What is a Geographic Response Strategy (GRS)?

GRS are developed in several regions of the U.S., including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Maine, and New Hampshire. GRS are response plans tailored to protect specific sensitive areas from impacts following a marine oil spill. They detail tactical, map-based strategies to help responders save time during the critical first few hours of a spill. They also identify sensitive areas and where to place oil spill protection resources.

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Why develop GRS?

The initial phase of an oil spill response can be hectic. Multiple objectives must be met using available resources and responders. Local residents and emergency responders are often the first to arrive, ideally before the spilled oil reaches sensitive shorelines and environments.​ When responders arrive on scene, GRS provide them with a response plan.​

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How is a GRS used?  

While GRS are NOT a mandate for site protection or response, they are available to government and private industry spill responders if needed.​

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GRS are meant to be “evergreen” by updating them as warranted. Since 2009, MassDEP facilitates an ongoing GRS field-testing, training, and exercise program to test the validity of GRS tactics. This process often results in modifications and improvements to each document. GRS can also be tested and validated during other scheduled exercises, unannounced readiness drills, or actual oil spills.​​

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​How were the Massachusetts GRS Developed?

The process of developing a GRS involves identifying and discussing environmental sensitivities, protection priorities, response strategies, and response constraints. This fosters local buy-in and creates realistic expectations for protecting sensitive areas.

 

A collaborative Work Group was formed within each Massachusetts region to oversee GRS development. Work Groups included representatives from state and federal agencies, local governments and organizations, stakeholder groups, the oil industry, and spill response professionals.

Each group began with selecting candidate sites for GRS development using three primary criteria:

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• Is the site vulnerable to oil spills?

• What are the sensitivities (environmental, historical, cultural, socio-economic) at each site?

• Is the site protectable?

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​​​​​​​Site-specific information was then compiled using sensitivity index maps, local knowledge, site surveys, trustee agency input, and public comment.

 

A Tactics Guide was also developed to identify and outline a core set of oil spill response tactics appropriate for the Massachusetts shoreline. This Guide is based on the resources available to first responders, sensitivities at risk, and coastal geomorphology. After GRS were drafted, they were reviewed and approved by two regional area committees and each work group. All 160 GRS are incorporated into the appropriate Area Contingency Plan (ACP)​.

 

To view the timeline and process taken by each region's Work Group in developing the Massachusetts GRS, click the link below.