There's a national oil spill response plan that should be the law.

[Usrename]

The government is supposed to be in control of this disaster from the point of initial notification of a spill.

http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/lawsregs/ncpover.htm

If you just casually glance at the law, there is supposed to be an On-Scene Coordinator (a federal agent) that is responsible for coordinating the Operational Response Phases, which include preliminary assessment and initiation of action: containment countermeasures, cleanup and disposal; and documentation and cost recovery.

see Subpart D of the plan, pages 61 and 62 of the pdf file, sections 300.300 thru 300.315:

http://www.epa.gov/oem/docs/oil/fr/59fr47384.pdf

[Individualist]

1. K&R

[sandnsea]

2. Rear Adm Mary Landry was named Apr 21

Maybe the timeline will answer the rest of your questions as well.

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/543771/