I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority vested in me by art. III, secs. 1 and 24, of the Alaska Constitution, hereby issue directives relating to the severe water shortage in the City of Petersburg.

On July 30, 1996, the City of Petersburg issued a Disaster Declaration and requested assistance from the State of Alaska to assist the City of Petersburg with a severe water shortage. On August 5, 1996, I visited the City of Petersburg and, although the city has taken extensive measures to mitigate the impact of their severe water shortage, the city is still in need of state assistance.

Based on my observations and information received from the City of Petersburg officials, I have determined this water shortage situation poses a direct and imminent threat of a disaster of sufficient magnitude and severity to justify state action.

I direct the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, Division of Emergency Services, to coordinate the State of Alaska's response to the City of Petersburg's request for emergency assistance relating to the severe water shortage. I designate the director of the Division of Emergency Services, as coordinator of this effort.

Additionally, I direct each state agency to- respond promptly to Division of Emergency Services' requests for state support and resources to the fullest extent allowed under state and federal law in order to mitigate the emerging conditions relating to the severe water shortage in the City of Petersburg.

This order takes effect immediately and expires August 26, 1996.

Dated this 6 day of August, 1996, at Anchorage, Alaska.

S/S Tony Knowles     
Tony Knowles         
Governor