The Native Village of Kaktovik is speaking out against the Biden administration, claiming their tribe wasn’t consulted about an agreement President Biden made with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding protections of the porcupine caribou herd in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Arctic
Kaktovik Iñupiat Corp. blames feds for missed ANWR deadline, demands apology
The U.S. Interior Department said there would be no searching for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this winter because Kaktovik Iñupiat Corp. failed to meet a key deadline. In a strongly-worded statement Thursday, KIC said the Interior provided a “blatant mischaracterization” of what happened.
Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation misses deadline for seismic work in Arctic refuge this winter
The missed deadline effectively kills the corporation’s proposal to use seismic exploration to search for oil in part of the Arctic refuge’s coastal plain this winter.
Weigh in: NOAA is accepting public comments on protecting sea ice habitat of Arctic seals
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.
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.
Biden suspends new leases for oil and gas development on federal lands, including in Alaska
Biden’s order shouldn’t have an immediate impact on oil operations in Alaska because doesn’t it prohibit work on existing oil and gas leases.
Feds arrest 2 after seizing Fentanyl headed to Utqiagvik
Inspectors found 2.4 ounces of blue “M30” pills that contained fentanyl hidden in a vacuum-sealed bag inside the motor housing of an Oster blender.
Biden immediately slams brakes on oil drilling in Arctic refuge
President Joe Biden imposed a “temporary moratorium” on all oil and gas leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge shortly after taking office on Wednesday, citing the “alleged legal deficiencies underlying the program” and the inadequacy of a required environmental review.