EPA's Oil Spill Program

The Environmental Protection Agency has the Federal Government's authority to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil spills for the inland areas (fresh water) of the United States. EPA maintains the last line of oil spill response capability when the abilities of the State and local governments are overwhelmed. EPA must also be prepared to act in the event of a disastrous oil spill, which may impact public health and safety. The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response's Oil Spill Prevention Program has three areas of responsibility: Prevention, Preparedness; and Response.

PREVENTION: EPA's Oil Spill Prevention Program is also known as the Spill Prevention, Control and Counter measures (SPCC) program. The Clean Water Act (as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), gives EPA the jurisdiction over non-transportation related facilities to prepare and implement SPCC plans which discuss steps taken to prevent and contain oil spills before they enter waters of the United States. Most facilities are located in environmentally sensitive areas or areas where spills could impact U.S. waters, public health and the environment.

PREPAREDNESS: EPA's Oil Spill Prevention Program was significantly strengthened by OPA which was enacted in the wake of the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. OPA requires certain improvements to the National Response System to ensure more effective oil spill response. A comprehensive oil spill planning and response system was established under OPA. On a National level, the Federal Government is required to direct all public and private response efforts for large spills. State and local governments, responding to spills in specific geographical areas, participate with federal agencies in Area Committees which are required to develop "Area Contingency Plans". For individual oil storage facilities, OPA requires certain higher risk facilities to develop their own "Facility Response Plans."

RESPONSE: In the aftermath of an oil spill, responders have only hours to consider and determine appropriate cleanup actions. The importance of quick and accurate decisions and actions places a critical reliance on the integrated approach of preventing and preparing for oil spills to improve the effectiveness of oil spill response. The national response system, a cooperative effort involving a broad spectrum of government and private parties, coordinates all such actions. EPA and Coast Guard share Federal response jurisdiction, with EPA handling spills in the inland zone and Coast Guard handling the coastal zone.

For further information contact:

David Evans, Director
Phone: (703) 603-8885
E-Mail: evans.david@epa.gov

OR

Lori Lee
Phone: (703) 603-8866
E-Mail: lee.lori@epa.gov

Oil Program Center (5203G)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Fax: (703) 603-9116

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EPA's Oil Spill Program

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