SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 2208

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Fraser, Belcher and Jacobsen)

Establishing the Washington wildlife rescue coalition.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990; February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 22, 1990

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

BACKGROUND:

More than 240 million barrels of crude oil and refined products are transported annually by ship and barge across the waters of Washington.  In addition, a sizeable amount of Alaska crude is transported off the state's coastline in ships bound for California and the Gulf of Mexico.

In recent years, several large oil spills have occurred in Washington waters, including a spill off Grays Harbor in 1988 and a spill near Port Angeles in 1985.  In these cases, and to a lesser extent in other recent spills that have occurred, thousands of birds were killed through contact with the spilled oil.

During the Grays Harbor and Port Angeles spills, state agency personnel and hundreds of volunteers attempted to reduce the number of bird fatalities by conducting extensive bird rescue, cleaning, and rehabilitation operations.  While many birds were saved, the success of the rehabilitation efforts was hampered by unclear regulatory and management authorities, lack of expertise in wildlife rehabilitation, inadequate volunteer training, and delays in mobilizing and starting operations.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Wildlife Rescue Coalition is established for the purpose of coordinating the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife injured by oil spills or by the release of other hazardous material into state waters.

The coalition shall be composed of representatives from the Departments of Ecology, Wildlife, and Community Development; a veterinarian; the director of the Washington Conservation Corps; a lay person; and, on a temporary basis, a person from the county in which the spill occurs.  The representative from the Department of Wildlife will chair the coalition.

Duties of the coalition shall include the development of an emergency mobilization plan, the development and maintenance of a list of individuals and organizations that can provide assistance in case of a spill, the training of volunteers, and the acquisition of equipment and supplies that will be needed in emergency rescue efforts.

By January 30, 1991, the coalition shall prepare a report on its progress and possible future funding options.

Funding for the coalition shall be provided by the coastal protection fund established in RCW 90.48.390.  Grants, gifts, or donations may be accepted to assist the coalition.

Use of the coastal protection fund is expanded to include costs associated with spills of other hazardous substances.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Lee Smith, Department of Wildlife (pro)