04/18/1989 Regular MeetingOil Spill Management Council
April 18, 1989 @ 5:00 p.m.
Kodiak, Alaska
PAGE: C130 went out but visibility was no good. Did not encounter any oil.
The interesting news is the Russian skimmer is due tonight. It is to be
attached to Nuka Island. Mr. Clean III, 180' vessel, is due here in Kodiak
tomorrow to take on supplies. We are hoping that those two vessels will
eliminate any threat to Kodiak. A hydra -vac in Seward is being used very
effectively.
SELBY: Any report on how much they have been able to skim with smaller
skimmers?
PAGE: Today was the most productive day of skimming --2,500 barrels. They
are using seines to take booms and pull the oil together instead of breaking it
up, since they have something that is effective in recovering. Weather looks
like it will be fairly benign and will facilitate mechanical recovery. Does
look better.
FISH & GAME: Our helicopter hasn't reported back. Hear the crew sent in tar
balls from beach at Panamaroff. They cleaned the beach and after awhile, tar
balls were back. Larry Nicholson is coming with chain of custody sample.
FISH & WILDLIFE: North side of Shuyak found two dead oiled birds, and the
vessel Ruff 'n Ready has one live oiled bird. We are starting to pick up a few
birds that have been affected. We are having radio problems so our
communication has been poor.
Ki0
t
RON On Bruce Erickson's sample, they have started the testing and
will be faxing me the results. The professional judgement is that it is 40-50%
water with all aromatics gone.
WADE: I talked with Dr. Mackie from Valdez. He told me there are samples
of water being taken from a boat out of Homer working its way past Kodiak.
Test results will be forwarded to me as they are completed. I spoke to him
about pre -impact sampling and his remarks were that he had not received a
written study plan from ADEC or any other organization's need. Water samples
were showing one part billion hydrocarbon content. He feels there is not
enough to justify pre -sampling. He did not say he was opposed; he said that
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based on the knowledge he had now, he couldn't justify it. Another concern of
his was the contractor you are using is also under contract with Exxon.
DISCUSSION ON CONTRACTOR. CONSENSUS IS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM.
(4 ci `,.
WADE to RELIN. Do results from Shuyak indicate a need for further testing?
K. Lct)-
RHEIN: What was related to me is the volatile components are out. Shellfish
subsistence people are concerned that their food supply is wholesome.
WADE: Do you know about another area where the same tests are done and the
results?
Kw^-
IGEI-fM-- The only crude sample results were provided over the telephone. I
have not seen any reports of samples taken any where else.
I would strongly recommend that Exxon assign a scientist to this office to work
with you do coordinate a direct connection. Would help resolve the problems.
Someone who could provide direct actions.
WADE: No, I don't have objections but Dr. Mackie would have objection of
going on record of Exxon paying for it.
SELBY: As I understand it, with our memorandum of agreement with Exxon, we
can do it that way. We will do it under that auspice and get it done.
BRODIE: Also, it would be helpful to expedite results.
SELBY: We need to discuss bird and critter pickup and cleaning.
WADE: Will get together after this meeting at 6 o'clock to discuss that.
SELBY: Another concern is how we are going to approach beach cleanup.
(LL i; J
KELIN I have asked our regional office to fax the Valdez operation so ours
will be consistent.
MADDEN: Guidelines to the Coast Guard rep that went to Shuyak was a passive
one.
M121 : Disposal of cleanup materials needs to be discussed.
DISCUSSION ON CLEANUP IN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND.
BRODIE: The hiring is going now?
WADE: They are still at Westmark. That operation is totally a VECO
operation. They said they will take it over today. Their representative will
be here shortly and you can raise your questions with them.
NATIONAL PARKS: Concerns and
questions
on follow-up on Sequoi
Bay
oil.
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Will boat over there be deployed to do an assessment?
MADDEN: There is a Fish & Game rep on that boat, and his assessment should be
accurate.
FISH & GAME: There is no standard procedure for typing of area or deciding
what is there. We also need to work on assessment procedures by anyone that is
in the field. A standard report is needed. I will bring a form, and we can
work it up.
CORDELL RAY: We want to know extent of oil before a cleanup is started.
MADDEN: We will talk about it, but we staged boats out there with snares and
absorbant pads. Is there going to be a park service representative on each
boat?
RAY: We have to follow Prince William Sound's example.
MADDEN: Make this a priority tomorrow morning, so we can get to next step of
cleanup.
