Sec. 611.6. Cleanup and removal

(a) The objective of the cleanup and removal phase is:

(1) rapid removal of the discharge to increase its recyclability and to minimize damage to the environment;

(2) continued protection of areas of environmental value and natural resources from both the discharge and the cleanup and removal operations;

(3) proper and environmentally sound disposal of unrecyclable petroleum and debris;

(4) the restoration of the environment to its pre-spill conditions;

(5) collection of injured fauna for rehabilitation; and

(6) the collection of evidence of damages to natural resources.

(b) All cleanup and removal procedures shall follow the guidelines contained in chapter 300 of the New York State Water Quality Accident Contingency Plan and Handbook (see section 611.7 of this Part).

(c) The primary cleanup and removal procedure shall be mechanical removal of the discharge for recycling as soon as possible.

(d) A secondary cleanup and removal procedure shall be the use of sorbents, preferably of small size, recoverable by mechanical means, of minimum toxicity toward flora and fauna, and, in decreasing order of preference, recyclable, burnable without releasing poisonous fumes, or biodegradable. The use of sorbents shall be limited to small discharge and final cleanup of large discharges.

(e) Disposal of recovered petroleum products and oil-soaked debris shall be permitted by the department representative only if recycling is not feasible.

(1) Recovered petroleum products shall be disposed of in the following manner, listed in order of decreasing environmental desirability:

(i) recycling as soon as possible;

(ii) incineration at high temperatures with adequate emission control equipment, complying with the provisions of Part 212 of this Title; and

(iii) land burial, if the recovered petroleum product is containerized and placed in a land burial site approved pursuant to Part 360 of this Title.

(2) Oil-soaked debris shall be disposed of in the following manner, listed in order of decreasing environmental desirability:

(i) recycling as soon as possible;

(ii) incineration at high temperatures with adequate emission control equipment complying with the provisions of Part 212 of this Title;

(iii) natural degradation on impermeable land;

(iv) land burial, in a site approved pursuant to Part 360 of this Title;

(v) sanitary landfill pursuant to Part 360 of this Title; and

(vi) onsite incineration if prior approval is given pursuant to Part 215 of this Title.

(3) Other methods of disposal may be employed with the prior approval of the department representative on scene.

(f) Unless otherwise authorized by the department representative on the scene, injured fauna shall be collected and rehabilitated only by department personnel or trained volunteers.