Written Plans Required - One-Plan Guidance

Several government agencies have recognized the burden placed upon facility operators to submit several emergency response plans, and in response have developed a common sense option for meeting multiple emergency planning requirements under eight different federal regulations.

In support of President Clinton's review of federal authorities related to hazardous materials prevention, mitigation and response, the EPA has implemented an interagency "One-Plan Guidance" for release of oil and hazardous substances. The One-Plan Guidance was developed under the auspices of the National Response Team, with participation by industry and environmental groups, state agencies; EPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the Research and Special Programs Administration in the Department of Transportation and the Minerals Management Service in the Department of Interior. The guidance includes a core facility response plan for releases of oil and hazardous substances under existing federal laws. The core plan contains information that emergency responders will need to implement the initial stages of the response. The core plan will be supplemented with annexes that contain information such as a description of the facility's incident command system and data on specific hazards at the facility, required to meet specific federal regulatory requirements. Facility plans prepared in accordance with the guidance will satisfy facility emergency response planning requirements of the five agencies listed above and will be the federally preferred method of such planning. The One-Plan Guidance approach serves to minimize duplication of effort and unnecessary paperwork burdens. Copies of the guidance can be obtained by calling the RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 1-800-424-9346. The guidance can also be obtained via the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/swercepp.