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Department of Ecology News Release - June 4, 2009
09-130
OLYMPIA – After nearly a decade, the incident remains one of the defining cases in recent state history: on June 10, 1999, more than 277,000 gallons of gasoline poured out of a ruptured section of the Olympic Pipe Line Co.’s interstate liquid fuel pipeline. Gasoline entered Whatcom Creek and ignited, creating a fiery explosion that took three lives and burned through the heart of the city of Bellingham.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, the environmental damage was extensive. The catastrophic incident prompted a massive effort to improve pipeline safety and prevent another tragedy. In the months and years that followed, the state worked closely with the community to ensure all environmental restoration and recovery efforts were completed and coordinated with the city and other local partners.
Environmental damage
The fire charred roughly 1.5 miles of Hannah and Whatcom creeks including trees, fish and wildlife, and critical habitat. Whatcom Creek flows through downtown Bellingham and drains into Bellingham Bay.
The blast also pushed fuel deep into area creek banks and stream beds, causing soil and water contamination. Cleanup activities continue in the area today.
Within minutes of the explosion, state responders were at the scene helping local first responders in any way they could. Within hours, staff from the Washington departments of Ecology (Ecology) and Fish and Wildlife started crafting emergency plans to help restore the watershed before the fall 1999 salmon runs.
“Without a doubt, the pipeline explosion was traumatic for everyone involved. In addition to the environmental devastation, it involved the tragic loss of two children and a young man,” said Dale Jensen, Program Manager for Ecology’s Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program. “We never want the type of tragedy that happened 10 years ago in Bellingham to be repeated.”
Preventing future incidents
Ecology has responsibility to ensure the six companies operating 807 miles of oil pipelines in Washington work to prevent spills and respond quickly and effectively if they do spill oil. These pipelines deliver crude oil and finished petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel.
According to a 2008 report Ecology helped prepare for the state Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, oil pipelines historically represent nearly 79 percent of the total oil spill risk from the various oil-handling and shipping industries the agency regulates.
Since the 1999 incident, Ecology has made significant strides to protect the health and safety of Washington citizens and environment from oil pipeline-related incidents, including:
“Our top priority is to prevent spills from occurring in the first place,” said Jensen. “By working diligently to stay on top of small problems, Ecology is doing everything we can to keep bigger ones from happening.”
Damages and restoration
Ecology and the state Attorney General’s office made sure those responsible for the explosion were held accountable. Ecology levied the largest civil fines in state history – $2.5 million to Olympic Pipe Line and $5 million to Shell.
Overall, the Bellingham pipeline incident was settled for millions in federal criminal penalties, federal and state civil penalties, damage restoration, required pipeline improvements and wrongful death damages. Olympic Pipe Line paid for environmental work including:
Ecology and Fish and Wildlife also worked with the Whatcom Land Trust to acquire key land parcels near Cherry Point and Lily Point in rural Whatcom County to protect critical habitat and provide, for the first time, public access to unique areas in northern Puget Sound.
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Media contact: Curt Hart, 360-407-6990; cell 360-480-7908 (char461@ecy.wa.gov)
For more information about the June 10, 1999, Bellingham incident: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/Special_Focus/bellingham_pipeline/bellinghampipeline.html
Ecology Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
