Yesterday [Saturday, Sept. 28] I went to a workshop on oil spills in the San Juan Islands – I learned a lot about the precautions, preparations, and the potential response. There is only so much floating boom available – only enought o protect the most sensitive areas. We gathered in small groups to face a sample scenario – a 5,000 gallon spill near my home. (I played the unfortunate boat captain, asleep at the wheel, who had spilled the oil).We had to make the terrible decision of which areas to protect and which to sacrifice as the tidal currents rapidly spread the oil. 800 feet of boom were sent to protect Deer Harbor lagoon, with it’s blue herons and bald eagles – but there was nothing we could do for the Wasp Islands, part of the new San Juan Islands National Monument.
Of course a tanker spill, with millions of gallons, would be a thousand times worse, damaging the environment, fisheries, and tourism for decades. Newer, more toxic oil is being transported through the region from the fracking of the Bakken Shale and the Alberta Tar Sands. The only way to protect these islands is to close the terminals on both sides of the border and ban the sipping of oil through these waters.
It is a tall order, and will take years, but it is the only way to truly protect the San Juan Islands.
Joy Hughes
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I agree with Joy. The only way to protect the islands is to ban all tanker traffic through the islands. Of course this is impossible so precautions must be taken. A rescue tug stationed and manned at all times to assist with disabled vessels as there is at Neah Bay would help. The Islands Oil Spill has several volunteers who can respond to small spills on their own and are trained to be first responders on a major spill before the large spill response teams arrive. As an individual you can join the Islands Oil Spill Association or donate to them for training and supplies to help combat a spill.
The fact remains that no matter how well prepared we are for a major spill there are areas to protect and there will be areas deemed “sacrificial” to divert oil to for collection.
Michael Durland
Never say “impossible”. They said that too about ending slavery, giving women the vote, and putting a human on the moon. Solar is the way to go!