Written by Donna Schantz and Robert Archibald
Updated: 48 minutes ago, Published: 1 hour ago
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The Prince William Sound Regional Resident Advisory Committee is an independent, non-profit corporation whose mission is to promote the environmentally responsible and safe operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal and associated oil tankers. Our activities are governed by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and our contract with Alyeska Pipeline Services. Although the Council is primarily funded by Alyeska, we are completely independent from industry and serve in an advisory role.
The council's member organizations include communities affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, as well as commercial fishing, aquaculture, Alaska Native, recreation, tourism, and environmental organizations.
At a recent council board meeting held in Valdez on May 2 and 3, a draft resolution supporting voluntary slowing of oil tankers in Prince William Sound was introduced by an outsider. The recent opinion contained misleading information about the Council's position on this issue and mischaracterized the discussion that took place. The City Council wants to correct the record.
The council, through its technical committee, has been studying the issue of reducing vessel speeds to reduce whale strikes for some time. The Council recognizes that ship-whale collisions are a widespread problem and that reducing vessel speeds is currently the most effective way to reduce the number of whale collisions. We also note that while we currently lack information and research regarding the prevalence and dangers of tanker whale strikes, particularly in Prince William Sound, a lack of information does not necessarily mean there is no harm. I also recognize that. We want to make clear that the Council is concerned about protecting whale populations from the impacts of the oil industry in the region.
At the May meeting, along with the concerns mentioned above, council members discussed the current speed limits for loaded oil tankers. How reducing air speeds can reduce air emissions and noise pollution from tankers. Possibility of increased crew hours due to reduced speed. and whether longer transit times through Prince William Sound could impact safety or have other unintended consequences.
A motion was then passed to issue a letter of recommendation recognizing the known benefits of reduced vessel speeds and encouraging further scientific research to better understand the potential for ship-whale collisions in the area. The recommendation outlines the council's concerns, questions and advice regarding the potential consequences of slowing tanker operations as a way to mitigate whale strikes, among other environmental issues. This letter is addressed to relevant regulators, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), and tanker operators.
The topic of complete redundancy of the engines and steering systems on all TAPS oil tankers was also recently brought to the attention of Council by rank-and-file members. The request we received was to advance the Oil Pollution Act Amendments of 1990, which would require all new tankers built in the United States to be fully redundant. The Council believes that, given the importance of the Act, any potential amendments to the Act should be considered subsequently. We have thorough vetting and maximum due diligence. The Council did not have the opportunity to vet this topic through its technical committee. This is how the council develops advice to improve safety.
Each year, the U.S. Coast Guard certifies the Council under the Act as a federally recognized citizens advisory group for Prince William Sound. Since the Council was first certified in 1991, the Coast Guard has consistently determined that we further the general goals and objectives of the Act and are broadly representative of the communities and interests envisioned therein.
The Council provides technical and scientifically supported advice and recommendations to promote the safe operation of the Valdez Terminal and associated tankers and to reduce the environmental impact of oil transportation through the region. To do. Council Board and Technical Committee meetings are open to the public and recordings are available upon request. Members of the public interested in observing the May Board meeting are encouraged to contact the Board at 1-800-478-7221.
Donna Schantz is the executive director of the Prince William Sound Regional Resident Advisory Council. Robert Archibald is the Chairman of the City Council Board of Directors and represents the City of Homer.
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