The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources has taken the lead in the preparation of a Draft Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP). In the aftermath of the event involving the MV Dunlin Arrow in mid – February 2009 it was recognized that the Turks and Caicos Islands is not prepared for this type of disaster which can be potentially devastating to our environment. The OSCP is a strategy for the protection of the marine environment and coastal areas in the TCI. It is the framework under which resources will be coordinated in the TCI for the prevention and control of marine pollution caused by spills, in cases of emergency, and to protect life, property and the environment from damage when discharges occur.

The DECR will be hosting a meeting to review the draft plan on May 12, 2009 at its Lower Bight Road Office, Providenciales from 10am. Senior decision making staff from various agencies will attend this meeting because a critical part of the review of the plan seeks to assess the responsibilities of each department during an oil spill incident.