H-3870              _______________________________________________

                                      HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Representatives Fisch, Hargrove, Fisher, Miller, Schoon, Lux, Peery, J. King, Unsoeld, Brough, Allen, Sutherland, Winsley, Vekich, G. Nelson and Wang

Read first time 1/21/86 and referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.

WHEREAS, Oil spills have a severe and immeasurable impact on the environment, including depletion to such valuable resources as fisheries and wildlife; and

          WHEREAS, Oil spills have a detrimental economic impact on state and local government entities, including municipalities, counties, and port districts; and

          WHEREAS, Federal, state, and local responsibilities for oil spill prevention and clean-up are often duplicative and unclear; and

          WHEREAS, The speed and efficiency of clean-up operations could be improved;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Ecology establish an advisory committee consisting of the appropriate state, local, and federal agencies and other affected parties, including but not limited to the Pilotage Commission, oil industries, and environmental organizations; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Department of Ecology, with the assistance of the advisory committee, study the adequacy of (1) current regulations, (2) existing prevention measures, (3) clean-up provisions including funding, equipment, scientific expertise, and the responsibilities of violators, and (4) the allocation of authority between federal, state, and local agencies.  The Department of Ecology shall report its findings to the Legislature by December 15, 1986, including recommendations for changes in state or federal law.