News & Announcements

Resolution in support of Exxon Valdez “Reopener for Unknown Injury”

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The council's directors in Kodiak at the September 2015 board meeting.
The council’s directors in Kodiak at the September 2015 board meeting.

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;

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The September 2015 edition of The Observer is now online!

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Cover of the 2015 September Observer
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In this issue, read about a study of Columbia Glacier and the potential future threat of icebergs from the glacier, a new generation learning about the Exxon spill through stories, staffer Joe Banta’s 25 years of service, and much more:

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Researchers say ice drifting into tanker lanes will be smaller but more numerous in future

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By Alan Sorum
Council Project Manager

Columbia Glacier Retreat, 1980-2015
Click map for larger image.

Columbia Glacier, located in the Chugach Mountains of Alaska, is losing mass faster than almost any other glacier in the state. Columbia is a tidewater glacier, a type of valley glacier that flows into the ocean.

In 1996, the council began a project to monitor and analyze the calving and drift of ice from the glacier, through Columbia Bay, and into Prince William Sound. The ice sometimes drifts into the established tanker shipping lanes. Loaded tankers leave their designated lanes to avoid this ice.

In 2012, the council began to update information developed in the original 1996 project to determine the future risk of Columbia Glacier icebergs to the tanker traffic. Funded by the council, researchers W. Tad Pfeffer and Shad O’Neel studied several aspects of ice loss at Columbia Glacier.

The study found that icebergs discharged by the glacier during the retreat have largely been contained within the moraine shoal, located at the position of the terminus prior to the glacier’s retreat. The fraction of icebergs that cross the moraine and enter Prince William Sound proper still pose a potential hazard to ship traffic in the Sound.

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Board of directors met in Kodiak

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The council’s board of directors met in Kodiak on Thursday and Friday, September 17 and 18.

Agenda topics included:

  • A presentation by NUKA Research & Planning, LLC on the council’s past efforts to identify the response gap in Prince William Sound and how a response capability analysis could complement that earlier work.
  • A presentation by CDR Joseph Lally, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez, on managing tanker movements in Prince William Sound and Port Valdez during high weather events.
  • A presentation by Starcrest Consulting Group. LLC on the results of an analysis to quantify tanker ship air pollutants being released in Prince William Sound.
  • Consideration of a board resolution in support of implementing the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Reopener for Unknown Injury.
  • A report on the council’s monitoring of oil-spill response drills and training exercises conducted in Prince William Sound and nearby waters in 2014.
  • A presentation by Kodiak Salmon Camp youth leaders on their involvement in recent activities supported by the Council.

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