THE ALASKA SHORELINE CLEANUP GUIDANCE AND STANDARDS MANUAL

ABSTRACT The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Spill Prevention and Response Division is compiling a Shoreline Cleanup Guidance and Standards Manual that captures statewide standards for oil-impacted shoreline cleanup and the lessons learned from previous spill response efforts, including the MIV Selendang AYU (2004), the M/V Kuroshima (1997), and the T/V Exxon Valdez (1989) oil spills. Important elements of the manual include the capture of cleanup endpoint criteria and prescribed controls required for specific techniques. The criteria and controls have been developed as a result of experience from previous oil spill cleanups. The criteria, reviewed and approved by State resources agency representatives from the Alaska Departments of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Game, and Natural Resources, now sets the statewide standard for shoreline cleanup of persistent oiling. The manual presents not only the State of Alaska'S shoreline endpoint standards but also the State'S requirements, policies, and expectations for cleanup of oil-impacted shorelines, including: the cleanup approval process; prescribed controls required for specific techniques; and the identification of current, ‘alternative’, or chemical shoreline treatment techniques that may be considered during shoreline cleanup operations. The manual describes many common shoreline cleanup techniques and outlines “best-use” practices, but does not identify new techniques or technologies. Conditions specific to Alaska are summarized, including primary shoreline types and primary oil types that are transported in bulk or most likely to be of concern. In most instances, the primary users will be incident management teams facilitating development of incident-specific shoreline cleanup plans. The manual will also serve ADEC staff, Responsible Parties, State and federal trustee agencies, and land managers.