What is the purpose of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF)?

• A. It funds general government programs
• B. It pays salaries for responders
• C. It is a billion-dollar fund established as a funding source to pay removal costs and damages resulting from spills or substantial threats of oil spills to navigable waters of the US
• D. It provides insurance for vessel owners

Answer: (C)

The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is a dedicated funding source created to cover removal costs and damages from oil spills into navigable waters of the United States. It is financed by taxes on oil and certain offshore facilities, and it provides federal and state response support, as well as payment for natural resource damages when the responsible party cannot or will not pay. This fund supports cleanup actions and related damages, and costs can later be recovered from the responsible party if possible. It is not used for general government programs, not for paying responders' salaries, and not insurance for vessel owners.