Action, not Alarm: Preparing for Oil Sands Response at the Local Level

ABSTRACT Canadian Oil Sands Products (OSP) are bitumen-derived fuels that present a variety of spill response challenges. Within the response community, however, these challenges should elicit preparedness actions, but not alarm. This paper will provide an overview of Canadian OSP; briefly describe the growing need for preparedness that is a result of the increased transportation of Canadian OSP within the U.S.; and introduce the concept that many aspects of a Canadian OSP response can be addressed through existing strategies and technologies. Most importantly, this paper will propose specific, low cost, high impact actions that can be taken at the local and regional level to better plan and prepare for a Canadian OSP spill response.