Seventh Coast Guard District - U.S. National Response Team (NRT)

EXXON VALDEZ● The T/S EXXON VALDEZ strikes Bligh Reef 24 March 1989.● 11 million gals of crude oil spill into Prince William Sound.Initial clean up costs exceed $2.1 billion & costs continue.Staggering wildlife losses (waterfowl deaths alone exceed250,000 birds, total animal deaths will never be known).Public concern over slow & inadequate response promptsCongress to legislate the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90).● OPA 90 requires the Coast Guard to form District ResponseGroups (DRGs) & funds $30.5 million to buy response equipment.