What responsibilities does an agency have under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan?

The selected answer accurately reflects the comprehensive responsibilities outlined for agencies under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This plan establishes a coordinated federal response framework to address oil spills and releases of hazardous substances effectively.

Agencies are tasked with coordinating responses to such incidents, which involves various stakeholders, including federal, state, and local governments, as well as private entities and non-governmental organizations. This collaboration is necessary to ensure a rapid and effective response to pollution events, enabling the protection of public health and the environment. The objective is not only to manage the immediate response but also to facilitate the recovery and cleanup efforts that follow, involving multiple players with specialized knowledge and resources.

Other responsibilities such as investigating the source of pollution, advocating for stricter environmental laws, or educating the public, while important, do not capture the primary role outlined in the NCP. The focus is on an organized and cooperative response to incidents of pollution, making the selected answer the best representation of the agency's duties in relation to the NCP.