EPPR Meeting in Vorkuta
Emercom of the Russian Federation hosted the annual meeting of the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group of the Arctic Council in Vorkuta, Russia, which took place June 16-18.
According to the EPPR Chair, Ms Ann Heinrich (USA), the meeting was a success and it was very well organized by the Russian hosts. During the course of the meeting EPPR delegates exchanged information, worked on current projects and discussed new project proposals to address the AMSA Report recommendations. Outcomes include initiation of a Canada-USA joint pilot project to assess regional capabilities for oil spill response and exploration of collaboration in automated mutual assistance vessel rescue networks by Russia and the US. EPPR is updating its "Environmental Risk Analysis" and "2000 Analysis of the Adequacy and Effectiveness of Existing Arrangements and Agreements" to reflect the current situation in the Arctic.
EPPR is also sponsoring an emergency exercise involving a simulated release of radiological material at the Nerpa Shipyard in Murmansk Region of the Russian Federation. This exercise will be conducted July 28-29, 2010.
The meeting was opened by Emercom Deputy Minister Mr. Alexander Chuyprian; Mr. Valery Budovsky, Mayor of Vorkuta; Mr. Ivan Pozdeev, Komi Republic Deputy Governor; and Mr. Rostislav Goldshtein, Deputy Chair, State Duma Committee. Ambassador Anton Vasiliev of Russia also adressed the meeting.