The WFC requests your input!
The Pacific Northwest is experiencing rapid changes in how crude oil is moved through rail corridors and over Washington waters for in-state refining and / or exportation to other West Coast refineries. The Association of American Railroads reports that in 2008, 9,500 carloads of crude oil were moved by rail nationwide. In 2012, nearly 234,000 carloads were moved, and estimated 400,000 carloads were moved by rail in 2013. This traffic will continue to increase as long as crude oil production increases.
Moving crude oil by rail from North Dakota into Washington is creating a new risk environment. In response, Governor Inslee directed the Department of Ecology conduct a Marine and Rail Oil Transportation Study. The purpose of the study is to deliver risk mitigation recommendations that address potential safety gaps, which will feed into a larger report. This report will inform the Spill Program, Governor Inslee, and Washington Legislature of the technical, legal, and administrative actions necessary to make Washington more resilient to oil by rail incidents.
Washington Emergency Management Division is included in the study group to provide research and input on the preparedness of local and tribal jurisdictions to respond to oil by rail incidents. The attached survey represents the beginnings of the study. This survey is tailored for the fire community. Other surveys will be disseminated to emergency management organizations, tribes, and Local Emergency Planning Committees. By completing the survey and returning in by the June 11 deadline is critical. It may be the one dependable method to ensure your department and community is represented in the study.
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