COOK INLET
Regional Citizens Advisory Council

Representing citizens in promoting environmentally safe marine transportation and oil facility operations in Cook Inlet since 1990.
CIRCAC Science Director Susan Saupe named 2021 Legacy Award winner
CIRCAC Director of Science and Research Susan Saupe (pictured above, conducting fieldwork) has been recognized by the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force with its annual Legacy Award.

The Task Force solicits nominations for candidates including individuals, teams, and entities that have carried out exemplary work in the field of oil spill prevention, preparedness and response every two years and the Legacy Award serves as the Task Force’s recognition for outstanding work and accomplishments to foster best practices, to support and protect communities, and to protect the environment.
Public comment period open for proposed Cook Inlet lease sale
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is taking public comments on a proposed offshore lease sale for Cook Inlet. The Biden administration had paused the sales program earlier this year, but an August court order reversed Executive Order 14008, issued by the administration as part of its goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Hilcorp complete pipeline replacement work
Hilcorp has completed work replacing a portion (approximately 4,000 feet) of subsea pipeline running from the Monopod platform. Several sections of concern were identified during routine inspections earlier this year.

The company has also begun initial engineering and permitting to replace two subsea pipelines serving the Middle Ground Shoals platforms. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) ordered one of the 8.5 mile pipelines be replaced following the discovery of a natural gas leak in the pipeline in April of 2021.
Federal grant to help streamline environmental data in Cook Inlet
CIRCAC is finalizing work to secure a three-year grant from the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) to study contaminates in Cook Inlet. The $325,000 grant will fund work that analyzes and evaluates current contaminate data sets and study methods to compile a comprehensive list of potential contaminate sources in Cook Inlet among other work.

Previous Cook Inlet contaminate studies used their own particular methods. Through this grant, a meta-analysis of those studies can be conducted to benefit scientists, managers and decision-makers with information regarding regional trends and future needs for sampling and monitoring.
CONNECT
8195 Kenai Spur Highway
Kenai Alaska 99611
Phone: 907-283-7222
Free: 800-652-7222
Fax: 907-283-6102