On Friday, September 18, 2015, the council’s board of directors unanimously passed a resolution in support of the “Reopener for Unknown Injury” from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Multiple citizens called in during the public comment period to voice their opinions about this important issue.
Media release: Citizens’ Oversight Council calls for Agreement on Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration
Resolution 15-07 – “Supporting Habitat Restoration Pursuant to Damages Caused by the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill – in support of a meeting between the United States, the State of Alaska, Exxon, Inc., and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustees Council.”
Full text of Resolution 15-07
Supporting Habitat Restoration Pursuant to Damages
Caused by the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
WHEREAS, the Exxon Valdez Settlement Agreement contains a reopener clause allowing the federal or state government to request additional funds from Exxon due to unanticipated remaining oil in the environment and subsequent failure of species to recover within Prince William Sound;
WHEREAS, in 2006, the United States and the State of Alaska presented to Exxon a comprehensive project plan for the cleanup of lingering oil at an estimated cost of $92 million;
WHEREAS, Exxon has not yet agreed to that project plan;
WHEREAS, there is evidence of substantial oil remaining within Prince William Sound and that some species and habitat within the area have suffered substantial and unanticipated injuries that are attributable to the Exxon Valdez oil spill;
WHEREAS the ongoing delay in implementing the “Reopener for Unknown Injury” restoration plan continues to allow remaining unrecovered oil to damage the Alaska coastal ecosystem;
WHEREAS, both Alaska residents and nonresidents use this area extensively for subsistence, recreation, sport hunting and fishing activities; and
WHEREAS, the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council believes that a collaborative approach whereby all parties are at the table working together oftentimes leads to successful and sustainable resolution of complex matters such as the science and plans for restoration of habitat or species that have suffered substantial loss or decline in an oil spill area.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council requests that the United States, the State of Alaska, Exxon, Inc., and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustees Council should meet and confer on implementation of the 2006 plan, with assistance of mediators if needed, and that the plan as agreed to then be implemented with all deliberate speed.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council on this 18th day of September, 2015.
Download the signed document:
Resolution in support of Exxon Valdez “Reopener for Unknown Injury”