the reef in 1910. The Trustee Council had taken no action to fund research efforts to support these claims to the frustration of the fishermen who relied on the pink salmon. The fishermen decided that they would need to take action to garner support for their goal. The Blockade The fishermen’s plan was to build a blockade that would cut-off the primary trade route of Exxon ships and other commercial tankers. The location of the protest, the Prince William Sound, is a small body of water that has channels that engage with other rivers and streams to eventually connect with the Pacific Ocean. From August 20—22 [1993] , sixty to one-hundred fishing boats blocked off the Valdez Narrows. The fishermen stated that the blockade would remain until Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt agreed to provide assistance in the research and recovery efforts for damage to the Prince William Sound’s Bligh Reef and local ecosystem. The blockade resulted in the prevention of oil tankers from reaching the Trans-Alaska Pipeline terminal. The protesters of the blockade were aware of the high stakes of their actions facing potential fines of up to $25,000 for violating a safe passage mandate for tankers heading towards the trans-Alaskan pipeline terminal. Banners displayed by protesters contained messages with direct contribution to pollution stating, “No More Lies, Exxon”. These messages aimed to strongly reject Exxon’s absence of action in the midst of high levels of pollution. There were many protestors who publicly shared their beliefs on the issue of pollution in the Prince William Sound. Rick Steiner, a college teacher & fisherman, shared his perspective on the protest stating “this is great news” joining the protest. Steiner was glad that an administration would make a commitment to a legal action of environmental restoration. Following a two-week tour of Alaska, Bruce Babbitt would meet with the protestors on August 23. Babbitt promised to urge Federal and state trustees in charge of a near billion-dollar settlement from Exxon to support environmental protection efforts in aid of local hatcheries and allocate a portion of the settlement in order to purchase land to protect salmon-spawning streams in Prince William Sound. Of the tankers, British Petroleum and Arco made the effort to meet with Mr. Babbitt, protesters, and Governor Walter J. Hickel. The Governor was present for multiple land-purchases and preservations that assisted the habitat protection program. Of the tankers, Exxon did not meet