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Department of Ecology News Release - September 26, 2006
06-197
OLYMPIA - The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has adopted two new rules to prevent spills during oil transfers to ships and ensure that oil handling companies and vessel shipping firms are able to mount effective responses to oil spills, regardless of size.
In 2004, the Legislature adopted a zero-spills goal in the wake of a 4,700-gallon heavy fuel oil spill that occurred during an oil transfer at Point Wells in Snohomish County. The Dec. 30, 2003, spill fouled beaches in Snohomish and Kitsap counties, including an important Suquamish Tribe shellfish bed.
Lawmakers directed Ecology to set new standards to help prevent similar spills in the future, where it is safe and effective, the law requires those involved in oil transfer to place oil spill containment boom around barges, ships and other vessels when they are delivering or taking on oil.
The new transfer rule addresses how oil will be transferred over water from oil tankers, oil barges, shore-based marine terminals, marinas and, for the first time, fuel trucks.
"Pollution prevention is our No. 1 priority. These new requirements are crucial for helping protect Puget Sound, Columbia River, and other water bodies from the adverse effects of oil spills," said Dale Jensen, who oversees Ecology spill prevention, preparedness and response efforts.
Jensen said that in the past, Ecology's spill prevention focus was limited to oil refineries, large marine terminals and major maritime shipping operations.
"These rules implement expanded authority under the new law to prevent spills from oil transfers involving tank trucks, oil terminals that fuel large commercial ships, and marina operations. However, all recreational boats are exempt," he said.
Ecology has added six new inspectors to oversee oil transfer activities across the state including the Columbia-Snake river system, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.
Under the updated oil spill contingency plan rule, companies that transport oil in and out of Washington will still need an individual response plan in place before plying state waters. The revised rule requires tank vessels, cargo and passenger ships, oil storage facilities, and pipeline companies to demonstrate they can rapidly mount an effective, response if they spill oil.
The rule focuses on early spill response actions and staging adequate response equipment throughout the state, with a much stronger focus on highly sensitive areas in Puget Sound, the outer coast, San Juan Islands and in the Columbia River estuary. The rule also improves Ecology's spill readiness drill program.
"Our tourism, commercial shellfish, and recreation industries are crucial to maintaining our vibrant economy and quality of life," Jensen said. "I am confident that these new and improved rules will prevent many oil spills, and should one occur, we will have stronger plans in place to minimize environmental and economic damage."
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Contact: Curt Hart, Public Information Manager, 360-407-6990; cell, 360-480-7908
For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
