OCS activities may interfere with the large Gulf of Alaska fishing 

 industry. Biological resources may be reduced as a result of oil spills 

 and habitat destruction. Commercial and sport fishing activities may be 

 curtailed by the presence of platforms and there may be a risk of nets 

 fouling on various obstructions. Further, the existence of well-paying 

 petroleum-related jobs may depress the commercial fishing industry and 

 associated ways of life. Competition for port facilities may lead to a 

 migration of fishing vessels out of areas active with OCS support 

 vessels to more remote ports. 



Alaskan Natives are greatly concerned about cultural impacts 

 resulting from OCS operations. Subsistence and smalltown lifestyles may 

 be threatened by OCS operations. Native political and economic power 

 now being asserted and consolidated under the Native Claims Settlement 

 Act may be thwarted by large numbers of newcomers who hold different 

 social values and beliefs. 



Substantial habitat destruction may result from dredging and filling 

 operations for harbor modifications, pipeline installations and residential 

 and industrial development. Considerable amounts of gravel will be 

 required for most kinds of onshore construction which will entail further 

 dredging. 



Employment during the production phase is expected to stabilize at 

 from 1,200 to 2,500 jobs until the fields are depleted. These cutbacks 

 from peak development phase employment could lead to unemployment and 

 fiscal problems for local communities. 



Tanker traffic will increase during the production phase and become 

 a prime source of oil spills. Oil spills may also result from blowouts, 



26 



