North Carolina Prepares for Potential Effects from the Gulf Oil Spill

Though forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continue to predict a remote chance that oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill could threaten North Carolina’s coastline, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources is closely monitoring the effects of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and working with its partners to prepare for potential impacts to North Carolina.

The N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety has launched an official state Gulf Oil Spill Web page dedicated to providing information and useful links regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This site will provide comprehensive, updated information about the state's preparation and response to potential impacts, in addition to useful links, including those to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the incident's Unified Command, alternative technology ideas and frequently asked questions. 

Response agencies/duties

The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead agency in charge of response should any oil threaten our coastal waters, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides leadership to any potential threats to inland waters.

At the state level, the Emergency Management Division of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety leads North Carolina’s response to potential oil events. NCDENR’s role in any response is as the lead technical advisory group to assist the leader of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), led by the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and consisting of agencies throughout state government.

What actions state agencies are taking

The Division of Emergency Management and NCDENR are currently reviewing and revising the state’s current oil spill response plan (see link above left for plan), and actively working with the U.S. Coast Guard and EPA to coordinate the state’s plan with federal response plans.

If and when oil is sighted in or near coastal waters and a definitive, imminent threat to North Carolina waters/shoreline is identified, NCDENR’s staff in various divisions will:

• Help with technical assessment of the impact from the spill and cleanup operations of the marine environment.
• Assess extent of environmental damage and provide on scene liaisons to the incident command team concerning state environmental policies and regulations
• Review and monitor cleanup actions by responsible party
• Identify sensitive marine habitats and marine areas crucial to the fishing economy
• Collect water, air, shellfish and fish samples for analysis.
• Identify procedures for storing oil/hazardous waste debris pending disposal.
• Conduct damage assessment and determine value of economic losses in fishing industry