Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 6, 2005, signed bills that will establish an Oil Spill Monitoring and Oversight Council to provide independent oversight of the state's oil-spill program and a new Washington Academy of Sciences to advise state government on scientific questions. “We are taking positive action today to ensure that our waters are protected from pollution,” Gregoire said at a bill signing ceremony held in Tukwila. · Promote opportunities for the public to become involved in oil-spill response activities. The new academy of sciences will include highly qualified persons in a wide range of scientific disciplines who are willing to contribute their time and expertise for assessments of complex public policy questions.