This afternoon I provided public comments on the US Arctic Research Commission (USARC) White paper on Arctic Oil Spill Prevention and Response. The Commission has invited stakeholders to help develop a path forward to reinvigorate U.S. efforts in this area. A Commission "white paper" urging expanded research coordination and funding has been posted at:
http://www.arctic.gov/publications/usarc_oilspill_2-24-10.pdf
A copy of our full comments will be posted on the USARC website, but the main thrust of our comments related to the need for additional emphasis on wildlife response in oil spill contingency planning, research and response.
"The Alaska SeaLife Center supports the USARC’s proposal to invigorate oil spill research in the United States, particularly in Arctic and Subarctic regions where there is relatively little existing knowledge, capacity and experience to respond effectively to an oil spill incident and some uncertainty about the most effective and efficient prevention options. However, we also believe that given the experience of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in addition to the general planning and research efforts proposed by the Commission, there is an equal need to establish and maintain an on-ground marine mammal and seabird response capacity that comprises both dedicated hardware and staff and which is informed by well-targeted biological research".
We propose to continue to work closely with industry, government, science partners and local communities to establish and maintain that key capacity and so strengthen the unique wildlife response role that the Center plays currently in Alaska.
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