Title: Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Federal Facilities | Enforcement | US EPA
Headings: Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Federal Facilities
Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Federal Facilities
On this page
Summary
Federal Facility Responsibilities Under the Oil Pollution Prevention Program
Application of Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation to Federal Facilities
EPA Enforcement
Criminal Enforcement
State Enforcement
Tribal Enforcement
Citizen Enforcement
EPA OPA Regulations
EPA Policies and Guidance

Content: Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Federal Facilities | Enforcement | US EPA
Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Federal Facilities
On this page
Summary
Federal Facility Responsibilities Under the Oil Pollution Prevention Program
Application of Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation to Federal Facilities
EPA Enforcement
State Enforcement
Tribal Enforcement
Citizen Enforcement
OPA Regulations
EPA Policies and Guidance
Summary
Originally published in 1973 under the authority of §311 of the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Prevention regulation sets forth requirements for prevention of, preparedness for, and response to oil discharges at specific non-transportation-related facilities. To prevent oil from reaching navigable waters and adjoining shorelines, and to contain discharges of oil, the regulation requires these facilities to develop and implement Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans and establishes procedures, methods, and equipment requirements (Subparts A, B, and C). In 1990, the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) amended the Clean Water Act to require some oil storage facilities to prepare Facility Response Plans (FRP). On July 1, 1994, EPA finalized the revisions that direct facility owners or operators to prepare and submit plans for responding to a worst-case discharge of oil (Subpart D). Top of Page
Federal Facility Responsibilities Under the Oil Pollution Prevention Program
Developing and updating the facility’s oil spill emergency response plans
Maintaining required records/documentation
Testing emergency response equipment
Periodically performing mock spill response drills
Notifying federal, state, and local agencies in case of an incident
Mitigating all spills and discharges
Ensuring employees have required training
Top of Page
Application of Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation to Federal Facilities
OPA requires EPA to amend the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) to enhance and expand procedures for oil spill response. In addition, OPA requires certain facilities to develop response plans for responding to worst-case discharges of oil and hazardous substances. Federal facility activities subject to OPA requirements include: Storing or handling petroleum, fuel oil, sludge oil, and oil mixed with waste
Transferring oil by using motor vehicles or rolling stocks; Supporting maritime vessel activities or other water-related activities where fuels are used. Top of Page
EPA Enforcement
EPA’s enforcement authorities for OPA violations reside in CWA §311 (e) and §311 (c).