SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1280

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives R. King, Belcher, Beck, Basich, S. Wilson, Sayan, P. King and Jacobsen; by request of Joint Select Committee on Marine and Ocean Resources)

Modifying requirements of marine geologic explorations.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989; March 30, 1989; February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Owen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 22, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Oil and gas firms often engage in seismic surveys in the process of exploring for offshore resources.  A firm engaging in "exploratory activity" in marine water from a vessel must obtain a permit from the Department of Ecology (DOE).  The permit will be issued if DOE determines that the activity will not interfere with public use of the water, injure marine biota, create a public nuisance, or violate water quality standards.

Firms which perform the seismic survey work do not provide the state with the data they obtained.  In contrast, operations on uplands do provide a copy of all drilling logs and core samples to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  These data are kept confidential by DNR for one year if so requested by the drilling party.

In several other states, seismic survey data are made available with the condition that the state not make the information public.

SUMMARY:

Any firm planning to engage in geological seismic exploratory activity from a vessel in state water affected by the Shoreline Management Act must obtain a permit from the Department of Ecology.  The exploratory activity must not interfere with public use of the water, injure aquatic life, create a public nuisance, or violate water quality standards.

An applicant for a permit must agree to provide the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), upon its request, a copy of all geophysical data obtained in the exploratory activity.  DNR must pay reasonable copying costs and, at the request of the supplier of the data, agree to keep the information confidential for a period of 15 years.

The law affecting disclosure of public records is amended to exempt geophysical data obtained by DNR.  Any person intentionally disclosing such data is subject to a charge of a gross misdemeanor and shall be terminated from state employment.

DNR employees are limited to access of the geophysical information.  Only those responsible for assessing the geological potential of state lands and for making decisions regarding mineral management on state lands shall have access.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one