Under state law (RCW 90.56.370), individuals or companies responsible for spilling oil into state waters are liable for damages resulting from injuries to public resources.

The process for determining damages for an oil spill is called a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). This process in Washington is well defined in the “Preassessment Screening and Oil Spill Compensation Schedule Regulations” (WAC 173-183). The overall objective of this process is to restore natural resources to a pre-spill condition.

This process in Washington is well defined in the “Preassessment Screening and Oil Spill Compensation schedule Regulations” (WAC 173-183).

Ecology is directed to lead the Resource Damage Assessment Committee (RDA Committee), in conducting preassessment activities for oil spills.

Permanent members of the State RDA Committee include:

• Department of Ecology

• Department of Fish and Wildlife 

• Department of Natural Resources 

• Parks and Recreation Commission

• Department of Health 

• Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation

Ecology began using the Preassessment Screening and Oil Spill Compensation Schedule (WAC 173-183) in 1992. It helps to determine a monetary value (damages) for injuries to public resources caused by the oil spill. The compensation schedule allows Ecology to collect damages based on a $1-to $100-per gallon charge.

For more information on how oil impacts the environment see "Focus on Environmental Harm from Oil Spills - Impact of Oil on the Environment.”

Federal Natural Resource Damage Assessment

Large oil spills that cause great injuries to resources are also evaluated by federal trustee agencies and affected tribes. A trustee council is generally created and Ecology represents the state in that council. Other state agencies can be involved as well. For oil spills, federal agencies conduct NRDA under the authority of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). These agencies are usually the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.