Two long-time Alaskans on the Council’s staff are moving up the ranks and a former Valdez resident is returning to join the Council’s staff. In June, staff member Hans Odegard was promoted to the position of director of administration. Odegard was first hired as a project manager assistant in 2019. He was later promoted to … Read more
Systems that treat tanker ballast water before release are a critical step in preventing damage from invasive species In recent years, companies that transport oil through Prince William Sound have been installing systems to treat the seawater their ships take on as ballast. Ships pick up ballast water after unloading cargo to help stabilize the … Read more
On May 1, Council volunteers and staff joined local high school and college students, educators, and other partners on a cruise to Bligh Reef, where the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in 1989. On board Stan Stephens’ Valdez Spirit, the students were immersed in learning about the marine environment and the effects of oil … Read more
At the Council’s May Board meeting, a draft resolution in support of voluntary speed reductions for oil tankers in Prince William Sound was presented by a concerned citizen. The Council has been studying the issue of vessel speed reductions to reduce whale strikes through the Scientific Advisory and Port Operations and Vessel Traffic System committees … Read more