The Truth About the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

CORDOVA—With the Supreme Court set to hear climactic arguments February 27, injured Alaska fishermen have launched a campaign to get the truth out about Exxon's 1989 oil spill in Prince William Sound, from the tanker, Exxon Valdez. 

The website, www.wholetruth.net, acts as a clearinghouse of information and contacts. Tying together law, science, economics, sociology, traditional knowledge and more, the website tells the real story of the spill, and of the ongoing litigation to hold Exxon responsible. 

The grassroots, citizen effort is made necessary by a concerted effort by Exxon corporation to delay judgement, hide the truth, and confuse issues. After a lengthy trial, in 1993, Exxon was found guilty by a jury and ordered to pay a $5 billion punitive damages award. They've unleashed an army of lawyers to avoid paying it ever since.

Exxon argues arcane points of maritime law to claim the Captain alone is at fault, not the company. Captain Hazelwood, who seemed truly remorseful, quietly served out his community service in Valdez. Exxon corporation on the other hand has avoided paying a single penny of the punitive award, while raking in $40 profit last year. Exxon's handling of the case is a saga of strong-arm corporate legal tactics. Their legal team is a shameful triumph of cynicism. 

 

It's been 19 years. Over 6,000 of the injured plaintiffs have died without seeing justice. Truly and literally, Exxon mocks the justice system. 

At stake before the Supreme Court is not only the $5 billion punitive judgement, but also fundamental legal issues of corporate accountability, especially for water quality. Everyone who is interested in not having poisons dumped into their water has an interest in the outcome of this case. 

So check out the site and spread the word.

Copper River oil spill contingency survey out for public comment

CORDOVA— Alyeska's survey of the Copper River for oil spill contingency planning is out for public review and comment. 

The report  is a result of a Condition of Approval imposed by the state requiring a survey of the main stem of the Copper River. The Condition was imposed in response to public outcry from Copper River stakeholders, who noted the existing plans say nothing about the Copper. The fear is that a spill into the river would destroy the priceless Copper River salmon fisheries. 

Alyeska's survey notes several "Areas of Opportunity," or containment sites, along the main stem of the Copper river. These are places where they think that spilled oil flowing downriver could theoretically be captured by boom and skimmer gear. The survey is an amendment to the larger contingency plan, and is subject to public review.

While certainly better than nothing, the proposed changes do more to highlight the insufficiency of existing plans than resolve concerns. The containment methods described in the survey would seem to have very limited ability to recover oil. An expert opinion recently commissioned by Cascadia, shows that these planned containment methods would recover only negligible oil. Even with a flawless execution, the swift river currents, quicksand, shifting gravel bars, and high silt loads would all make the response tragically ineffective.

Alyeska's response plan is way too slow. After oil has escaped into the river, it is already too late for effective spill response. The bottom line is: oil cannot be allowed to enter any river or stream in the Copper River Watershed. Period. 

That is why we will continue pursuing legal action against the State regulators and Alyeska, until they have fully recognized and protected the Copper River. 

To take action, download the pdf of the report below, and send comments by March 10 to:

Alaska Dep't of Environmental Conservation

ATTN: Rebecca Spiegel

411 W. 4th Ave.

Anchorage AK 99501

bspiegel@jpo.doi.gov

And send a copy to me, at gscott@cascwild.org. 

/Copper%20River%20AOO%20Report.pdf