Purpose and need
Since the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in March 1989, oil spill response efforts in Prince William Sound have increased dramatically. State and federal regulations require response capabilities throughout the region, resulting in more protection for the region than ever before. As protections have been increased there has been one missing piece — Shepard Point.
The Alyeska Consent Decree focused on establishing three facilities throughout Prince William Sound to protect all zones from the negative impacts of oil spills or transportation incidents. Shepard Point was the final piece needed to make sure that fish, wildlife and habitat resources that the Native people of the region depend on. In an area where Native people and other communities thrive on subsistence and commercial fishing, protection of the natural resources is critically important. The Native Village of Eyak now has a signed agreement with The Eyak Corporation and Chugach Alaska Corporation on the right-of-way.
Oil spill response efforts in the Prince William Sound have increased dramatically since the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in 1989. With state and federal regulations requiring response capabilities throughout the area, Prince William Sound is better protected than ever before. However, there is one critical piece missing: Shepard Point. The Alyeska Consent Decree focused on establishing three facilities throughout Prince William Sound in order to protect all zones from negative effects of oil spills. Without the third and final facility at Shepard Point, Prince William Sound will continue to be at risk for detrimental impacts from major and minor (near-shore) spills. In an area where Alaska Native tribes and other communities thrive on subsistence and commercial fishing, protection of the natural resources is of the utmost importance.
Tribal members of the Native Village of Eyak have been stewards of the region’s environment for thousands of years, and continue to work towards protecting their cultural heritage and lifestyle to pass down to future generations. Therefore, the Native Village of Eyak feels it is our obligation to protect the Prince William Sound and our natural resources through the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Shepard Point Oil Spill Response Facility.
The Shepard Point Oil Spill Response Facility will include a deep-water, all-tide dock, uplands facilities, and a road connecting the facility to the all-weather airport in Cordova. These factors are critical in transporting essential, out-of-region materials and personnel in the event of a Spill of National Significance.
Steps taken
Since the Alyeska Consent Decree, several necessary steps have been taken, including the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process. National Environmental Policy Act’s detailed federal process analyzes all environmental impacts from construction to operation of the facility that resulted in a Record of Decision supporting Shepard Point as the location for the facility.
In addition, several partnerships have been developed throughout the course of the project including, a landmark partnership between the Native Village of Eyak and Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The Native Village of Eyak will pay Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to maintain the proposed highway extension to American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials standards. Eyak Corporation and Chugach Alaska Corporation have provided letters in support of the project and have entered into several land use agreements for use of their lands for during design and permitting activities. Finally, the project has received support from local companies (CEC) and from governors, senators and more.
Current efforts are being aimed at funding opportunities, field surveys and increasing local and regional support for the Shepard Point Oil Spill Response Facility.
Benefits
Benefits from the project include, decreased response times for oil spills in southeastern Prince William Sound, access to an all-weather airport to bring in out-of-region materials for increased response efforts, increased economic diversity and employment opportunities for Native Village of Eyak tribal members and locals, road access to Shepard Point and the Native Village of Eyak lands that are currently inaccessible.
Most importantly, this facility will provide the Native Village of Eyak the opportunity to work with spill response stakeholders to complement spill response activities.
