“Today is absolute confusion. They found a lot of oil north of Perry Island in Wells Passage. Equipment is starting to break down. So there are less and less skimmers working. The oil is getting so spread out they cannot handle it. Here is a whole month gone by without a real understanding of those in charge how big Prince William Sound really is. I’m dedicating the rest of my life and spare time to the protection of the environment.”
Prince William Sound lost a passionate and dedicated defender on September 21, when Stan Stephens, Valdez resident and council board member since the organization started up in 1990, passed away. Stephens was 78.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Stephens was an Alaska resident since 1961. Arriving in April of that year, he first camped on vacant property, later purchasing the land and building his home in the North Pole area. Married in 1964 to Mary Helen, they raised their family of three daughters in North Pole.
Stephens was the owner and operator of Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises based in Valdez. The company, originally named North Star Marine Charters, began sport fishing charters in 1971 and over the years evolved into the sightseeing company it is today.
Stephens became involved with state tourism issues in 1978 and with safety of the shipping of oil in 1986. Stephens held offices and volunteered as a board and committee member for many tourism, conservation, and marine safety organizations over the years.
Stephens received many awards and citations for his tireless volunteer efforts promoting tourism and the sustainability of Alaska’s natural and cultural resources. In May 1995, Stephens was presented with a glowing citation by the Alaska State Legislature for his contributions to Alaska as the president of the council.
“Mr. Stephens has devoted thousands of hours and unbounded energy to RCAC’s mission. He has been an example for all Alaskans of how citizens can constructively influence decisions that affect their lives and communities,” the citation says.
Additional awards included the Legacy Award from the States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force for Oil Spill Prevention in recognition of his personal commitment to improving the maritime safety in Prince William Sound; the Alaska Conservation Foundation’s Celia Hunter award for outstanding volunteer contributions; the Alaska Visitors Association’s Life Time Achievement Award; the Alaska Land Managers Forum Outstanding Long-Term Programs Award for the environmentally conservative operations of Growler Island Wilderness Camp; and the Coastal Living Magazine Leadership Award recognizing his work in protecting Prince William Sound.
Stephens led the council’s effort to convince regulators and the oil industry that a system to control tanker loading vapors was needed at the Valdez Marine Terminal, which led to the completion and start-up of such a system in 1998. He advocated for the use of advanced tractor tugs to increase the safety of tanker traffic in Prince William Sound, and this effort was rewarded in 1999 with the advent of two new tractor tugs to assist and protect tankers carrying North Slope crude. Prince William Sound now has a total of five tractor tugs facilitating the safe oil transportation throughout the Sound.
“Stan created and left for all of us a tremendous and very unique gift, the foundation for our future to build upon. We all must continue to work together to ensure that what we build on that foundation stands the same test of time his legacy surely will.”
-Amanda Bauer, President of the council’s Board of Directors
“Stan was a tireless advocate for Prince William Sound. He was instrumental in building trust and partnerships between citizens, the oil industry and regulators that helped lead us to many of the protections that we have today. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was not afraid to speak up for what he felt was right. People may not have always agreed with him, but he was always respected for his passion and commitment. Prince William Sound lost a hero with Stan’s passing and he will be greatly missed.”
-Donna Schantz, Director of Programs for the council
“He always was a gentleman and he spoke calmly, yet truthfully. He didn’t pull any punches. He spoke the truth, and he was honest. He kept his word, too. When you put those things together, that’s the combination of a great leader.”
–Joe Banta, Council Project Manager