Governor Gregoire Announces $1.45 Million for Oil Spill Response Allocated to Washington Communities

For Immediate Release: February 27, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced the $1.45 million for oil spill response and protection equipment has been allocated to communities across Washington.

�I have seen firsthand how destructive oil spills can be to our environment and our economy,� said Governor Gregoire. �It is far less expensive to contain and clean up an oil spill before it spreads out into the environment. Putting rapid-response equipment in the hands of first responders is one of the important ways we are investing strategically in the economic and environmental future of Washington.�

Sixty local government and tribal agencies will eventually receive equipment and training as part of the program. To date, 31 oil spill response trailers, containing more than 25,000 feet of containment boom, have been placed around Puget Sound and the outer coast. More than 250 local first responders have received training to use the equipment. The Department of Ecology will continue to provide equipment and training to the communities and tribes receiving equipment. Later this year, they will deliver equipment and provide training to local responders in central and eastern Washington.

By the end of June, oil containment boom, absorbent materials, personal protective gear and support equipment will have been placed in 98 locations across Washington. The department also will train 750 local responders from local ports, fire departments, tribes, public marinas and county emergency management agencies.

The Washington economy depends on safe, clean water for homes and businesses. Shellfish, salmon and other freshwater-dependent fish drive more than $1 billion in economic activity per year and irrigation water in eastern Washington generates $3 billion worth of agricultural sales per year.

A single quart of oil has the potential to foul more than 100,000 gallons of water.

The average cost for each mobile response equipment trailer, including training, is about $20,000.

The funds were made available in Governor Gregoire's 2006 supplemental budget.

Governor Gregoire served three terms as Washington Attorney General and, prior to that, served as Director of the Department of Ecology.

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