Inland Oil Spill Preparedness Program (IOSPP) 

Executive Summary

The Department of the Interior’s mission to protect and manage natural resources which benefit the public, includes water and mineral resources that contribute conventional energy supplies in maintaining a vibrant U.S. economy and critical national security. Of the various energy reserves and resources managed by the Department, petroleum oil continues as one of the primary solutions to meeting U.S. energy demands.

The Inland Oil Spill Preparedness Program (IOSPP, Program) began in 2015 with Congress approving appropriations when oil demand and transported product volume was quite high, and areas around the country were experiencing increasing oil spill incidents and risks to communities and natural resources around the nation due to aging infrastructure. The Program was established to facilitate Department-wide planning and coordination with the primary response agencies (U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency) and within the Department, and to maintain designated response staff preparedness, for the protection of Department-managed natural and cultural resources. Upon receipt of initial appropriations, an IOSPP Work Group was assembled by Program Coordinators from the Offices of Restoration and Damage Assessment and Environmental Policy and Compliance. The Work Group consists of Bureau Representatives from Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and U. S. Geological Survey. The Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance also contributes the expertise of their regional staff in eight locations around the country.

After ten years of operations, the IOSPP has funded over 150 unique projects to the bureaus and offices in fulfilling Departmental oil spill response planning and preparedness in all 50 states and territories. Projects must align with intents and purposes of the Program in addressing one or more of the four Functional Areas – Contingency Planning; Developing and Delivering Training; Participating in Training, Exercises and Drills; and Developing Guidance, Templates, Preparedness Tools and Technical Resources.

Currently, as stated in 2025 DOI Secretarial Orders 3417, 3418, 3420, and 3422, the U.S. is experiencing an energy emergency and must rise to meet increasing energy demands to maintain the economy and national security. This situation requires unleashing American energy by expanding overall development and delivery. With increased delivery, there are potentially more frequent and larger spills into our inland and coastal waterways, necessitating training and certification of more staff, partner agencies and industry. These efforts continue so all partners may proceed safely with their duties and to better manage and protect our resources in coordination with the nation’s primary response agencies.

Reports

IOSPP 10-Year Anniversary Report, 2025

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