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Department of Ecology News Release - September 8, 2008
08-247
OLYMPIA – The owner of a tug that sank in the Columbia River last October has been fined $12,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).
SDS Lumber of Bingen owns and operates the 55-foot White Salmon. The tug had been tied up and unattended for a period of time at RSG Lumber in Kalama when it sank on Oct. 17, 2007. A fisherman noticed the tug was underwater and reported it to employees at RSG lumber.
Ecology and the Coast Guard were called to the scene and assisted the response and cleanup for several days. As a result of the sinking, 198 gallons of lubricating oil and diesel leaked into the Columbia River. Some of the diesel and oil was recovered during the response and cleanup the next day.
“Containing and cleaning up oil spills is a difficult and expensive task, which is why Ecology places so much emphasis on efforts to prevent spills from occurring,” said Jim Sachet, regional Ecology spill response supervisor. “This spill could have and should have been avoided.”
Ecology’s investigation found that a combination of factors led to the tug taking on water and eventually sinking: the seal on the rudder leaked water into the stern; the vessel was left unattended and a portable bilge pump was not on board; and a fracture in the stern hull above the waterline became submerged.
Sachet noted SDS Lumber was cooperative during the spill response and cleanup efforts. However, based on the facts of the investigation, Ecology determined SDS Lumber was negligent, which increased the penalty.
It is illegal to spill oil to state waters. Oil harms the environment and damage begins as soon as it hits the water.
The Lower Columbia River environments host a wide variety of fish, birds and mammals. A number of endangered and threatened salmon runs pass by the dock where the tug was moored in the spring and fall. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Sanctuary is located several miles upstream of the incident.
Spills such as this one add more toxics to an already sensitive environment.
SDS Lumber will have 30 days to appeal this penalty, ask for Ecology to reconsider the evidence or to pay the fine.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239 (desk)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
