Programs and Projects Introduction
PWSRCAC's projects are organized under programs. Many projects are scientific studies to determine actual or potential risks, to document levels of pollution and biological effects, and to better understand new technologies and what environmental costs or benefits might be associated with their use.
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) mandates that the council review, monitor, and comment on Alyeska's environmental protection capabilities, as well as the actual and potential environmental impact of terminal and tanker operations.
OPA 90 also calls on the council to develop recommendations on environmental policies and permits.
See also our page on Oil Spills and Other Incidents in the region.
Working Together for a Safer Sound
One of the objectives of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was to foster partnerships among the oil industry, government agencies, and local citizens. We have learned over the years that partnerships among stakeholders can lead to good policies, safer transportation of oil, better oil spill response capabilities, and improved environmental protection. Ex-officio members and other organizations routinely participate in the technical committee meetings, contributing expertise and other assistance with council projects. Many of PWSRCAC’s major successes have been jointly achieved through technical and regulatory working groups and funding partnerships among government, industry, and citizen representatives. Some notable examples include:
Project |
Partners |
Aquatic Nuisance Species Research (1997-present) |
USFWS, ADFG, USCG, University of Alaska Fairbanks, oil shipping companies, SERVS |
Prince William Sound Risk Assessment (1997-1999) |
USCG, ADEC, Alyeska, oil shipping companies, Southwest Alaska Pilots’ Association, SERVS |
Remote Ice Detection Radar System (2000-2002) |
USCG, NOAA, ADEC, PWS Community College, Oil Spill Recovery Institute, U. S. Army, Alaska Tanker Company with Captain & Crew of T/V Denali, North Star Terminal & Stevedore Company, Southwest Alaska Pilots Association, Alaska Foundation Technologies, City of Valdez, Crowley Marine Services, National Guard Armory (Valdez), Roosevelt Towing, Samson Tug & Barge, TCC, VECO |
Marine Firefighting Symposium (2003) |
South West Alaska Pilots Association, USCG, Division of Emergency Services, ATC, SeaRiver, Polar Tankers, PWS Community College, Bullard, Fire Protection Publications |
Valdez Marine Terminal Contingency Plan Coordination Working Group (1997-present) |
JPO (ADEC, EPA, DOI/BLM), APSC |
Tanker Contingency Plan Coordination Working Group (1997-2006) |
USCG, RPG (ATC, ConocoPhillips, SeaRiver),
ADEC |
ARRT Science & Technology Committee Dispersant Working Groups (2003-present) |
USCG, NOAA, BP, ADEC, DOI, NMFS, USFWS, NPS, BIA, USFS, ADFG, ADNR, CIRCAC, Alaskan Natives and the oil industry. |
Geographic Response Strategies Working Groups for Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Kodiak (1997-present) |
USCG, ADEC, ADFG, ADNR, NOAA, NMFS, EPA, DOI, USFWS, USFS, USMMS, CIRCAC, oil spill cooperatives, shippers and the oil industry. |
Acronyms:
ADEC-Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation
ADFG-Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game
ADNR-Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources
APSC-Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.
ATC-Alaska Tanker Co.
BIA-Bureau of Indian Affairs
BLM-Bureau of Land Management
BP-British Petroleum
CIRCAC-Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council
DOI-Dept. of the Interior
EPA-Environmental Protection Agency
JPO-Joint Pipeline Office
NMFS-National Marine Fisheries Service
NOAA-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association
NPS-National Park Service
RPG-Response Planning Group
SERVS-Ship Escort Response Vessel System
TCC-Tatitlek Chenega Chugach
USCG-U.S. Coast Guard
USFS-U.S. Forest Service
USFWS-U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
USMMS-U.S. Minerals Management Service
|
Making Progress
Oil Spill Response Progress
One of the council’s responsibilities is to monitor the adequacy of oil spill response. We participate in drills and actual responses. And though equipment, resources, and training have improved in recent years, we strive to find and support better ways of transporting oil safely through Prince William Sound.
Oil Spill Prevention Progress
Once oil is spilled on the sea, it is never fully contained and recovered. Despite improvements in containment and cleanup technology, it has proven impossible to recover all the oil from a major spill even under the best of conditions. The best-laid response plans in the world are no guarantee that any spilled oil will be recovered from the water since severe weather can defeat even a good plan. The first line of defense must be prevention.
Accomplishments
PWSRCAC Accomplishments poster series, 2007:
Contingency Planning (pdf/3MB)
Marine Firefighting Symposium (pdf/4.3MB)
Ice Detection Radar (pdf/2.5MB)
Potential Places of Refuge (pdf/2.2MB)
Tanker Escort System (pdf/4.4MB)
Tanker Vapor Controls (pdf/1.5MB)
