National Response Framework (NRF) & Disaster Funding

Every day, oil spills occur for which the NPFC provides funding. Although these spills may cost millions of dollars to clean up and may affect local areas for decades, they often do not make national news or have a significant impact on the country as a whole.

The National Contingency Plan (NCP) outlines how federal agencies respond to these everyday spills, including when and how to use funding sources administered by the NPFC.

Occasionally, the nation experiences a larger disaster whose response cannot be fully coordinated under the NCP—often because it involves more than just oil or hazardous material pollution. These larger Incidents of National Significance are covered under the National Response Framework (NRF), which provides additional funding sources the NPFC may administer under the Stafford Act.

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National Contingency Plan (NCP)

The National Oil and Hazardous Substance Contingency Plan (NCP) is the framework for responding to pollution incidents. First developed in 1968, the NCP has been revised several times, including in response to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA). All NPFC-administered spill funding operates under the NCP.

The NCP designates On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs), establishes National and Regional Response Teams, and provides the blueprint for responding to a Spill of National Significance (SONS).

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Incidents of National Significance

When a disaster—natural or manmade—harms or threatens a community or the environment, multiple levels of government and private resources respond. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed the National Response Framework (NRF) to coordinate response and support for disasters that the Secretary of Homeland Security declares as Incidents of National Significance.

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Stafford Act Disasters

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act provides federal support for disasters declared by the President, usually upon a state governor’s request. When the President makes this declaration, the Stafford Act activates special provisions and funding from the Disaster Relief Fund.

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Pollution Incident Response

The NRF defines specific Coast Guard responsibilities for pollution response. Pollution incidents may result from industrial accidents, natural disasters, terrorism, or weapons of mass destruction.

• ESF #10 – Most pollution incidents, especially those under the Stafford Act, are managed under the NRF’s HAZMAT Emergency Support Function (ESF #10).
• Oil & HAZMAT Incident Annex – Other pollution responses fall under the NRF’s Oil and Hazardous Materials Incident Annex, which incorporates the NCP.
• Other Incident Annexes – Some pollution incidents may also be covered by other Annexes.
• NCP – Pollution incidents not declared Incidents of National Significance or Stafford Act Disasters remain under the NCP.

HAZMAT Emergency Support Function (ESF #10)

The NRF contains 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) used to implement Stafford Act provisions for declared disasters. Funding for ESF responses comes from the Stafford Act’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Incident Annexes

The NRF also includes seven Incident Annexes, which address special situations where federal control is necessary. When ESF #10 is activated, up to three annexes may apply simultaneously:

• Biological Incident
• Catastrophic Incident
• Terrorism and Law Enforcement Incident

If ESF #10 is not activated, the Oil and Hazardous Materials Incident Annex—based on the NCP—provides guidance. Funding for such responses typically comes from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) for oil spills or from Superfund for hazardous materials.

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The NPFC’s Role in Funding Pollution Incidents

The National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) manages and provides funding for pollution response through three key sources:

• Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF)
• CERCLA Superfund
• Disaster Relief Fund (Stafford Act)

When the President declares a disaster, FEMA can assign Stafford Act funds for Coast Guard pollution response activity. The NPFC manages these reimbursable funds, in addition to its roles as administrator for the OSLTF and Superfund programs.

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Comparison of Pollution Incidents

The table below summarizes different types of pollution incidents:

Some pollution incidents may begin under the NCP, later transitioning to ESF #10 once a Stafford Act declaration is made. Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) can initiate response activities before DHS or the President classifies the event.

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