Thousands of oil and chemical spills of varying size occur in the United States each year. State and local officials located in proximity to these incidents generally are the first responders and may elevate an incident for federal attention if greater resources are desired. The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, often referred to as the National Contingency Plan (NCP), establishes the procedures for the federal response to oil and chemical spills. This book focuses on the federal emergency response framework of oil and chemical spills; provides a summary of the laws in the Clean Water Act; gives a summary of superfund cleanup authorities and related provisions act; discusses the background and governance of oil spills in United States coastal waters; and finally, provides incite on the liability of responsible parties in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.