If you represent a federal, state, or local government agency that has lost net taxes, royalties, rents, fees, or net profit shares as a result of an oil spill, you may submit a claim for lost government revenue.

Examples of Claims for Lost Government Revenue

A city that does not collect as much revenue as usual from its parking meters because no one is using a beach due to an oil spill clean-up may submit a claim.

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Claim Requirements

To be valid, a claim for lost government revenue must meet the following requirements:

• You must be able to prove the damage was caused by an oil spill that falls under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. See the General OPA Claims Requirements page.
  • Oil must have caused the damage.
  • The damage must result from a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil.
  • The discharge or threat must be to a navigable water of the United States.
  • The discharge or threat must come from a vessel or facility.
• You must prove the lost revenue was caused by the spill and the amount claimed is appropriate:
  • Show the loss resulted from injury to, destruction of, or loss of property or natural resources;
  • Provide the amount, identity, authority, method, rate, and period of the revenue loss;
  • Show expenditures saved because revenue was not collected; and
  • Provide comparable revenue data, typically covering two years.
• You must show that you have presented your claim to the responsible party.
• The claim must be for a sum certain.
• You must submit the claim within three years of discovery.
• You must submit the claim in writing and sign it.

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Examples of Supporting Documentation

You must provide evidence that supports your claim. Examples include:

• Log books
• Reports from the Federal On-Scene Coordinator or other responders
• Receipts
• Documents showing past years’ revenues
• Financial statements
• Witness statements
• Newspaper reports describing the spill
• Any other supporting documentation

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How to Submit Your Claim

1. Develop a document or complete the Optional Claims form and sign it in ink.
2. Attach supporting documentation.
3. Mail your claims package to the NPFC.