Project Information

Title: Community Interaction/Use of Traditional Knowledge 95052

Project Year and Number: 1995: 95052

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2003: 030052, 2002: 02052, 2001: 01052, 2000: 00052, 1999: 99052-B, 1999: 99052-A, 1998: 98052-A, 1998: 98052-B, 1997: 97052-A, 1997: 97052-B1, 1997: 97052-B2, 1997: 97052-B3, 1996: 96052-1, 1996: 96052-2, 1995: 95052-1

Principal Investigator (PI): Patty Brown-Schwalenberg (Chugach Regional Resources Commission)

Managing Agency: ADFG

Assisting Personnel: Rita Miraglia

Research Location: All Spill Affected Areas

Restoration Category: General Restoration

Injured Resources Addressed: Not Specified

Abstract: The Exxon Valdez oil spill caused severe disruption of the lives of many people living in the spill impact area. The spill also caused residents of the area to be concerned about the safety of their wild food sources, and the integrity of the surrounding natural environment. While scientific studies aimed at restoring the resources and services damaged by the soil spill have occurred throughout the spill area, most of the researchers work for agencies or institutions based in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or outside Alaska. Residents have complained of a lack of involvement by spill area communities in the restoration efforts, and incomplete communication to spill area inhabitants of study proposals and results. At the same time, researchers have recognized that local residents have traditional knowledge that could help them answer questions they have not been able to answer through conventional scientific means. People living in the spill are have detailed knowledge about the condition of resources, which can significantly add to data collected as part of scientific studies, and possibly even enhance the success of restoration efforts. Local people have expressed a desire to be involved in all aspects of restoration projects, and a willingness to work with researchers. This project intends to increase the involvement of spill area communities in the restoration efforts of the Trustee Council, and to improve the communication of findings and results of restoration efforts to spill area inhabitants.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Annual Report FY95: View (2,303 KB)
Final Report: Not Applicable to this Project

Publications from this Project: None Available