On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, spilling some 11 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine environment. On March 26, 1989, I declared a Disaster Emergency for the area. It is too early to fully assess the extent of the damage from this spill, but it is clear that cleaning up, assessing the damage and rehabilitating the Sound and other areas of the Gulf of Alaska must be given the highest priority.

To this end, I find that it is in the best interest of the State that all administrative actions relating to natural resource development and protection, and project review, in or near affected areas be carefully coordinated and directed toward full recovery from this disaster.

Specifically, it is critical that all activities involving the use of uplands, tidelands, submerged lands and natural resources be carefully controlled. For these reasons, I hereby order the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Game, and Natural Resources to exercise their respective statutory authorities on land and water use, state resource development, environmental protection and other activities, so that cleanup, damage assessment and recovery receive the highest priority. The commissioners of each of these departments shall ensure that each administrative action involving areas affected by the spill, and areas that will substantially contribute to recovery, is consistent with, does not interfere with, or where possible enhances the spill cleanup, damage assessment and environmental recovery.

This order takes effect immediately.

By: S/S Steve Cowper            
Steve Cowper                    
Governor of the State of Alaska 

THIS IS THE CORRECTLY DATED VERSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 112 RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AFTER THE EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL ITS WORDING IS IDENTICAL TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 112 ERRONEOUSLY DATED MAY 8, 1989, A FEW COPIES OF WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED.

Linda Perez                 
Linda Perez, Records Officer
Office of the Governor      

July 26, 1989               
Date