COOK INLET
Regional Citizens Advisory Council

Representing citizens in promoting environmentally safe marine transportation and oil facility operations in Cook Inlet since 1990.
ADEC opens public comment period for proposed rule changes
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has opened its public comment period for proposed changes to oil spill prevention and response regulations.

ADEC has announced a 90-day comment period for its proposed changes, ending on January 31, 2022. CIRCAC staff will review those changes and work with our committees to provide comments to the Department, again, focusing on the need to strengthen the existing protections and encourage only those changes that will enhance and improve oil spill prevention and response measures.
Public comment period open for proposed Cook Inlet lease sale
The Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management has opened its public comment period for Cook Inlet OCS Oil & Gas Lease Sale 258. The draft environmental impact statement for the sale was issued on October 22, 2021. Staff will be reviewing the EIS for accuracy, data gaps and other potential issues that may need to be addressed. Three virtual public hearings are scheduled for Nov. 16-19.

The draft environmental impact statement, instructions to submit public comments and links to participate in upcoming virtual public hearings can be found through the link below.
Randolf Yost departs Cook Inlet
After more than a year docked at OSK Dock in Nikiski, the Randolf Yost jack-up rig left Cook Inlet in October. The Falcon heavy lift vessel moved the Randolf Yost out of Kachemak Bay October 25th, more than six years after Furie Operating Alaska moved it into Cook Inlet. The rig was used primarily in the Kitchen Lights Unit.

When Hex LLC acquired Furie’s assets in a 2020 bankruptcy proceeding, Hex CEO John Hendrix declined to continue the company’s contract with Randolf Yost, prompting its sale to Shelf Drilling.
December CIRCAC Board meeting scheduled
The CIRCAC Board of Directors will meet virtually on Friday, Dec. 3rd, 2021. As has been the case since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health and safety of our Board members, staff and the public are our top priority as we continue to conduct regular Council business.

An agenda for the meeting will be available in advance of the meeting at our website.
Crew (and dog) safe following grounding

Crew members of all kinds were rescued from the F/V Laura following its grounding Halloween weekend at Black Point on Kodiak (Sitkalidak Island in SE Kodiak). The vessel’s crew abandoned ship and was subsequently rescued, including a a puppy that belonged to one of the Laura's crew members.

Over the weekend of November 6 and 7, the community of Old Harbor traveled to the beach adjacent to the site of the vessel grounding to conduct cleanup of debris released from the vessel when it broke up. Several 5-gallon buckets containing oil were recovered during this beach cleanup.
Kodiak Scholarship Fair to be held virtually
CIRCAC will participate in the 8th annual Kodiak Island Scholarship Fair, happening virtually on Nov. 19, 2021.

We will again offer two scholarships: The Captain Barry Eldridge Memorial Scholarship for Maritime Studies, and the James Carter Memorial Scholarship for Environmental Sciences.

CONNECT
8195 Kenai Spur Highway
Kenai Alaska 99611
Phone: 907-283-7222
Free: 800-652-7222
Fax: 907-283-6102