What is a Geographic Response Strategy (GRS)?

A Geographic Response Strategy (GRS) is a site-specific response plan designed to protect sensitive coastal and marine areas during a marine oil spill. GRS detail map-based tactics that guide first responders on where and how to deploy oil spill protection resources during the critical early hours of a spill.

 

GRS have been developed in several regions across the United States, including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Each GRS focuses on a specific vulnerable location to reduce the impacts on environmental, cultural, and economic resources.

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Why are GRS important?

The initial phase of an oil spill response is often fast-moving and complex. Multiple objectives must be addressed using limited resources, and conditions can change rapidly. Local emergency responders are often the first to arrive on scene - sometimes before oil reaches sensitive shorelines and habitats. GRS support early decision-making by providing responders with pre-planned, location-specific guidance. This allows response actions to begin more quickly and efficiently, helping to protect high-priority areas before impacts occur.

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How are GRS used?  

GRS are not mandates for site protection or response. Instead, they are planning tools available to support spill response operations. GRS are intended to be updated as conditions, resources, or priorities change. Additionally, since 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has led an ongoing program of first responder training and GRS field-testing exercises to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of select GRS tactics. These exercises often result in updates and improvements.

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​How were the Massachusetts GRS Developed?

The development of a GRS begins with identifying sensitive areas, protection priorities, response strategies, and operational constraints. This collaborative process helps to build local support and establish realistic expectations for protecting vulnerable resources during a spill.

 

In Massachusetts, regional Work Groups were formed to oversee GRS development. These Work Groups included representatives from state and federal agencies, local governments, stakeholder organizations, the oil industry, and spill response professionals. Each Work Group selected candidate sites for GRS development based on three key questions:

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• Is the site vulnerable to oil spills?

• What environmental, historical, cultural, or socio-economic resources are at risk?

• Is the site feasible to protect using available response tactics?

 

Site-specific information was compiled using environmental sensitivity index maps, local knowledge, field surveys, and public comment. Also, to further support consistent and realistic planning, a Massachusetts GRS Tactics Guide was developed. This guide outlines a core set of oil spill response tactics appropriate for the Massachusetts shoreline, based on available response resources, coastal geomorphology, and sensitivities at risk.

 

Once drafted, each GRS was reviewed and approved by the regional Work Groups and two regional Area Committees. All 160 Massachusetts GRS are incorporated into the appropriate Area Contingency Plan (ACP).

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Learn more:
To view the timeline and development process for each region’s Massachusetts GRS, please see the History of GRS Development link below.