SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5986

BYSenators Conner, Kreidler, Johnson, Bauer, Garrett, Peterson, DeJarnatt, Bottiger, Metcalf, Wojahn and Craswell

Studying methods of oil spill damage assessment.

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5986 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Bluechel, Hansen, Kiskaddon.

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 4, 1987

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                  March 4, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 6, 1987

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5986 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Fleming, Kreidler, Lee, Owen, Rasmussen, Saling, Talmadge, Williams, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Charles Langen (786-7715)

                  March 9, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 6, 1987

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 Department of Ecology is to contract with the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington to study the state's damage assessment methodology for oil spills.  If deemed appropriate, the College shall develop a new damage assessment methodology.  Two hundred fifty thousand dollars is appropriated from the general fund for this study.

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.

Appropriation:    $250,000

Fiscal Note:      requested

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Two hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Ecology for the damage assessment study.

The Department of Community Development will develop a model oil spill contingency plan to be incorporated in state and local emergency management plans.  Seventy-five thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department for development of the contingency plan:  $50,000 coming from the hazardous material control and elimination account in the general fund, and $25,000 coming from the water quality account in the state treasury.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

Of the $75,000 appropriated to the Department for development of the contingency plan, $50,000 is from the hazardous waste control and elimination account of the general fund and $25,000 from the general fund.

Senate Committee - Testified: PARKS & ECOLOGY:  Charles Whidden, Mayor, City of Port Angeles; Larry Glenn, Fire Chief, City of Port Angeles; David Fluharty, College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences, UW; Rep. Dick Fisch

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one