Civil Emergencies – Oil Pollution

Nearly the entire intertidal zone of the Northumberland coast is included in Sites of Special Scientific Interests (SSSIs) or other environmental protection designations.

Maritime Pollution has been identified as a potential hazard in the Northumberland Area, and the level of risk of an Oil Pollution incident ranges from “High” to “Low” in terms of the likelihood of occurrence and the impact on four main categories (environment, health, social and economic) see “Risks” in the Community Risk Register (CRR).

The aim and objectives of the County Council’s Coastal and River Oil Pollution Contingency Plan are to enable the County Council, and its partners, to protect these special areas and to deal speedily, efficiently and economically with the nuisance of pollution, and oil pollution in particular, from any source and to minimise the effects of oil pollution, both short and long term.

The Plan details basic procedures and measures which would be used to mitigate the effects of pollution, including dispersal, containment and disposal of oil.

The Northumberland Coastal and River Oil Pollution Contingency Plan.

You can find the National Oil Pollution Contingency Plan by following the link below

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-dops_cp_environmental-counter-pollution_and_response/mcga2007-ncp.htm