The Department of Ecology is formally proposing an update to the Oil Spill Contingency Plan Rule (Chapter 173-182 WAC) and opening the public comment period. The rule requires large commercial vessels, oil handling facilities, and pipelines to have detailed contingency plans and contracts for appropriate equipment and trained personnel to respond to spills that may occur.
Public hearings will be held in September and public comments are due by October 6.
This rulemaking will:
- Establish requirements for review and approval of Spill Management Teams, including entities providing wildlife rehabilitation and recovery services;
- Enhance requirements for readiness for spills of oils that may submerge or sink;
- Update drill requirements to reflect legislative direction;
- Update planning standards to align vessel and facility requirements and ensure best achievable protection is maintained in contingency plans;
- Enhance planning standards for oiled wildlife response; and
- Make other edits to address inconsistent or unclear direction in the rule, or other administrative edits.
Background information
In 2018, the Legislature directed Ecology to update its contingency plan rule to enhance preparedness for spills of non-floating oils, require facilities to participate in large scale multi-plan holder drills, and require Spill Management Teams to apply to and be approved by Ecology in order to be cited in contingency plans. Ecology is conducting rulemaking to meet the legislative deadline of December 31, 2019.
Public hearings
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Date
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Time
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Location
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Comment
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September 17, 2019
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1 pm
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Courtyard Seattle-Everett Downtown
3003 Colby Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
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Presentation, question and answer session followed by the hearing.
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September 19, 2019
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1 pm
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Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport
8909 West Airport Drive
Spokane, WA 99224
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Presentation, question and answer session followed by the hearing.
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September 24, 2019
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1 pm
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Webinar and in-person at:
Hilton Vancouver Washington
301 W. 6th Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
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Presentation, question and answer session followed by the hearing.
Join online and see instructions.
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How can I provide comments?
Formal comments on this rulemaking will be accepted in the following ways:
- At the public hearings or during the webinar:
- Comments are accepted verbally by those who attend in person, or during the webinar. Comments will not be accepted through the webinar chat box by persons viewing the webinar.
- Written comments are accepted submitted by those who attend in person.
- Any time during the comment period:
- By mail to Sonja Larson, Department of Ecology Spills Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600 or 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98504
- Submitted through Ecology’s online comment tool
Timeline
October 6, 2019: Comments must be submitted before midnight
December 18, 2019: The rule is expected to be adopted on this day
January 18, 2020: The effective date, if the rule is adopted
For more information
For more information about the rulemaking, documents available for review, and public hearings, visit Ecology’s website. For questions, contact Sonja Larson at 360-407-6682 or sonja.larson@ecy.wa.gov.