After Indian Creek tanker spill, council backs funding for LIO‑led oil‑spill tabletop drills

Local partners described a July fuel tanker rollover into Indian Creek that released roughly 2,798 gallons of gasoline and 172 gallons of diesel and killed thousands of fish. Lower Elwha Natural Resources revegetation manager Elise Miller recounted response actions, initial ecological impacts and the ongoing natural resource damage assessment process.

"We lost many fish... 2,100 fish were collected, and the actual mortality is possibly much higher," Elise Miller said, describing field recovery and monitoring efforts. Local responders and county staff said notification chains and access to response materials were shortcomings during the incident.

Makah Tribe environmental policy analyst Natalie Lowell told the council the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a high‑risk corridor with heavy and growing ship traffic, challenging weather and limited local staging assets; the tribe has invested in training, sorbent trailers and a rescue tug at Neah Bay. She recommended tailored regional preparedness given remoteness, road closures and power outage risks.

Straight Ecosystem Recovery Network members proposed hosting a regionally tailored tabletop drill for freshwater and/or marine scenarios to test notification, logistics and command arrangements, and to update geographic response plans and contact lists. The council discussed replicating a recently successful Island Oil Spill Association exercise as a model.

Leadership Council members moved and seconded a motion directing staff to identify funding and support for LIOs to pursue tabletop exercises and local preparedness activities. The chair announced a unanimous voice vote in favor: "Motion carries unanimously." Staff indicated partnership contract funds and facilitator options could help seed a pilot that other LIOs could replicate.