The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies has taken a leader role in designing a model for community involvement in the ecosystem-scale monitoring program related to restoration of species, habitats, and uses following the Exxon Valdez oil spill that occurred in 1989. The Kachemak Bay CoastWalk is being developed as a model for citizen-based monitoring of nearshore habitats. More information on the oil spill restoration program is available at http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/.

In 2002-2004, we worked with a team of people representing the diversity of communities within the oil spill-affected area to develop a plan for community involvement and community-based monitoring..

During 2005-2007, we are partnering with the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve to integrate the historical Kachemak Bay CoastWalk dataset with a GIS that includes detailed mapping of the physical attributes of the Kachemak Bay shoreline. Coastal ecologist Tom Dean has also evaluated the scientific reliability generated by past and current CoastWalk data collection protocols. His recommendations for more rigorous and more frequent data collection will be aligned with the Exxon Valdez nearshore monitoring protocols.

REPORTS AND PRODUCTS

A searchable database was developed to inventory existing community-based monitoring programs and projects in the oil spill-affected area and develop a resource of other community-based efforts that could serve as models for oil spill restoration activities. http://gemcitizendb.akcoastalstudies.org

Project Reports (available online with Project Search" function at http://www.evostc.state.ak.us):
Sigman, M.J.,M.E. Hogan. P. McCollum, P. Schwalenberg-Brown, N. Bird, H.P. Huntington, J.J. Spaeder, R.T. Cooney, and C. Celentano. 2004. A Plan for Community Involvement and Community-Based Monitoring Plan in a Gulf of Alaska Monitoring and Research Program. Final Report for Project #030575. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Anchorage, AK.

J. Bodkin, T. Dean, and M.J. Sigman. 2006. Community Involvement Plan in Implementation of the GEM Nearshore Monitoring Plan: Site Selection, Standard Operating Procedures, and Data Management. Final Report for Project #050750. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Anchorage, AK. (in review)