[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 27]
[Revised as of July 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR300.110]

[Page 24-26]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 300_NATIONAL OIL AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN
--Table of Contents
 
         Subpart B_Responsibility and Organization for Response
 
Sec. 300.110  National Response Team.

    National planning and coordination is accomplished through the NRT.
    (a) The NRT consists of representatives from the agencies named in 
Sec. 300.175(b). Each agency shall designate a member to the team and 
sufficient

[[Page 25]]

alternates to ensure representation, as agency resources permit. The NRT 
will consider requests for membership on the NRT from other agencies. 
Other agencies may request membership by forwarding such requests to the 
chair of the NRT.
    (b) The chair of the NRT shall be the representative of EPA and the 
vice chair shall be the representative of the USCG, with the exception 
of periods of activation because of response action. During activation, 
the chair shall be the member agency providing the OSC/RPM. The vice 
chair shall maintain records of NRT activities along with national, 
regional, and area plans for response actions.
    (c) While the NRT desires to achieve a consensus on all matters 
brought before it, certain matters may prove unresolvable by this means. 
In such cases, each agency serving as a participating agency on the NRT 
may be accorded one vote in NRT proceedings.
    (d) The NRT may establish such bylaws and committees as it deems 
appropriate to further the purposes for which it is established.
    (e) The NRT shall evaluate methods of responding to discharges or 
releases; shall recommend any changes needed in the response 
organization; and shall recommend to the Administrator of EPA changes to 
the NCP designed to improve the effectiveness of the national response 
system, including drafting of regulatory language.
    (f) The NRT shall provide policy and program direction to the RRTs.
    (g) The NRT may consider and make recommendations to appropriate 
agencies on the training, equipping, and protection of response teams 
and necessary research, development, demonstration, and evaluation to 
improve response capabilities.
    (h) Direct planning and preparedness responsibilities of the NRT 
include:
    (1) Maintaining national preparedness to respond to a major 
discharge of oil or release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or 
contaminant that is beyond regional capabilities;
    (2) Publishing guidance documents for preparation and implementation 
of SARA Title III local emergency response plans;
    (3) Monitoring incoming reports from all RRTs and activating for a 
response action, when necessary;
    (4) Coordinating a national program to assist member agencies in 
preparedness planning and response, and enhancing coordination of member 
agency preparedness programs;
    (5) Developing procedures, in coordination with the NSFCC, as 
appropriate, to ensure the coordination of federal, state, and local 
governments, and private response to oil discharges and releases of 
hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants;
    (6) Monitoring response-related research and development, testing, 
and evaluation activities of NRT agencies to enhance coordination, avoid 
duplication of effort, and facilitate research in support of response 
activities;
    (7) Developing recommendations for response training and for 
enhancing the coordination of available resources among agencies with 
training responsibilities under the NCP;
    (8) Reviewing regional responses to oil discharges and hazardous 
substance, pollutant, or contaminant releases, including an evaluation 
of equipment readiness and coordination among responsible public 
agencies and private organizations; and
    (9) Assisting in developing a national exercise program, in 
coordination with the NSFCC, to ensure preparedness and coordination 
nationwide.
    (i) The NRT will consider matters referred to it for advice or 
resolution by an RRT.
    (j) The NRT should be activated as an emergency response team:
    (1) When an oil discharge or hazardous substance release:
    (i) Exceeds the response capability of the region in which it 
occurs;
    (ii) Transects regional boundaries; or
    (iii) Involves a substantial threat to the public health or welfare 
of the United States or the environment, substantial amounts of 
property, or substantial threats to natural resources;
    (2) If requested by any NRT member.
    (k) When activated for a response action, the NRT shall meet at the 
call of the chair and may:
    (1) Monitor and evaluate reports from the OSC/RPM and recommend to 
the

[[Page 26]]

OSC/RPM, through the RRT, actions to combat the discharge or release;
    (2) Request other federal, state, and local governments, or private 
agencies, to provide resources under their existing authorities to 
combat a discharge or release, or to monitor response operations; and
    (3) Coordinate the supply of equipment, personnel, or technical 
advice to the affected region from other regions or districts.