(a) Worker health and safety. All worker health and safety considerations specified in the NCP shall be observed, except that requirements applying to response actions shall be taken to apply to the assessment process.

(b) Resource protection. Before taking any actions under this part, particularly before taking samples or making determinations of restoration or replacement, compliance is required with any applicable statutory consultation or review requirements, such as the Endangered Species Act; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, that may govern the taking of samples or in other ways restrict alternative management actions.