2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 90.48.366: Discharge of oil into waters of the state — Compensation schedule.

By July 1, 1991, the department, in consultation with the departments of *fisheries, wildlife, and natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission, shall adopt rules establishing a compensation schedule for the discharge of oil in violation of this chapter and chapter 90.56 RCW. The amount of compensation assessed under this schedule shall be no less than one dollar per gallon of oil spilled and no greater than fifty dollars per gallon of oil spilled. The compensation schedule shall reflect adequate compensation for unquantifiable damages or for damages not quantifiable at reasonable cost for any adverse environmental, recreational, aesthetic, or other effects caused by the spill and shall take into account:

     (1) Characteristics of any oil spilled, such as toxicity, dispersibility, solubility, and persistence, that may affect the severity of the effects on the receiving environment, living organisms, and recreational and aesthetic resources;

     (2) The sensitivity of the affected area as determined by such factors as: (a) The location of the spill; (b) habitat and living resource sensitivity; (c) seasonal distribution or sensitivity of living resources; (d) areas of recreational use or aesthetic importance; (e) the proximity of the spill to important habitats for birds, aquatic mammals, fish, or to species listed as threatened or endangered under state or federal law; (f) significant archaeological resources as determined by the **office of archaeology and historic preservation; and (g) other areas of special ecological or recreational importance, as determined by the department. If the department has adopted rules for a compensation table prior to July 1, 1992, the sensitivity of significant archaeological resources shall only be included among factors to be used in the compensation table when the department revises the rules for the compensation table after July 1, 1992; and

     (3) Actions taken by the party who spilled oil or any party liable for the spill that: (a) Demonstrate a recognition and affirmative acceptance of responsibility for the spill, such as the immediate removal of oil and the amount of oil removed from the environment; or (b) enhance or impede the detection of the spill, the determination of the quantity of oil spilled, or the extent of damage, including the unauthorized removal of evidence such as injured fish or wildlife.

[1994 sp.s. c 9 § 855; 1992 c 73 § 28; 1991 c 200 § 812; 1989 c 388 § 2.]

Reviser's note: *(1) Powers, duties, and functions of the department of fisheries and the department of wildlife were transferred to the department of fish and wildlife by 1993 sp.s. c 2, effective July 1, 1994.      **(2) Powers, duties, and functions of the office of archaeology and historic preservation were transferred to the department of archaeology and historic preservation pursuant to 2005 c 333 § 12.      Severability -- Headings and captions not law -- Effective date -- 1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.      Effective dates -- Severability -- 1992 c 73: See RCW 82.23B.902 and 90.56.905.      Effective dates -- Severability -- 1991 c 200: See RCW 90.56.901 and 90.56.904.      Intent -- Application -- Captions -- Severability -- 1989 c 388: See notes following RCW 90.56.010.