09/29/2007: "State & MRC To Discuss Oil Spill Programs"

The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) will discuss what is being done at the federal, state and local levels to respond to oil spills at their next meeting on Wednesday, October 3 from 8:30 to 10:30 in the community room at the Islander Bank in Friday Harbor.

Each year, ships transport almost 16 billion gallons of oil through Puget Sound. A major oil spill could have catastrophic impacts on the marine ecosystem and quality of life in the San Juans. (Related story)

Presentations from Carl Andersen, from the Department of Ecology’s Oil Spill Response Program, Gary Shigenaka, from NOAA’s Emergency Response Division, Julie Knight from the Islands’ Oil Spill Association and Brendan Cowan, manager of the San Juan County Emergency Management Program will describe their programs and participate in a discussion on how the MRC can support federal, state and local oil spill response and research efforts.

The public is encouraged to join us as we discuss this important topic. For more information, contact Mary Knackstedt, MRC Coordinator at 370-7592, or email to: maryk@co.san-juan.wa.us.