Citizens' council is celebrating 20th birthday
One of the most radical innovations to come out of the Exxon Valdez spill was born 20 years ago this winter: the establishment of permanent, industry-funded citizen oversight for both the oil transportation industry and its government regulators.
The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council was incorporated in December 1989. On this 20th anniversary of that event, the Observer begins a four-part series sketching the council’s history over the past two decades. This first installment covers the council’s first five years, from 1989 through 1994.
Efforts to form the Prince William Sound council began soon after the Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef on March 24, 1989, and spilled 11 million gallons of North Slope crude into the Sound. After incorporating in December 1989, the group in February 1990 signed the contract with Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. that specifies its rights, powers, duties and funding.
Four months later, the council was already deeply involved in what over the years would turn out to be one of its most important responsibilities: helping make sure that the next major oil spill—should there ever be another—would meet with a better cleanup effort. In June 1990, the council joined a working group on oil-spill contingency plans that also included representatives of government regulators and the oil industry.
In August 1990, President Bush signed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which gave the council the protection of federal law, as well as additional powers and responsibilities.
Here are some additional highlights of the first five years of the council's work to foster safer oil transportation in Prince William Sound.
Photo: March 24, 1989:
Exxon Valdez runs aground on Bligh Reef
December 29, 1989:
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council is incorporated.
February 8, 1990:
Citizens’ Council signs contract with Alyeska.
Photo: The citizens’ council’s original logo included an eye overseeing tanker traffic.
April 1991:
Council begins independent monitoring of effluent from ballast water treatment plant at Alyeska tanker terminal.
Photo: September 1991:
At a council board meeting, board member Stan Stephens questions Jim Hermiller, then-President of Alyeska.
September 1991:
Council seeks proposals for assessing socioeconomic effects of oil spills.
December 1991:
Council board votes to co-sponsor independent jointly funded study of towing disabled tankers. Also, Coast Guard appoints council to federal committee helping draft regulations for oil tanker preparedness and safety under a process called “regulatory negotiation.”
May 1992:
First Nearshore Response Plan is submitted to Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Council notes gaps but says there is much to be pleased about.
August 1992:
In an early round of what will become a years-long battle over tanker vapors, scientists hired by council dispute Alyeska claims that the tanker terminal is not responsible for most of the benzene in Valdez air. Alyeska had claimed the terminal produced only 25 percent of the benzene in outdoor air; the council analysis puts the figure at 90 percent or more.
Photo: September 1992:
Board members Ann Rothe and Bill Walker talk to Gary Bader, the Alyeska liaison to the council.
Photo: March 1993:
Council launches Long-Term Environmental Monitoring Program. Blue mussels and subtidal sediments are sampled twice a year from nine sites around Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island.
May 1993:
The council board adopts official position on chemical dispersants for oil-spill cleanup: They should be used only in non-sensitive areas and only after mechanical recovery methods, such as booms and skimmers, have been deemed inadequate.
Photo: June, 1993:
Gordon Scott, current member of the council’s Oil Spill Prevention and Response commitee, testifies at a U.S. Coast Guard hearing on escort requirements.
October 1993:
Part I of disabled tanker towing study completed. Main recommendations: Quick-deploy towing packages on all tankers, more drills and training, and closer escorts in Valdez Narrows.
November 1993:
Alyeska announces plans to install vapor control system to reduce emissions at tanker terminal.
May 1994:
Tanker Eastern Lion leaks about 8,400 gallons of North Slope crude while moored-at Alyeska terminal. Afterward, council recommends more aggressive initial spill response in the future, even to spills thought to be small. First reports had put the Eastern Lion leak at 50 gallons.
September 1994:
ARCO conducts first nearshore response drill in Port Valdez.
November 1994:
New Coast Guard rules require additional escorts, tighter wind restrictions and changes in escort configuration for laden single-hull tankers. There are hints that new tugs, possibly the tractor tugs recommended by council, will eventually be used in Valdez Narrows. Council-supported disabled tanker towing study is used by Coast Guard in writing the rules.
Photo: 1994:
The tanker Kenai is escorted out of Prince William Sound. (Date is approximate)
Photo: 1994:
Tim Robertson, then-member of the council’s Oil Spill Prevention and Response Committee, demonstrates the council’s role in the Incident Command System.
To be continued in the next issue of the Observer...