Monday, July 7, 2008

The good Puget Sound news

Lest anyone think Puget Sound environmental policy and water quality are going completely to hell, I am glad to report that a piece of good news happened last week. The Neah Bay rescue tug, which stands ready to assist oil tankers and other vessels transiting the can-be-stormy Strait of Juan de Fuca entrance to Puget Sound, returned to duty on July 1.

"The tug" is actually two boats that will split the assignment: the Hunter and the Gladiator, both under contract from Crowley Maritime.

What is notable is that this marks the first time the tug will be on duty for 12 continuous months. In past years state funding was only available for part of the year. As if oil spills check the calendar. This time the state legislature voted a full 12 months, but there is no guarantee for the following year.



Year-round funding has been tied up in a disagreement between Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) and the environmental community. Gregoire wants a year-round tug, but wants the Federal government to pay for it, but so far a provision has not made it through Congress. Not that The Occupant would sign it. Anyway, there are high hopes that Sen. Maria Cantwell will have success with a new proposal, which would bill industry for tug costs (the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, S. 1892).

What the tug is protecting:



Photo-illustrated article about Neah Bay
(Seattle Times)


The Gladiator (R)

2 comments:

  1. Archived Comment by Jami on July 9, 2008 at 1:16am

    Oddly enough I was at Neah Bay and Cape Flattery today. Glad to see it is being protected! Very beautiful place! Gas tax should help pay for it I say, pay higher price for fuel here anyway. Whatever it takes should be done. 12 months all the time!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Archived Comment by Mr_Grant on July 9, 2008 at 9:27am

    Ah, if only it were that easy. In this state the gas tax must be spent on highway projects -- it's a constitutional provision. The legislature has also proposed the oil industry pay the cost since they own the tankers. But their lobbyists and PR spinners would call that a tax, and our Governor is up for reelection. Since you're in Olympia, maybe you could send her a friendly letter on the subject.

    ReplyDelete