Section 173-183-420. Marine bird vulnerability.

(1) Each of the marine and estuarine subregions of state waters established in WAC 173-183-400(2) is relatively ranked and scored for marine bird vulnerability to oil spills on a 1 to 5 scale for each season, where a score of 5 represents the greatest vulnerability and a score of 1 represents the least vulnerability.

(2) The marine bird vulnerability ranking relatively ranks the vulnerability of seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl present in a subregion during a particular season to oil spills, where vulnerability is based on population status, abundance, roosting habits, escape behavior, flocking behavior, feeding specialization, population size, reproductive capacity, breeding dispersion, winter dispersion, seasonal exposure to waters where oil spills could occur, and significance of Washington population to total population.

(3) Marine bird seasonal vulnerability scores for each of the marine and estuarine subregions defined in WAC 173-183-400 are based on existing information and determinations made by the marine bird subcommittee of the scientific advisory board. For purposes of RCW 90.48.366, marine bird seasonal vulnerability scores (BVS) for each of the subregions defined in WAC 173-183-400 shall be as follows:

Table 4. Subregional Marine Bird Vulnerability Scores (BVS)

(4) The marine bird vulnerability score for a spill shall be multiplied by 1.5 when any number of state or federal threatened or endangered marine birds are exposed to spilled oil.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 92-10-005 (Order 91-13), § 173-183-420, filed 4/23/92, effective 5/24/92.]

Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 92-10-005 (Order 91-13), § 173-183-420, filed 4/23/92, effective 5/24/92.

Rules

173-183-400,173-183-400,173-183-400,