08/07/1989 Regular Meeting/43
Kodiak Emergency Services Council
August 7, 1989 @ 5:00 p.m.
Kodiak, Alaska
EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL
JERRY HAMMOND (NATIONAL PARKS): Crews are weathered in at Port Bailey. I am
working with Jay on catcher vessels. Some bird crews in areas 15, 16, and 17.
Are working at Cape Douglas and Katmai Bay. Covering a lot of miles --reporting
clean beaches. Flew headmen over areas to show them what we are concerned
about in areas that were reported clean. It wasn't their fault they missed the
oiling; it is a new type of hidden oil.
DISCUSSION ON LOCATION OF SOME TEAMS. EXACT LOCATION OF TEAMS TO BE
PINPOINTED.
LARRY NICHOLSON (ADF&G): We are going to try to wind down text fishing
vessels. 90 to 95% of the salmon harvest is usually taken by the 20th. We
don't see any need for this type of effort. Also, will cut back on helicopter
surveillance. We are asking for one to take samples of streams to see if
measures have changed because of the oil. We should get an answer from Exxon.
The five Chignik boats we would like to keep in place until the first of
September. Did get one small patch of mousse in the Lagoon Friday that was
associated with the carcass of a bird. It was analyzed as Exxon Valdez oil.
Two boats there --one inside and one outside of Lagoon. Over the last four
days, we have seen new mousse hits on beaches outside Chignik Lagoon proper.
We will allow a seiner to go up river to lay a seine to pick some fish up. If
the seiner fishermen can make a decision to to go in and harvest if clear, we
will probably let them fish Lagoon.
KEN MIDDLETON (ADF&G): A couple of surveys came in on the 5th and did six
stations with DEC and not much change. One other group at Red River District
said it is quite clean except for fresh mousse in at point. Akhiok cleanup
crews reported they are getting some quantities coming in. Continuing efforts
to locate and survey stream boom. Our involvement with fishing surveys will
wind up in the middle of the month. Two crews out late this afternoon at Chief
Point and Guerney to Halibut Bay areas. We are documenting and recording the
chain of custody samples.
JAY BELLINGER (KODIAK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE): Restored a few bird boats.
One has an experienced crew and two are new boats. We are back up to ten bird
boats. Have tried to get word out to the boats to work tide rip areas, too.
Word got transposed into just tide rip areas. I told them to work tide rips
and beaches. Put incinerator issue past regional office. We will probably
give you a letter with some of our concerns. I doubt we will do an
environmental assessment.
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JACK RICKNER (EXXON): Talked to Teams 15, 16, and 17. Weather was inclement,
and they were moved to Port Bailey to resupply. Teams 6, 13, and 18 have moved
into Kuliak Bay and are surveying it to start work on. Teams 1, 2, and 3 are
in areas K9, K14, and K15. Received an interesting report from them that
yesterday evening there was a large amount of mousse just off K9 and K14. We
will be working for about a week to get that oil off the rocks.
HAMMOND: I want to thank Exxon and the Coast Guard for the change order to put
the crews in there.
RICKNER: Right now, the plan of attack is for one team working the Island, one
the streams, and one at Chiniak. An overflight found oil back in Katmai by the
river mouth that had had no impact before. We will be checking that out.
Teams moved out of Raspberry to Panamaroff Bay for about two to three days work
left there. From there, they will move to Perenosa Bay area and start working.
There is a team in Foul Bay. Did not complete all clean up near mouth of
Melina Bay on the north shore. As soon as we get decent weather, we will send
part of the team back. After they are finished, they can go to Panamaroff and
work around Marmot. We still have Teams 9 and 10. We stopped the warm water
washing as it is inefficient. Another unit is coming that is a better warm
water washing unit. Team 10 will get with Team 9 to see what the work orders
are for that area so they can work together or go to two different areas. Team
11 moved and joined with Teams 5 and 8 in Anlinchak area. Team 19 was put on
today and will team up with Teams 5, 8, and 11. We will really look at how to
utilize those teams.
BOB BRODIE (CITY OF KODIAK MAYOR): Are all teams at 20 or more in strength?
RICKNER: We have been surveying vessels to find out strength of each team.
BELLINGER and RICKNER discussed if additional personnel will be needed to
monitor.
RICKNER: Ken has asked about boom removal. Hopefully we can get some
information out to the public about boom removal. We hesitate jerking booms
out without letting people know what is going on. If there is some critical
areas where it should remain, we need to know that.
NICHOLSON: We have a list and can identify those that can be removed.
JEROME SELBY (KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH MAYOR) to NICHOLSON: Larry, have you folks
looked at any herring spawning beaches. Since the herring will be in before
people get back out there, they should be cleaned.
NICHOLSON: There are 54 --pretty much every bay. Some are larger, but all have
areas and we try to manage all.
COMMANDER DENNIS MAGUIRE (USCG): We received two reports from monitors on the
seiner fleet of substandard levels on the vessels --refrigeration, cooking,
bathrooms, no fresh meat after two days. I am starting to look at pulling my
monitors. I will take input from this committee but if not cleared up by
Friday, I will pull my people.
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DISCUSSION ON SUPPLY BOATS TO SEINERS AND THEIR SETUPS.
SELBY to WAYNE PURDOM (EXXON): Can we find out logistics?
SELBY to MAGUIRE: My suggestion is for you to look for vessels that are well
equipped and put your men on those.
MAGUIRE told group of Commandant's itinerary.
MAGUIRE: Second inspection in Uyak Bay and it looked good. Bag removal needs
to be taken care of before it is signed off.
MAGUIRE explained segment inspection process: We look to see if work order
that was signed and submitted by Exxon has been done. That is all --no other
agenda. DEC is the State's lead agency for cleanup. DEC is suppose to take
Fish and Games input and say to us that is what they want. The DEC rep is to
represent Fish and Game. We accept their evaluation and that is the way we
will continue to do it.
SELBY: I guess difference is if those folks are comfortable with a'different
agency signing off...
MAGUIRE: Inspections are done during low tide.
NICHOLSON: What is the major rub of jumping to a larger aircraft instead of
restricting it to the smaller. Commercial fishing plays a major roll, and I
think it's important.
MAGUIRE: DEC is the State's OSC. The bottom line is cleanliness of beaches
and has work order been met. What we are looking at is if oiled debris and
mousse has. been removed. I am not looking at eagles, bears... I am not
getting into damage assessment. All this is is a segment inspection review,
Type A cleanup, is it done, and has the work order been satisfied.
SELBY: Clean up is in the eye of the beholder. The DEC is going to see
something different than the fisheries.
MAGUIRE: DEC is leading State agency.
NICHOLSON: All of the DEC representation in Kodiak has been inexperienced and
unfamiliar with Kodiak Island. I think we have a lot more interest and
expertise and that is why I feel it should be one of our people instead of
theirs.
MAGUIRE: If you can, get DEC within State structure to change it. Again, that
is a State issue. If we go somewhere and fourth seat is available... But, I
will not say there definitely is a fourth seat for Fish and Game.
BRODIE read list of dignitaries that will be here this month.
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