangements in the respective Arctic countries and to give information on  national programs, contact persons, contact points and available resources.

  

Emergency Prevention: http://eppr.arctic-council.org/prevention/nat-em-preven.html. Information on and web access to several of the Arctic counties National Emergency Prevention (Pollution/Safety) Plans, as well as industry prevention programs.  

Preparedness and response: http://eppr.arctic-council.org/cont_plan.html.   Information and web access to several of the Arctic countries national contingency plans of participating nations, as well as industry programs.

 

With the circumpolar mapping of these resources at risk, individual countries, regional and international bodies (e.g. International Maritime Organization) can assess existing prevention, preparedness and response programs and then:

 

a) Improve prevention measures aimed at reducing accidents in the Arctic, including source control management programs and oil pollution prevention regulations;

 

b) Improve emergency preparedness programs at local, national, regional and international levels, including arrangements for mutual assistance, to ensure these programs specifically address resources at risk;  and

 

c) Improve response capabilities (equipment, training, and communications) so that they are address identified risks (sources) and resources at risk.

 

In addition, EPPR, in collaboration with other Arctic Council working groups, developed several Arctic guidelines. 

 

Field Guide for Oil Spill Response in Arctic Waters:  http://www.arctic-council.org/fldguide.  A guide developed by the EPPR to provide circumpolar countries with oil spill response guidance specific to the unique climatic and physiographic features of the Arctic environment.

 

Arctic Offshore Oil & Gas Guidelines: http://www.grida.no/pame/FRreports.htm.

In collaboration with the Arctic Councils working group on the Protection of the Marine Environment (PAME), comprehensive guidelines were developed to address prevention, preparedness and response in the Arctic on the basis of the unique cold water, heavy ice and harsh weather conditions.  The PAME working group is also working in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization on Arctic standards for ship construction and operations. 

 

In developing the circumpolar maps, EPPR worked with the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) working group: http://www.grida.no/caff.  CAFF was established to address the special needs of Arctic species and their habitats in the rapidly developing Arctic region. CAFF is developing conservation and protection strategies for key Arctic species at risk.

[1] For the purposes of both the risk assessment and this circumpolar map, the "Arctic" is considered as all the territories of these countries north of the Arctic Circle.  It also extends hundreds of miles south of the Arctic Circle in some countries, due to the geophysical, climatic, and contiguous association with the Arctic.

[2] With the exception of Finland, all of the countries bordering the Arctic area have oil terminals, or major transportation routes of oil or hazardous materials supporting communities in their Arctic areas.