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Background
As a result of judgements entered in the criminal cases for the
Exxon Valdez oil spill, funds were appropriated for use by the
State of Alaska to enhance the ability of the State and industry
to respond to oil spills. A total of $2,500,000 was made available
to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for
projects under this program. The funds are used for research programs
directed toward the prevention, containment, cleanup and amelioration
of oil spills in Alaska. In cooperation with other stakeholders,
DEC has developed a list of over thirty research and development
projects dealing with such subjects as cleanup technology, non-mechanical
response techniques, the fate and effects of spilled oil, oil-spill
contingency planning and preparedness, spill response training,
incident-management systems and spill prevention. Research has
been conducted by Alaska oil-spill response cooperatives, private
consultants, universities, and other State and federal agencies.
Goals and Objectives
The following are among the goals and objectives that have guided
DEC in the development of specific research and development projects
under this program:
- Projects must support the goal of better protecting the State
of Alaska's public health, welfare and environment from the effects
of oil spills.
- Projects must provide the opportunity to develop practical
solutions to problems associated with oil exploration, production,
transportation and storage in Alaska.
- Projects must complement and build upon past and present research
in the specific area of study or activity.
- Cooperative projects which take advantage of other funding
sources to leverage DEC funds will be encouraged whenever possible.
Project Development and Coordination
DEC has worked with its Alaska stakeholders and other key players
to identify and develop projects that will be of the greatest benefit
to all Alaskans. Research has been conducted in cooperation with
the Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory
Councils, industry spill-response cooperatives and other state
and federal agencies, including Alaska Clean Seas, Environment
Canada, the U.S. Minerals Management Service, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Alaska, and Prince
William Sound Community College. Private consultants from throughout
the United States and Canada have also been involved in the projects.
Following is a list of projects that have been completed, are
in progress or have been proposed for inclusion in DEC's research
and development program.
List of R&D Projects
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