Aleutian Islands Risk Assessment Project

Overview

September 1, 2009Unalaska, Alaska

Leslie PearsonAIRA Facilitation Team

Background• M/V Selendang Ayu grounding & spill (December 2004)

• Alaska Legislative Appropriation of 250K for Aleutian Islands Risk Assessment (July 2005)

• Coast Guard-Unimak Pass Ports Waterway Safety Assessment (August 2006)

• National Academy Science Scoping Committee (October 2007)

• $3M Federal Court Settlement (August 2007)

NAS Committee Objective

• To examine available data and evidence about the risk of spills from vessels transiting the Aleutian Islands;

• Determine the information needed to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment;

• Recommend a framework for the most appropriate & scientifically rigorous assessment;

• Identify logical sequence of discrete steps for conducting the risk assessment;

National Academy of Science

• Committee established by the Transportation Research Board;

• 8-Committee members, 2-NAS staff;• 2-Public meetings and 1-Closed meeting conducted;

• 8 month project schedule (October 2007-July 2008);

• NAS Special Report 293- Risk of Vessel Accidents and Spills in the Aleutian Islands

AIRA Management Structure

• Management Team: National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Coast Guard, State of Alaska

• Facilitation Team (Contractor): Nuka Research & Planning Group

• Advisory Panel (Volunteers): Stakeholders & Experts with local knowledge and experience

• Risk Analysis Team (Contractor): Environmental Resource Management (ERM) & Det Norske Veritas (DNV)

• Peer Review Panel

Risk Assessment Structure

• Phase A- Preliminary Risk Assessment– Establishment of Advisory Panel,– Contracting a Risk Analysis Team,– Selecting a Peer Review Panel,– Vessel Traffic & Spill Likelihood report,

– Develop a Risk Matrix & Consequence Analysis,

– Conducting a Qualitative Assessment and Prioritization of Risk Reduction Options

Risk Assessment Structure

• Phase B- Focused Risk Assessment– Implementing the methodology, and;– Developing and reporting findings and recommendations

• Project Timeline– 2 to 3 years

Project Communication

• AIRA Public Project Websitehttp://www.aleutiansriskassessment.com/index.htm

• Contact List• Email Notification of Updates

Questions