Advisory Group Unveils Plan to Protect Puget Sound from Oil Spills

Deborah Wang
10/03/2006

Boaters may have to pay slightly more at the gas pump to help prevent oil spills in Puget Sound. That idea was floated by a state advisory group yesterday. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports.

THE PROPOSALS COME FROM THE OIL SPILL ADVISORY COUNCIL. THAT'S A BODY THAT WAS FORMED IN THE WAKE OF TWO LARGE OIL SPILLS IN PUGET SOUND IN 2004. IT'S JOB IS TO LOOK AT WHAT MORE THE STATE CAN DO TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO OIL SPILLS. BRUCE WISHART IS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP PEOPLE FOR PUGET SOUND.

WISHART: "We have to do a better job than other states, we have a confined body of water, that's highly susceptible to a spill, and its clear even from our initial investigation that we're not doing enough and more can be done. "

THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDED HAVING A RESCUE TUGBOAT STATIONED YEAR ROUND AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE STRAIGHT OF JUAN DE FUCA. IT ALSO CALLED FOR STEPPING UP THE REMOVAL OF DERELICT VESSELS THAT ARE POLLUTING THE STATE'S WATERS.

TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAMS, THE COUNCIL PROPOSED RAISING EXISTING FEES ON OIL TANKERS. THEY WOULD ALSO CHARGE NEW FEES ON ALL BOATS-FROM FISHING VESSELS TO CARGO SHIPS -- THAT EITHER REFUEL IN WASHINGTON WATERS OR THAT TAKE ON PRODUCTS FROM THE STATE'S REFINIERIES. MIKE COOPER, THE COUNCIL'S CHAIR, SAYS THE FEE WOULD AMOUNT TO 3 CENTS ON EVERY HUNDRED GALLONS PUMPED.

COOPER: "A major oil spill in Puget Sound would spread black icky goo from the San Juan Islands to the state capitol. 3 100th of a penny is a small price to pay to protect our children's future. "

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OIL AND SHIPPING INDUSTRIES TOOK ISSUE WITH SOME OF THE COUNCIL'S FINDINGS. THE REPORT WILL NOW BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND TO THE LEGISLATURE. I'M DEBORAH WANG, FOR KUOW NEWS.

℗ Copyright 2006, KUOW News