Online Observer

Schantz and Archibald: Safeguarding our prevention and response system

By President Robert Archibald (City of Homer) and Executive Director Donna Schantz

It will surprise no one to learn the past year has been exceptionally challenging for the Council. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes and constant uncertainty. Safety precautions required us to look for new ways to monitor drills and adapt projects. While the Council has moved projects forward in our many areas of responsibility and recognizes new realities the pandemic presents, we remain concerned with what we view as a steady deterioration of federal and state oil spill prevention, response, oversight, and enforcement capabilities that continues in Prince William Sound.

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A journey through time: New Council report documents history of tanker contingency plan

Graphic that says: From 1000s of documents, researchers summarized 43 events that substantially changed contingency plans and 17 recurring issues.
Read the report: History of Tanker Contingency Plan

Thousands of pages of documents. Countless meetings and workgroups. Over thirty years of oil spill drills and exercises.

That’s what you’d previously have to dig through to truly understand the oil spill contingency plan for Prince William Sound’s tankers.

Not anymore. A new report has now distilled that history down into one report.

The Council partnered with experts at Nuka Research and attorney Breck Tostevin to comb through decades of letters, reports, and meeting notes. They were looking for details on how the plan, and the regulations that shaped the plan, developed.

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From Alyeska: Alyeska wins award for conservation of natural resources from U.S. Fish and Wildlife

In July, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recognized Alyeska Pipeline Service Company with an Outstanding Partner Award for contributions made by Alyeska to the conservation of natural resources in the region. The award recognizes employees’ recent work with USFWS to update and implement wildlife protection guidelines for oil spills, and their continuing commitment … Read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Patience Andersen Faulkner

A good neighbor reflects on the art of listening

Photo of Patience Andersen Faulkner
Patience Andersen Faulkner

Patience Andersen Faulkner creates beautiful beadwork, leatherwork, hand-knitted items, traditional drums, and baskets among other artistic endeavors.

But she is also a lifelong student of the art of conversation. Only a few minutes into a chat, and the listener feeling valued, respected, and entertained.

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