H-1630              _______________________________________________

                                           HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 4014

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Valle, Jones, Basich, Rust, Dorn and Spanel

Read first time 2/17/89 and referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.

TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD:

          We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

          WHEREAS, Washington State is a state defined by its natural resources, its marine economy, and its environmental quality; and

          WHEREAS, Washington State strives to protect the bounty of its natural resources, and maintain and enhance its environmental quality; and

          WHEREAS, The major oil spill of December 23, 1988, occurring off the Washington coast, was catastrophic, causing great damage to the resources of Washington State; and

          WHEREAS, Oil spills as occurred on December 23, 1988, could be avoided by improvements in shipping practices, safety features, and boat construction; and

          WHEREAS, A comprehensive examination of marine transportation of oil is long overdue, specifically addressing the safety of oil barges, the effectiveness of double-hulled barges, coast guard inspections, and pilot qualifications as they relate to marine oil pollution;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that Congress study oil pollution and oil spills related to the marine transportation of oil, and enact legislation that assures greater protection of the marine environment.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George Bush, President of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.