FEBRUARY 26, 2016--On February 24, the Office of Response and Restoration’s Emergency Response Division participated in a U.S. Coast Guard-led oil spill response exercise in remote Cordova, Alaska.

The scenario played was a catastrophic failure of a fuel tank at the port facility which spilled 2000 barrels of diesel into the waters of Orca Inlet, a highly sensitive tidal environment. Shoreside Petroleum played the role of the Responsible Party. In addition to the Coast Guard, Shoreside, and NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator for Alaska, participants in Cordova included the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the City of Cordova. NOAA provided support with oil spill trajectory modeling, weather forecasts, tides and currents, resources at risk and sensitive areas information, wildlife response, and facilitation of the Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation. Despite persistent rainy weather, all participants enjoyed the welcoming hospitality of the citizens of Cordova.

For further information, contact Catherine.Berg@noaa.gov.

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