Middle Columbia River Planning Standards
WAC 173-182
WAC 173-182 currently defines equipment planning standards for 13 geographic areas, but the roughly 200-mile stretch of the Columbia River between Vancouver (mile 107) and Tri-Cities (mile 316) has no dedicated standard. This corridor — including the Columbia River Gorge, The Dalles, John Day Pool, and McNary Pool — sees significant petroleum barge traffic. Between 2019 and 2025, approximately 284 million gallons of oil were transferred at Pasco alone, with volumes growing. Ecology is developing a new equipment planning standard for this corridor, separate from the BAP workgroup process.
Background & Context
The Coverage Gap
The existing Tri-Cities standard (WAC 173-182-430) and Vancouver standard (WAC 173-182-420) are the only two Columbia River equipment planning standards. Vessels transiting between them — a roughly 200-mile stretch through the Columbia River Gorge, past multiple dams, and through narrow channels — currently fall under general requirements only.
Corridor Operations
The Middle Columbia corridor supports active petroleum barge operations, with inland tug and barge operators transiting between multiple terminals along the Columbia-Snake River system. Fleet expansion is underway, with new liquid refined product barges scheduled for delivery during 2026-2027, increasing petroleum transportation capacity on the corridor during the rulemaking window.
What a New Standard Could Look Like
The existing Tri-Cities standard (WAC 173-182-430) provides the closest model. It requires escalating response capability over 48 hours: 1,000 feet of boom within 2 hours, growing to 25% recovery capability by 48 hours, with specific shallow-water response requirements. A new Mid-Columbia standard would likely follow a similar tiered structure but calibrated for the corridor's unique geography — limited road access, swift currents, dam infrastructure, and greater distance from staging areas.
Response Infrastructure
Clean Rivers Cooperative maintains response equipment at 14 locations along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers with a 2-hour response guarantee and up to 48 trained personnel. GrayMar Environmental has a staging location in Pasco. The Middle Columbia River Geographic Response Plan (GRP) is jointly maintained by Ecology and EPA Region 10.
Rulemaking Progress
New planning standards being developed for Middle Columbia River vessel operations.
Key Issues
- New equipment planning standard for the ~200-mile gap between Vancouver and Tri-Cities
- Growing petroleum transfer volumes at Pasco (284M gallons cumulative, 507 transfers in 2025)
- Fleet expansion on the corridor — new petroleum barges arriving 2026-2027
- Unique corridor challenges: dam infrastructure, limited road access, swift currents
- Calibrating response timelines for distance from staging areas
- Alignment with existing Tri-Cities standard (WAC 173-182-430) as a model
Related Events
View all →CR-101 Filed - Rulemaking Announced
MilestoneDepartment of Ecology filed Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (WSR 26-03-094) announcing rulemaking to amend WAC 173-182 and WAC 173-186.
Draft Rule Language Expected for Informal Review
MilestoneEcology indicated during March 2026 workshops that draft rule language will be available for informal stakeholder review in April or May 2026. A second draft is expected in summer 2026. This is an informal review period distinct from the formal public comment period later in the process. WSMC members should plan to review and provide feedback during this window.
Workshop: Clarity, Consistency & Modernization
WorkshopVirtual (Zoom)
First workshop focused on draft rule language related to clarity, consistency, and modernization. Draft language will be shared in advance. Workshop details sent via GovDelivery at least 2 weeks in advance.
Quick Facts
- Current Stage
- Rule Development
- CR-101 Filed
- 2026-01-21
- WAC Sections
- WAC 173-182
Reference Documents
All →- WAC 173-182 Washington State Legislature
- CR-101 Filing Department of Ecology
- Kickoff Meeting Summary WSMC
- Tri-Cities Standard Washington State Legislature
- Vancouver Standard Washington State Legislature
- Clean Rivers Cooperative Clean Rivers Cooperative
- Mid-Columbia GRP Ecology / EPA Region 10
- Approved Plan Holders Department of Ecology
Have Input?
Send comments to Ecology's rulemaking team during the rule development phase.
spillsrulemaking@ecy.wa.gov