Environment

All Alaska news stories about the environment, climate and weather. Could also include topics like animal die-offs related to the environment.

Teller Man Missing After Storm

State troopers and search and rescue personal are looking for a man missing in Teller. Trooper Ann Sears says 26 year-old Kyle Kohmok was last seen on a yellow 4 wheeler around 4 p.m. yesterday.
A row of brown and white cows looking straight at the camera on a background of green grass.

This remote Alaska island is home to hundreds of feral cattle. But should it be?

Some have wondered whether Chirikof Island, trampled by hooves, should instead be returned to seabirds that could desperately use more habitat.
a woman in a maroon hooded jacket and sunglasses makes double peace signs on a mountain trail.

As record heat bakes the Lower 48, Anchorage contends with its coolest summer in years

“I think the fun thing is whenever there is a sunny day in Anchorage, you see absolutely everyone outside," said Anchorage resident Natalie Fraser.
a mine

Kensington Gold Mine near Juneau reports 105,000-gallon tailings spill

Staff at the mine, about 45 miles north of Juneau, said the spill happened in late January after an underground pipeline leaked.
technicians

Tour of Fairbanks toxic sites shows need for clean-up

Last week's tour included the former North Pole Refinery, sites on Eielson Air Force Base and Moose Creek, all of which host PFAS contaminants.

As coastal erosion pulls rural Alaska communities into the sea, new research seeks solutions

For years, coastal Alaska communities have contended with erosion. A growing field of research explores ways to address the problem.
a poster

388: The number of people unaccounted for in Maui fire falls by more than half

The revised number emerged late Thursday after Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said the FBI was working to "un-duplicate people" reported missing.
two women talk while walking in the woods

Native nations on front lines of climate change share knowledge and find support at intensive camps

Tribes suffer some of the most severe impacts of climate change in the U.S. but often have the fewest resources to respond.
two people talking

Chevak rallies to repair storm-damaged subsistence gear

During a community meeting, Chevak residents said better emergency planning should be a long-term priority. For now, though, assessing damage is the focus.
a opossum

Homer biologists grab 3 more of Grubby’s offspring as search for opossum posse continues

State biologists are continuing their efforts in Homer to catch offspring of Grubby the opossum, with three more captured as of Tuesday.
Lisa Murkowski

Murkowski calls proposed endangered listing for Alaska king salmon ‘wrongheaded’

Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the Wild Fish Conservancy's proposal, like its lawsuit over Southeast king fishing, is meant "to basically stop our wild fisheries."
a troller in the water

Alaska Senate proposes $7.5M aid package for struggling fish processors

The program would add to more than $100 million in salmon and Alaska pollock purchases — more than 1,500 truck loads — announced earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
the Alaska State Capitol

Dunleavy vetoes statewide ban on pollution-causing firefighting foam

PFAS, a chemical used in many forms of firefighting foam, has already contaminated drinking water sources throughout Alaska.
a wolf

No deer, no problem: Sea otters become main course for this Southeast Alaska wolf pack

On a tiny, remote island in Southeast Alaska, scientists recently made a surprising discovery: Wolves are eating sea otters.
a landslide

Wrangell search suspended for 12-year-old boy still missing in deadly landslide

Derek Heller was never found after the Nov. 20 slide that killed four other members of his family and 65-year-old Otto Florschutz.

St. Paul Ramps Up Reindeer Program to Improve Food Security

For the last century, reindeer have roamed St. Paul Island without much oversight. But now, the tribal government is stepping up its management style to boost subsistence options and the local economy.

Few Power Outages Reported During Storm

The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative is reporting few outages after Tuesday night's storm. Meera Kohler is the President and CEO of AVEC, she says there is a power outage currently in Tununak.
a fire blazes

Alaska sends firefighters, air tanker to help with Alberta’s ‘unprecedented’ early wildfire season

“This is the first time that we’ve sent a crew to Canada in May,” said Lily Coyle with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Tom McKay

Alaska House approves relaxed environmental rules for ‘advanced recycling’

Rep. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage and House Bill 143’s prime sponsor, said the bill now headed to the state Senate would keep plastic out of landfills.