The final restoration plan was prepared by the state and federal natural resource trustees in consultation with the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska to address restoration of natural resources and resource services injured in the November 26, 1997, M/V Kuroshima oil spill at Summer Bay, Alaska.

Restoration activities in the plan were divided into five primary categories: Birds, Vegetation, Intertidal, Salmonids, and Recreation.

Birds

• Arctic foxes were introduced to many islands in the Aleutian chain prior to 1930; these predators have seriously reduced populations of many island-nesting birds. Since 1949, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) program has worked to eradicate the non-native foxes from islands in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge to restore native bird populations.The Avatanak Predator Removal Project is intended to restore spill-impacted bird populations by removing introduced foxes at a nearby island by using methods similar to those used on other islands. FWS conducted a pre-fox removal survey in 2002. Actual trapping of foxes on Avatanak Island began in May 2004 under the direction of FWS.

Vegetation

• In summer 1998, the responsible party began beach revegetation, with wild rye covering approximately 1.35 acres. The objective of the Evaluation of Recovery of Injured Vegetation Project is to ensure that the replanting projects and natural recovery effectively return the vegetation to its prespill diversity and condition.
• Onsite planting projects may be needed where transplants did not survive or grow. The trustees will evaluate monitoring results to determine the success of the revegetation efforts. Further planting efforts using other native species may be necessary to reestablish prespill diversity of vegetation. Additionally, new areas will be planted as part of the Onsite Sedidment Control Project at Summer Bay Lake.

Intertidal

• The Testing for Shellfish Contamination Project involves sampling and chemical analysis of shellfish tissues collected from harvested areas known to have been oiled by the spill. Samples of urchins and mussels were collected in April 2004 and will be analyzed with other samples taken in 1999 and 2000. These data will also be compared with analytical results of shellfish collected during the initial spill and response phase of the incident.
• The Seafood Safety Education Project will entail bringing a seafood safety expert to Unalaska to communicate the results of the shellfish monitoring project, to educate local users of the resources on shellfish, and to restore the harvesting of shellfish in Summer Bay. It is tentatively scheduled for August 2004.

Salmonids

• The Salmon Enumeration and Limnology Project seeks to improve the management of Summer Lake and the salmon runs by collecting and evaluating additional data on the health of the salmon populations and the quality of the fish habitat in the lake. Data were collected between 1998 and 2001. The report is scheduled for September 2004.
• The Onsite Habitat Improvement Project is intended to improve the vegetative cover and increase plant diversity along Summer Bay Lake. This will reduce sedimentation and enhance habitat and aesthetic values.
• The onsite sediment control activities consist of (1) drainage improvements and road regrading to reduce sedimentation from the Summer Bay Lake Road, and (2) reseeding and planting of the lake shoreline to provide enhanced riparian habitat.

Recreation

The M/V Kuroshima spill affected the prime recreational beach for the city of Unalaska. The spill closed this area, and residual oil reduced recreational use and enjoyment of the area. As compensation for the loss of recreational opportunities, the trustees selected three local recreation-related enhancement projects:

• Development of camp structures to include procuring temporary shelters, platforms, and restroom facilities for public recreational uses, specifically benefitting groups such as the Qawalangin Tribe who run a summer camp for local students. The students participate in traditional subsistence harvesting and cultural and environmental activities with Unangan elders. They also learn about local marine life, plants and wildlife, traditional crafts, archaeology, and other related activities. The camp structures are available for other public recreation users during the remainder of the year.
• Development of an environmental education curriculum that will supplement and expand the environmental curriculum and activities provided by the Qawalangin Summer Camp; facilitate local involvement and understanding of ongoing assessment, monitoring, and restoration projects related to the spill; and provide education opportunities through public outreach.
• Shoreline cleanup and maintenance activities—such as the "beach cleanup day" held in Spring 2003 and the periodic maintenance conducted at beaches in Summer Bay, Summer Bay Lake, Morris Cove, and other recreational shorelines—to remove and properly dispose of marine debris and tar.