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 during the fall of 2025. Please check back here for updates on date and location of the fall 2025 meeting.
For additional information, please contact Julie Hutcheson, julie.hutcheson@mass.gov
Previous Meeting
On December 5, 2024, the OSAAC and various stakeholders held an annual, hybrid meeting with both in-person at the Braintree Yacht Club and online in an effort to involve as many interested parties as possible.
Advisory Committee Meeting Video => Exit to MassDEP YouTube Channel
2024 Oil Spill Act Advisory Committee Meeting- PowerPoint Presentation
Meeting topics included:
- Program Updates on the following topics:
- Finances- Trust Fund/FY24 Expenditures
- Tug Escorts under M.G.L. 21M
- Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems (PORTS)
- MassDEP Trailers
- MOSPRA Grant Program:
- 2024 Recipients
- 2025 Grants
- First Responder Training & GRS Testing Program
- Recap of 2024 Exercises
- 2025 Exercise Plan
- Project Update: Evaluating & Adapting Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Capabilities for a Changing Climate
- Strategic Foresight Planning Exercise
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:
- 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.
- Prioritization of areas for disbursements from the Trust Fund.
- 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.