PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Response plans for tankers loading at a Trans‑Alaska Pipeline permitted facility and for that facility must keep oil‑spill gear and trained people ready in Prince William Sound. They must store cleanup equipment in communities and key spots (for example, escort boats with skimmers, barges for recovered oil, heavy sea boom, pumps, lightering gear, and other gear to protect the environment and fish hatcheries). They must set up oil‑spill response teams in the Sound with enough trained staff to clean up, as quickly as possible, either the worst possible spill or a spill of 200,000 barrels — whichever is larger. Plans must train local residents and fish producers, run practice drills at least twice a year, and have regular testing and certification of equipment as the Secretary requires. Prince William Sound — all State and Federal waters in Prince William Sound, including the approach to Hinchenbrook Entrance out to and including Seal Rocks. Worst case discharge — for a vessel, loss of its entire cargo in bad weather; for a facility, the largest foreseeable spill in bad weather.

Title 33, §2735

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

In addition to the requirements for response plans for vessels established by section 1321(j) of this title, a response plan for a tanker loading cargo at a facility permitted under the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act (43 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.), and a response plan for such a facility, shall provide for— (1)

(2)the establishment of an oil spill removal organization at appropriate locations in Prince William Sound, consisting of trained personnel in sufficient numbers to immediately remove, to the maximum extent practicable, a worst case discharge or a discharge of 200,000 barrels of oil, whichever is greater;

(3)training in oil removal techniques for local residents and individuals engaged in the cultivation or production of fish or fish products in Prince William Sound;

(4)practice exercises not less than 2 times per year which test the capacity of the equipment and personnel required under this paragraph; and

(5)periodic testing and certification of equipment required under this paragraph, as required by the Secretary.

(b)Definitions

In this section

(1)

(2)the term “worst case discharge” means—

(A)in the case of a vessel, a discharge in adverse weather conditions of its entire cargo; and

(B)in the case of a facility, the largest foreseeable discharge in adverse weather conditions.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is title II of Pub. L. 93–153, Nov. 16, 1973, 87 Stat. 584, which is classified generally to chapter 34 (§ 1651 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1651 of Title 43 and Tables.

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–388 substituted “tanker loading cargo at” for “tank vessel operating on Prince William Sound, or” and directed the insertion of “and a response plan for such a facility,” after “(43 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.).”, which was executed by making the insertion after “(43 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.),” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

§2735 Equipment and Personnel Requirements Under Tank Vessel and Facility Response Plans