United States
Environmental Protection Agency
FISCAL YEAR 2023
Justification of Appropriation
Estimates for the Committee
on Appropriations
Tab 10: Inland Oil Spill Programs
April 2022
EPA-190-R-22-001	www.epa.gov/cj

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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Inland Oil Spill Programs	
Program Projects in Inland Oil Spill Programs	711
Compliance	713
Compliance Monitoring	714
Enforcement	716
Civil Enforcement	717
Oil	719
Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and Response	720
Operations and Administration	723
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations	724
Research: Sustainable Communities	726
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities	727
709

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710

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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Inland Oil Spill Programs
Resource Summary Table

(Dollars in Thousands)




FY 2023

FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
President's Budget
v.

Final
Annualized
President's
FY 2022

Actuals
CR
Budget
Annualized CR
Inland Oil Spill Programs




Budget Authority
$19,601
$20,098
$26,502
$6,404
Total Workyears
78.2
84.8
99.8
15.0
Bill Language: Inland Oil Spill Programs
For expenses necessary to carry out the Environmental Protection Agency's responsibilities under
the Oil Pollution Act of1990, including hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft, $26,502,000,
to be derived from the Oil Spill Liability trust fund, to remain available until expended.
Note — A full-year 2022 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the Budget was prepared;
therefore, the Budget assumes this account is operating under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division A of
Public Law 117-43, as amended). The amounts included for 2022 reflect the annualized level provided by the
continuing resolution.
Program Projects in Inland Oil Spill Programs

[Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2021
Final Actuals
FY 2022
Annualized
CR
FY 2023
President's
Budget
FY 2023 President's
Budget v.
FY 2022 Annualized
CR
Compliance




Compliance Monitoring
$132
$139
$2,146
$2,007
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)




LUST/UST
$0
$0
$0
$0
Enforcement




Civil Enforcement
$2,532
$2,413
$2,538
$125
Oil




Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and
Response
$15,160
$16,200
$20,503
$4,303
Operations and Administration




711

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Program Pro ject
FY 2021
Final Actuals
FY 2022
Annualized
CR
FY 2023
President's
Budget
FY 2023 President's
Budget v.
FY 2022 Annualized
CR
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$628
$682
$641
-$41
Research: Sustainable Communities




Research: Sustainable and Healthy
Communities
$1,149
$664
$674
$10
TOTAL Inland Oil Spill Programs
$19,601
$20,098
$26,502
$6,404
712

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Compliance
713

-------
Compliance Monitoring
Program Area: Compliance
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance

(Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2021
Final Actuals
FY 2022
Annualized
CR
FY 2023
President's
Budget
FY 2023 President's
Budget v.
FY 2022 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$97,583
$102,500
$144,770
$42,270
Inland Oil Spill Programs
SI 32
.S JJV
S 2. NO
S2JHI'
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,778
$1,000
$1,015
$15
Total Budget Authority
$99,493
$103,639
$147,931
$44,292
Total Workyears
439.1
453.9
463.4
9.5
Program Project Description:
The Compliance Monitoring Program is a component of EPA's Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance Program that allows the Agency to detect noncompliance and promotes compliance
with the Nation's environmental laws. Under this program, EPA integrates the data from the
Facility Response Plans (FRP) and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) systems
into EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS). Data related to compliance with
FRP and SPCC requirements is made available to the public through EPA's Enforcement and
Compliance History Online (ECHO) website.
FY 2023 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2023, the Agency requests an additional $2.0 million to continue accelerating efforts to
modernize ICIS and support better integration with ECHO. The increased resources will fund
adjustments to ICIS and ECHO that will facilitate better access of compliance data and community
information (e.g., from EPA's EJSCREEN tool) to EPA and states and to the public. This
modernization will enhance EPA's efforts to address compliance concerns in overburdened or
vulnerable communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
714

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FY 2023 Change from FY 2022 Annualized Continuing Resolution (Dollars in Thousands):
•	(+$6.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
•	(+$2,001.0) This increase will allow EPA to accelerate its efforts to modernize ICIS and
support better integration with ECHO and enhance efforts to address compliance concerns
in overburdened and vulnerable communities.
Statutory Authority:
Oil Pollution Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-
80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
715

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Enforcement
716

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Civil Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable

(Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2021
Final Actuals
FY 2022
Annualized
CR
FY 2023
President's
Budget
FY 2023 President's
Budget v.
FY 2022 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$164,888
$168,341
$210,011
$41,670
T.caking Underground Storage Tanks
$625
$620
$653
$33
Inlunil Oil Spill Programs
S 2.532
s -V/.?
S2.5J.S
SI 25
Total Budget Authority
$168,045
$171,374
$213,202
$41,828
Total Workyears
908.0
916.2
1,004.2
88.0
Program Project Description:
The Civil Enforcement Program's goal is to protect human health and the environment by ensuring
compliance with the Nation's environmental laws. The Civil Enforcement Program collaborates
with the U.S. Department of Justice, states, local, and tribal governments to ensure consistent and
fair enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. The Civil Enforcement Program develops,
litigates, and settles administrative and civil judicial cases against violators of environmental laws.
The Civil Enforcement Program's enforcement of Section 311 of the Clean Water Act, as amended
by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, is designed to ensure compliance with the prohibition against oil
and hazardous substance spills that violate the statute, as well as the oil spill prevention, response
planning, and other regulatory requirements. The Civil Enforcement Program develops policies,
issues administrative compliance and penalty orders, and refers civil judicial actions to the
Department of Justice to address spills, violations of spill prevention regulations, response
planning regulations and other violations (e.g., improper dispersant use or noncompliance with
orders). The Program also will assist in the recovery of cleanup costs expended by the government
and provides support for field investigations of spills, Facility Response Plan, Spill Prevention,
Control, and Countermeasure, and other requirements.
FY 2023 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2023, EPA will continue to streamline the Civil Enforcement Program, prioritize resources
to achieve regulatory compliance, and address oil or hazardous substance spills in violation of the
statute and deter future spills. The Agency will focus on facilities where enforcement will promote
deterrence, tackle the climate crisis, integrate environmental justice considerations in our work to
protect overburdened and underserved communities that have borne a disproportionate burden of
pollution, and ensure that spills are prevented, cleaned up, and, where appropriate, mitigated. The
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Civil Enforcement Program also will continue to coordinate with the Criminal Enforcement
Program, as appropriate.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Civil Enforcement Program under
the EPM appropriation.
FY 2023 Change from FY 2022 Annualized Continuing Resolution (Dollars in Thousands):
•	(+$102.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
•	(+$23.0) This program increase will support EPA's efforts to achieve regulatory
compliance and address oil or hazardous substance spills in violation of statute.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Clean Water Act; Oil Pollution Act.
718

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Oil
719

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Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Program Area: Oil
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies

(Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2021
Final Actuals
FY 2022
Annualized
CR
FY 2023
President's
Budget
FY 2023 President's
Budget v.
FY 2022 Annualized
CR
Inlunil Oil Spill Programs
S l.\lf>0
S/ 0.200
S 20.50J
S-IJ03
Total Budget Authority
$15,160
$16,200
$20,503
$4,303
Total Workyears
64.8
70.6
85.6
15.0
Program Project Description:
The Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program protects the American people by
preventing, preparing for, responding to, and monitoring inland oil spills. EPA is the lead federal
responder for inland oil spills, including transportation-related spills from pipelines, trucks,
railcars, and other transportation systems. In addition, the Program may provide technical
assistance, assets, and outreach to industry, states, and local communities as part of the Agency's
effort to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil incidents.1
There are approximately 550,000 Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)
facilities, including a subset of 3,840 Facility Response Plan (FRP) facilities identified as high risk
due to their size and location. The Oil Pollution Act requires certain facilities that store and use oil
to prepare response plans that are reviewed by EPA to ensure availability of response resources in
the event of a discharge to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.
To minimize the potential impacts to human health and the environment, the Agency targets
inspections at facilities that pose the highest risk. Inspections are essential to ensuring that facility
staff is knowledgeable about prevention and response plans, and quickly able to put these plans
into action. The Agency currently inspects approximately 0.12 percent of SPCC facilities per year.
In FY 2021, EPA found percent 91 of SPCC facilities inspected to be out of compliance at the time
of inspection.2 In FY 2021, EPA continued off-site compliance monitoring activities for 98 SPCC
and 250 FRP facilities to further expand the compliance evaluation tools available to inspectors
during the COVID-19 pandemic.3 EPA plans to continue to use off-site compliance monitoring to
complement on-site inspections during FY 2023 and future years.4
1	For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/oil-spills-prevention-and-preparedness-regulations.
2	Information from the EPA Oil database.
3	In FY 2021, the Agency conducted 348 offsite compliance monitoring activities for SPCC and FRP.
4	For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-
07/documents/inspectioncommittments	O.pdf.
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EPA receives spill notifications through the National Response Center. The Agency is responsible
for ensuring all inland oil spills are promptly responded to, working closely with state and local
first responders on smaller spills and leading the response on larger spills. EPA accesses the Oil
Spill Liability Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, to obtain reimbursement funds
for site specific oil spill response activities.
FY 2023 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2023, the Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program will:
•	Inspect oil facilities to ensure compliance with prevention and preparedness requirements.
Inspections involve reviewing the facility's prevention, preparedness, and response plans
and discussing key aspects of these plans with facility staff. EPA also will conduct
unannounced exercises at FRP facilities to test the facility owner/operator's ability to put
preparedness and response plans into action. Finally, EPA will conduct off-site compliance
monitoring activities for oil facilities to allow inspectors to determine compliance from
remote locations as another tool to promote regulatory compliance. EPA will focus
inspections at high-risk facilities. Using the additional funding and FTE requested for FY
2023, the Program will increase inspections and compliance assistance at SPCC and FRP-
regulated facilities, focusing on high-risk facilities located in communities with
environmental justice concerns and communities with increased climate-related risks (e.g.,
extreme weather, flooding, wildfires, etc.). At a minimum, the Program expects to conduct
an additional 150 inspections at SPCC and FRP-regulated facilities. The Program will
develop additional compliance assistance materials, such as factsheets and facility
guidance, reflecting the potential impacts of climate change and environmental justice.
•	Maintain the National Contingency Plan's Subpart J product schedule, which identifies a
list of products that may be used to mitigate oil spills.
•	Target exercises to improve preparedness for communities with environmental justice
concerns and increase incorporation of environmental justice into preparedness activities
overall.
•	Maintain the National Oil Database, which compiles data for the Program. The database
assists in managing SPCC and FRP information obtained during inspections as well as
serving as a historical repository. The Oil Database provides more efficient access to
regulated facility information to streamline inspection activities and to identify regulatory
applicability. Using the additional funding and FTE requested for FY 2023, EPA will
continue upgrades to the National Oil Database to allow easier data entry, retrieval, and
analysis in order to improve program implementation.
•	Deliver required annual oil spill inspector training to federal inspectors and provide
outreach to federal/state partners and industry stakeholders to improve compliance with
721

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regulatory requirements. Using the additional funding and FTE requested for FY 2023,
EPA also will develop inspector training materials and methods for inspectors to best assess
SPCC and FRP facilities' incorporation of risks from natural hazards and climate change
into their oil spill prevention and response plans.
•	Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) authority, Subpart J of the National Contingency Plan
(NCP) sets forth regulatory requirements for the use of chemical agents as an oil spill
mitigation technology. In 2015, the Agency proposed amendments to Subpart J of the NCP
that included revisions to the existing product listing, testing protocols, and authorization
of use procedures, as well as new provisions for dispersant monitoring. EPA received a
lawsuit notification in January 2020, for which the Court ultimately ruled in August 2021
that EPA must take final action by May 31, 2023. EPA finalized dispersant monitoring
provisions in July 2021. In accordance with the Court ruling, the Agency will work to
publish a final action for the remaining provisions by the ordered date, also addressing
Administration priorities on environmental justice and climate change.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program directly supports performance results in the Superfund: EPA Emergency
Preparedness program under the Superfund appropriation.
FY 2023 Change from FY 2022 Annualized Continuing Resolution (Dollars in Thousands):
•	(+$504.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
•	(+$3,799.0 / +15.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support Oil Spill
Prevention, Preparedness, and Response activities in fenceline communities at risk from
nearby oil facilities, including providing increased outreach/compliance assistance,
improved inspector training, Oil Database improvements, regulatory updates, and
inspections at regulated facilities to ensure facilities have measures in place to prevent oil
accidents. In addition, resources will be used to develop inspector training materials and
methods. This investment includes $2,609 million in payroll.
Statutory Authority:
The Clean Water Act Section 311 as amended by the Oil Pollution Act.
722

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Operations and Administration
723

