09/13/1989 Regular MeetingExxon Oil Spill Public Meeting
September 13, 1989
Borough Assembly Chambers
The meeting was called to order by Kodiak Mayor, Bob Brodie who
welcomed all and introduced the panel.
We were informed that the Small Business Assocition will be here
in reference to disaster loans for impacted businesses.
National Wildlife Federation will be conduting public hearings
regarding the oil spill problems in several areas.
A report was also given on recent events regarding the "Oiled"
Mayors meetings last week in Anchorage. The next meeting will
be Sept. 21st. also in Anchorage.
Bob Bonner from the National Weather Service reports a large
high pressure system. A low pressure system west of us may come
through here late tomorrow. Winds will be increasing tomorrow
evening.
Mark Martinson from ADEC advises they have been very active with
the Coast Guard regarding demobilization inspections. Beach
assessments are being documented to provide a good data base for
future evaluation. Long term study sites have been selected for
the harder hit areas and these areas have been selected for
monitoring during the winter. Biological sampling will be
conducted and fish studies will be done in conjunction with
ADF&G. Comparisons will be made throughout the winter
evaluating the effects of nature vs. the Exxon cleanup results.
National Park Service's Newton Sikes says they are in process of
demobilizing in Katmai and Aniakchak National Parks. They are
formulating their winter plans and will continue to have a
representative here in Kodiak.
National Park Service representative Bill Miller, and his wife,
will be arriving in the near future.
Mike Goodwin, state parks rep. from the Dept. of Natural
Resources advises that additional type "A" cleanup was performed
by Exxon at the State's request. There are some continuing
problems within the Shuyak State Park and beyond their
boundaries.
The State Park field camp remains open at Big Bay and they would
like to see efforts continued throughout the winter.
Paul Burke from USF&W reports that 207 birds, 24 sea otters and
19 eagles which were oiled in some manner, have recovered. The
count continues on the dead: bald eagles at 57, 183 sea otters
and 26,007 dead birds. Recent lab results yield little or no
mortality resulting from toxic oil substances.
They will continue to -collect 12-15 dead birds per week and will
perform lab tests on these birds. XIR 16896
Exxon has pulled iff their wildlife support coats but the USF&WS
will be conducting operations within their own resources and
contract vessels. They will also be monitoring areas with
helicopters.
The three bird rehabilitation centers at Homer, Seward and
Kodiak will close and USF&WS plans to continue their own
down -scaled operations with volunteers.
ADF&G's Larry Nicholson reports plans for the winter operations
will include the monitoring of approximately 15 moderate to
heavily hit locations to assess changes thru the winter.
Potential opening of a commercial fishery is being proposed in
the Karluk area. The subsistence fishery yielded some 67,000
pounds of salmon.
Joe Talbot from NOAA reported that a shoreline cleanup meeting
was held this morning and meetings will continue throughout the
winter on a modified basis. They will be coordinating the
efforts of the various agencies. The demobilization work is
anticipated to be completed this week and plans are formulating
for resource requirements for late winter or early next spring.
Analyzing of the subsistence species will be done on a
continuing basis.
Chuck McWethy from the Seiners Group feels there needs to be an
ongoing effort by the seiners, either volunteer, charter or
both, throughout the winter to mitigate the oil problems and
possibly to help assure that we COULD have a salmon fishing
season next year.
Borough Mayor Jerome Selby advised that he appreciated Exxon's
plans to withdraw the incinerator.
The winter plans will be worked out soon and Exxon will send
planes out to pick up representatives from the villages to help
formulate these plans.
The State will be providing the monies for some of the winter
programs. They will be using the funds which have accrued from
the 5 cents per barrel assessment on oil.
Appreciation was expressed for all of the agencies efforts and
especially the Coast Guard and the Federal On -Scene coordinators
for their efforts and concerns throughout the entire summer.
Exxon's John Peavey reported that they have received Dept. of
Labor information and they hope to make the next payment for
cannery workers in a week to 10 days.
Information has been received from the Crewmembers Association
but they have not yet developed a policy for payments.
USCG -Fed. On -Scene coordinator James Madden reports that the
Coast Guard has 28 people on the project at this time. They
have 3 monitors in the field and there are 3 vessels remaining
in operation. They have been working with many agencies lately
and will continue to- do so. As of October 1, 8 Coast Guard
personnel will be at the command post and will remain there for
kim 16897
the winter.
A final report from Exxon's John Peavey. This is his final
meeting. He provided considerable insights in regard to the
summers events, observations, people involvments, the
not -so -good things and the good things that transpired and
evolved from this stressful period of time.
He expressed his appreciation for the tremendous
assistance by the Agency representatives, th
government officials, the Coast Guard, the village
Veco workers, the road system crew and the many
people throughout the area. He said Alaskans banded
make good things happen.
This concludes todays report.
KIB
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