Publications Home || Browse by topic || Browse by program || Ecology website

Publication Summary

Our Ecology website has changed, which can cause broken links.
To report these, please contact us with the publication and broken link.

Title

FINAL Cost-Benefit and Least Burdensome Alternative Analysis, Oil Spill Contingency Plan (Historical)

 
Publication number Date Published
12-08-014December 2012
VIEW NOW This publication is historical. It is unavailable on our website. To request a copy, please use the contact listed below.
Author(s) Kasia Patora
Description The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is amending Washington Administrative Code (WAC) regulatory chapter 173-182 (Oil Spill Contingency Plans) to implement Chapter 122, 2011 Laws (E2SHB 1186). The rule amendments include changes to:
• Update state oil spill preparedness planning standards to incorporate best achievable protection and best available technology.
• Enhance the state’s current vessels of opportunity system.
• Establish a volunteer coordination system.
• Require joint large-scale equipment deployment drills from tank vessels.
• Enhance the state-required notification process to include potential spill threats as well as actual spills.
• Change contingency plan requirements for nonprofit “umbrella” organizations to allow for a planning structure that supports approval of plans with a tiered approach.
• Update definitions.
• Make other changes related to Ecology’s contingency plan review and approval process.

Ecology last updated the oil spill contingency planning rule in 2007. Since the last update to the rule, two large oil spills – a spill in San Francisco, CA (the Cosco Busan oil spill) and a spill along the Gulf Coast (the Deepwater Horizon oil spill) – have impacted marine waters in the United States. These spills provided valuable lessons learned about our preparedness framework, and influenced a change in the law. The rule amendments are intended to incorporate lessons learned to influence changes to specific spill planning standards and drill standards.

The Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) estimates the likely costs and benefits of the rule amendments, as compared to the regulatory framework if the rule was not amended (the baseline). The Washington Administrative Procedure Act (APA; chapter 34.05 RCW) requires that Ecology, “determine that the probable benefits of the rule are greater than its probable costs, taking into account both the qualitative and quantitative benefits
REQUEST A COPY
The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment. To help us meet that goal, please consider the environment before you print or request a copy.

ADA Accessibility
The Department of Ecology is committed to providing people with disabilities access to information and services by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Washington State Policy #188.
Visit Ecology’s website for more information.
Contact Spills Program Publications Coordinator at 360-407-7211 or spillspubs@ecy.wa.gov
Keywords contingency plan, cost benefit analyses, oil spill
WEB PAGE Read this rule on the Code Reviser's website