The U.S. Coast Guard has recertified the Council as meeting its responsibilities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
In a February 17 letter to the Council, Rear Admiral Michael McAllister, commander of the Coast Guard’s District 17 in Juneau, notified the Council of the recertification.
The 1990 Act requires the Council to reapply yearly for the Coast Guard’s approval as the official citizens’ advisory group to the oil industry in Prince William Sound. Guidelines established in 2002 streamlined the recertification process for two out of three years, with every third year requiring stricter procedures. That process—known as comprehensive recertification—was used this year.
The new recertification expires in February 2018. At that time, the Council is scheduled to undergo the streamlined version of recertification.
The council received 73 letters of support from organizations, agencies, businesses, Native corporations, elected officials, and members of the public during the recertification process.