(1) The state oil spill response account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from RCW 82.23B.020(1) shall be deposited in the account. All costs reimbursed to the state by a responsible party or any other person for responding to a spill of oil shall also be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be spent only after appropriation. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW.

     (2) The account shall be used exclusively to pay for:

     (a) The costs associated with the response to spills of crude oil or petroleum products into the navigable waters of the state; and

     (b) The costs associated with the department's use of the emergency response towing vessel as described in RCW 88.46.135.

     (3) Payment of response costs under subsection (2)(a) of this section shall be limited to spills which the director has determined are likely to exceed fifty thousand dollars.

     (4) Before expending moneys from the account, the director shall make reasonable efforts to obtain funding for response costs under subsection (2) of this section from the person responsible for the spill and from other sources, including the federal government.

     (5) Reimbursement for response costs shall be allowed only for costs which are not covered by funds appropriated to the agencies responsible for response activities. Costs associated with the response to spills of crude oil or petroleum products shall include:

     (a) Natural resource damage assessment and related activities;

     (b) Spill related response, containment, wildlife rescue, cleanup, disposal, and associated costs;

     (c) Interagency coordination and public information related to a response; and

     (d) Appropriate travel, goods and services, contracts, and equipment.

[2009 c 11 § 9; 1991 c 200 § 805.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- Emergency response system -- Apportionment of costs -- Recommendations -- Coordination with British Columbia -- 2009 c 11: See notes following RCW 88.46.130.