(Photo/Nuka Research & Planning Group, LLC)

This webpage was used to assist the workgroup in the development of a document describing Potential Places of Refuge (PPOR) in the Prince William Sound Geographic Zone.

The objective of this project has been to identify docking, anchoring, mooring and grounding locations that may be selected as Potential Places of Refuge in order to enhance the overall response process.

Site Selection Documents

The risk layers map depicts some of the risk factors the workgroup used in selecting potential places of refuge. The workgroup identified candidate sites for potential places of refuge. These sites were researched and the resources and attributes of each were placed in a site assessment matrix and key.

Potential Places of Refuge (PPOR)

• PWS PPOR Map 01 (PDF 1.8M)
• PWS PPOR Map 02 (PDF 3.8M)
• PWS PPOR Map 03 (PDF 2.7M)
• PWS PPOR Map 04 (PDF 3.8M)*
• PWS PPOR Map 05 (PDF 3.5M)
• PWS PPOR Map 06 (PDF 4.0M)
• PWS PPOR Map 07 (PDF 3.8M)
• PWS PPOR Map 08 (PDF 3.6M)
• PWS PPOR Map 09 (PDF 3.7M)
• PWS PPOR Map 10 (PDF 3.7M)
• PWS PPOR Map 11 (PDF 4.5M)
• PWS PPOR Map 12 (PDF 5.6M)
• PWS PPOR Map 13 (PDF 4.6M)
• PWS PPOR Map 14 (PDF 5.2M)
• PWS PPOR Map 15 (PDF 5.3M)
• PWS PPOR Map 16 (PDF 4.3M)

*Grounding site depicted on map 04 should not be used based on updated hydrologic information (PDF 456K)

Prince William Sound PPOR Contingency Plan Document (PDF 257K) - includes introduction and references

Primary Project Participants

• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
• Alaska Department of Natural Resources
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Alyeska Pipeline Service Company/Ship Escort and Response Vessel Service
• Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council
• Prince William Sound Response Planning Group
• Southwest Alaska Pilots Association
• U.S. Coast Guard, District 17
• U.S. Coast Guard, Valdez Marine Safety Office
• U.S. Department of the Interior

Invasive Species Considerations

Alien or invasive species include seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species that is not native to an ecosystem. Invasive species commonly are transported in ballast waters and cargo associated oil transport and shipping. During operations any species that are encountered that are suspected to be non-native should be collected and presented to wildlife managers. Additional information on invasive species can be found in the “Useful Websites” section below.

Websites of Interest

Invasive species informative websites:

• University of Alaska Fairbanks Annual Invasive Species Working Group
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Invasive Species
• National Invasive Species Information Center
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office

For More Information

If you have local knowledge about the Prince William Sound Geographic Zone or for more information or questions pertaining to this project, contact dec.spar.ppor@alaska.gov