Emergency and Long-Term Restoration Planning for The 1999 Olympic Pipe Line Company Spill, whatcom Creek, Bellingham, Washington, USA¹

The restoration planning efforts for the June 10, 1999, Olympic Pipe Line Company gasoline spill illustrate the benefits of cooperative and restoration-based damage assessment. The Incident resulted in the release of approximately 236,000 gallons of gasoline into Whatcom Creek, Bellingham, Washington. The spilled gasoline ignited, burning much of the riparian vegetation including a large section of mature forest in an urban park. The combination of the spill and fire resulted in the complete elimination of terrestrial and aquatic biota in several miles of the creek. Affected biota included several species of juvenile salmonids, including chinook salmon, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Incident also resulted in recreational fishing and park closures. The Oil Pollution Act regulations require the Trustees to invite the Responsible Party to participate in the damage assessment and restoration process. By working together, restoration of injured resources and services may be achieved more rapidly and costeffectively. Shortly after the Incident, the Trustees and the Company recognized that a cooperative process would reduce duplication of studies, increase the cost-effectiveness of the assessment process, increase sharing of information, decrease the likelihood of litigation, and, most importantly, speed the restoration process. Another benefit of the cooperation was the ability to accomplish restoration goals in coordination with the emergency response activities. This paper summarizes the overall Incident and discusses the restoration planning process, including the emergency and long-term restoration actions.