Code of Massachusetts Regulations
314 CMR - DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
Title 314 CMR 19.00 - Oil Spill Prevention And Response
Section 19.01 - Purpose and Authority

(1) The purpose of 314 CMR 19.00: Oil Spill Prevention and Response is to implement those provisions of St. 2004, c. 251, "An Act Relative to Oil Spill Prevention and Response in Buzzards Bay and Other Harbors and Bays of the Commonwealth," as amended by St. 2004, c. 457 and St. 2008, c. 268, "An Act Further Protecting Buzzards Bay," and St. 2009, c. 101, "An Act Preventing Oil Spills in Buzzards Bay" (the "Oil Spill Act"), that are the responsibility of the Department to administer and enforce. The Oil Spill Act establishes M.G.L. c. 21M and amends several other existing Massachusetts general laws.

(2) The provisions of 314 CMR 19.00 are designed to prevent or reduce the risk of oil spills from Tank Vessels operating in Buzzards Bay and designated areas of special interest within Massachusetts waters. The regulations provide an incentive for certain vessels to voluntarily engage a State Pilot to guide such vessel into or within Buzzards Bay; provide for the dispatch of a State-provided Tugboat Escort to certain Tank Vessels entering or operating in Buzzards Bay; and require certain vessels to engage the services of a Tugboat Escort while operating in designated Areas of Special Interest within Massachusetts waters.

(3)314 CMR 19.00 is promulgated pursuant to the Department's authority in St. 2004, c. 251, as amended by St. 2004, c. 457, including M.G.L. c. 21M, §§ 1 and 6, and in St. 2008, c. 268, including M.G.L. c. 21M, §§ 8 and 9, and St. 2009, c. 101, including M.G.L. c. 21M, §9.