-------
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support

(Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2021
Final Actuals
FY 2022
Annualized
CR
FY 2023
President's
Budget
FY 2023 President's
Budget v.
FY 2022 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$257,524
$285,441
$288,293
$2,852
Science & Technology
$65,093
$67,500
$68,912
$1,412
Building and Facilities
$36,071
$27,076
$73,894
$46,818
I.caking Underground Storage Tanks
$93 2
$836
$724
-SI 12
Inlunil Oil Spill Programs
Vi_\V
Vi.S'J
.S Ml
-S-ll
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$81,976
$68,727
$71,219
$2,492
Total Budget Authority
$442,223
$450,262
$503,683
$53,421
Total Workyears
334.2
315.4
325.4
10.0
Total workyears in FY 2023 include 5.4 FTE to support Facilities, Infrastructure and Operations working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
EPA's Facilities Infrastructure and Operations Program in the Inland Oil Spill Programs
appropriation supports the Agency's rent, transit subsidy, and facility operations. Funding is
allocated for such services among the major appropriations for the Agency.
FY 2023 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2023, EPA will continue to take aggressive action to reconfigure EPA's workplaces with
the goal of reducing long-term rent costs while increasing EPA facility resiliency and sustainability
to combat the effects of climate change and ensure a space footprint that accommodates a growing
workforce. For FY 2023, EPA is requesting $483 thousand for rent in the Inland Oil Spill Programs
appropriation. EPA uses a standard methodology to ensure that rent charging appropriately reflects
planned and enacted resources at the appropriation level. EPA also will continue working to
increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions through cost-effective solutions.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
724

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FY 2023 Change from FY 2022 Annualized Continuing Resolution (Dollars in Thousands):
• (-$41.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of rent
and transit subsidy needs.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
725

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Research: Sustainable Communities
726

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Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Program Area: Research: Sustainable Communities
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support

(Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2021
Final Actuals
FY 2022
Annualized
CR
FY 2023
President's
Budget
FY 2023 President's
Budget v.
FY 2022 Annualized
CR
Science & Technology
$112,717
$133,000
$141,477
$8,477
T.caking Underground Storage Tanks
$303
$320
$337
$17
Inlunil Oil Spill Programs
SI.I-/V
SM>4
V»
.S10
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$13,458
$16,463
$16,927
$464
Total Budget Authority
$127,626
$150,447
$159,415
$8,968
Total Workyears
442.3
421.8
441.8
20.0
Program Project Description:
EPA is the lead federal on-scene coordinator for inland oil spills and provides technical assistance,
when needed, for coastal spills.4 EPA is responsible for oil spill preparedness, response, and
associated research, as well as having the lead role to develop protocols for testing spill
response products and agents, which is planned with the assistance of partner agencies including,
the United States Coast Guard, United States Department of the Interior, United States Department
of Transportation, and United States Department of Commerce.
EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program for inland oil spills,
funded through the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund,5 provides federal, tribal, state, and community
decision-makers with analysis and tools to protect human and ecosystem health from the negative
impacts of oil spills. EPA assists communities, including economically, socially, and
environmentally disadvantaged or impacted communities, by supporting local officials in their
response to a spill. As a result of EPA's research, responders can make more informed
decisions on approaches and methods to reduce the spread and impact of coastal and inland oil
spills, including pipeline and railway spills. Additionally, EPA's remediation expertise is
critical in addressing potential impacts to communities and their environmental resources
associated with pipeline and railway oil spills.
In support of these response efforts, EPA conducts research related to the Agency's National
Contingency Plan (NCP) Product Schedule.6 The NCP is used nationwide by emergency
responders and federal agencies in responding to oil spills. EPA's role is to develop and evaluate
response approaches involving bioremediation, dispersants, and other additives. EPA also
assesses impacts to surface water and groundwater, especially if they affect drinking water
4	For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/epas-scene-coordinators-oscs.
5	For more information, please see: https://www.uscg.mil/Mariners/National-Pollution-Funds-Center/About_lSlPFC/OSLTF/.
6	For more information, please see: http://www2.epa.gov/emergency-response/national-contingency-plan-subpart-j.
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supplies. The Agency relies on this research to provide testing procedures that inform cleanup
decisions during an emergency spill response.
Recent Accomplishments of the SHC Research Program include:-
Toxicitv of sediment oiled with diluted bitumens to freshwater and estuarine species: EPA
researchers advanced EPA's and the nation's capabilities to respond to oil spills through 1) the
development of a conceptual framework for an integrated oil spill model for societal level
questions;8 2) evaluating in situ burning efficiencies for oil slicks on water;9 3) developing
autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles for detecting submerged and dispersed
oil;10 and 4) assessing the impact of salinity on the effectiveness of chemical dispersants.11 The
2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill resulted in an unprecedented amount of scientific data on the
fate and impact of spilled oil in the ocean. EPA researchers published a paper presenting a
framework based on four knowledge domains: ocean environment, biological ecosystems,
socioeconomics, and human health.8 A causal loop diagram was developed to evaluate linkages
and data gaps, with largest knowledge gaps corresponding to the socioeconomics and human
health domains. This research has prepared the Agency to understand human and environmental
impacts of spilled oil in coastal waters and improves Agency preparedness for emergency
response operations and the use of NCP Product Schedule treating agents.
FY 2023 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2023, the oil spill program will conduct research to support regulatory activities and protocol
development for EPA's programs and to support state-delegated programs. This Program will
provide on-demand technical support at federal, tribal, or state-managed cleanup sites, as well as
assistance during emergencies. The Program will continue to conduct health, environmental
engineering, and ecological research, and prepare planning and analysis tools for localities
nationwide that will facilitate regulatory compliance and improve environmental and health
outcomes.
7	For a more complete view of accomplishments, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/national-research-programs.
8	Solo-Gabriele, H.M., T. Fiddaman, C. Mauritzen, C. Ainsworth, D. Abramson, I. Berenshtein, E.P. Chassignet, S.S. Chen, R.N.
Conmy, J.W. Farrington, M. Feldman, D. French-McCay, K. Lee, Y. Liu, S.A. Murawski, C. Paris-Limouzy, A. Quigg, C.
Wilson et al. (2021) Towards Integrated Modeling of the Long-term Impacts of Oil Spills. Marine Policy, 131: 104554.
https://doi.org/10.1016/i.marpol.2021.. 1.04554
9	Gullett, B., J. Aurell, A. Holder, R.N. Conmy, D. Sundaravadivelu, N. Lamie, K. Stone, E. Holder (2021) Characterization of
emissions and residues from measures to improve efficiency of in situ oil burns. International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings:
Vol. 2021, No. 1. https://doi.org/10.7901/21.69-3358-2021.1.1.1.41.223
10	Conmy, R.N., L. DiPinto, A. Kukulya, O. Garcia, D. Sundaravadivelu, M. Gloekler, A. Hall, E. Fischell, D. Gomez-Ibanez
(2021) Advances in underwater oil plume detection capabilities. International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2021, No.
1. https://doi.org/10.7901/21.69-3358-2021.1.1.1.41.330
11	Conmy, R.N., D. Sundaravadivelu, B.A. Schaeffer, B. Robinson, T. King, R. Grosser, E. Holder (2021) Characterizing
dispersion effectiveness at varying salinities. International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2021, No. 1.
https://doi.org/10.7901/21.69-3358-2021.1.1.141.274
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Specific activities in FY 2023 include:
•	Evaluating the toxicity of high-latitude crude oil treated with dispersants, surface
washing agents and chemical herding agents. New knowledge from this research helps
the oil spill response by providing more reliable standardized toxicity testing results for oil
and spill response agents in an aquatic environment.
•	Conducting research to better understand the aerobic biodegradation of petroleum oils
treated with chemical herders and Surface Washing Agents (SWAs). This research is
critical because 1) chemical herders are agents that remain in the environment after
application; and 2) SWAs are the most used agents on the NCP Product Schedule. Thus,
understanding the long-term fate of these agents is essential.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
collaboration and involvement. Each research program is in the process of developing the fourth
generation of the StRAPs, which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific
research aimed at solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its partners.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
•	EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
•	State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement12 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
•	Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
12 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Sustainable and Healthy
Communities Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2023 Change from FY 2022 Annualized Continuing Resolution (Dollars in Thousands):
•	(+$8.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
•	(+$2.0) This program change is an increase to the Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Oil Spills research program, focusing on adding to research capacity to support regulatory
activities and protocol development for EPA's programs and in support of state-delegated
programs.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5 App.) (EPA's organic statute); Oil Pollution Act.
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