HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2009-017Sponsored by: Oates
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2009-017
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, RECOGNIl.ING THE 20T" ANNIVERSARY OF THE EXXON
VALDEZ OIL SPILL, SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED PRACTICE OF
ACCOMPANYING EACH OIL'CANKF.R THROUGH PRINCE WILLIAlV1
SOUND WITH AT LEAST A TWO VESSEL ESCORT, AND SUPPORTING
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION N0.19AND SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
NO. 11 CURRENTLY BEFORE, THE ALASKA LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, March 24, 2009, marks the 20`'' anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill; and
WHEREAS, the Exxon Valdez oil spill was the worst oil tanker spill in the history of the
United Stales contaminating approximately 1,300 miles of Alaska coastline affecting commercial
and sport fishing, the tourism industry and the economy in Seward; a~~d
WHEREAS, another large spill in Prince William Sound would adversely affect [he coastal
communities iu south central Alaska and cause major environmental damage; and
WHEREAS, since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
and the crude oil shippers have created aworld-class oil spill. prevention and response system in
Prince William Sound; and
WHEREAS, the oil tanker vessels transiting Prince William Sound are increasingly of a
double-hulled design, as required by the Oi] Pollution Act of 1990; and
WHEREAS, the Prince William Sound escort system provide immediatcon-scene response
should a spill occur; and
W II F.REAS, al I loaded tankers, including double hulled oil tankers, are currently escorted by
at least two escort vessels through Prince William Sound; and
WHEREAS, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 mandates that only single-hulled tankers of x,000
gross tons or more be escorted by at least two escort vessels while in Prince William Sound; and
WHEREAS, there is no assurance in any state or federal law regulation that each oil tanker
in Prince William Sound will continue to be escorted by at least two escort vessels capable of
providing immediate spill prevention and response; and
WHEREAS, since the implementation of the two vessel escort system in Prince William
Sound, there have been no major spills and potential accidents have been reduced to near misses; and
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2009-017
~i'HEREAS, it is impntdcnt to reduce proven prevention programs based solely on
improvements in vessel engineering and design; and
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2005 Council passed Resolution 2005-14 in support of
maintaining a strong and reliable escort Ileet and preserving the practice or requiring two escorts for
all laden cruise oil tankers transiting Prince William Sound; and
WHEREAS, House.Ioint Resolution No. 19 and SenateJointResohtlion No. 1 1 recognizing
the 20°i anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and supporting the continued practice of
accompanying each oil tanker through Prince William Sound have been introduced in the State of
Alaska Twenty-Sixth Legislature.
NOW, THF.RF.FORF., BF. IT RF,SOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council recognizes the 20°i anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil
spill and supports the continued practice in Prince William Sound of accompanying each loaded oil
tanker, whether single-hulled or double-hulled, with at ]cast rivo escort vessels.
Section 2. `fhe Seward City Council supports House Joint Resolution No. 19 and Senate
Joint Resolution No. 11.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this day
23`~ day of March, 2009.
'i'HE CITY OF SE~VARD, ALASKA
t
Clark Corbridge, Mayor
AYES: Dunham, Valdatta, Bardarson, Smith, Kellar, Keil, Corbridge
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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Jeun Lewis, CMC
City Clerk
(City Seal)
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Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: March 23, 2009
To: City Council
Through: City Manager Phillip Oates~/~ll
From: Executive Liaison Anne Bailey
Agenda Item: Recognize the 20°i Anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill,
supporting the continued practice of accompanying each oil
tanker through Prince William Sound with at least a two vessel
escort, and supporting House Joint Resolution No. 19 and Senate
Joint Resolution No. l 1 currently before the Alaska Legislature
BACKGROUND & JGSTIFICAT[ON:
March 24, 2009 marks the 20" anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The 1989 Exxon
Valdez oi] spill was the worst oil tattkcr spill in the history of the United States contaminating
approximately 1,300 miles of Alaska coastline. This contamination affected commercial and
sport tishing, the tourism industry and the economy in Seward. If another large spill occurred in
Prince William Sound ("the Sound") it would not only adversely affect Seward but all the coastal
communities in south central Alaska and cause major environmental damage.
Since the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Alycska Pipeline Service Company and the crude oil
shippers have created aworld-class oil spill prevention and response system in the Sound. An
increasing number of oil tankers transiting the Sound arc of adouble-hulled design, as required
by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. All loaded tankers, including double-hulled oil tankers, are
currently escorted by at least two escort vessels through the Sound providing immediate on-
scene response should a spill occur. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 mandates that only singlc-
hulled tankers of 5,000 gross tons or more be escorted by at least two escort vessels in the Sound
and there is no assurance in any state or federal law regulation that the current practice of a two
vessel escort will continue. Since the implementation of the two vessel escort system in the
Sound, there have been no major spills and potential accidents have been reduced to near misses.
It is imprudent to reduce proven pre~~ention programs based solely on improvements in vessel
engineering and design.
On March 14, 2005, City Council passed Resolution 2005-14, which supported maintaining a
strong and reliable escort Meet and preserving the practice of requiring two escorts for all laden
cruise oil tankers transiting the Sound. Also, House Joint Resolution No. 19 has been introduced
on February 23, 2009 and Senate Joint Resolution No. 11 has been introduced on February 27,
2009 i^ the State of Alaska Twenty-Sixth Legislature recognizing the 20°i anniversary of the
spill and supporting the continued practice of accompanying each oil tanker tlu•ough the Sound.
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CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST:
Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter,
Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures.
Other:
FISCAL NOTE:
There is no tiscal impact. 0~ , I~
Approved by Finance Department ~~i~e
RECOAINIENDATION: ~~~ ~
City Council approve Resolution, 2009' ,recognizing the 20 anniversary ofthe Exxon Valdez
oil spill, supporting the continued practice of accompanying each oil tanker through Prince
William Sound with at least a two vessel escort, and supporting House Joint resolution No. 19
and Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 1 currently before the Alaska Legislature.
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