I'm writing to let your readers know of the great service their state senator has performed in the cause of preventing oil spills. Sen. Gary Stevens of Kodiak, who represents the Homer area, was instrumental in the recent unanimous passage, by both the Alaska House and the Alaska Senate, of a resolution calling for preservation of the oil-tanker escort vessels in Prince William Sound.

As we all remember only too well, Homer was seriously affected by the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989, and the high-performance escort vessels that now accompany loaded tankers in Prince William Sound are a vital component of the system put in place after 1989 to make sure that nothing like it happens again. But, because of a sunset provision in federal law, these escort vessels could vanish within a few years. Our group has begun an effort to see that they continue, and the resolution backed by Sen. Stevens was an important first step in that effort.

Sen. Stevens sponsored the resolution in the Senate, and a parallel resolution was introduced by Rep. Alan Austerman, also of Kodiak, in the House, and co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Seaton when it reached the House floor. The resolution passed the House 37-0 on March 18, and it passed the Senate 17-0 on March 27, during the week of the 20th anniversary of the Exxon spill.

With Sen. Stevens' help, these actions have put our state strongly on record in support of protecting its all-important marine environment from oil spills by preserving the tanker escort tugs in Prince William Sound.

Donna Schantz, acting executive director

Prince William Sound

Regional Citizens' Advisory Council