Council News

Recertification application available for public review

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The Council is seeking recertification as the alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, as authorized under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). The application has been submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard, which is charged with assessing whether the Council fosters the general goals and purposes of OPA 90 and is broadly representative of communities and interests as envisioned under OPA 90.

The recertification application is now available for public review:

To obtain a printed copy, contact the the Council at (907) 277-7222, toll-free (800) 478-7221, or email Brooke Taylor.

Comments need to reach the USCG by February 10, 2020, and should reference “PWSRCAC Recertification Docket USCG-2019-0946” in the subject line.

Comments on the application should be sent to LT Ian McPhillips of the USCG:

  • Submit by email: Ian.P.McPhillips@uscg.mil.
  • Submit by mail:Commander, 17th Coast Guard District (dpi)
    PO Box 25517
    Juneau AK 99802
    Attn: LT Ian McPhillips
    Inspections & Investigations
  • Submit online:  Submit comments on the application for Recertification of Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council

 

Council recertified by Coast Guard through March 2019

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The Coast Guard has recertified the Council as meeting its responsibilities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

In a February 28 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. The Council underwent the streamlined version this year. The comprehensive process, which includes a public comment period, will be required again in 2020.

The new recertification expires in March 1, 2019.

Opportunity for public comment: Changes proposed to process for public input on oil spills

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The Alaska Regional Response Team, made up of state and federal agencies, recently proposed changes to the Alaska Federal/State Preparedness Plan for Response to Oil & Hazardous Substance Discharges/Releases, also known as the “Unified Plan,” which guides oil spill cleanup in Alaska. These changes would replace the Regional Stakeholder Committee, or RSC, the forum that has been used since the Exxon Valdez oil spill to communicate with those stakeholders affected by an incident such as an oil spill.

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