10 Sep 89 Situation Report

Bligh Reef, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Subject 10 Sep 89 Situation Report
Posting Date 1989-Sep-10

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE MOST CURRENT DATA PROVIDED TO NOAA. -
EVENING REPORT  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH  

VALDEZ: Situation: Robinson continues site visits to Seward, Homer and Kodiak. 
Valdez office is beginning to prepare for demobilization.  

KODIAK: (Talbott) Situation: Weather has improved and the demobilization process
is continuing. The east side of Shuyak Island has been signed off, two parties
are working the Alaska Peninsula from Portage Bay to Chignik.  The incinerator
barge is being prepared for transit to Seattle.  VADM Robbins is due to arrive
in Kodiak.  
Flights/Beach Surveys: Four flights are in the field for demobilization
inspections. Two are on the Alaska Peninsula, one on Shuyak Island and one in
the Spruce Island area. Weather permitting, demobilization inspections will be
completed in the Kodiak zone in 4-5 days.  
Plans for Tomorrow: VADM Robbins will be in Kodiak to meet with the MAC
committee after touring the area.  Meet with John Robinson.   

SEWARD: (McGee) Report for 9/9 - Situation:  VADM Robbins, USCG FOSC and John
Robinson NOAA arrived in Seward.  Informal meetings were held with USCG, ADEC,
and EXXON officials.  The formal MAC meeting was held. At both meetings, the
primary focus was on the 'EXXON WINTER PLAN' and how it is tailored to meet the
response needs of people in the Seward zone.  There is some concern that the
vessels: two (2) 150 foot vessels positioned outside the Seward zone would not
be able to respond fast enough to prevent impact on the beach.  EXXON stated
that it was its policy NOT to use smaller fishing vessels to respond to oil
spills during the winter.  Some disagreement was voiced by the local fishermen.
 Their point was that they make their living during the winter months on these
same waters and should be given an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise. 
Another issue at the meeting was that of 'volunteers', referring to a specific
critical habitat area. The Admiral stated that he had no problem with volunteers
however, he was not going to force EXXON to treat the area when it had been
determined by them and others to be unsafe to work during the time frame
remaining.   A list of seven (7) sites remain for demobilization.  The weather
has prevented Type 'A' operations from continuing at Hoof Point. This afternoon,
USF&WLS representatives requested the USCG advise EXXON that operations should
cease at Hoof Pt.  OVERFLIGHTS  (McGee) Overflights were cancelled due to
weather.  MEETINGS Several informal and formal meetings were held and discussed
above.  
PLANS FOR TOMORROW Continue preparing for demobilization.  

PERSONNEL ON SCENE: Valdez:  Gleason, Hammett, Wong, Dale, Van Den Berg,
Christopherson  Kodiak: Talbott, Robinson  Seward: McGee  Departures:  Walker