Wesley Early, Alaska's Energy Desk - Kotzebue
Coast Guard responds to tar-like substance spill on Utqiagvik beach
State DEC spokeswoman Kimberly Maher said the spill was reported just past midnight Tuesday morning, when a local resident posted photos to Facebook.
Federal appeals court rules Trump administration was wrong to reverse protections for Pacific walrus
The ruling will force federal agencies to reconsider what protections are warranted for the species as their ocean habitat warms.
U.S., Russian researchers track polar bears and ice seals across the Arctic
A collaboration between scientists from the U.S. and Russia is providing a clearer picture of polar bears and ice seals, which remain subsistence staples to Arctic communities.
Warming Pacific waters likely adding to Arctic sea ice loss, study finds
For the past decade, scientists have observed several years of abnormally low sea ice extent. While most of the cause has been attributed to a warming Arctic climate, a new study suggests warming waters outside of the Arctic are impacting sea ice as well.
Ambler Metals will get back some of its $35M investment on access road, if project gets built
Last month, the state of Alaska’s investment authority agreed to put $35 million towards pre-development work on the Ambler Road project.
Kaktovik tribe says Biden didn’t reach out before agreement with Canada on Arctic refuge caribou
The Native Village of Kaktovik says the 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.
State investment authority joins mining company to put $35M towards controversial Ambler Road
Subsistence advocates have filed lawsuits over the road, concerned that construction would impact the migration of caribou, a staple of the local Inupiaq diet in Northwest Alaska.
Study links Alaska seals’ waning health to warming Arctic
A new study has found evidence connecting the rapid warming of the region with a physical decline in three species of Alaska seals.
More Indigenous knowledge needed to navigate ‘new Arctic,’ scientists say
A letter signed by over 200 scientists asks for more Indigenous input on the National Science Foundation's flagship initiative on Arctic warming.
Arctic seals were listed as threatened in 2012. Now their sea ice habitat will be protected, too.
After being delayed for almost a decade, the federal government is moving forward with the process for designating critical habitat for two species of seal listed as threatened.
Federal and state officials sign right-of-way permit for controversial Ambler Road
In the latest step in a longstanding dispute between mining advocates and environmentalists, federal and state entities signed a 50-year right of way permit for the controversial Ambler Road project on Wednesday.
A year after being shut down by COVID-19, Kobuk 440 organizers plan for 2021 race
Officials say they’re better prepared to run the race this time around.
Once again, Arctic Report Card says abnormal the new normal
The 2020 Arctic Report Card is out, and results show life in the Arctic is heating up — faster. This year was the Arctic's second-warmest on record, affecting everything from plankton to people.
Officials work to clean diesel spill at Selawik water treatment plant
According to a release from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the spill originated Nov. 25 at a fuel tank for the village’s water treatment plant.
Kivalina emergency access road now open for use
The new road allows villagers to access higher ground as global warming causes their village site to erode.
Feds reject Alaska’s request to delist ringed seals from Endangered Species Act
The state of Alaska partnered with several North Slope entities to write the petition, arguing keeping the ringed seal listed as endangered could negatively impact economic opportunities for the state, as well as subsistence rights.
Wayne Westlake out as NANA president
Westlake, originally from Kiana, held the position for five years. Bill Monet, who has been head of NANA's largest division since 2012, will fill in as interim president and CEO.
As Utqiagvik cases spike, House candidate says he’s just recovered from COVID-19
“I’m not gonna go and throw under the bus where I think I was exposed to it, but it happened to be that I got exposed to it at home,” Patkotak said
Without ice, killer whales are preying on bowheads in Alaska’s northern seas
Scientists think the behavior is linked to sea-ice loss.
Buckland sees large spike of COVID-19 with 11 new cases
All of the cases are currently isolating in Buckland, according to local health officials.