Cook Inlet RCAC wants new lease on life

The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council is seeking recertification for another year.

The council, based in Kenai, is a congressionally mandated organization that monitors oil industry activity including tanker traffic in Cook Inlet.

Council members represent a broad range of interests: local governments, tourism and recreation, commercial fishing and aquaculture, environmental groups, and Alaska Native organizations.

The council’s work includes providing advice and recommendations on terminal and tanker operations, and reviewing the adequacy of oil spill prevention and cleanup plans.

The organization receives funding from Cook Inlet oil and gas producers, refiners and transportation companies.

The U.S. Coast Guard handles council recertification.

The council’s current certification will expire Aug. 31.

A Coast Guard notice published June 13 said the council has applied for recertification for Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2015. The Coast Guard is taking public comments through July 16 on the application. Comments may be submitted at www.regulations.gov using docket number USCG-2014-0414.

The Coast Guard said it can deny council recertification if it finds the organization “is not broadly representative of the interests and communities in the area or is not adequately fostering the goals and purposes” of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

- WESLEY LOY