How to Report Oil Pollution

Oil pollution can be reported by telephone, in person or online. It takes approximately a few minutes to report a hazardous substance release or oil spill to the National Response Center (NRC). In order for your report to be effective, you will need to have specific information pertaining to the pollution that you are reporting. If it is not possible to report directly to the NRC, reports can be made online or in person to the regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety office in the area that the pollution occurred.

Instructions

• 1

  Collect all the information necessary pertaining to the oil pollution that you want to report and write it down on a notepad. Write the identity and address of the responsible party, if possible. Note the date and time that the incident happened. Write the geographical location of the oil pollution and how it occurred. Note the number of any injuries caused by the incident and victims involved. Include the current weather conditions at the site of the incident on your list. This information will be necessary for the U.S. Coast Guard personnel who will respond to your phone call to the National Response Center and will ask questions concerning your report.

• 2

  Call the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. This hotline is available for reports made by the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Answer all of the questions by the hotline personnel honestly and accurately using your notes. Submission is also possible through the NRC's online tool (see Resources).

• 3

  Contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for your region if you are not able to contact the NRC directly Find a list of regional offices at the Environment, Health and Safety Online website (see Resources). Report the same information that you collected in Step 1 to the administrator who responds to your call. Information reported to the EPA regarding oil pollution should include areas that have been polluted, such as inland areas or waters.

• 4

  Contact the U.S. Coast Guard office in the area that the incident occurred if you not able to reach the NRC or EPA directly. The information you provide will ultimately be sent to the NRC office.