Planning
Strategic and comprehensive planning are the basic
building blocks of an effective oil spill response. The MMS requires
such planning through the submittal of either site-specific or regional
oil spill response plans (OSRPs). Owners or operators that are affected are those
that have facilities located seaward of the coastline that handle,
store, and/or transport oil. Before any facility can commence operation the
owner or operator must submit an OSRP to MMS for approval. The plan must
demonstrate a capacity to respond quickly and effectively should an oil
spill occur.
The authority for MMS to regulate oil
spill
planning for affected facilities is derived from the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990
(OPA)
and
Executive Order 12777.
Direction to owners and operators regarding federal oil spill
planning, preparedness, and response requirements is found at
30 CFR Part 254 – Oil Spill Response Requirements
for Facilities Located Seaward of the Coastline. In addition to
the regulations, MMS regional offices have published guidance papers
referred to as Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that are intended to
clarify the regulations. See
NTL No. 99-P01 -
Oil Spill Response Plan for
information on Pacific OCS Region requirements and
NTL No. 2006-G21
- Regional and Sub-Regional Oil Spill Response Plans
for those of the Gulf of Mexico Region. MMS regulations require that
OSRPs be in compliance with the
National
Contingency Plan and applicable
Area Contingency Plans.
The cost of cleaning up an oil spill varies widely
and is dependent upon many factors, but most importantly the type of product
spilled, range of impacted resources, and response methodology and timing.
Owners and operators of facilities must maintain oil spill financial responsibility
(OSFR) adequate to pay for costs of a cleanup of a worst-case spill from
their facilities. MMS has published
regulations
and an
NTL on the OSFR program and
administers it pursuant to OPA 90. It should be noted that covered
facilities not only include those in State and Federal offshore waters but
connected bays and estuaries as well.
Last Updated:
11/13/2008,
03:24:55 PM