8195 Kenai Spur Highway
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Phone: 907-283-7222
JUNE 2019 Cook Inlet Navigator e-News
CIRCAC applies for recertification
This month, CIRCAC will submit its annual recertification packet to the U.S. Coast Guard seeking to continue operations through August 2020. Once completed, the application will be posted on our website ( www.circac.org/who-we-are/recertification/ ) and a hard copy available for review at the Kenai Office at 8195 Kenai Spur Highway. This application covers the operating period from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020. Public comments may be submitted; call CIRCAC to learn how.
 
Recertification is a thorough review of how well CIRCAC is fulfilling its mandates under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The U.S. Coast Guard evaluates the organization's overall effectiveness throughout our program work and projects, and how well we are representing our diverse stakeholder groups. Since CIRCAC's last recertification, the organization, in partnership with the State of Alaska, named an expert panel and held a public meeting for the Pipeline Infrastructure Risk Assessment; is expanding the ice camera network; improving the Geographic Resources Inventory Database; and devoting resources to learn more about how marine snow (aggregates of organic and inorganic detritus) could affect the behavior of spilled oil in Cook Inlet, among other things. CIRCAC has also reviewed and commented on four oil discharge prevention and contingency plans since last August, as well as provided thorough comments on the State's plans to issue an Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit for oil exploration, development and production in State waters in Cook Inlet.
 
CIRCAC has earned recertification without exception since first being certified by President George H.W. Bush on August 6, 1991.
MEET DAN URBAN, VALUED MEMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING COMMITTEE
Marlys Cartwright, Hailey Thompson and Dan Urban
Dan Urban of Kodiak has been a member of the EMC for more than 10 years. He is another example of the highly experienced volunteers that make our committees so effective. Read more.
CIRCAC CONTRIBUTES EXPERTISE TO HARVEST/HILCORP DRILLS
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.
Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force Releases Summary of Oil Spill Data report for calendar year 2018 
 
The Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force has been collecting oil spill data since 2002. This data set includes spills of 42 gallons or larger of crude and non-crude oil in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Beginning in 2017, they began tracking the number of small spills (less than 42 gallons) and this information is also included in the summary report. 
 
Visit the Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force website to view the report: http://oilspilltaskforce.org/ourwork/data-project/

The site also includes a link to a data dictionary that includes details on how the data are collected and analyzed.
Partner News
Kodiak Chamber of Commerce Announces Sarah Phillips as New Executive Director
 
The Kodiak Chamber of Commerce has hired a new Executive Director: Sarah Phillips. Phillips was previously the Community Relations Director with the Chamber. Phillips replaces Frank Schiro. The Executive Director of the Chamber is responsible for developing new business relationships, promoting community events, and working with the current members to further the goals of the business community. She brings ten years of experience and a Master of Business Administration to her position. Congratulations, Sarah.