What critical information must be documented when a NOFA is issued?

When a Notice of Federal Interest (NOFA) is issued, documenting the date and time of response initiation is essential for several reasons. This information establishes a timeline for the incident response, which is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of the actions taken and for aligning with regulatory requirements. The initiation time can also aid in determining the timely applicability of various response measures and resources, including any financial assessments related to liabilities or claims.

Having a clearly documented start time ensures that all subsequent actions and decisions are aligned chronologically, which contributes to an organized and efficient response operation. It also provides a basis for any follow-on investigations or reports regarding the incident, including the potential assessment of damages or assessments of the response's adequacy against established standards.

The other options, while relevant to the overall response process, do not hold the same level of priority in terms of immediate documentation needs at the time of issuing a NOFA. For example, while the lists of responders, quantity of oil spilled, and assessments of damage are important, they are typically secondary to establishing the timeline of initial actions taken in response to the incident.