Responding to Oil or Hazardous Material Releases During Floods and Other Disasters

Rising sea levels, floods and extreme weather events are occurring with increased frequency and magnitude due to global warming, presenting many risks for property owners and operators. One risk to be aware of during floods and other natural disasters is the release of oil or hazardous materials (OHM). To protect public health, safety, and the environment from the harmful effects of OHM releases, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts imposes stringent requirements on responsible parties to identify these releases and to notify appropriate authorities, including the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). It is imperative responses to OHM releases are compliant with…