CIRCAC partnered with Hilcorp and Harvest Alaska, the Alaska Departments of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and Fish and Game, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response, Inc. (CISPRI) for two drills in May.
The scenario for the first day's drill consisted of an on-land spill at Hilcorp's Seaview Well located near Anchor River. This drill presented many community concerns to address. On day 2, crews responded to a crude oil release four miles from the mouth of the McArthur River from Harvest Alaska's Cook Inlet Pipeline. As part of this drill, airspace and water restrictions were imposed, and a commercial smelt dipnet fishery was closed. CIRCAC worked in the Incident Command Center's Operations Unit and Joint Information Center.
CIRCAC participates in all drills within our area of concern. Each exercise is a learning experience, and staff highly value the opportunities for teamwork and to sharpen skills. These particular, well-executed drills offered uniquely different challenges to overcome.