05/26/1989 Regular MeetingKodiak Emergency Services Council
May 26, 1989 @ 5:00 p.m.
Kodiak, Alaska
EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL
COMMANDER RICHARD FORD (USCG): Computers weren't up today, so wasn't. able to
put out a status report.
BOB BRODIE (CITY OF KODIAK MAYOR): Have you requested Exxon to initiate the
hire?
FORD: Yes.
DISCUSSION ON PROCEDURES --EXXON OR COAST GUARD.
GIL BLINN (PARKS): Weather pretty much shut us down. Did one exchange of
crew. The Stress Council is under contract with Parks Service. I understood
they could also provide service to state and local and on that basis, set up
for Tuesday. Linda Freed said she had been in contact with the provider, and
they could only serve parks. I checked, and she is correct. They will only
come out to work with Parks or Fish & Wildlife. So, it has been scrubbed.
However, MaryAnn (KIB Mayor's Office) said it is available through Human
Services in Anchorage, but she felt the local mental health could serve the
need. I am very sorry about that misinformation.
BRODIE: I am sure the Emergency Services Council could evaluate the need.
HERMAN BUEKER (CITY OF KODIAK): Let it ride for right now unless one of the
agencies feel they need it.
BRODIE: All agencies think about it.
JAY BELLINGER (KODIAK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE): We are getting a team just
for eagles. Exxon has agreed to foot the bill. There will be two teams --one
at Seward and one at Kodiak. Their mission will be to follow up on oiled eagle
reports. We have developed a list from boats and locals where oiled eagles
have been seen. (Introduced Gary Burke as his assistant.)
GARY BURKE (KODIAK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE): I worked up here on Alaska Lands
Bill about ten years ago but never made it to Kodiak. I was very pleased when
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they gave me a call to come to Kodiak.
MATT ROBUS (FISH & GAME): Shoreline Committee added Sturgeon Lagoon to
priority list.
LT. TOM CALLAHAN (NOAA): We have a list of a number of high priorities and a
second list that can be worked on if the weather or something means they can't
work on high priority list. We also listed some sites for the SCAT team to
assess. We need to develop it more before the team gets back on Sunday.
BRODIE: Have we given cleanup crews enough direction, if the assigned beach is
such that they can't go there, for them to go to another beach to do work?
CALLAHAN: That is a good recommendation.
BRODIE: If it would be possible, get that information to the boats. If they
can't get to the assigned beach, go to a beach you can.
DISCUSSION LED BY ROBUS ON MAPS TO USE TO DEVELOP PRIORITY LIST. FISHING HAS
WEIGHED HEAVY IN WHERE TO PRIORITIZE CLEANUP.
LARRY NICHOLSON (FISH & GAME): I called a list in to Jim Wade addressing the
need for fisheries aircraft and small items to help get a salmon surveillance
going as soon as possible. He called me back and said there were seven vessels
already hired and assured us a they would solely be contracted for salmon to
conduct test fisheries. Second, he said again he somewhat promising for
helicopters. I would encourage this group to keep pressuring for these two
things. They will be very critical. We also went out to check out purse
seines Exxon has acquired. Only two were usable; the others were somebodies
dumped nets. Jim Wade is going to look for more. Crews and agencies will
determine openings. Are hiring at least 14 or 15 more people. All test
vessels will have a State employee on board. All will comply with the chain of
custody requirements. I will be gone until the middle of next week. Pete
Probasco will be filling in until I return. He will be directing the executive
session tonight.
BRODIE: "Executive Session" seems to be a word that upsets people. Maybe you
should find a euphemism.
FORD: Suggest "Steering Committee".
BRODIE: In regard to the helicopters, I think we should continue to hammer
them if they send people across the Straits in single engines. If they can't
do it with just two twin engines, we should continue to ask for the third. We
have tentatively heard Yost will be here Wednesday and Murkowski Friday. That
is the time to bring it to their attention. I would like to have some good
information. Who coordinates air travel?
FORD: Exxon --Bill Thomas. If means are beyond him, we would then come to us.
BLINN: We aren't using Exxon at all. We aren't depending on them.
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BRODIE: We should get our heads together at the Tuesday five o'clock for what
we want to approach Yost with.
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