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Rollins Terminal

NOAA/OAD was notified of the incident on January 19, 1987, by the Coast Guard COTP, New
York, and requested to advise on neutralization procedures and potential effects of the
caustic pollutant to human health and the environment.  NOAA responded within two hours
with recommendations for neutralization procedures and human health and environmental
effects.  NOAA recommended containment and recovery of the pollutant from land as the best
method of mitigation, since environmental laws restrict treatment with many neutralization
agents.  The OSC was advised of the direct contact threat of caustic.  NOAA further
recommended that protective clothing should be worn by personnel potentially in contact
with the spilled material, and that water users should be advised immediately of the
situation.  The OSC was also advised of the late wintering bird population in the area.
Further detail was provided on January 20 at a meeting at the Rollins facility.  The
information provided on the fate of the pollutant in the water was used as the basis for a
sampling plan which was implemented by a team composed of the facility, Coast Guard, and
NOAA.