PART E - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Actual and potential oil spills regardless of size are of great concern to environmental protection authorities
and to everyone involved in petroleum operations. Prevention should be the first line of defense against oil
spills.
Army policy, as well as federal law, requires units to prevent spills of oil and hazardous substances and
to provide prompt response to contain and clean up such spills. These laws, regulations, and policies
prohibit any discharge of oil or hazardous substance from installations, vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft into
the environment without a discharge permit.
Installation requirements dictate a unit's spill-prevention and -response planning for the units within their
confines. During deployments, the deployment order directs spill-prevention and -response procedures.
During contingency operations or combat, spill prevention and -response procedures are defined by HN or
theater guidance and the unit SOP. Typical unit-level responsibilities include the following:
Ensuring that the unit SOP complies with the Installation spill contingency plan (ISCP).
Providing adequate facilities for storing and handling POL products and hazardous substances.
Implementing safety and security measures in areas where spills are likely--maintenance areas, fuel
points, supply facilities, and accumulation points.
Appointing a trained spill coordinator and spill-response team.
Conducting periodic spill-response drills.
Maintaining adequate equipment and supplies for spill response.
Posting telephone numbers of the installation's spill response agencies.
Unit Environmental Self-Assessment questions include:
Is the unit spill-prevention plan present? Is it understood and being followed?
Are oil, fuel, battery acid, hydraulic oil, or other HM spills properly reported?
Does the unit enforce prohibitions against discharging pollutants on the ground or along fence lines?
Are small oil spills cleaned up promptly and effectively?
Are drip pans used under vehicles/equipment and spigots of POL product barrels where spills are likely
to occur?
Is contaminated soil properly disposed of at a designated authorized disposal area?
10-7
QM 5092
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