Regulations & Permits

Use this portal to filter and search for all of our regulatory information.

We oversee many state and federal laws designed to protect Washington's land, air, and water. See our laws, rules, & rulemaking page for more information about our current rules and rulemaking.

See more about this collection...

Operations manual requirements

Operations manuals help prevent spills during the transfer, storage, and handling of oil.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/operations-manual-for-regulated-facilities

Oil transfers and transfer inspections

Our oil-transfer requirements help prevent spills during bulk-oil transfers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/oil-transfers

Pre-booming, alternative measures, and equivalent compliance

Oil-transfer operations must include protective measures to contain potential spills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/pre-booming-requirements

Safe and effective threshold determination reports

Safe and effective reports establish conditions for protecting open water with oil containment boom.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/safe-effective-threshold-determination-reports

Oil spill prevention plans for facilities

Oil spill prevention plans reduce the risk of oil spills at large refineries and marine terminals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/spills-prevention-plans-for-facilities

Spill enforcement

Spills into water harm the environment, violate state law, and may result in a penalty.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/spill-enforcement

Emergency response towing vessel

The emergency response towing vessel (ERTV) helps prevent oil spills from ships and barges.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/emergency-response-towing-vessel

Inspecting vessels for substantial risk

We inspect ships operating in state waters and take further action if they pose a substantial risk.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/vessel-inspections

Financial responsibility for oil spills

Tank vessels are required to have financial responsibility to pay for costs & damages from spills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/financial-responsibility-for-oil-spills

Vessel emergency reporting

We require vessels to report spills — or threats of spills — within one hour.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/vessel-emergency-reporting

Regulatory guidance for oil industry

Spills reporting and state requirements for Class 1-4 facilities, vessels, railroads, and pipelines.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-oil-industry

Training and certification for facilities

Well-trained facility staff are critical for an effective spill prevention program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/facilities-training-certification

Learning from incidents and spills

We learn from incidents and spills through investigations and share what we learn with others.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/learning-from-incidents-and-spills

Bunkering requirements for ships

Learn about best practices and rules that promote safe, spill-free fuel loading in Washington waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/requirements-for-bunkering

VBAP / ECOPRO voluntary certification program for tank vessel spill prevention

Our voluntary spill-prevention programs (VBAP and ECOPRO) improve the safety of Washington waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/voluntary-certification-program-spills-prevention

Vessel information

Oil spill regulations and recommendations for vessel masters, agents, and companies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-oil-industry/vessel-information

State-approved contingency plan holders

We review and approve oil spill contingency plans for facilities, pipelines, vessels, and railroads.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/approved-contingency-plan-holders

Oil spill drills

We require oil spill drills to test and improve industry contingency plans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/oil-spill-drills

Marinas and Class 4 facilities

Spill prevention and preparedness requirements and recommendations for Class 4 marinas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-oil-industry/marinas-class-4-facilities

Geographic Response Plans (GRPs)

GRPs, a Northwest Area Contingency Plan tool, guide early, localized actions when oil spills happen.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/geographic-response-plans-for-oil-spills