Kivalina Village; NW Alaska

NW Alaska | 2007-Sep-13

Initial Notification: The village is being evacuated because it's coastline on a barrier island is rapidly eroding. Due to continued erosion the village is about to lose its fuel tanks of 200K diesel and 30K gasoline. CG is concerned about the potential spill if the tanks are compromised. Ultimately, the Coast Guard had the Pacific Strike Team come to Kivalina to evaluate the situation and develop contingency response plans in case the tank(s) were compromised. Ultimately the fuel was moved to another location at a considerable distance from the eroding shoreline. No oil was released.