Point Wells Oil Spill Draft Restoration Plan - Environmental Assessment Available for Public Comment

Federal, State and Tribal officials responsible for restoring damages from a 2003 oil spill in Puget Sound have announced the release for public comment of a Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Foss 248-P2 Oil Spill (Plan). The Plan was prepared by a committee of State, Federal and Tribal Trustees including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Suquamish Indian Tribe and the Washington Departments of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources. The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed restoration plan for 30 days. Comments will be accepted until midnight, June 26, 2009.

The document is available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Washington Fish and Wildlife Office website at: Draft PWOS Environmental Assessment (pdf)

Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed to:  Cindy Schexnider, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503.

Puget Sound Energy - Crystal Mountain Oil Spill Draft Restoration Plan Available for Public Comment

Federal, State and Tribal officials responsible for restoring injured natural resources from a 2006 diesel fuel spill in Pierce County are announcing the release for public comment of the draft document entitled Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the November 3, 2006 Puget Sound Energy Oil Spill.

On November 3, 2006, a Puget Sound Energy (PSE) generator was overfilled causing a diesel fuel release that reached Silver Creek and associated wetlands within the White River Watershed in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest below the Crystal Mountain Ski Area in Pierce County, Washington. Approximately 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the generator pad and ran downhill into a drainage ditch that flows to Silver Creek. Soils and groundwater within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest were contaminated. Approximately 14 acres of wetlands and 5 to 6 miles of Silver Creek were oiled. Diesel fuel entering Silver Creek likely discharged into the White River.

The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed restoration plan for 30 days. Comments will be accepted until midnight, July 29, 2009.

The document is available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Washington Fish and Wildlife Office website at: Draft Puget Sound Energy Oil Spill Restoration Plan (pdf)

Written comments concerning the draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment should be addressed to: Cindy Schexnider, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102, Lacey, Washington, 98503. You may also submit written comments by electronic mail to: FW1WFWOOilSpill@fws.gov

Marbled Murrelet Remains Threatened

Completion of 5-year status review confirms that the tri-state population of marbled murrelets is a valid Distinct Population Segment under the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the completion of a 5-year status review of the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), a rare seabird native to the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

In conducting the review, Service biologists considered more than 100 studies completed since the agency's last 5-year review in 2004. These documents, and other information, revealed that the marbled murrelet population in Washington, Oregon and California continues to decline and faces a broad range of threats, such as nesting habitat loss and fragmentation and predation.

"Our review shows this remarkable bird remains in trouble," Berg said. "The Service is committed to working with our partners to stop this downward population trend and get this species on the road to recovery."

The 5-year status review and other related information can be found at:

5-Year Review (pdf) (880kb) - 6/12/09

News Release - 6/17/09

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