Coast Guard recertifies CIRCAC for a year

Petroleum News

The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council said Aug. 5 that the U.S. Coast Guard has recertified it for another year as meeting its responsibilities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

In a July 31 recertification letter to CIRCAC Executive Director Michael Munger, Rear Adm. M.T. Bell Jr., commander of the 17th Coast Guard district, noted the Nov. 30 earthquake last year as “a reminder that disasters or events can happen at any time and highlighted the importance of the planning and preparation that your organization oversees in promoting safety in Cook Inlet.” The recertification, which runs through Aug. 31, 2020, certifies CIRCAC “as an alternative voluntary advisory group permitted under Subsection 5002(o) of the Oil Pollution Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring Act of 1990.”

CIRCAC said the new recertification marks the organization’s 28th consecutive year of being granted recertification. OPA 90 requires CIRCAC to apply for recertification every year. The organization said this year’s recertification “fell under the streamlined inspection process which called for a reporting of substantive changes.” There is a more comprehensive review every three years, including a public comment period. CIRCAC’s next comprehensive review will be conducted in 2020.

CIRCAC consists of 13 members from Cook Inlet communities, Alaska Native groups, commercial fishing and aquaculture, tourism, recreational and environmental interest groups with a significant stake in the environment and resources at risk from oil production and transportation in the Cook Inlet region. The nonprofit corporation is organized under OPA90 for oversight, monitoring, assessing and evaluation oil spill prevention, safety and response plans, terminal operations, oil tanker operations and the environmental impacts of oil tanker and oil terminal operations in Cook Inlet.

- Petroleum News