User:Pwsosri

File:Osri-logo.jpg

Mission	To support research, education, and demonstration projects designed to respond to and understand the effects of oil spills in the Arctic and sub-Arctic marine environments.
Established	1990
Organization Type	501(c)(3) Non-Profit
Headquarters	Cordova, Alaska
Website	http://www.pws-osri.org

Legislation

The Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute (OSRI) was legislatively authorized in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90). The full description of OSRI is provided in Title V, Section 5001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. In that act the role of OSRI was defined to

1. Identify and develop the best available techniques, equipment, and materials for dealing with oil spills in the arctic and subarctic marine environments;
2. Complement Federal and State damage assessment efforts and determine, document, assess, and understand the long-range effects of the EXXON VALDEZ oil spill on the natural resources of Prince William Sound and its adjacent waters, as well as the environment, the economy, and the lifestyle and well-being of the people who are dependent on them.

Ammendments to OPA90 in 1996 and 2005 extended the area of studies to arctic and subarctic marine environments and the life of the organization to one year after the completion of oil exploration and development efforts in Alaska.

Organizational Structure

OPA90 set up an Advisory Board to determine policies and programs supported by OSRI. This includes oversight of the development of strategic plans, research plans, and annual work plans. The Advisory Board includes three federal, three state, two oil and gas industry, two fishing industry, two native community, and two at-large representatives. Additionally, there are non-voting members from the Institute of Marine Science/ University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Prince William Sound Science Center. A Scientific and Technical Committee provides the Advisory Board with additional input regarding programming.

The Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC) is the fiscal administrator and home of OSRI. Administration is provided by a part-time Executive Director and business office staff (shared with PWSSC). A full-time Research Program Manager oversees the development and implementation of annual work plans.

Financial

While authorized in 1990 only limited funding ($500,000) was appropriated for OSRI activities between 1992 and 1995. The 1996 amendment instituted a funding mechanism for OSRI that provides it with the interest earned on $22.5 million in the National Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The amount received each year fluctuates between $200 thousand and $1.4 million depending on the investment structure. In 2010 the investment structure was changed to reduce the fluctuation in funding and current funding levels are expected to be between $600 thousand and $750 thousand.