Non-Floating Oils
WAC 173-182 & WAC 173-186
Some crude oils — especially diluted bitumen carried by the Trans Mountain pipeline — can sink over time, making them much harder to detect and recover. The BAP workgroup recommended modeling how quickly these products submerge in Washington waters, ensuring responders have the right specialized equipment, and making sure response plans don't "double-count" resources for both floating and sinking oil scenarios.
Rulemaking Progress
BAP NFO workgroup recommendations submitted. Focus on dilbit behavior, submerged oil detection, and response timelines.
Key Issues
- Equipment and tactics for non-floating oil response
- Rapid evaluation of NFO behavior and environmental impacts
- Strengthened drill requirements for NFO responses
- Response to diluted bitumen and Group V oils
- Detection and recovery of submerged oil
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.
Rulemaking Kickoff Meeting
Public_meetingVirtual (Zoom)
Initial public meeting to introduce the rulemaking scope, process, and timeline. Covered all six topic areas.
BAP Workshop: Drills
WorkshopVirtual (Zoom)
BAP-topic workshop focused on drill requirements. Workshop details sent via GovDelivery at least 2 weeks in advance.
BAP Workshop: Technical Manuals
WorkshopVirtual (Zoom)
BAP-topic workshop on technical manual components including non-floating oil response and SRKW deterrence planning. 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, WAC 173-186
- BAP Workgroup
- Yes — recommendations submitted
Reference Documents
All →- WAC 173-182 Washington State Legislature
- WAC 173-186 Washington State Legislature
- NWACP RRT10 / Northwest Area Committee
- NTSB Kalamazoo Report PDF National Transportation Safety Board
- NAS Dilbit Study National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
- Trans Mountain Expansion Canada Energy Regulator
- CR-101 Filing Department of Ecology
- Kickoff Meeting Summary WSMC
Have Input?
Send comments to Ecology's rulemaking team during the rule development phase.
spillsrulemaking@ecy.wa.gov