Improving Oil Spill Prevention and Response in Washington State. Lessons learned from the BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill.
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National Commission releases final report on Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf.
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National Commission releases recommendations summary for Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf. RECOMMENDATIONS

What is the Puget Sound Partnership currently doing to
address oil spill issues in Washington?

The 2009 Washington State Legislature directed the Puget Sound Partnership to provide independent advice and assessment of Washington State’s oil spill programs and make recommendations for any necessary improvements. In late summer 2010 the Partnership began assembling a Cross-Partnership Oil Spill Work Group to help assist the Leadership Council carry out this responsibility.

The Work Group met for three full days in late fall 2010. Attendees of the Work Group’s October 29 meeting unanimously agreed on four recommendations. On November 23, 2010, the PSP Leadership Council passed Resolution 2010-4 to support those recommendations. The PSP is drafting an interim report to more fully state the recommendations and the context behind them. The Partnership’s final report is due to the Council by June 30, 2011.

The Partnership summarized the Work Group’s recommendations to the House’s Ecology and Parks Committee on December 10, 2010. Video on TVW.

As you can see, the organizations in the Work Group membership list are expected to broadly represent issues, concerns, and recommendations relevant to Puget Sound, the Washington coast, and the lower Columbia River.

Please contact Todd Hass, Oil Spill Policy Specialist for the Partnership, if you have questions concerning the Cross-Partnership Oil Spill Work Group or wish to attend/observe its meetings or workshops.

Cross-Partnership Oil Spill Work Group Documents/Links

• Cross-Partnership Oil Spill Work Group Membership List
• Notes (9/23 Meeting)
• Priority-setting results (9/23 Meeting)

Past Agendas

• Combined Agenda for meetings on October 27 and 29
• 9/23 Cross-Partnership Oil Spill Work Group Agenda

Latest Strategic Plans for Washington State Spills Programs and Prior Stakeholder Recommendations

The recommendations in the documents below are being used by the Work Group (synthesized by Hass) to assess common themes and future priorities.

• Ecology Spills Program Strategic Plan 2009-2015
• Oil Spill Advisory Council (OSAC) Work Plan 2009
• OSAC Minority Report 2006
• Oil Spill Early Action Task Force Recommendations 2005
• US Coast Guard-Washington Department of Ecology Shared Strategic Work Plan 2007

Click to here to:

or call 1-800-OILS-911

The Department of Ecology’s Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program has developed a website to track what's happening with the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and provide information on how Washington State is providing assistance. For the latest information, click here.

 

Fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon April 21, 2010.

 

In Phase I of the Partnership’s plan to address oil spill issues, the Partnership is working with Washington’s Department of Ecology and Department of Fish and Wildlife as they establish priorities for the next 2 years. In Phase II of the plan, Ecology and Fish and Wildlife will develop a detailed work plan for identified priorities and establish a path forward to accomplish those priorities. The Partnership and the Ecosystem Coordination Board—whose main role is to advise the Partnership and Leadership Council on carrying out its responsibilities—will review progress of the work plans and other related issues at its first scheduled meeting in January 2010.