Our national parks are protected lands yet they are part of a wider system of rivers, oceans, and other waterways making them vulnerable to spills of various types, including oil, hazardous waste, chemicals and solid waste.
Materials transported by rail, boat or truck near or through national parks can be spilled due to accidents, extreme weather or other unusual events. Several national parks have completed spill response plans and participate in regional spill response planning efforts to prepare for such an event.
Learn more about what you can do to help if you see a spill and the effects of oil spills through the links below.
What to do if you see a spill
Learn who to contact and what to tell them
Effects of Oil Spills
Read about how oil spills affect ecosystems and marine life.
Last updated: August 24, 2017