Governor’s signature gives Olympic Peninsula year-round protection from oil spills

Van De Wege praises teamwork on bipartisan measure

March 24, 2009

OLYMPIA – On the 20th anniversary of the nation’s worst oil spill, Governor Gregoire signed legislation ensuring year-round rescue tug protection for the Olympic Peninsula and Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Beginning in 2010, Washington taxpayers will no longer have to foot the bill for the tug to be permanently stationed at Neah Bay. Instead, industry will pick up the tab, giving Washington greater protection against a devastating Exxon-Valdez-type oil spill.

“The people in my district have livelihoods that depend on the health of our shorelines and waterways,” said Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D – Sequim). “For example, our state’s shellfish industry generates millions of dollars each year, but even a small spill can contaminate an entire harvest.”

Van De Wege attended the bill signing ceremony in the governor’s office today along with numerous other legislators, government and tribal officials, and representatives from environmental organizations. He was the prime sponsor for the House version of the bill and worked closely with the various groups to move the legislation forward.

The chairman of the House Ecology and Parks committee, Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), made the tug bill a priority this session.

“It was great to work with Kevin as the bill went through my committee, because he understands how intertwined our economy and our environment are.” Upthegrove said.

Today’s bill signing was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Exxon-Valdez spill, which dumped over ten million gallons of crude oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound, covering 11,000 square miles of ocean. The effects of the spill are still evident today, and scientists estimate it may take some shoreline habitats up to 30 years to recover.