After being delayed for almost a decade, the federal agency proposed what’s called critical habitat designation last month in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.
Wesley Early, Alaska's Energy Desk - Kotzebue
State investment authority joins mining company to put $35M towards controversial Ambler Road
The proposed project would run roughly 211 miles from the Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District in the Northwest Arctic Borough.
Study connects physical decline of Alaska seals to warming Arctic
A related study of harbor seals in the Aleutians found a similar decline over a three-year period, with an average decrease of about 10% of their weight.
US and Russia update plan to address marine pollution in Bering, Chukchi seas
One of the major new features of the latest Joint Contingency Plan is the addition of what’s called an international coordination officer.
Researchers ask for more Indigenous input in national Arctic science initiative
The National Science Foundation’s Navigating the New Arctic initiative looks at the effects of a warming climate on Arctic communities. But some in the field believe NSF isn’t doing enough to involve Indigenous people who live there.
‘It brings back memories’: Northwest Alaska health provider cleared to make seal oil and serve it to elders
Seal oil has been a diet staple for Alaska’s Inupiat people for centuries. However, because of federal and state health regulations, you can’t buy it in stores and it can’t be served in restaurants.
Red Dog Mine employee dies in production drill incident, mine operators say
A spokesman for Teck said the federal Mining Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident, and the only information they could provide was that the employee was male.
Arctic seals were listed as threatened in 2012. Now their sea ice habitat will be protected, too.
The Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas are home to a variety of marine mammals, including bearded seals and ringed seals. Though both species are in relative abundance, long-term projections forecast a threat to the once abundant sea ice that the seals live on. As a result, the species were listed as threatened in 2012 under the Endangered Species Act.
Federal and state officials sign right-of-way permit for controversial Ambler Road
The road would stretch 211 miles from the Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District east of Kotzebue and would cross Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.
Solar project in Northwest Arctic villages set to break ground next spring
The solar arrays planned for Shungnak and Kobuk is the latest renewable project for a region routinely struck by high energy costs.