“Today is absolute confusion. They found a lot of oil north of Perry Island in Wells Passage. Equipment is starting to break down. So there are less and less skimmers working. The oil is getting so spread out they cannot handle it. Here is a whole month gone by without a real understanding of those in charge how big Prince William Sound really is. I’m dedicating the rest of my life and spare time to the protection of the environment.”
Stan Stephens, long-time council volunteer, passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2013.
Stan was integral in helping form the council, and was an active volunteer from 1990 until his retirement from the board of directors in 2012.
Stan’s passion and commitment to the health and well-being of Prince William Sound was extraordinary, and his efforts over the years were truly commendable.
In May 1995, Stan was presented with a glowing citation by the Alaska State Legislature for his contributions to Alaska as the president of the council.
“Mr. Stephens has devoted thousands of hours and unbounded energy to RCAC’s mission. He has been an example for all Alaskans of how citizens can constructively influence decisions that affect their lives and communities,” the citation says.
Stan led the council’s effort to convince regulators and the oil industry that a system to control tanker loading vapors was needed at the Valdez Marine Terminal, which led to the completion and start-up of such a system in 1998. He advocated the use of advanced tractor tugs to increase the safety of tanker traffic in Prince William Sound, and this effort was rewarded in 1999 with the advent of two new tractor tugs to assist and protect tankers carrying North Slope crude. Prince William Sound now has a total of five tractor tugs facilitating the safe oil transportation in the Port of Valdez.
