News & Announcements Archives | Page 54 of 70

Jeremy Talbott: A life on the water inspires stewardship of the sea

February 1, 2016January 21, 2016 by Amanda Johnson

Volunteer Spotlight:

Jeremy Talbott, member of the council’s Port Operations and Vessel Traffic System Committee, is enthusiastic about his new hometown. He moved to Valdez with his wife Keri and their two daughters in May of 2014 to become the new harbormaster for the city.

“I didn’t even know where Valdez was,” Talbot said. “But it was in Alaska.”

Talbott had dreamed of moving to Alaska for a while. He applied for the Homer Harbormasters job several years ago, and later almost got a position in Juneau as Harbormaster. Talbott was disappointed, but Juneau’s port director told him about the opening in Valdez.

“In hindsight, I’m really glad I got Valdez instead of Juneau,” he says. “I love it. I hit the lottery.”

Board of directors meeting held in Anchorage on January 21 and 22

January 27, 2016January 7, 2016 by Amanda Johnson

The council’s board of directors met January 21 and 22 at the Embassy Suites in Anchorage.

Topics on the agenda included:

A presentation by the Alaska Tanker Company on how they are addressing requirements and technology related to federal ballast water regulations.
A presentation by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation on their efforts to comply with the State Legislature’s intent, as outlined in the operating budget, that a plan be developed to reduce costs for the state and private entities related to oil spill response drills and exercises.
Approval of a report that describes major new advances in technologies designed to detect the genetic effects of hydrocarbons in mussels.
Consideration of a resolution in support of the installation of an independently operated weather station at the Valdez Marine Terminal to provide real-time wind and wave data to the public.
A presentation on recent rulemaking related to oil spill limits of liability under the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

Our 2014-2015 Annual Report is online

December 4, 2019December 5, 2015 by Amanda Johnson

Annual Report 2014-2015. Cover photo by Cathy Hart Photography.

The council’s latest annual report is now available!

The annual report covers the many programs and projects we’ve been working on over the past year, such as oil spill prevention and response, environmental monitoring, oil spill contingency plans, operations at the Valdez Marine Terminal, invasive species monitoring, our outreach efforts, and much more.

Download the report: 2014-2015 Annual Report

Swanson resigns as head of citizens’ council

January 29, 2016November 25, 2015 by Amanda Johnson

Mark Swanson has resigned as executive director of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council. His resignation was unanimously accepted by the council board November 24 during a telephonic meeting.

While the board works to seek a permanent replacement, Donna Schantz, the organization’s director of programs, will serve as acting executive director.

“On behalf of the council, I’d like to thank Mark for his service to the organization,” said board President Amanda Bauer. “We wish him the very best in the future.”