|
Developing partnerships with local communities to expand Alaska's
oil and hazardous substance spill response capabilities and readiness
Prevention and Emergency Response Program
Hundreds of oil and hazardous substance spills occur across Alaska
every year. Whether from freighters, fishing boats, leaking storage
tanks, discarded wastes, abandoned drums, mystery spills, or other
sources, these spills can cause serious damage to public health
and property as well as to the environment.
Because of the vast size of the state and the remote location
of many of its cities and communities, local residents are frequently
the first line of defense in responding to oil or hazardous substance
releases. In many cases outside responders cannot arrive in time
to deal with the immediate impacts, especially a life-threatening
release of a hazardous gas such as chlorine or ammonia.
Alaska's communities can play an important role in minimizing
the impacts of oil and hazardous substance spills. According to
the January 1990 report by the Alaska Oil Spill Commission entitled Spill:
the Wreck of the Exxon Valdez :
"A substantive role should be given to the affected communities
in any response system ... local interests, local knowledge
and experience . . . often made the community-based work force
the most efficient available."
Recognizing the importance of local involvement, the Alaska Department
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is working with local communities
to provide for coordinated and effective response and to expand
the network of resources available to protect human health and
the environment from the risks associated with oil and hazardous
substance spills. By forging partnerships at the local level, both
DEC and local residents will be better prepared to respond to these
incidents.
More about DEC's Community Spill Response Program: |