The Oil Spill Act Advisory Committee assists MassDEP in making the most efficient and effective use of a Trust Fund established by the Oil Spill Act, as well as other related policy and program matters. The group includes stakeholders interested in oil spill prevention, marine transport and shipping, maritime navigation, and spill response as well as state and local government officials and other interested parties. The group meets on an annual cycle, and holds additional meetings on an as needed basis.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Massachusetts Oil Spill Act Advisory Committee (OSAAC) will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Braintree Yacht Club from 9:00 am to 12: 00 pm. Braintree Yacht Club is located at 9 Gordon Road in Braintree. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be on Zoom.
Join Via Zoom
Meeting URL: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83242958084?pwd=PvhglaW0qNLbaYaDBHFacmCVYfkjw5.1
Meeting ID: 832 4295 8084
Passcode: 746841
Please note that the latter portion of the meeting will include a Strategic Foresight Planning Exercise. Those interested in participating in the exercise are strongly encouraged to attend in person. The OSAAC meeting is an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss current and proposed projects and initiatives and provide input on program objectives.
For additional information, please contact Julie Hutcheson, julie.hutcheson@mass.gov
Previous Meeting
On November 15, 2023, the OSAAC and various stakeholders held their annual meeting at the Braintree Yacht Club.
Meeting topics included MassDEP updates related to:
- Program Administration:
- Master Service Agreement
- Finances- Trust Fund/FY23 Expenditures
- Program Initiatives:
- Tug Escorts
- New Bedford Bilge Pump Outs
- Navigational Aids (PORTS)
- Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe MIT Sea Grant
- Highlights from the Bouchard B-120 20th Anniversary Symposium
- 2024 MOSPRA Grant Program
- Eligible Projects
- Application Deadline
The meeting concluded with a presentation from Nuka Research regarding updates to other MOSPRA programs and initiatives, including:
- Geographic Response Strategy (GRS) Testing and Validation
- Future MOSPRA Initiatives
- First Responder Training and GRS Testing Program Improvements
- 2024 International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) Poster
- 2024 Foam-Filled Boom (FFB) Project Updates
- 2023 Climate Ready Oil Spill Preparedness & Response
- May 2023 Workshop Takeaways
- Final Report
Purpose & Mission
Purpose
The Oil Spill Act was signed into law by Governor Romney on August 4, 2004. A key element of the Act is a Trust Fund, financed primarily by a 5-cent/barrel fee on petroleum products delivered to marine terminals in the state. This Fund is to be used and disbursed by the Commissioner of MassDEP to ensure that the Massachusetts coastline is protected from oil spills, via spill prevention and response efforts and programs that may include: (a) improvements to vessel navigational systems and infrastructure; (b) development of spill response plans for local, regional, and/or state responders; (c) procurement and maintenance of spill response equipment for local, regional, and/or state responders; (d) development and implementation of spill response drills and exercises; and (e) implementation of spill prevention/response research efforts.
To assist the agency in making the most efficient and effective use of the Trust Fund, as well as other related policy and program matters, an Advisory Committee has been established. The Act does not mandate the establishment of a committee, but experiences in other states have confirmed the utility and benefits of such a group.
Mission
The mission of the Advisory Committee will be to advise the Commissioner (and/or his/her designee) on the following matters:
1) Approaches, actions, programs, systems and procedures to implement the OSA, in a manner that will optimize the integration and effectiveness of local, regional, state, inter-state, federal, and private-sector spill-response assets.
2) Prioritization of areas for disbursements from the Trust Fund.
3) Other matters that arise in the course of implementing the Act relating to technical and/or policy issues.
The Advisory Committee will not address litigation issues, internal agency operational procedures, or specific spill/site matters.
Structure
Size - The Advisory Committee is composed of 9 - 15 members. Committee members and organizations have been selected to represent a wide range of governmental and private maritime interests with the goal to maximize attendance and participation.
Meetings - MassDEP hosts an annual meeting of the Advisory Committee in various locations along the Massachusetts coastline. There will be no quorum requirements. In addition to invited committee members, the meetings will be open to all members of the public.
Voting - Formal voting will not occur. Resolutions or recommendations from the committee are not binding upon the agency.