What does the Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI) inform the suspected spiller about?

The Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI) serves as an official communication that informs the suspected spiller about their liabilities and potential penalties under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA). The FWPCA is a key piece of legislation aimed at regulating the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters and establishes the requirements for spill response and remediation.

When a NOFI is issued, it outlines the government's interest in ensuring compliance with this act and highlights the legal ramifications that the responsible party may face if they fail to meet their obligations following a pollution incident. This notice serves to clarify the seriousness of the situation to the suspected spiller, ensuring they are aware that they may be held accountable for any environmental damage caused by their actions, along with any associated costs for clean-up and damages that could arise under federal law.

While the other choices touch on relevant themes concerning pollution response and environmental regulations, they do not capture the primary purpose of the NOFI, which is specifically to inform about liabilities and potential penalties under the FWPCA.