One of the Coast Guard's many missions is environmental protection. The Captain of the Port
(COTP) at Coast Guard Activities New York is the Federal On Scene Coordinator (FOSC) for the coastal zone, including Jamaica Bay. An Environmental
Response Section, under COTP's control, is responsible for responding to oil and chemical incidents. Coast Guard personnel are responsible
to ensure that each spill is cleaned per National Response Plan guidelines (40 CFR 300), including accessing the Oil Spill Liability Trust
Fund (OSLTF)/Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act funds (CERCLA) when necessary. Coast Guard response teams
are also qualified to conduct investigations of each incident to prove violations of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or CERCLA.
Violations may be processed for referral to either a Coast Guard Hearing Officer for administrative penalties or a U.S. Attorney for judicial
civil or criminal penalties. |