The purpose of this regulation is to revise the National Contingency Plan (NCP) to align it with the National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The purpose of the NCP is to provide the organizational structure and procedures for preparing for and responding to discharges of oil and releases of hazardous substance, pollutants, and contaminants. The purpose of the NRF is to provide a guide that describes how the nation conducts all-hazard response to domestic incidents. The NRF does not alter the existing authorities of federal departments and agencies, but rather, establishes the coordinating framework to integrate the authorities of various agencies into an all-hazard approach to incident management. The NRF is based on NIMS, which provides a consistent nationwide template for the management of domestic incidents. The NRF and NIMS were developed by the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with other federal agencies (including EPA) and incident response organizations. Alignment of the NCP with the NRF and NIMS will facilitate smooth integration of emergency response activities under the NCP with the NRF and NIMS. The EPA is proposing other minor revisions to the NCP. The revisions would update the description of federal agency organizational structures and capabilities and how they operate, as well as recognize the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security.