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, 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. (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. 314 CMR 19.00 provides 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, 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.