North Shore Geographic Response Plan (GRP) Project
Welcome to the North Shore GRP Project webpage. This site was used to compile information during the development of geographic response plans for the North Shore of Massachusetts.
This project was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and facilitated by Nuka Research and Planning Group, LLC. The process used to develop the North Shore GRPs was similar to that used for the Cape and Islands GRP project.
The North Shore GRP Project was initiated and completed during 2009. This website contains the work group record of meetings and information about site selection and site surveys. The Final GRPs for 32 sites in the North Shore region are included below. These GRPs are pending approval by the Plymouth to Salisbury Area Committee; once approved, they will be adopted into the Area Contingency Plan by the U.S. Coast Guard, MassDEP, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
To learn more about the GRP process, please visit the MassGRP FAQ Page.
North Shore GRP Site Selection
Nineteen coastal towns are included in the North Shore Region and will be involved in the NSGRP project. GRPs are developed for coastal sites base on environmental sensitivity criteria reviewed by the planning group and entered into a site selection matrix.
The site selection matrix for the North Shore GRP reflects the environmental sensitivities and human use for the 32 sites selected for GRP development.
GRP Documents
Draft GRPs have been developed for 32 sites in the North Shore Region, as shown in the map below.
NS10 Plum Island Sound Entrance
North Shore GRP Site Survey Schedule
Thanks to all of the towns, individuals, and organizations who participated in the North Shore GRP surveys.
| Location | Date | Time | Status |
| Merrimack River Area | May 20 | 0800 | Complete |
| Rockport & Cape Ann | May 20 | 1230 | Complete |
| Plum Island Sound | May 21 | 0800 | Complete |
| Essex Bay | May 21 | 1230 | Complete |
| Manchester Bay | May 27 | 0900 | Complete |
| Danvers River | May 27 | 1300 | Complete |
| Beverly Harbor | June 2 | 0800 | Complete |
| Salem Harbor | June 2 | 0930 | Complete |
| Marblehead Harbor | June 2 | 1230 | Complete |
| Swampscott Shoreline | June 2 | 1530 | Complete |
| Nahant Bay & Harbor | June 3 | 0800 | Complete |
| Lynn Harbor | June 3 | 1100 | Complete |
| Gloucester Harbor & Annisquam River | June 26 | 0800 | Complete |
| Saugus & Pines River | July 9 | 1230 | Complete |
Vessel support for the North Shore GRP surveys was provided by: Beverly Harbormaster, Danvers Harbormaster, Gloucester Harbormaster, Ipswich Fire and Rescue, Lynn Harbormaster, Manchester Harbormaster, Marblehead Harbormaster, Mass Division of Marine Fisheries, Nahant Harbormaster, Newburyport Harbormaster, Rockport Harbormaster, Rowley Harbormaster, Rowley Shellfish Warden, Salem Harbormaster, Swampscott Harbormaster, USCG Merrimack River Station, USCG Gloucester Station.
North Shore GRP Planning Group Information
A Planning Group was formed to oversee the GRP development. Members of the NSGRP Planning Group represent state and federal agencies, local governments and organizations, stakeholder groups, the oil industry, and spill response professionals. The Planning Group wass co-chaired by the following organizations:
- MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup
- NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
- Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (North Shore Region)
- U.S. Coast Guard. Sector Boston
Planning Group meetings were held approximately three times over the life of this project. Meeting announcements, agendas, handouts, and meeting minutes were posted here as they were developed, to provide public access to the Group’s record.
The Planning Group process was open to the public and public participation was welcomed and encouraged. For additional information regarding this GRP project, please contact: elisedecola@nukaresearch.com
Meeting Schedule: 2009
Plymouth to Salisbury Area Committee Meeting
DATE: November 24, 2009
TIME: 9:00 – 12:00 a.m.
LOCATION: US Coast Guard Base Support Unit (BSU) Boston
427 Commercial Street, Boston, MA
The North Shore GRP is an agenda item at this meeting. The GRP will be presented to the Area Committee for review and adoption into the Plymouth to Salisburay Area Plan for Oil Spills and Hazardous Materials Response. Work group members are welcome to attend this meeting.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – Draft GRP Review Meeting
*1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*Parker National Wildlife Refuge Classroom
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA
978/465-5753
* Agenda
* Meeting Materials:
- Draft GRPs for 34 sites (see list above)
- Revised site selection matrix and key
- GRP Tactics Powerpoint Presentation
Thursday, May 14, 2009 – Site Selection Workshop
* 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
* NOAA Fisheries Service, Northeast Regional Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930-2276
Telephone: (978) 281-9300
* Directions to Meeting Site
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 – North Shore GRP Kick-off Meeting
* 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
* NOAA Fisheries Service, Northeast Regional Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930-2276
Telephone: (978) 281-9300
* Agenda
* Meeting Materials:
- Map of NSGRP area
- Draft site selection matrix
- Site Selection Matrix Key
- GRP example – Cape and Islands GRP, Nantucket Harbor
* Directions to Meeting Site
- Presentations given at meeting:
- North Shore GRP Project Overview
- Establishing Oil Spill Protection Priorities (ESI based)
- Site Selection and Survey Process
- GRP Tactics Development and Application
- Timeline and Contact information
