104 STAT. 560 PUBLIC LAW 101-380—AUG. 18, 1990 pursuant to subsection (c), and timetables for completing research tasks; and (F) identify, in consultation with the States, regional oil pollution research needs and priorities for a coordinated, multidisciplinary program of research at the regional level. Contracts. (2) ADVICE AND GUIDANCE. —The Chairman, through the Department of Transportation, shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to— (A) provide advice and guidance in the preparation and development of the research plan; and Reports. (B) assess the adequacy of the plan as submitted, and submit a report to Congress on the conclusions of such assessment. The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall provide the Interagency Committee with advice and guidance on issues relating to quality assurance and standards measurements relating to its activities under this section, (c) OIL POLLUTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.— (1) ESTABLISHMENT. — The Interagency Committee shall coordinate the establishment, by the agencies represented on the Interagency Committee, of a program for conducting oil pollution research and development, as provided in this subsection. (2) INNOVATIVE OIL POLLUTION TECHNOLOGY. —The program established under this subsection shall provide for research, development, and demonstration of new or improved technologies which are effective in preventing or mitigating oil discharges and which protect the environment, including— (A) development of improved designs for vessels and facilities, and improved operational practices; (B) research, development, and demonstration of improved technologies to measure the ullage of a vessel tank, prevent discharges from tank vents, prevent discharges during lightering and bunkering operations, contain discharges on the deck of a vessel, prevent discharges through the use of vacuums in tanks, and otherwise contain discharges of oil from vessels and facilities; (C) research, development, and demonstration of new or improved systems of mechanical, chemical, biological, and other methods (including the use of dispersants, solvents, and bioremediation) for the recovery, removal, and disposal of oil, including evaluation of the environmental effects of the use of such systems; Texas. (D) research and training, in consultation with the National Response Team, to improve industry's and Government's ability to quickly and effectively remove an oil discharge, including the long-term use, as appropriate, of the National Spill Control School in Corpus Christi, Texas; (E) research to improve information systems for decisionmaking, including the use of data from coastal mapping, baseline data, and other data related to the environmental effects of oil discharges, and cleanup technologies; (F) development of technologies and methods to protect public health and safety from oil discharges, including the population directly exposed to an oil discharge; (G) development of technologies, methods, and standards for protecting removal personnel, including training, ade-
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