The snowline moves down mountains along the Toklat River in Denali National Park and Preserve in 2017. NPS Photo by Emily Mesner |
In an effort to ensure that Alaskans can thrive now and in the future, Northern Center remains committed to upholding the health of the communities, lands, and waters that have existed here since time immemorial. This work wouldn't be possible without the continuous leadership and efforts of Indigenous advocates, organizations, and communities–for all that they have shared with us and all that they fight for. - Emily Mesner (mesner@northern.org) Communications Coordinator |
|
|
Tribes continue to seek government-to-government consultation on Graphite One mine |
Despite legal obligations, the U.S. Department of Defense has yet to conduct government-to-government consultation with the Brevig Mission, Mary’s Igloo, and Teller communities regarding the proposed Graphite One mine, including nearly $40 million in funding granted by the department earlier this year to accelerate the feasibility study. Village councils have sent two letters to the Pentagon requesting consultation, but the U.S. government has remained silent.
|
Help protect aquatic habitats |
Salmon swim in a shallow stream in Cordova. Photo by Emily Mesner |
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has opened another scoping process as they revise the reservation of water regulations across the state.
Currently, there are no requirements for industry to retain enough water in lakes and streams to support salmon. Water reservations–which protect stream flow or a lake’s water level–are one of the few safeguards for Alaska waters and the salmon who depend on them. But the water reservation process requires extensive data collection and applicants often wait years for decisions. It’s much easier for industry to get water use permits, which don’t require data or any proof that their activities will not impair salmon or aquatic habitat.
Our friends at Cook Inletkeeper have more information on why this process is biased against those who want to protect salmon and waterways, and have talking points to help inform your comments.
The comment period is open until 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. Comments can be submitted via email to dnr.water.regulation@alaska.gov or through DNR’s online comment portal. |
Tribes in southwest Alaska won a partial victory when a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to properly consider the risks of a massive tailings dam failure in its assessment and permitting of the Donlin Mine.
U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason ruled that the environmental analysis for the mine illegally omitted the impacts of a major failure of the tailings dam, severely underestimating the likelihood and impacts of the release of mine waste, and violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). Other cases against the mine’s development are still pending in court. Read more here.
|
A visit with President Carter |
Okpilak River with the Carters during their first trip to Arctic Refuge in 1990. (Photo courtesy of Debbie Miller) |
Earlier this month, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter turned 100 years old. Read about the Carters' trip in 1990 to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from Debbie Miller, environmental advocate, author, and longtime member of the Northern Center. |
Keep the pressure on Senator Sullivan |
Please join tribes in continuing to tell Sen. Dan Sullivan that they STILL do not want the Ambler Road!
Sullivan’s rider in the National Defense Authorization Act goes against the science and public comment that has been gathered for years throughout the environmental analysis for this project. It also refutes the Record of Decision earlier this year that clearly determined that the Brooks Range is no place for the Ambler Road. Click to button below for ways you can help and click here to read a letter to the editor from Jessie Bergman-David of Allakaket who says that Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Sullivan got it wrong on Ambler.
|
The Deteriorating Environment Is a Public Concern, but Americans Misunderstand Their Contribution to the Problem
"Roughly one in two Americans said they are not very or not at all exposed to environmental and climate change risks. Those perceptions contrast sharply with empirical evidence showing that climate change is having an impact in nearly every corner of the United States," writes Katie Surma for Inside Climate News. Click the headline to read more, including the results of a new global public opinion survey that polled 22,000 people earlier this year. |
The skyscraper-sized tsunami that vibrated through the entire planet and no one saw
Kristian Svennevig and Stephen Hicks report on how earthquake scientists detected an unusual signal on monitoring stations in September. The source of the signal lasted nine days and was traced back to a landslide in Greenland. The event sent a staggering amount of rock and ice–enough to fill 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools–plummeting into the fjord below and created perhaps the tallest wave anywhere on Earth since 1980, they wrote. |
End your week with a great watch |
From the National Endowment for the Arts: "As a young boy, Trimble Gilbert was captivated by the sounds of fiddle and exuberance of dance during gatherings in the remote and isolated Alaskan villages of the Gwich’in people. Through watching, listening, and diligent practice, Trimble developed his own repertoire of songs and unique style, and has dedicated much of his life to teaching others the Gwich’in fiddle." |
|
|
MISSION
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center promotes conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy. |
|
|
Our Contact Information *{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}* *{{Organization Phone}}* *{{Organization Website}}* *{{Unsubscribe}}* |
|
|
|
