USE OF DISPERSANTS - U.S. National Response Team (NRT)

SECTION IPurposeThis policy provides pre-authorization, pursuant to Subpart J of the NCP, for the limited use ofdispersants by the pre-designated USCG On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) on oil discharges impacting waterswithin the Caribbean RRT boundaries. The CRRT recognize that the complete physical containment,collection, and removal of oil discharges may not be possible. The use of dispersants may therefore beconsidered to prevent a substantial threat to the public health or welfare, or to minimize the threat ofimpacts to the environment. This policy establishes criteria under which dispersants may be applied tothe waters within the Caribbean Region.AuthoritySubpart J of the NCP provides for the RRT representatives for EPA, the affected states, and the DOC andDOI natural resource trustees to review and either approve, disapprove, or approve with modification preauthorizationplans for the use of chemical countermeasures for oil spill response. If pre-authorization isapproved, the OSC may authorize the use of chemical countermeasures as specified in the plan withoutobtaining specific concurrences from EPA, the affected states, or DOC and DOI.ScopeThe USCG, EPA, DOI, DOC, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands haveadopted the use of dispersants as an approved tool to respond to spilled or discharged oil on ocean andcoastal waters within the jurisdiction of the CRRT. This policy includes protocols under which dispersantuse must be conducted by the USCG OSC. The pre-authorization for the use of dispersants provided bythe LOAs is in effect for the pre-designated USCG OSC only.