1.1 This guide provides information on shoreline types and sensitive habitats that can be used as guidance for selecting appropriate cleaning techniques following an oil spill. This guide does not address protected archaeological, historical, or cultural sites.

1.2 This guide's emphasis is on typical physical and biological attributes of coastal and inland habitats that could be at risk from oil spills. It reviews and encompasses the entire spectrum of shoreline types representing a wide range of sensitivities. It is largely based on NOAA's and API's publications listed in Section 2.

1.3 This guide provides only very broad guidance on cleaning strategies for the various habitats. For more in-depth guidance, the reader is referred to Section 2, Referenced Documents.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.