FINAL BILL REPORT

2SSB 5986

                                  C 479 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Conner, Kreidler, Johnson, Bauer, Garrett, Peterson, DeJarnatt, Bottiger, Metcalf, Wojahn and Craswell)

Studying methods of oil spill damage assessment.

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Puget Sound currently ranks fourth in the nation for loading (bunkering) and refueling oil in ships.  Three major oil spills have occurred in the past three years:  the SS Mobil Oil near the mouth of the Columbia in March 1984; a spill of unknown origin on the shores of Whidbey Island in December 1985; and the grounding of the Arco Anchorage in December 1985.  The oil spill response, clean-up, and damage assessment procedures used at the Port Angeles spill have raised several issues concerning the effectiveness of those procedures.

As a result, the Legislature established the Oil Spill Advisory Committee in 1986 to make recommendations for improved oil spill response and clean-up procedures. 

SUMMARY:

The College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington will study the state's damage assessment methodology for oil spills.  This study shall include an evaluation of Alaska's damage assessment methodology, a survey of other states' damage assessment methodology, and if deemed appropriate, the College will develop a new oil spill damage assessment methodology.

All facilities conducting refueling or bunkering operations are required to have containment and recovery equipment readily available by June 30, 1988.  Persons deploying such equipment will be trained in the use of that equipment.

The Department of Community Development will develop a model oil spill contingency plan to be incorporated in state and local emergency management plans.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    32    13

      House 98   0 (House amended)

      Senate    40     9 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987