MassDEP MOSFAR program secures multi‑year contractor support, flags trailer replacements and equipment needs

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection program staff said the MOSFAR (Marine Oil Spill Preparedness, Assessment & Response) program has renewed its master service arrangements with Nuka Research and added Woods Hole Group for complementary services, with a new contract term noted as seven years. The program’s fee‑based fund—supported in part by a per‑barrel marine terminal fee—was described as about $40 million and staff estimated FY25 spending could exceed $2 million.

Julie (program staff) and other presenters told the committee the program maintains 83 response trailers staged across roughly 70 coastal communities; many trailers are more than a decade old and showing wear from weather and rodent damage. “We have 83 trailers,” the presenter said, and estimated repairs per trailer at about $9,000. Staff outlined a phased schedule to repair and replace trailers and asked coastal towns to regularly exercise and inspect stored trailers so the equipment is deployment‑ready.

The program also highlighted an inventory of 11,500 feet of 42‑inch foam‑filled boom acquired after Deepwater Horizon and stored at Joint Base Cape Cod; while the boom itself was described as new, trailers and storage needs require maintenance. Staff said replacements will be prioritized and a signage effort is planned to ensure proper marking of state assets.

The presentation emphasized ongoing equipment maintenance, annual inspections by contractor staff, and closer coordination with towns that store trailers to prevent common failures—flat tires, delamination and door/ramp damage—that can render a trailer unusable during a response. Staff said they will circulate an inspection and flip schedule for the coming year.

The meeting closed this agenda item with program staff committing to follow up with a detailed replacement plan and cost estimates.