Max Mitchell, member of the Council’s Port Operations and Vessel Traffic System Committee, has been living in Homer for nearly five decades. He was born and raised nearly 5,000 miles away in an area known as “SOWEGA,” which is local-speak for the southwestern corner of the state of Georgia. Mitchell still has his Southern accent, … Read more
The Council’s partnerships with regulators and industry help progress our shared goal for the safe transportation of oil in the Exxon Valdez oil spill region. Our research, advice, and resources help support regulators and industry towards that goal. It is important to share and celebrate joint accomplishments and positive progress, especially during this current time … Read more
Main Bay is 10 hours by boat from Valdez, disconnected from Alaska roads, and home to one of the five salmon hatcheries in Prince William Sound. For more than 30 years, Alyeska has also used it as a strategic staging station for critical oil spill response equipment to protect the region’s ecosystem and economy in … Read more
Hundreds of fishing vessels will remain a vital part of Alyeska’s oil spill response program, thanks to the passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. The bill was signed into law on December 18, 2025. The language that preserves this important aspect of oil spill prevention and response in Alaska can be … Read more