SUMMARY

When oil contaminates shoreline habitats, responders must survey the affected areas to determine how to respond appropriately.

Though you may have laid the groundwork for shoreline cleanup during planning stages by developing general approvals or decision tools for choosing cleanup methods, you must base your specific cleanup recommendations on field data that you and your colleagues collect by conducting a shoreline assessment. To perform an assessment, you survey the affected shoreline, segment by segment, to collect information about the shoreline habitats, type and degree of shoreline contamination, and spill-specific physical processes.

NOAA's Shoreline Assessment job aid outlines methods you can use to plan and conduct shoreline assessment after an oil spill.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS

Shoreline Assessment Manual (PDF) This manual outlines methods for conducting shoreline assessments and using the results to make cleanup decisions.

Shoreline Assessment Job Aid (PDF) This job aid is a supplement to the manual. It contains visual examples of many of the terms you would use during shoreline assessments.

Shoreline Assesment Forms: Forms you can download, print out, and then use to record your observations during a shoreline survey following an oil spill.

• Shoreline Assessment Form (Long form) and Instructions: The most complex form, requiring the most training to use.
• Short Shoreline Assessment Form and Instructions: Easier-to-use form; allows you to circle appropriate descriptors, minimizing the need to fill in information. Most useful when oiling is very uniform or simple.
• Wetland Shoreline Assessment Form and Instructions: For use in surveying an oiled wetland.
• Tarball Shoreline Assessment Form and Instructions: For use when oiling is primarily in the form of tarballs.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration

SHORT DESCRIPTION

NOAA's Shoreline Assessment job aid outlines methods you can use to plan and conduct shoreline assessment after an oil spill.