Newsroom

Prince William Sound spill contingency plans under review

by

By LINDA SWISS
Council Project Manager

The council participates in various workgroups tasked with updating the Prince William Sound Subarea Plan, and recently submitted comments on proposed changes to the plan. The last update to the subarea plan was completed in 2005.

Access to current information is critical in the early hours of spill response. The council recommended that the revised plan contain the most current information on web links; resources such as communications, equipment, facilities and support personnel; sensitive areas; community information; and wildlife impacted.

Read more

Bauer reelected, new members welcomed, long-time volunteers honored

by
The 2014-2015 executive committee, left to right: Miller, Duffy, Hart, Bauer, Lewis, Korbe and Herbert.
The 2014-2015 executive committee, left to right: Miller, Duffy, Hart, Bauer, Lewis, Korbe and Herbert.

The council held its annual board meeting in Valdez during the first week of May. Among other business, new board officers were elected for the year.

The 2014-2015 executive committee includes:

• President: Amanda Bauer, representing the City of Valdez

• Vice President: Thane Miller, representing Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

• Treasurer: Jim Herbert, from the City of Seward

• Secretary: Cathy Hart, representing the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association

Read more

After a long life of service, Walt Parker passes away at 87

by
Walt Parker
Walt Parker

Walt Parker, 10 year council board representative for the Oil Spill Region Environmental Coalition, seems to have made a contribution to just about everything Alaskan over the years. He’s had a hand in urban planning, education, transportation, fisheries, telecommunications, and land use planning, and the oversight of oil and gas operations all over Alaska and the Arctic.

Much of the major federal legislation involving Alaska, including the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act of 1973, the National Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Alaska National Interest Lands and Conservation Act of 1980, and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 has Parker’s fingerprints on it.

Read more

John Devens, former council executive director, dies at 74

by
John Devens
John Devens

John Devens, Sr, executive director of the council from 1998 to 2009, passed away at his home in Copper Center, Alaska on June 13.

In June 1989, the Alaska Oiled Mayors hosted a conference with a group of elected officials from Brittany, France, known as Syndicate Mixte. Seven major oil spills hit the coasts of Brittany during the 20 years prior to the Exxon Valdez spill. The Alaskans learned much from their French counterparts about their experiences. Left: Devens meets with Syndicate Mixte leaders Alphonse Arzel (left) and Jean Baptiste Henri (right). Photo from Proceedings of the International Conference of Oiled Mayors: www.bit.ly/EVOS_OiledMayors
In June 1989, the Alaska Oiled Mayors hosted a conference with a group of elected officials from Brittany, France, known as Syndicate Mixte. Seven major oil spills hit the coasts of Brittany during the 20 years prior to the Exxon Valdez spill. The Alaskans learned much from their French counterparts about their experiences. Left: Devens meets with Syndicate Mixte leaders Alphonse Arzel (left) and Jean Baptiste Henri (right). Photo from Proceedings of the International Conference of Oiled Mayors: www.bit.ly/EVOS_OiledMayors

Devens was the mayor of Valdez when the Exxon Valdez tanker hit Bligh Reef, spilling 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound.

Devens headed the “Oiled Mayors,” a group of elected officials from Exxon Valdez-affected communities that banded together after the spill.

Read more

Skip to content