At its most recent meeting, the CIRCAC Board of Directors certified its annual elections process, welcoming back to the Board for a three-year term Mr. Michael Opheim, representing Alaska Native Groups and Mr. Deric Marcorelle, representing Environmental Interest Groups and also serving as the Council’s Secretary/Treasurer. Mr. Opheim resides in Seldovia and is the » Learn More
News
CISPRI Tour
CIRCAC staff were invited to participate in an orientation and tour day at Cook Inlet Spill Response, Inc. (CISPRI) on April 13th. Members of the United States Coast Guard were also in attendance from Homer and Anchorage. The orientation was an opportunity for USCG personnel to learn more about the response and operations capabilities » Learn More
2023 Scholarship Winners Announced
CIRCAC is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2023 Scholarship program: James Carter Memorial Scholarship for Environmental Sciences – Jacob Mitchell (pictured below, left) of Anchorage, currently studying at Gonzaga University. Jacob is majoring in Biology and wants to focus his career on habitat and environmental protection. Barry Eldridge Memorial Scholarship for Maritime Studies » Learn More
CIRCAC Board holds Annual Meeting
The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council Annual and Board of Directors meeting was held April 14th, 2023 at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association building in Kenai. The Board also conducted its Annual Meeting. CIRCAC recognized United States Coast Guard Capt. Leanne Lusk, Commander Sector Anchorage, as she will be ending her tour of duty » Learn More
CIRCAC Elections Notice
Annual elections to CIRCAC’s Board of Directors will take place at our annual meeting, April 14th, 2023. We are also looking for committee volunteers (see below). For more information on how to participate, email shayloncochra@circac.org. Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council Concerned Citizens Needed Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC) is » Learn More
Pre-winter meeting held in Seward
Staff accompanied Board President Gary Fandrei and Board Secretary/Treasurer Deric Marcorelle to the annual Pre-Winter meeting in Seward October 26th and 27th. Director of Operations Steve “Vinnie” Catalano provided an update on CIRCAC’s work expanding and deploying the Cook Inlet Ice Camera Network. The network, which is a long term and ongoing project involving industry » Learn More
AVTEC Scholarship winner announced
We are happy to announce Carly Ness is the winner of this year’s Marathon/CIRCAC scholarship for the Alaska Maritime Training Center at AVTEC. The $2,500 scholarship program launched in 2019 in partnership with Marathon Petroleum to “provide advanced training for Cook Inlet’s challenging environment,” says Captain John Schneider of Marathon, who was instrumental in designing » Learn More
State seeking comments for derelict vessel fund
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is considering drafting regulations regarding the derelict vessel prevention program fund and derelict vessel enforcement authority. Regulations for the fund would allow the Department to direct disbursement of monies that have accumulated in the fund to benefit communities, agencies, and organizations impacted by derelict vessel issues. Enforcement regulations would » Learn More
CIRCAC staff participate in Marathon drill
CIRCAC’s Director of Operations Steve “Vinnie” Catalano and Director of Communications and Public Outreach Shaylon Cochran participated in a response drill facilitated by Marathon Petroleum on August 31st at the Cook Inlet Spill Response, Inc. (CISPRI) offices in Nikiski. The purpose of the exercise was to provide the Marathon Incident Management team and relevant agency » Learn More
Board Profile: Walt Sonen
Walt grew up outside Washington D.C. Commercial fishing ventures took him across the globe, including several years working in Japan and fishing with a family in Hokkaido. He came to the Seldovia area in 1976 and has worked primarily as a commercial fisherman since. “I met a wonderful woman here and moved to town three » Learn More