Spill Update

“248-P2”

For Immediate Release                        

Contact:  Joint Information Center, 206-546-7162

December 31, 2003

7:00 p.m. Release # 6

Media Advisory

Restricted access to clean-up area

Spill response activity Thursday Jan. 1 will focus primarily on the Doe-kag-wats Estuary between Indianola and Point Jefferson.  The area, which is on Suquamish tribal land, is closed to the public because of safety concerns in the confined work area. 

Arrangements are being made to provide an opportunity for media access in the mid-afternoon, Jan. 1.  An announcement will be made tomorrow morning, giving the time, location and driving instructions.  Environmental experts from the Department of Ecology, the Suquamish Tribe and other agencies will be available, as well as officials familiar with the overall spill response.

Also, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed the beaches between Miller Bay and Point Jefferson to all shellfish harvesting.

The Joint Information Center plans to issue a complete update Thursday morning.  The center is closed for tonight and will re-open at 7:00 a.m.

Information numbers:

Injured wildlife reporting line: 1-800-22BIRDS (222-4737)

News Media Only: 206-546-7162

News media contact on DOH shellfish closure: Bill Cleland, DOH public health advisor; pager, 360-786-4183.

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