About UMRBA

River Facts

Meetings

Publications

              Ecosystem Restoration

Hazardous Spills

          Water Quality

Hazardous Spills Preparedness and Response

The Upper Mississippi River is home to a diverse set of natural resources and provides for a variety of human uses, including industry, transportation, and recreation. Prevention of, and preparation for, spills of hazardous materials is a critical element in maintaining the multiple uses of the river. Coordination in spill response among the various entities with jurisdiction on the river is essential to preparation.

The UMRBA has played a key role in spill response planning and coordination through the Upper Mississippi River Hazardous Spills Coordination Group, in its Spill Response Mapping and Planning activities, and in support of an Upper Mississippi River Early Warning Monitoring Network.

Upper Mississippi River Hazardous Spills Coordination Group

Since 1989, the UMRBA has provided staff support for the Upper Mississippi River Hazardous Spills Coordination Group (UMR Spills Group), which includes representatives of state and federal agencies who play a role in contingency planning and spill response on the river.  The UMR Spills Group provides a forum for interagency coordination, serves as a voice for the region's spill responders on various issues, and helps in the preparation and execution of training activities.

Among the Group's accomplishments are development and maintenance of the Upper Mississippi River Spill Response Plan and Resource Manual, which has been adopted by the state and federal agency members of the UMR Spills Group.  The UMR Plan is designed to complement broader regional and national contingency plans by addressing issues and concerns related specifically to spill response on the Upper Mississippi River.  The Plan includes a resource manual which contains information about potential spill sources, vulnerable resources, and response assets.

Spill Response Planning and Mapping 

Pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the UMRBA is also engaged in a related cooperative planning and mapping effort.  Funded largely by U.S. EPA Region 5, the project partners also include the Great Lakes Commission. 

Spill Response Plans.  In addition, this cooperative effort has developed local, sub-area contingency plans for areas including Minneapolis-St. Paul, the Quad Cities, St. Louis, and Peoria.

Inland Sensitivity Atlas.  The mapping initiative is known as the Inland Sensitivity Mapping Project.  Using geographic information system (GIS) applications, the partners are producing integrated maps showing potential spill sources, sensitive human and environmental resources, and other important features. 

Upper Mississippi River Early Warning Monitoring Network

The UMRBA has been involved in planning for an early warning monitoring network to provide for rapid detection and notification of spill events on the UMR.  These efforts have included the establishment of a pilot monitoring station at Lock and Dam 15, posting monitoring data on the internet, and an automated email communication system.