FACTS ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dock facilities – Cordova’s city docks are presently used for multiples purposes. A single purpose facility eliminates issues with proximity to equipment, and traffic from others users

  • With the permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Native Village of Eyak can move forward with this important project, and protect the region our ancestors have inhabited for thousands of years

  • Shepard Point allows for large deep draft vessels to load supplies

  • A recent study shows that responding from the Shepard Point location can save 19 more miles of coastline than other places in the Inlet

  • The location allows instant response to oil spills – there is no need to wait for tides to be able to deploy

  • Allows road access to an all weather major airport

  • Provides large spill response vessels to dock during drills

  • Empowers the Tribe to exercise self-determination to protect traditional lands and lifestyle

  • Approximately 20 identified sensitive areas in eastern Prince William Sound are closer to Shepard Point than the oil spill response equipment now housed at Alyeska’s Valdez and Cordova spill response center

  • Access to a deep water port and an all weather road and airport provide a significant value to emergency response in Prince William Sound that will allow spill response activities to be undertaken in an organized fashion

Facility Specifics

  • The Shepard Point Facility will have facilities for large and small boats and helicopters

  • The Shepard Point Facility will receive power and communication services from Cordova, but will be self-sufficient, if required, with stand-by power and communications capabilities

  • Geographic location and all-weather airport at Cordova connected by road to the deep-water port at Shepard Point create an ideal Emergency Response Facility location

  • This facility will enhance the existing Emergency Response Center in Valdez and enhance oil spill response efforts in outer Prince William Sound.

Shore-side support facilities may include:

  • Heated warehouse space

  • Covered storage for booms, absorbent pads, and other response equipment

  • Small repair shop, a wash-down slab with associated oil/water separation equipment, stand-by generator facility

  • Communication facility, potable water and waste water treatment facilities

  • Oily waste storage tanks, gasoline and diesel fuel tanks with both on-shore and off-shore dispensing facilities

Why is the project being built?

On March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground near Valdez, spilling about 11 million gallons into Prince William Sound’s waters, home to seabirds, otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, orca and other wildlife. The indigenous people of Prince William Sound, which includes the Native Village of Eyak, depend on many of these resources for subsistence purposes.

Native Village of Eyak have been stewards of this region for tens of thousands of years. Witnessing the devastation of the spill, Native Village of Eyak leaders vowed to find a solution to assist with and prevent future incidents.

The Cordova facility is one of three mandated in the Exxon Valdez Consent Decree, with facilities being located in Chenega, Tatilek, and Cordova. The other two facilities have been built.

Why is NVE building the project?

Native Village of Eyak’s goal is to provide an oil spill and marine casualty response facility that aligns with the Alyeska Consent Decree and allows us to continue our efforts to be stewards of our environment, while preventing devastating impacts our natural resources, economy, and way of life from major and minor oil spills. Native Village of Eyak’s involvement empowers the Tribe to exercise self-determination to protect traditional lands and lifestyle.

Has the project acquired necessary permits to proceed?

The project is permitted and the major milestones achieved include completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process, which analyzes environmental impacts from construction to facility operations.

What infrastructure will the project consist of?

There will be a deep-water, all-tide dock, uplands facilities, and a road connecting the facility to the all-weather airport in Cordova, which are critical factors when it comes to transporting essential materials and personnel in the event of an incident.

Specifically, the project includes:

  • Access road starting south of Orca Point to Shepard Point, approximately 4.32 miles

  • 5.5-acre staging area

  • Small boat launch

  • Deep-water dock design (364-foot long)

  • Wharf, mooring dolphins and trestle extend dock to 635-foot long

  • Steel sheet pile sea wall (z-shaped interlocking, 908 LF)

What is the project timeline?

  • The design process will be complete by Q1 2023

  • The award for the construction management/general contractor will take place in summer 2023

  • Right-of-way clearing begins fall 2023

  • Construction will be complete in 2026, depending on funding