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- Make minor administrative updates to correct grammatical issues, outdated references, and improve readability of rule language.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
Submit an informal comment using our online comment form: Submit an informal comment
The informal comment period ends on October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Feb. 18, 2026 – Virtual Kickoff Meeting
We invite you to attend a kickoff meeting to launch the rule development phase of this rulemaking. During this meeting, we will:
- Review the rulemaking scope, goals, and objectives
- Walk through the anticipated timeline and rule development process
- Explain how and when interested parties can provide informed and meaningful feedback
We are offering this meeting via Zoom at the following date and time:
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 – 10 a.m.
Related links
Contact information
Megan Hillyard
Rulemaking Lead
SpillsRuleMaking@ecy.wa.gov
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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.