Arctic In the News
This is a collection of NAEC press releases and action alerts related to the Arctic.
This is a collection of NAEC press releases and action alerts related to the Arctic.
Ginny Hill Wood Recieves Fish & Wildlife Service Award for Alaska Conservation
Virginia "Ginny" Hill Wood, 93, recieved a national award for her role in Alaska conservation here in Fairbanks this week that recognized her critical role in many conservation issues starting with the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Fish & Wildlife Service's Citizen's Award to Wood is a fitting tribute to her visionary achievement this year as we celebrate the Arctic Refuge 50th anniversary.
CCP Success- Nearly 1 Million People Comment for Arctic Refuge Wilderness!
The Northern Center was a major player in empowering nearly 1 million public comments for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in recent comment period.
Hot Race Celebrates 50th Anniversary Arctic Refuge
Nearly 200 runners at the Annual Run for the Refuge raced 5 or 10k to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in record high 91°F -- the warmest for late August in 100 years.
Last Chance to Comment on Arctic Refuge Wilderness
Tuesday November 15 is the last day to send in comments to the Fish & Wildlife Service on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's management plan or "CCP." Alaskans made history at the public hearings in Anchorage and Fairbanks with a strong majority supporting Wilderness protection for the refuge compared to those who testifying against it or for drilling. Please take action today!
Feds Rush Incomplete Environmental Review of Oil and Gas Drilling in Arctic Ocean
Alaska Office Fails to Rely on Sound Science for New Assessment done in Wake of BP’s Gulf of Mexico Disaster. Today, the Alaska office of the federal offshore agency (BOEMRE) released a new draft environmental analysis that says drilling for oil in the Chukchi is justified at any cost. This took place the same day as Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced plans to lift the moratorium on deepwater Gulf of Mexico offshore oil drilling.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Plan Released for Comment! Fish & Wildlife Service considers Wilderness for Coastal Plain
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service released its draft Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) on August 15, 2011. The plan made an important decision to formally consider Wilderness for the crucial Coastal Plain area – the biological heart of our nation’s wilderness icon -- presenting a historic opportunity to protect the Arctic Refuge for future generations. The public comment period has begun, and the first public meeting will be held August 24 in Fairbanks, with important hearings later on.
Oil and Gas Industry Toxic Spills 1996-2008 Map
This new map shows oil industry spills in America's Arctic.
Double Trouble for Polar Bears: New Report on threats of melting Arctic Sea ice and offshore oil development
The combination of near-record Arctic sea-ice loss and continued development of oil and gas in proposed polar bear critical habitat spells double trouble for Alaska’s polar bears, according to a new report issued by the National Wildlife Federation and the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. Mapping out recently proposed polar bear critical habitat relative to approved offshore oil development and recent trends in sea-ice decline, Double Trouble: Melting Arctic Sea Ice and Offshore Oil Development highlights the multiple threats facing polar bears in Alaska. To read the full report and download hi-resolution versions of the maps, visit www.nwf.org/polarbearreport.
Sec. Salazar urged to reconsider Shell Oil’s exploratory drilling in Arctic Ocean planned to start in less than 60 days
In light of the ongoing Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska Native communities and conservation groups sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today urging him to reconsider his approval of exploratory drilling by Shell Oil due to begin in Alaska’s Arctic Ocean in less than 60 days. The groups point to new information from the Gulf spill that requires the Secretary to reconsider his decision to approve Shell’s Arctic Ocean drilling.
Historic Opportunity for Stronger Protections in New Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Planning Process
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service began its update of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s 22-year old Comprehensive Conservation Plan to guide long-term stewardship of this conservation area including wilderness and wild and scenic river reviews. On this 50th anniversary of America’s wilderness refuge we have a great opportunity to promote stronger protection for future generations.
Victory in 6-Year Fight! Applause to Fish & Wildlife Service for Halting Yukon Flats Refuge Land Trade
Alaska Native and conservation groups applauded the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for listening to public and tribal concerns by preferring the “No Land Exchange” alternative in its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge Proposed Land Exchange.
Beaufort and Chukchi Seas: Taking a Stand for Living Marine Resources
NAEC strives to address concerns at the earliest possible time such as the adequacy of scientific baseline information in the rapidly changing ecosystem of Arctic seas caused by sea ice loss or failure to meet the standards for clean air, clean water, and public involvement and review. We were disappointed that significant issues were not addressed in recent goverment decisions to approve offshore lease sales and drilling, and therefore found it necessary to take legal action to ensure that our nation’s benchmark environmental laws are upheld so that fragile ecosystems receive sufficient protection.
Victory for Alaskans! Judge rules Best Interest Finding for Beaufort Sea Leasing is Unconstitutional
The public will have the opportunity to participate in Alaska Department of Natural Resource (ADNR) decisions about whether other uses, such as subsistence hunting and fishing, and the public’s resources are jeopardized at each phase of oil and gas development in the Beaufort Sea in a case brought by NAEC and other groups...
Arctic Refuge Wilderness Bill Re-Introduced
Rep. Edward Markey on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 reintroduced a bill to designate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a wilderness area.
