What is a “National Contingency Plan” (NCP)?

The "National Contingency Plan" (NCP) serves as the federal government's response blueprint for oil spills and hazardous substance releases. It outlines the procedures and strategies that federal agencies, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, must follow in responding to environmental emergencies. This includes the coordination of resources, roles of various agencies, and the involvement of state and local authorities. The NCP sets the framework for federal response and provides guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to managing pollution incidents.

In contrast, while training volunteers may be an important aspect of community preparedness, it does not encapsulate the overarching federal response framework that the NCP provides. Environmental education focuses on informing the public about environmental issues, but again, it does not relate directly to the specific protocols for pollution response outlined in the NCP. Additionally, the NCP is not simply a budget for pollution control; it is more about the operational response and strategies for dealing with incidents as they occur.