Take Action to Demand Tough Oil Spill Response!

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Dear Safe Shippers,
Oil spills can happen in our Salish Sea!
Thanks to Safe Shippers comments, the state legislature passed a bill to strengthen oil spill safety regulations. As a result, the Oil Spill Contingency Plan is being updated.

We don’t think this drafted plan goes far enough to protect what we love, but we can still have a say.

Let’s demand for the utmost safety of the shipping traversing our waters by taking action as described in the message below from Friends of the San Juans. 
We can never stop using our power of voice to protect our orcas and their world!
Thank you, Safe Shippers!

MORE INFO
Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections

http://sanjuans.org/safeshipping/

The Islands’ Sounder: “State seeks to strengthen spill strategy”

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The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is updating WA State’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan (see also Chapter 173-182 WAC) that requires large commercial vessels, oil handling facilities, and pipelines to have detailed oil spill contingency plans for appropriate equipment and trained personnel to respond to spills that may occur. A draft of the updated rule is now available for public comment until October 6, 2019.
 
This update is required to: 
  • Address response requirements for spills of nonfloating oils (oils that can submerge and sink) which include Canadian Tar Sands crude oils (also known as diluted bitumen or dilbit).
    • The Canadian government’s re-approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and its associated increase in tanker traffic through Georgia Strait, Boundary Pass, Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca underscores the urgency of being fully prepared for the increased risk of a spill of nonfloating Canadian Tar Sands crude oils. 
  • Enhance planning standards for wildlife response in the event of a spill. 
    • This includes requirements for monitoring and deterrence operations to keep whales, including Southern Resident Killer Whales, away from a spill. This is critical as the Southern Resident Killer Whales could become extinct if they suffer the consequences of an oil spill.
Your comments and testimony are needed to ensure that Ecology requires the strongest possible protections from oil spill impacts.Click here for more information and suggested comments.
 
How to Comment:
Comments must be provided in writing or as testimony at the public hearings listed below. The deadline for submitting comments is October 6, 2019 at 11:59 PM.
 
Written Comments: 

 

Public Hearings:
Ecology did not schedule hearings in the communities that are most impacted by the current and projected increased transport of non-floating oils. It would be great if islanders could attend the nearest hearing which is in Everett on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Click here if you’re interested in carpooling to the Everett hearing.
 
There are also two hearings the public can attend via webinar: Tuesday, September 24 at 1:00pm and Thursday September 26 at 6:00pm. See below for more details:
 
Date
Time
Location
Tues., Sept. 17
1:00 pm
 
Courtyard Seattle-Everett Downtown, 3003 Colby Avenue, Everett
 
Thurs., Sept. 19
1:00 pm
 
Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport, 8909 West Airport Dr., Spokane 
 
Tues., Sept. 24
1:00 pm
Webinar and in-person at:  Hilton Vancouver Washington
301 W. 6th Street, Vancouver. 
For audio: 1-646-749-3122 / access code 424089589
 
Thurs., Sept. 26
6:00 pm
For audio: 1-571-317-3122 / access code 696815493