Scientific studies indicate there will be no long term harm to any of the fish populations. In the little over ten years that the Alaska pipeline has operated, the Exxon Valdez spill has been the only spill in Prince William Sound that has harmed the environment. Some precautions have already been taken to avoid another spill like this. Congress has also recently required all new tankers to have two hulls instead of one. The Exxon Valdez, like most other tankers, had only a single hull.
Double hulls provide more protection against oil leaking after and accident.
However, it will take ten years before all the single hulled tankers can be replaced. Scientists warn that during this ten-year period another large spill can be expected to occur in Prince William Sound with the same effect on the beaches and the wildlife as the first spill. In order to prevent damage to the area's natural environment from another spill, a special safety program had been proposed. Here's how the program would work. Two large Coast Guard ships specially designed for Alaskan waters will escort each tanker from Valdez all the way through Prince William Sound until they get to the open sea.