Memorandum of Understanding Establishing Jurisdictional Responsibilities for Offshore Facilities

Özet

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing Federal jurisdictional boundaries for offshore facilities, including pipelines, became effective on February 3, 1994. The MOU divides the responsibilities associated with oil-spill prevention and control, response planning, and response equipment inspection for offshore facilities. The MOU is among the Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The coast line marks the boundary that determines which agency is responsible for a facility. The MMS of the DOI is responsible for offshore facilities, including pipelines but not deepwater ports, located seaward of the coast line. The EPA is responsible for non- transportation-related offshore facilities located landward of the coast line. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Research and Special Programs Administration of the DOT will handle transportation-related offshore facilities, including pipelines, located landward of the coast line. Any exceptions to the MOU will be determined on a facility-specific basis, and the affected parties will be notified.