The Trustee Council adopted a Restoration Plan for the civil settlement funds in 1994 after an extensive public process. More than 2,000 people participated in the meetings or sent in written comments.
At the January 19, 2021 Council meeting, the Trustee Council shifted the annual public meeting and funding process to a five-year cycle. The five-year cycle will maintain either quarterly or annual and final reporting for all projects, as well as a biennial review of projects by the Council’s staff, Science Panel, and Public Advisory Committee. The Council also approved a limited extension of the oil spill area boundary eastward to incorporate the Copper River Delta and the Bering River, including its headwaters. Please see Resolutions 21-02 and 21-03 for details. The 1994 Restoration Plan was revised to include these two resolutions.
1994 Restoration Plan rev8.30.21 (pdf)
Reimbursements:
As part of the settlement agreement, $173.2 million was used to reimburse the federal and state governments for costs incurred for conducting spill response, damage assessment, and litigation. Another $39.9 million went to reimburse Exxon for cleanup work that took place after the civil settlement was reached.
The remaining funds were dedicated to implementation of the Restoration Plan, which consists of four parts, described below.
Summaries of annual spending can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/publications/tc-annual-reports
Research, Monitoring, & General Restoration:
Surveys and other monitoring of fish and wildlife in the spill region provide basic information to determine population trends, productivity, and health. Research increases our knowledge about the biological needs of individual species and how each contributes to the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem. Research also provides new information and better tools for effective management of fish and wildlife populations.
General Restoration includes projects to protect archaeological resources, improve subsistence resources, enhance salmon streams, reduce marine pollution, and restore damaged habitats.
Additional information on Research, Monitoring and Restoration can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/restoration-projects and www.evostc.state.ak.us/status-of-restoration
The Council's Annual Workplans can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/publications/annual-work-plans
Restoration Reserve:
This savings account was established in recognition that full recovery from the oil spill would not occur for decades. The investment fund supports long-term restoration activities after the final payment from Exxon was received.
Additional information on Research, Monitoring and Restoration can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/restoration-projects and www.evostc.state.ak.us/status-of-restoration
The Council's Annual Workplans can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/publications/annual-work-plans
Habitat Protection:
Protection of habitat helps prevent additional injury to species due to intrusive development or loss of habitat. The Trustee Council accomplishes this by providing funds to government agencies to acquire title or conservation easements on land important for its restoration value.
Information on the Council's Habitat program can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/habitat-protection
Public Information, Science Management & Administration:
This component of the budget includes management of the annual work plan and habitat programs, scientific oversight of research, monitoring and restoration projects, agency coordination, and overall administrative costs. It also includes the cost of public meetings, newsletters, and other means of disseminating information to the public such as this website.
The Council's Annual Workplans can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/publications/annual-work-plans
Information on the Council's Public Advisory Committee can be found at: www.evostc.state.ak.us/about-us/public-advisory-committee-pac