WADE introduced:
Rocky Ortega of Exxon
Alice Berkner and Mimi Wood of International Bird Rescue Research Center
and are contracted by Exxon for bird rehabilitation.
Ken Turnage of VECO
Don Kane of United States Fish & Wildlife Service
SELBY: We are transferring the list of Audubon over from VECO and have it
remain separate as to what has been compiled for laborers. Birds and cleanup
are different. Other question is, do they get paid?
BERKNER: Normally that is in my policy. I start off working with volunteers.
There are reasons. You can't take 50 people off the street and have them clean
ducks. It is a genetic knack. It takes a long period of time to identify them
for kind of job. Rinsing and cleaning has to have right techniques used.
There are a lot of people who want to help and not be paid. Volunteers seem
more determined and committed. To hire people immediately would be a
disservice to wildlife.
SELBY: I appreciate what you are saying, but the list put together by the
local Audubon was screened. If they are getting paid zero, there will be
animosity.
BERKNER: Leave it up to the people involved if they rather clean rocks.
CHRIS PROVOST: Initially it was volunteers. Then was brought to our attention
that there needed to be workman's comp. Then, Alice said it is directly
volunteers. We heard VECO is taking applications for animal clean up. We want
to clarify your decision.
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BERKNER: I was unaware of an announcement.
KEN TURNAGE (VECO): I have not made an advertisement for any people at this
time.
PROVOST: It was read at the 10 o'clock meeting that VECO was taking
applications for bird and animal cleanup.
TURNAGE: I am not soliciting any one at this time. We do intend to hire
people but have not advertised.
BERKNER: I will set policy as to how birds are cleaned and right on down the
line. Somewhere along the line, decisions are being made for me without
consulting me. I thought we had a good understanding with the Audubon on what
happens.
PROVOST: We are not just helping collect names, identify key people, and
setting up the areas. The money thing has crept in.
DISCUSSION ON WHAT VECO HAS SAID OR NOT SAID.
GOULD: If Fish & Wildlife happy with stand and Exxon paying, I don't have a
problem.
BRODIE: Would it be less confusing if that was aspect VECO doesn't have?
WADE: Yes.
BERKNER: The volunteers would stay under us and coordinate with the Audubon.
PROVOST: Statements were made that everyone working on spill would be paid.
GOULD: That actually came from me.
DON KANE (Fish & Wildlife): Operationally the Fish and Wildlife has
jurisdiction over birds and animals. Exxon, as a responsible party, has
contracted with Alice Berkner. Our roll is to make sure a structure is in
place to make sure Alice meets Fish & Wildlife roll in taking care of animals
and birds.
BERKNER: In this case, your main person will be Mimi Wood.
TURNAGE: We aren't advertising because we don't see a specific need. So, we
would like to get into a facility that meets our needs. We have some needs but
light. Hopefully we will have a place of abode for purchasing, administration,
etc. in the near future. Not much available in town. We are structured to
deal with needs of today; I am glad they are not major needs.
SELBY: You have taken over boom building operation at Hangar 3.
TURNAGE: I don't know where that is.
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SELBY: Let me know so we can make an orderly transfer.
BRODIE: In regard to list, because no initial organization, the Borough
established a procedure.
TURNAGE: It is my understanding that Cindy has taken that over. We don't
intend to re -invent wheels. Any previous structure, we have full intention of
utilizing.
BRODIE: Are Yvonne Zharoff, Cindy Rohrer, and Chickie Wegdahl VECO people?
TURNAGE: Yes. Yvonne Zharoff is presently dealing with personnel; Chickie
Wegdahl assists. Cindy is paralegal that deals with contracts, etc.
SELBY: If you can assure people that VECO will be using the Borough list,
that will cut traffic down by 90% right there.
TURNAGE: If they are signed up, we will work from that list. We are here to
support Exxon as much as possible. We want to leave Kodiak with a good taste
in mouth. The area manager is Ron Reynolds from Kodiak, who can also answer
questions. We want to be fair and equitable with every employee, vendor, boat
owner, etc.
We are cutting checks on a weekly basis. We are trying to purchase locally as
much as possible. .There will be people concerned with when they get paid. We
are paying weekly, and if you get your documentation in, you'll be paid.
We have PO purchasing system. There are no blanket POs issued. There will be
purchase personnel available or you will need a Exxon rep to sign for it. My
people will not be able to buy without a P0. If a duly authorized Exxon
official says to buy it, fine. But VECO better have a PO number.
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