In the Yukon Kuskokwim region, the Stand for Salmon ballot initiative because could kill one of the biggest proposed gold mines in the world — the Donlin Mine.

“We could aim to develop some mitigation strategies that would help ships avoid key habitats, adjust their timing, take into account certain migration routes and times,” Donna Hauser said. “As well as make some efforts to minimize sound disturbance by changing vessel speeds.”

Conoco is already the biggest oil producer in Alaska, but buying BP’s interest in Kuparuk adds to its growing presence west of Prudhoe Bay.

The Coast Guard is characterizing the incident as “minor;” no oil was spilled and no injuries were reported.

Governor Bill Walker’s climate change task force has been working this summer to nail down some clear draft policy objectives.

The proposal would eliminate EPA’s ability to preemptively or retroactively veto permits for waste discharge in waterways, restricting the agency’s ability to step in and regulate large projects. Under the Obama administration, EPA used its authority under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act to propose restrictions on the Pebble Mine.

The mine would be built in a region where many residents practice subsistence and would be one of the biggest gold mines in the world.

“I think it’s just so empowering, just that as women, alone, we can do this,” said glaciologist Jessica Mejia. “We can do great science, we could be on a glacier by ourselves, we could do anything.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has put out a draft of the final environmental review of the in-state gas pipeline project.

The grant money comes from the Department of Energy and is part of a larger award to support innovation in marine energy generation.