Oil Spill Legislative Update

 

2009 Legislative Update:

In the recent legislative session three notable actions occurred regarding Washington’s oil spill programs:

1. Senator Kevin Ranker and Representative Kevin Van De Wege sponsored legislation (Senate Bill 5344) to permanently establish and fund an emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay. The Governor signed the bill into law on March 24th. Washington State has been funding an emergency response tug at Neah Bay to protect the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Washington's western coast from oil spills since 1999. The tug has assisted more than 40 vessels in distress. The legislation will shift the funding burden from the state to the maritime industry and require the emergency response tug continue to serve vessels in distress in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and off the western coast.




2. The legislature provided funding to the Puget Sound Partnership to make recommendations to improve Washington’s oil spill protection and recovery programs. The Legislature directed the Puget Sound Partnership to assess Washington’s oil spill protection and recovery programs at the Department of Ecology and Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Puget Sound Partnership will provide independent advice and assessment of Washington State’s oil spill prevention, preparedness and response programs, including review of existing activities and recommendations for any necessary improvements. The Partnership received $151,000 for two years to conduct activities as outlined by the legislature, including: 

“…provision of independent advice and assessment of the state's oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response programs, including review of existing activities and recommendations for any necessary improvements. The partnership may carry out this function through an existing committee, such as the ecosystem coordination board or the leadership council, or may appoint a special advisory council. Because this is a unique statewide program, the partnership may invite participation from outside the Puget Sound region.”




3. Funding for the Oil Spill Advisory Council (OSAC) was eliminated in the same bill that provided funding to the Puget Sound Partnership to assess Washington’s oil spill protection and recovery programs. The statutory responsibilities and legal authorities of OSAC were not repealed and were not transferred to the Puget Sound Partnership. The OSAC recently completed a technical study assessing the capacity in Washington State to respond to large-scale Marine oil spills and policy recommendations to enhance capacity to respond to large oil spills. These documents and others can be accessed on the weblinks below.