The AWA Area Contingency Plan (AWA ACP) is an operational plan prepared by the AWA Area Committee for, and in consultation with, the responders responsible for its implementation. Plan content is intended to support the individuals that fill a response role and to achieve a coordinated and effective response to a pollution event. Additional references and tools to support a response linked within the ACP are available on the ADEC’s website. These references and tools provide valuable information used to support a response to an oil discharge or hazardous substance release anywhere in Alaska.

The AWA state and federal On-Scene Coordinators seek participation from interested parties in the AWA Area Committee in our response preparedness efforts. If you would like to participate in the Area Committee, please contact the AWA Area Secretary, LCDR JoEllen Arons, or Julie Liford-Parker, DEC AK Area Planner.

AWA AC Steering Committee Charter

AWA AC Steering Committee Charter

The AWA Area Subcommittee's consist of:

AWA ACP Administration Subcommittee

ACP Administration Subcommittee Charter

AWA ACP Administration Subcommittee Summary

AWA Exercise and Training Subcommittee

Exercise and Training Charter

AWA Exercise and Training Subcommittee Summary

AWA GRS Subcommittee

GRS Subcommittee Charter

AWA GRS Subcommittee Summary

AWA Regulatory Coordination and Advisory Subcommittee

Regulatory Coordination Advisory Subcommittee Charter

AWA Regulatory Coordination and Advisory Subcommittee Summary

AWA External Communication Subcommittee

External Communications Subcommittee Charter

Public Engagement Opportunities

Area Plan

• The Arctic and Western Alaska Area Contingency Plan Version 2020.2
  • Last update: December 2022

Associated Plan Documents

Wildlife Protection

• Wildlife Protection Guidelines: Pribilof Islands

Marine Firefighting Plans

• Cook Inlet Marine Firefighting
• Kodia Marine Firefighting Plan

Geographic Response Strategies

Dispersant Use Avoidance Areas 

• Aleutians
• Bristol Bay
• Cook Inlet
• Kodiak

Area Map (click image to expand)

PNG

The Arctic and Western Alaska Area mimics the Captain of the Port Zone and extends seaward from the coastline 200 nautical miles to the Economic Exclusion Zone. The Area also extends inland 1,000 yards. The following geographic zones lie partially within the Arctic & Western Alaska Area:

• 2 - Prince William Sound*
• 3 - Cook Inlet
• 4 - Kodiak Island
• 5 - Aleutians
• 6 - Bristol Bay
• 7 - Western Alaska
• 8 - Northwest Arctic
• 9 - North Slope

*Only the area surrounding the town of Whittier lies within the Arctic & Western Alaska Area, most of the Prince William Sound geographic zone lies within the Prince William Sound and Inland Areas. The following maps provide a visual representation of the boundary between these two Areas:

• Prince William Sound Area map
• Large scale town of Whittier map

Past Area Committee Meetings

• Meeting Date: November 1, 2022
• Meeting Agenda: AWA Area Committee Meeting Agenda, November 1, 2022
• Presentations

• AWA Area Committee Meeting 1 Nov 22
• UAS GRS Validation Exercise
• Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council
• Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council
• OSRI
• Arctic Domain Awareness Center
• Ted Stevens Center

• Meeting Date: May 2, 2023
• Meeting Notes: AWA Area Committee Meeting Notes May 2, 2023
• Presentations

• AWA Area Committee Meeting Presentation May 2023
• GRS Project Updates

For More Information

• Contact DEC SPAR Planning