Coastal Transportation, Inc., a Washington-based owner of cargo
vessels, paid the
State of Alaska $412,101 to resolve violations of Alaska oil pollution
prevention laws. The payment was for the company¡¦s operation of vessels in Alaska
waters without approved Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plans and the
required proof of financial responsibility.
The State became aware of the illegal operation when a
Coastal Transportation vessel
spilled oil in
Dutch Harbor in November 2003. Coastal Transportation, Inc. has since
obtained contingency plan and
financial responsibility coverage for its vessels.
DEC Commissioner Kurt Fredriksson noted that ¡§Coastal Transportation, Inc. operated
without the planning and contracts in place to respond to a spill which is a violation of
State law and a significant risk to the environment.¡¨
The civil assessments were designed to nullify the economic savings Coastal
Transportation was afforded by not complying with the oil pollution prevention
requirements, and to reimburse the State for its effort investigating and resolving the
long-standing violations.¡¨ According to Attorney General David MaƒWrquez, ¡§This case
demonstrates that there is no economic advantage in noncompliance with Alaska¡¦s oil
pollution prevention laws. The State intends to maintain an even playing field. We will
not allow operators who do not comply to achieve an economic advantage over operators
who do.¡¨