§ 177-a. Emergency oil spill relocation network. 1. The commissioner shall establish an emergency oil spill relocation network which shall be headed by the commissioner of health and comprised of the appropriate services from county and state health departments.
2. Such network shall be employed to provide an immediate response to a discharge in any area of the state where the public health may be at risk. Further, such network shall be employed in conjunction with the cleanup operations of the owner or operator, the department or any federal agency.
3. The commissioner of health shall be first notified whenever an application is made for emergency oil spill relocation.
4. The commissioner of health shall have the power to deploy such resources at his discretion to the state and local health departments to make an assessment of the possible health risks to persons residing in the area of the spill site.
5. The commissioner of health shall determine the actual and necessary costs of the relocation of individuals who, in his opinion, are exposed to health risks as a result of the discharge and certify the amount of such costs to the administrator. The certification by the commissioner of health shall be for a period of relocation not exceeding thirty days, provided that the commissioner upon a further assessment of the possible health risks in the area of the spill site may extend such relocation for successive thirty day periods. The certification by the commissioner of health shall not be admissible in any civil action in a court of law in regard to the issue of damages to the individuals certified for relocation pursuant to this section.
6. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary the certification of individuals for relocation and its associated costs shall be an issue restricted to consideration as cleanup cost and shall not be a determination of liability, nor shall it be admissible in any civil action in a court of law in regard to the issue of damages to the individuals certified for relocation pursuant to this section.
7. The commissioner of health may request and shall receive from the department and any other state agency such assistance and data as will enable him to carry out his responsibilities pursuant to this section.
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