What is the primary goal of the National Contingency Plan?

The primary goal of the National Contingency Plan (NCP) is to ensure a coordinated federal response to hazardous substance spills. This plan outlines the federal government's responsibilities and mechanisms for responding effectively to spills of oil and hazardous substances, ensuring that the response is efficient, timely, and implemented in a systematic manner.

The NCP provides a framework for the federal, state, and local agencies to collaborate in the event of a spill, ensuring that resources are properly allocated and that the response is consistent across jurisdictions. This coordination is vital during emergencies, as it allows for a unified approach that can effectively mitigate the impacts of hazardous spills on public health and the environment.

While promoting environmental restoration activities, regulating the storage of hazardous materials, and educating the public are all important aspects of environmental protection, they are not the primary focus of the NCP. The plan is specifically designed to address the immediate response needs during incidents involving hazardous substances, making coordination among federal resources its central objective.