Programs
PWSK program work is divided into four areas: citizen environmental monitoring, clean harbors clean boating, education, advocacy. Our program partners include members of the community, PWS teachers, PWS harbor managers, and organizations such as the Tatitlek Corporation, United States Coast Guard, Cordova District Fisherman United, Prince William Sound Science Center, Cook Inletkeeper, Copper River Watershed Project, Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Citizen Environmental Monitoring
1-800 Hotline
PWSK operates a toll-free hotline for reporting issues of concern or significant environmental observations. Examples of issues reported in 2007 include fuel spills in both Cordova and Whittier harbors, unsafe conduct by novice recreational boaters in Valdez, an uncommon infestation of black-headed budworm in Prince William Sound, a tender running aground in the Sound and a resulting fuel spill, and the oiling of boats, facilities and water in the Whittier harbor due to an Alaska Railroad mishap.
Volunteer Citizen Water Temperature Monitoring
Water temperature is one of the most significant factors in the health of an ecosystem. Wild salmon, for example, have an upper temperature limit of 55.5 degrees for successful spawning, and egg and fry incubation. High water temperature can affect fish metabolism, resistance to diseases, mortality rates, and availability of nutrients and oxygen.
Temperature is also a relatively simple parameter to measure and lends itself to hands-on citizen engagement in the effort. PWSK is implementing a program to install data loggers in strategic
areas near communities such as salmon streams, shellfish gathering areas, etc., and to conduct citizen-based monitoring in accordance with Alaska Department Environmental Conservation (DEC) and EPA standards. The objectives of the program are to:
-inventory baseline water quality in Prince William Sound
-detect and report significant changes and track water quality trends
-raise public awareness of the importance of water quality through hands-on involvement.
PWSK is working with an advisory team of educators and environmental scientists from leading PWS institutions including the Prince William Sound Science Center, the Alaska Ocean Observing System, and the Chugach School District.
Clean Harbors and Clean Boating
Through this program PWSK seeks to assess and address water quality impacts from commercial and recreational boating in Prince William Sound. This includes marine debris, oil & fuel spills, improper disposal of antifreeze and batteries, maintenance practices, proper use of solvents, paints and cleaners. These issues are chronic and cumulative. To date, PWSK’s efforts have included outreach, informational campaigns, newspaper articles and displays in the harbors of Cordova, Whittier and Valdez.
In 2007, PWSK formed a Harbor Masters Working Group with representatives from the harbors of Chenega, Cordova, Tatilek, Valdez and Whittier. This working group is the first cohesive effort of its kind where harbor managers can discuss individual and regional management issues, share tactics and strategies and plan for the future. Additionally, PWSK has initiated an effort to place seasonal interns in each harbor to assist in daily management, conduct educational outreach and facilitate proper boating practices during.
Education
PWSK’s education program has five main components: regional clean-up events, a bi-annual newsletter, the PWSK website, the EVOS Information Center and a variety of outreach materials and activities.
Clean up events are a fun opportunity for community members to learn about issues affecting Prince William Sound while assisting in resource protection and management. With school approval, area students who participate can earn credit toward their community service graduation requirement. When possible, PWSK also partners with existing community clean-up events to assist with planning, marketing, fundraising and volunteer recruitment.
PWSK’s EVOS Information Center was created to facilitate tracking and updates regarding the lingering impacts of the ExxonValdez oil spill and efforts to restore habitat. The center is staffed by Patience Andersen Faulkner two days a week.
PWSK’s bi-annual newsletter and website include issue information, member profiles and articles, conservation tips for daily living and suggested opportunities and tools to take action on behalf of Prince William Sound.
Advocacy
PWSK advocacy efforts currently focus on issues including the Alaska Coastal Management Plan, cruise industry oversight and regulation, invasive marine species, the EVOS Reopener and mixing zones.
Highlight: Alaska Coastal Management Plan (ACMP)
The ACMP is an outgrowth of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, a federal program designed to encourage states to exercise more fully their authorities and responsibilities to coastal resources. Alaska’s Coastal Management Plan was approved by the Secretary of Commerce in 1979 and established an approach of shared local and State coastal management responsibilities. Under ACMP, coastal districts were established with four main responsibilities: 1) develop a coastal management program for its area for implementation through ACMP; 2) participate in state or federal consistency review process by using the enforceable policies in its approved plan for coastal development projects; 3) educate members of its community about coastal management; and 4) implement its coastal management plan at the local level. Under the original structure, coastal districts may conduct local reviews for projects affecting their coastal zones; may contribute information to various agency efforts such as DNR Area Plans and DEC oil spill response planning; and they may also conduct public education and outreach on coastal resources and activities and participate in special ACMP-funded projects. In 2005 under the administration of Alaska Governor Murkowski, several statues and regulations were passed that resulted in extensive changes to the ACMP’s organization, participation, structure, implementation, policies and administration of those policies. The ACMP moved away from a cohesive and shared local/state approach to management to a primarily state-implemented plan. Some of the results due to these changes include 1) the loss of district representation on the Coastal Policy Council and the ACMP working group; 2) elimination of citizen law suits; 3) loss of opportunities to comment on critical aspects such as possible alternatives and enforceable policies; 4) loss of opportunity to comment on projects inland of the coastal zone that have coastal effects and 5) significant negative impacts to subsistence resources on which Native Alaskans and others depend without meaningful consultation with Alaska Native Tribes as required by federal law.
Prince William Soundkeeper believes that the ACMP is one of the most important opportunities for cohesive, successful long-term watershed management. We believe there is opportunity to defend and restore the ACMP by 1) engaging Alaska Governor Palin who can choose to support restoration of the public role in the ACMP; 2) by conducting an outreach and education effort to reengage the public in the ACMP 3) informing community members regarding the opportunity and long-term importance of local input in coastal management and 4) informing and training community members and local project mangers in how to successfully participate in and use the ACMP as a working tool.
