April 28, 2014—Kenai–The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (RCAC) met for their Council and Annual Meeting in Kenai on April 25, and confirmed the following appointments and reappointments to the Board of Directors and committees:

Board of Directors (3-year term):

Michael Opheim, representing Alaska Native Interest Groups

Deric Marcorelle, representing Environmental Interest Groups

Grace Merkes (Wayne Ogle, Alternate), representing the Kenai Peninsula Borough

Scott Smiley, representing the Kodiak Island Borough

Committees (Public Members)

Prevention, Response, Operations, and Safety (PROPS) Committee (3-year term)

Bob Favretto, reappointed

John Bauer, reappointed

James McHale, appointed

Robert Reges, appointed

The PROPS Committee develops work plans, as well as projects and studies designed to minimize oil spill risks in Cook Inlet. The Committee also reviews and monitors spill response efforts and promotes the use of best available technology.

Environmental Monitoring Committee (3-year term)

Richard Prentki, reappointed

Dan Urban, reappointed

Steve Hunt, reappointed

The Environmental Monitoring Committee (EMC) is tasked by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to conduct a monitoring program that provides early detection of any environmental effects due to oil industry operations in Cook Inlet and to determine whether oil industry operations are causing adverse impacts to Cook Inlet’s ecosystem. Committee members generally have a background in science.

The Cook Inlet RCAC Board also welcomed two new environmental organizations and one new Native organization to the Council as certified members: Great Land Trust, Alaska Waterways Council and the Native Village of Eklutna.