The state's emergency response officials have had an oil spill plan on the books for years and are reviewing it in case oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill makes its way to the North Carolina coast.
Officials believe it's unlikely that very much oil could make it this far north, said Ernie Seneca, a spokesman for the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. If oil does make it this far, it would likely be in the form of tar balls.
However, state officials are reviewing the response plan.
"We felt it prudent to look to see whether any revisions were needed because the spill in the Gulf was so unprecedented," Seneca said.
The state has a website that has information about its response plans.
Officials are planning to brief local officials and lawmakers Tuesday on the state's preparations. Gov. Bev Perdue participated in a briefing earlier this week.
The oil response plan begins on page 433 of the attached document.
Document(s):
NCEOP-2009-PublicVersion.pdf
