Chapters 173-182 and 173-186 WAC – Oil Spill Contingency Plans
The Washington State Department of Ecology is announcing a rulemaking to amend two chapters of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC): Chapter 173-182 WAC, Oil Spill Contingency Plan and Chapter 173-186 WAC, Oil Spill Contingency Plan – Railroad.
This rulemaking will update both chapters to:
- Consider the following recommendations from the 2025 Best Achievable Protection (BAP) workgroups:
- Amend existing requirements for technical manuals to include equipment and tactics for non-floating oil (NFO) response and to ensure responders can quickly evaluate the potential behavior and environmental impacts of NFO while maintaining safety.
- Strengthen existing drill requirements for NFO responses.
- Strengthen existing drill requirements for Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) deterrence tactics.
- Incorporate Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) into current planning standards for shoreline cleanup.
- Update aerial surveillance requirements to
- incorporate Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) as an optional response tool in low visibility environments;
- improve alignment between facility and covered vessel planning standards; and
- focus rules on desired outcomes and mission objectives rather than specific equipment or sensors.
- Incorporate updates to align with modern agency practices and recent updates to related rules.
- Make minor administrative updates to correct grammatical issues, outdated references, and improve readability of rule language.
This rulemaking will update Chapter 173-182 WAC to:
- Consider new equipment planning standards for vessels operating in the Middle Columbia River to address changes in spill risks in that area.
- Clarify existing requirements to eliminate ambiguity and improve consistent application of the rule.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
Jan. 21, 2026
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
Jan. 21, 2026 – Spring 2027Public input & involvement
We plan to hold public meetings and workshops to provide information about the rulemaking and seek your input on preliminary draft rule language. We’ll update this page throughout the rule development phase to keep you informed.
Join our mailing list to get updates about opportunities to provide feedback and participate in rule development.
Find information about potential Middle Columbia River planning standards linked below:
Informal comment period
Share your feedback on the preliminary draft rule language using our online comment form linked here: https://ecology.commentinput.com/?id=7eWRZD96d.
The “overview table of changes” includes which sections are available for review in the preliminary draft rule language: Chapter 173-182 WAC and Chapter 173-186 WAC documents linked below.
To ensure your comments are reviewed prior to subsequent preliminary drafts, please submit comments within 30 days (first due date is June 17, 2026). The informal comment period will remain open until October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Draft rule language
- Overview table of changes
- Current draft rule language:
Public Meetings
| Event | Materials |
|---|---|
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Virtual Kickoff Meeting Feb. 18, 2026 |
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Best Achievable Protection Workshop: Drills March 5, 2026 |
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Best Achievable Protection Workshop: Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique & Uncrewed Aerial Systems March 18, 2026 |
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Best Achievable Protection Workshop: Technical Manuals March 26, 2026 |
Related links
Contact information
Alex Colletti
Rulemaking Lead
SpillsRuleMaking@ecy.wa.gov
Stay Informed
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Accessibility
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.