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.

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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

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

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

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

Spill management teams

Spill management teams are trained personnel who support spill responses.

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

Spill response plans for Class 2 mobile facilities

We require Class 2 mobile oil-handling facilities in Washington to have a spill response plan.

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

Oil spill contingency planning standards

We verify standards for industry contingency plans using a GIS-based model.

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

Technical manuals

Requirements for technical manuals for vessels with contingency plans.

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

Primary response contractors for spill cleanup

We approve primary response contractors to allow them to be cited in industry oil plans.

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

Best Achievable Protection for spill response

Best Achievable Protection (BAP) is training, operations, and technologies for successful responses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/best-achievable-protection

Wildlife response service providers

Wildlife response service providers (WRSP) manage wildlife response activities during an oil spill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/wildlife-response-service-providers

Worldwide Response Resource List

Database of information on oil spill response equipment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/worldwide-response-resource-list

Oil spill prevention resources for the maritime industry

This page contains oil spill prevention resources for the maritime industry.

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

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