Oil Spill Prevention Planning

Contingency Plan (C-plan) Reviews
The C-Plan review project monitors and comments on state and federal contingency plans for the Valdez Marine Terminal and tankers. The project also promotes region-wide response capability for areas outside of Prince William Sound.

Weather Data
The weather data project studies wind, water current, and other environmental factors near the Valdez Marine Terminal and in Prince William Sound, and how these factors affect the ability to respond to, contain, and clean up an oil spill.

Geographic Response Strategies
Geographic Response Strategies (GRS) are oil spill response plans tailored to protect a specific environmentally sensitive area from impacts following an oil spill. This project supports the development of GRS in the Prince William Sound region as a primary mechanism for the protection of sensitive areas and resources.

Community-based Response
The community-based response concept is based on the assumption that a spill response is most effective when initiated immediately. Providing the resources to do so benefits both the local community and the larger response organizations. Workshops help facilitate sharing information and evaluating the potential for developing a network of local volunteers trained and equipped to protect local resources and to mitigate the impact of a spill in local communities.

ShoreZone Mapping
Detailed maps and databases of Prince William Sound`s shorelines are being created with the council`s help.

Coastal Management
The Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP), which the State of Alaska created and oversees, provides stewardship of Alaska’s coastal resources. PWSRCAC’s mission is directly related to healthy coastal environments, so monitoring ACMP developments is a council priority.

Coping with Technological Disasters
Human impacts of oil spills are not typically addressed in state and federal contingency plans. To help fill this significant gap in oil spill planning, PWSRCAC developed the “Coping with Technological Disasters” guidebook and appendices. Proven strategies are provided to help ease the psychological and socioeconomic impacts of oil spills. Strategies are provided to help local governments, small businesses, families, and individuals cope with disruptions and other issues caused by oil spills.