THE LESSONS OF THE GULF DISASTER: IT SHALL NOT HAPPEN HERE

The oil spill disaster in the Gulf is almost beyond comprehension. But in the midst of our shock, anger and sadness we must remember that this catastrophe was preventable. With adequate regulation and oversight, the well would never have blown out. And even with the well blowing out, much of the damage could have been avoided with proper planning and preparation.

Puget Sound is also at risk. Fortunately, we do not have oil rigs operating in the Sound or on our outer coast—thanks to legislation we helped pass a long time ago. But oil tankers, large ships, oil barges and pipelines are all a daily worry. And we have had plenty of small and medium-size wake-up spills. A recent “worst-case” oil spill study here in Washington state concluded that we are woefully unprepared and under-equipped to deal with a large spill. The nightmare of the Gulf could be our nightmare.

All of the painstaking work People For Puget Sound and others are doing to restore habitats, to protect shorelines from destructive actions and to curtail water pollution could be overwhelmed by a single mistake.

People For Puget Sound has worked tirelessly for years to prevent oil spills, and we have accomplished a lot.

• We secured the oil spill prevention tug in Neah Bay. 
• We passed requirements to “boom” the area when fuel is being transferred over the water. 
• We have beefed up  requirements on oil companies and shippers regarding the amount of cleanup equipment that must be stockpiled around the Sound.
  

People For Puget Sound is now working on legislation to ensure that our state spill program is fully funded and we are well prepared for large spills should they occur in Washington waters.

Please help us gear up for this next big effort. Even with the Gulf spill as our backdrop we do not underestimate the lobbying power of the oil companies. This will be a tough fight.

Together we can work to make sure an oil disaster does not happen here in our Puget Sound. Thank you.

PEOPLE FOR PUGET SOUND'S CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN WORKS TO STOP TOXIC CHEMICALS FROM HURTING LIVING THINGS--HUMANS AND PUGET SOUND CRITTERS.

Take a stand to clean up our storm water and reduce toxic pollution in our homes and in the Sound. 'Standing For Clean Water'.

Take a look at Eric Becker’s Social Venture Partners’ film and, if you like it, show your support for clean water by forwarding it to a friend and by making a donation to our Clean Water Campaign today.

People For Puget Sound Gets Results. The Clean Water Campaign is working:

• To pass legislation to fund storm water improvements, address the Sound’s #1 water quality problem, and to pass legislation to phase out toxic chemicals in plastic baby bottles and other items used by children,

• To raise awareness of toxics in homes and in the Sound and what we must do to eliminate the problem,

• To make sure, above all, that the voices of Puget Sound’s orcas, salmon and people are heard loud and clear when the bills are debated, the budgets are drawn, and special interests mount their campaigns.

SAVE OUR SOUND. People For Puget Sound works with people for a clean and healthy Sound. Since 1991 we have protected and restored habitat through education and action.