H-2976              _______________________________________________

                                           HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 4025

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                        1989 First Special Session

By Representatives Sayan, Ferguson, Phillips, Wang, S. Wilson, Walk, Schmidt, Zellinsky, Basich, Spanel and Anderson

Read first time 5/10/89.

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 defined by its natural resources, its marine economy, and its environmental quality; and

          WHEREAS, Washington state strives to protect Puget Sound and to maintain and enhance its environmental quality; and

          WHEREAS, The major oil spill of December 23, 1988, occurring off the Washington coast, and the tragic spill at Valdez, Alaska, were catastrophic events, causing extensive environmental damage to the coasts of Alaska and Washington; and

          WHEREAS, The comprehensive Puget Sound Protection Act, introduced by United States Senator Brock Adams, represents comprehensive action requiring:  Tankers over 10,000 tons to be equipped with double hulls and double bottoms; a review by the International Maritime Organization of tanker safety standards; a study to be conducted by the United States Coast Guard to make specific recommendations for new regulations; an increase in the Coast Guard's supervisory role in spill prevention plans; the determination of equipment necessary to implement safety plans; the annual inspection of vessels; the supervision of industry contingency plans; and assistance in the implementation of a tanker traffic control system in Puget Sound;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your memorialists respectfully pray that:

          Congress enact legislation introduced by Senator Adams to provide leadership and guidance in the study of oil pollution, oil spills, and the transportation of oil in coastal waters and the inland waters of Puget Sound.

          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 states of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.