Board of Directors News

Council Board met January 27-28

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The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council held a virtual board meeting on Thursday and Friday, January 27-28, 2022.

The Council conducted regular business during the meeting, including updates from Council ex-officio members, staff and committees. Other topics on the agenda were:

  • An activity report by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company on the Valdez Marine Terminal and Ship Escort/Response Vessel System operations.
  • An overview on Council comments to be submitted to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation on the proposed changes to regulations related to oil spill contingency planning.
  • An update on the budget for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Spill Prevention and Response and current challenges facing the division.
  • A briefing from Council staff on the status of the Prince William Sound Tanker Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan renewal.
  • An update on West Coast shipping operations from Marathon Petroleum.
  • An overview of the work conducted by the Council to monitor the environmental impacts of the Valdez Marine Terminal spill which occurred on April 12, 2020.
  • A summary of a review to determine if the Council should support Alyeska’s appeal asking that parts of an Environmental Protection Agency rule regarding emissions standards not be applicable to the terminal.
  • A presentation on aerial forage fish surveys conducted in Prince William Sound in June of 2021.
  • A report of the Council’s monitoring of drills and exercises in 2021.
  • A summary by Council staff of incidents (e.g., oil spills, fires, malfunctions causing shutdowns, navigational closures, tanker/escort incidents) at the terminal, on Ship Escort/Response Vessel System tugs and barges or on associated tankers that occurred in 2021.

Council board meetings are routinely recorded and may be disseminated to the public by the Council or by the news media. 

Updates on COVID-19 impacts to council activities.

Volunteer Spotlight: Patience Andersen Faulkner

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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.

Read more

Board meeting held September 16-17

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New Council logoThe Council held virtual board meeting on Thursday and Friday, September 16-17, 2021.

Final agenda and meeting materials

On the agenda

The Council conducted regular business during the meeting, including updates from the Council’s ex-officio members, staff, and committees. Other topics on the agenda were:

  • An activity report by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company on the Valdez Marine Terminal and Ship Escort/Response Vessel System operations.
  • An update on the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s review of regulations related to oil spill contingency planning and current challenges facing the department’s Division of Spill Prevention and Response.
  • An overview of onboard ballast water treatment systems by representatives of ConocoPhillips and Polar Tankers.
  • A presentation on the results of field trials to evaluate the effectiveness of messenger line throwing devices used to deploy towing lines between response tugs and vessels in distress.
  • An overview of the Council’s updated Alaska Oil Spill Lesson Bank – educational resources for K-12 students.
  • A presentation on marine bird surveys conducted in Prince William Sound in March of 2021.
  • A report on data analyzed from the Council’s weather buoys in Port Valdez.
  • A presentation on reports detailing the history of the Prince William Sound Tanker Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan, documenting changes to the plan, regulatory positions and industry commitments.
  • An overview of the updated dispersant research summary maintained by the Council, now current through 2021.

Board meetings are routinely recorded and may be disseminated to the public by the Council or by the news media.

News release

Prince William Sound RCAC board meeting will be virtual, September 16-17 (PDF)

Council announces election of Board officers

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The Council held its annual Board meeting in Valdez, Alaska, on May 6-7, 2021. Among other business, the Board convened to elect officers who will serve from May 2021 to May 2022.

The elected executive committee is comprised of:

  • President: Robert Archibald, representing the City of Homer
  • Vice President: Amanda Bauer, representing the City of Valdez
  • Treasurer: Wayne Donaldson, representing the City of Kodiak
  • Secretary: Bob Shavelson, representing the Oil Spill Region Environmental Coalition
  • Three Members-at-Large:
    • Ben Cutrell, representing Chugach Alaska Corporation
    • Robert Beedle, representing the City of Cordova
    • Rebecca Skinner, representing the Kodiak Island Borough

“The Council’s work has never been more important,” said Archibald. “It is crucial we not forget the reasons that lead to the creation of this organization and continue to work together to maintain the record of safe, efficient transportation of crude oil through Prince William Sound. Memories of the Exxon Valdez oil spill run deep in our minds. Not since regulations were put in place as the result of that spill has the state been so challenged in maintaining these high standards. I am honored to lead our Board for another year as advocates of this mission. Citizen oversight remains a key component to maintaining robust spill prevention and response systems and benefits everyone – citizens, industry, and regulators alike.”

The Council is grateful to have the support of its many volunteers from all over the Exxon Valdez oil spill region. The new executive committee is an excellent representation of the Council.

New members join Board of Directors

At its May meeting, the Board seated four new members:

  • Angela Totemoff replaced Roy Totemoff as the representative of the community of Tatitlek
  • Patrick Domitrovich replaced Rob Chadwell as the representative of the City of Seward
  • Nick Crump replaced Thane Miller as the representative of the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation
  • Elijah Jackson filled a vacant seat representing the Kodiak Village Mayors Association

News release (PDF): 

Council Elects Officers For May 2021 To May 2022

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