Clarification of Terms

How is oil defined?

Section 311(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act defines "oil" as "oil of any kind or in any form including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil." EPA interprets this definition to include crude oil, petroleum and petroleum-refined products, as well as non-petroleum oils such as vegetable and animal oils.

What are navigable waters?

Navigable waters are broadly defined under the Clean Water Act and Oil Pollution Act to include all waters that are used in interstate or foreign commerce, all interstate waters including wetlands, and all intrastate waters, such as lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds. Essentially, the term navigable waters refers to any natural surface water in the U.S.

How is the term "facility" defined?

"Facility" is defined as any mobile or fixed, onshore building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe, or pipeline used in oil well drilling operations (excluding offshore), oil production, oil refining, oil storage, or waste treatment. The boundaries of a facility may depend on several site-specific factors, such as the ownership or operation of buildings, structures, and equipment on the same site and the types of activity at the site.

What do "applicable water quality standards" refer to?

Under the Discharge of Oil regulations, the term "applicable water quality standards" means the state water quality standards adopted by the state and approved or promulgated by EPA under section 303 of the Clean Water Act.

What is a "Sheen"?

A "sheen" refers to an iridescent appearence on the surface of water.

What is a "sludge"?

A "sludge" means an aggregate of oil or oil and other matter of any kind in any form other than dredged spoil having a combined specific gravity equavalent to or greater than water.