What are Area Contingency Plans?

1. What are Area Contingency Plans? Area Contingency Plans - http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=3482 The Area Contingency Plan (ACP) was developed to address removal of oil and hazardous substances from waterways. The ACP geographically defines regional environmental and socio-economic resources that require priority protection. This planning process is necessary to reduce response lag time and help direct sometimes limited local response resources to areas of higher sensitivity. Within the digital ACP, these interactive maps enable planners and responders to get needed answers in a few mouse clicks. The plan’s boundaries include those areas within the jurisdiction (Area of Responsibility) of the U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office (MSO) for a region, known as the Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone. 2 very important map series within the ACP’s are – Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps – ESI maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil spill occurs nearby. Examples of at-risk resources include biological resources (such as birds and shellfish beds), sensitive shorelines (such as marshes and tidal flats), and human-use resources (such as public beaches and parks). Geographic Response Plan (GRP) maps – GRP maps are composed of a series of maps and site-specific response locations termed priority protection areas. In each location, the resources at risk and specific response strategies define each priority protection point. A ranking system is used to indicate priority protection points and are indicated on the map diamonds.

2. Example Environmental Sensitivity Map & Report Note ESI maps come with “Resource-At-Risk” reports provided detailed information on the species found at that location.

3. Example Geographic Response Plan Map & Report Note “diamonds” Indicating priority locations. A booming strategy may include undertaking the placement of booms at the “3 diamond” locations.

4. ESI and GRP maps in GATOR Geospatial Assessment Tool for Operations and Response (GATOR) - http://map.floridadisaster.org/GATOR GATOR is the primary online mapping tool of the Florida State Emergency Response Team. Data from ESI and GRP maps may be viewed in GATOR, as well as the map easily downloaded as PDF files.

5. Viewing data from ESI and GRP maps in GATOR • In the screen capture below, ESI Shoreline Characterization may be seen, as well as several “3 diamond” locations near Pensacola Pass. • Note that Booming Operations are also available via GATOR, indicating proposed and completed booming. This data will be updated as information is provided by BP. • A map grid for ESI and GRP maps is also visible.

6. Downloading ESI and GRP maps in GATOR To download ESI and GRP maps in GATOR – Under the Search window, select either “Environmental Sensitivity Maps” or “Geographic Response Plan Maps”. Select one of the graphic search tool – the point tool is the easiest. Place the cursor over the map and click on the area for which you want a map.

7. Downloading ESI and GRP maps in GATOR Click hyperlink button for the map you have selected.

8. Downloading ESI and GRP maps in GATOR Click hyperlink button for the map you have selected.

9. Downloading ESI and GRP maps in GATOR Open PDF map in Adobe Acrobat or Reader. Note: Most maps are GeoPDF Download the free Terrago GeoPDF plug-in to extend the functionality of your GeoPDF map

10. Downloading ESI and GRP maps in GATOR To remove red highlighting from GATOR, click Text Search (the second button in the Search toolbar. And then click Clear. Repeat process selecting other map type under the Search window.