Ecology begins delivery of oil-spill-response supplies around Puget Sound and other state waters: first stop, Seattle

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology Media Advisory - September 28, 2006

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Ecology begins delivery of oil-spill-response supplies around Puget Sound and other state waters: first stop, Seattle

SEATTLE – Washington State Ecology Director Jay Manning joined local and state officials this morning on Salmon Bay near Puget Sound to mark the delivery of the first rapid-response oil spill supplies that soon will arrive at ports, Tribes, marinas and fire stations at 60 critical locations around the state.

Here is a link to a map showing the approximate locations where Ecology expects to place spill-response mobile units: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/response/equipment_caches.htm

In the 2006 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire appropriated $1.45 million to the Department of Ecology to provide trailers loaded with critical spill response equipment to local and tribal governments across state.

“Preventing spills is the state’s highest oil spill priority. Close behind that is having the right equipment close at hand to allow a rapid response if a spill does occur,” said Manning. “A quick response can minimize environmental damage.”

Manning added: “We know this strategy works, because we have seen dramatic proof. In August 2005, a marina fire in Gig Harbor destroyed 50 boats containing thousands of gallons of oil and fuel. That beautiful harbor was spared an environmental disaster because response equipment had been positioned there just weeks before the fire, through the foresight of Gig Harbor Fire Marshal Dick Bower and his team and the oil spill program of the Department of Ecology.

State Rep. Sherry Appleton said, “This leading-edge program will allow a quick response for local communities in case of oil spills. These grants will give local jurisdictions, who apply and receive equipment, a stronger focus on oil spill prevention.”

Rep. Appleton is a member of the Governor’s Puget Sound Partnership and prime sponsor of 2006 legislation that led to Ecology’s adoption this week of two new rules to prevent spills during oil transfers to ships - and to ensure that oil handling companies and vessel shipping firms can mount effective responses to oil spills, regardless of size.

Manning and Rep. Appleton were joined at the Seattle event by Suquamish Tribe Fisheries Director Rob Purser, Seattle Port Commissioner Lloyd Hara; Assistant Seattle Fire Chief Alan Vickery; and Gig Harbor Fire Marshal Dick Bower, whose department used similar response equipment to keep oil out of Puget Sound after the marina fire in August 2005.

Ecology is still accepting application from local governments and Tribes in Washington that are interested in obtaining oil spill response equipment. To find out more about this grant program or to apply, call David Byers at 360-407-6974, or visit Ecology’s web site at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html.

Other recent oil spill preparedness milestones in Washington state:

Sept. 25, 2006 -Ecology adopts two new rules to prevent spills during oil transfers to ships - and to ensure that oil handling companies and vessel shipping firms can mount effective responses to oil spills, regardless of size.
Sept. 14 - Department enters into landmark agreement with Marine Spill Response Corp. to help respond to and clean up oil spills.
Aug. 18 - Ecology holds workshop in Snohomish to gather public input regarding crafting the first geographic response plan for tackling oil spills in the Snohomish River watershed.
Aug. 14 - Ecology announces hiring new vessel and facility inspectors, spill responders, and oil spill contingency planners.
Aug. 1 - Tribal, state and federal officials commemorate completion of a $5.2 million habitat restoration plan to offset damages to Washington's fish and wildlife populations during the 1991 Tenyo Maru oil spill.
July 11-19 - Ecology conducts five public hearings to gather public comment on draft oil transfer and contingency plan rules (Pasco, Vancouver, Port Angeles, Bellingham, and SeaTac).
July 11 and 13 - Department holds workshops in Tacoma and Seattle seeking public help to update Ecology's geographic response plans for tackling oil spills in central Puget Sound.
July 5 - Fourteen projects to restore Puget Sound, Hood Canal and associated marine waters receive funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Puget Sound Marine Conservation Fund. The Fund was established as part of the settlement of a criminal case with Evergreen International Shipping Line – resulting from Department of Ecology spill-prevention ship inspections.

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Media contact: Dave Workman, Ecology, 360-407-7004 / pager 360-786-3074
Lt. Harold Webb, Seattle Fire, 206-386-1463
Mick Schultz, Port of Seattle, 206-728-3091