Safety of Oil Transportation Act (ESHB1578)

The Board of Pilotage Commissioners (BCP) will provide us a scope of work for a tug escort analysis. We will use our model to quantitatively evaluate tug escorts based on the scope provided by BPC. Ecology will submit a summary of the escort analysis to the Legislature by September 1, 2023. Find out more about Tug Escort Analysis.

BPC must complete a synopsis of vessel traffic trends  by December 31, 2021. BPC will approve the scope of work for the synopsis. Ecology is providing technical assistance to BPC by conducting analysis and preparing the draft synopsis. The intent of this work is to look at how vessel traffic patterns change following the implementation of the September 1, 2020, tug escort requirement for Rosario Strait and connected waters to the east. The synopsis will review vessel trends for Washington waters east of a line extending from Discovery Island light south to New Dungeness light. This will include transboundary waters of Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, and the southern Strait of Georgia. The Board of Pilotage Commissioners will approve the synopsis and submit it to the Legislature.

In consultation with our agency, the Board of Pilotage Commissioners must adopt rules implementing tug escorts in Puget Sound for oil tankers, articulated tug-barges (ATBs), and towed vessels or barges. The rulemaking applies to waters east of Discovery Island light, south to New Dungeness light, and all points in the Puget Sound area. We will lead the rulemaking process and outreach efforts for BPC, and conduct regulatory analyses required by the Administrative Procedures Act, State Environmental Policy Act, and the Regulatory Fairness Act. This rulemaking must be completed by December 2025. For more information, visit the rulemaking website.