scope:

PREFACE

The 1995 International Oil Spill Conference sponsors, American Petroleum Institute, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, International Maritime Organization, and International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association, commissioned three white papers to address issues of special importance to the oil spill community. They assigned the responsibility for general management and oversight, scope definition, peer review, and publication of the white papers to the Program Committee.

The goals of the white papers are to educate the spill community, to stimulate open discussion of complex and controversial issues, and balance the diverse positions of stakeholders. Each topic addresses varying scientific/technical and socio/political concerns. Therefore, each white paper differs as to depth of study and breadth of conclusions. The views and opinions presented are those of the authors solely and do not represent the views, opinions, or policies of the International Oil Spill Conference or its sponsors.

During the 1995 Conference, each white paper will be the topic of a special panel session. Separate publication of the white papers initiates the International Oil Spill Conference Technical Report Series. The Technical Reports are to be published in conjunction with the International Oil Spill Conference on a biennial basis.

It is the Program Committee's hope that each white paper will stimulate substantive discussion and serve as a catalyst for solutions.