Monday, July 19, 2010

Representatives from state and federal agencies and marine researchers from several North Carolina universities will tackle “Higher Education’s Role in Responding to a Major Oil Spill” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Marine Science.

The conference, initiated by UNC Wilmington, will facilitate collaboration between emergency responders and higher education in the areas of personnel, technologies, equipment, capabilities and scientific information for response during an oil spill-related emergency.

Topics of public interest include how the Deepwater Horizon oil spill may yet impact the East Coast, where oil may end up and its potential spread through the food chain. In addition to the BP spill, coastal states are vulnerable to tanker spills and potential accidents if offshore drilling is allowed in the Atlantic.

Confirmed agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard, NC Dept. of Emergency Management, Army Corps of Engineers and NC Dept. of Marine Fisheries. Other invited agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency, NC Dept. of Natural Resources, NC Dept. of Health and Human Services and officials from New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Participating universities include UNCW, ECU, NC State, UNC Chapel Hill and Duke.

Media Opps:
• 10 a.m. – noon: Tour the CMS facility with agency representatives — media can gain footage of demonstrations and interviews on the Research Vessel Cape Fear, with remote operated vehicles (ROVs) in the operations wing and in labs conducting related research. Then go to the CMS auditorium for presentations from university groups about specific capabilities.
• Noon: Lunch break (potential faculty and agency interviews during this time)
• 1 – 3 p.m: Informal discussion on how to match agencies’ needs and the universities’ capabilities to deliver a timely and effective response should the NC coast be impacted.

Additional opps for individual interviews with faculty and researchers will be available. Please notify Dana Fischetti if you plan to attend, particularly if you would like to attend lunch.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.508.3127 or fischettid@uncw.edu