Cook Inlet RCAC Board announces appointments
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.