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| With kind permission of Clare Kines |
The Arctic This Week 2014:5
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ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST
The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:
Please help us keep this list up to date! If you would like to add an event to the list, please submit the required information including the event’s name, dates, location, description, website address and contact information using this submission form. The list will be updated weekly and a link to the list will be provided each week in TATW.
TAI’S CURRENT ACTIVITIES
TAI Analyst Andreas Raspotnik was quoted in an article titled “Cold war in the Arctic” in the Greek periodical Tovima. If you read Greek, you can find a link to the article here. Raspotnik also collaborated with TAI Europe Director Kathrin Keil on an article titled “The European Union’s gateways to the Arctic,” which was published in European Foreign Affairs. TAI Senior Fellow Andreas Østhagen presented on the topic of the role of regions in oil and gas development in the Arctic at the 2014 Arctic Oil and Gas Summit in Oslo, Norway. Finally, TAI Executive Director Malte Humpert was quoted extensively in this article in The Guardian that looks at shipping in the Russian Arctic and the potential benefits it holds for Russia’s Arctic communities.
To begin, start with the U.S. government’s Arctic Strategy Implementation Plan which was released last week (WhiteHouse.gov). The long-awaited plan follows the Obama administration’s release of a National Strategy for the Arctic Region in May of last year. The plan, a three-pronged approach to the objectives of the National Strategy which, as the name indicates, outlines how it will actually be implemented, is definitely worth the read for those eager to learn more about American intentions in the Arctic. Also worth a read from the political section this week is a new report from the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council which undertakes the task of “Demystifying the Arctic.” The report proceeds to address four key challenges in the Arctic (environmental protection, investment, safety and science), and includes a useful appendix addressing five “particularly persuasive” Arctic myths.
In what has been a warm winter so far for many parts of the Arctic, Norway has had to deal with three major wildfires since December, which was one of the country’s warmest winter months ever. Last week, fires exploded in Trøndelag - Frøya and Flatanger, which was the most extensive fire catastrophe in Norway since World War II and destroyed more than 139 buildings and houses (Robert Scribbler, Norway Post).
In energy reads, skip straight to the following two excellent articles for the best analysis on Shell’s decision to cancel its drilling plans in Arctic Alaska this year. In the first, Jennifer Dlouhy argues that the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court that invalidated environmental assessments for Chukchi Sea oil leases provided much-needed cover not only for Shell as it seeks to better prepare its vessels and procedures for Arctic operations, but also for the Obama administration which will welcome the removal of Arctic drilling from the public eye during the upcoming mid-term elections (FuelFix). Next, see this article by Margaret Kriz Hobson for Environment and Energy Publishing that presents Shell’s decision as a major complication for the federal government as it tries to define its Arctic strategy after years of ignoring the region.
In military developments, The U.S. Department of Defense continues to monitor developments in the Arctic on the heels of its recently-released Arctic Strategy. Dr. Daniel Chiu, Undersecretary for Strategy at DoD, recently gave an informative and wide-ranging interview on the subject to Alaska Public Media.
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) released a very helpful and detailed advisory Navigating the Northern Sea Route - Status and Guidance, which it developed with assistance from Russia's Central Marine Research and Design Institute. It is a good summary of the risks of shipping in the Arctic and has details on specific NSR regulations (BO).
On the North American end of the NSR, interest has been increasing in the development of a deepwater port to serve the U.S. Arctic. The United States Coast Guard appears to be backtracking on plans to divest its property at Port Clarence on the Bering Strait. According to USCG Admiral Thomas Ostebo, the USCG is planning to retain a portion of Port Clarence given its proximity to the Arctic and the Bering Strait, while interested parties from the local and federal government and private sector eagerly circle hoping for a portion of the property (APM).
In sad news for the Alaska sporting community, Alaskan adventure sport legend Rocky Reifenstuhl died this week at the age of 61. His colorful obituary in Alaska Dispatch highlights some of his myriad accomplishments, as well as his unique personality.
THE POLITICAL SCENE
Leona Aglukkaq announces formation of Arctic Economic Council
Canadian environmental minister and Arctic Council chairwoman Leona Aglukkaq announced the formation of the Arctic Economic Council at the Northern Lights trade show last week (G&M). The new forum, which was proposed at the Arctic Council ministerial meeting last May, hopes to bridge “the gap in Arctic-to-Arctic expertise” and establish “community-based approaches” to growth. According to a new report from the World Economic Forum titled “Demystifying the Arctic,” these types of approaches will ensure sustainable development in the region. Russia’s Ambassador-at-Large Anton Vasilyev has said that the process of establishing the new council should be finalized before May 2015, when Canada passes on its chairmanship of the Arctic Council to the United States (ITAR-TASS).
U.S. releases Implementation Plan for Arctic strategy
On Friday, the White House released an Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region (WhiteHouse.gov). The plan’s three “lines of effort,” as they are referred to in the document, include advancing United States security interests, pursing responsible Arctic region stewardship, and strengthening international cooperation in and around the Arctic. According to Reuters, the plan will help “promote safety and security in the region by building ports, improving forecasts of sea ice, and developing shipping rules.” The plan also reiterates the Obama administration’s desire become a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (AIR, in Russian).
Peel watershed land-use plan creates controversy in the Yukon
Demonstrations were held across the Yukon and the Northwest Territories in Northern Canada in response to the Yukon government’s proposed land-use plan for the Peel watershed (CBC). In response to the plan, which opens up seventy-one percent of the region to mining, Aboriginal and conservation groups have enlisted land claims lawyer Thomas Berger and filed a lawsuit contesting the plan, which they say violates previous land claims agreements (NJ). Mining groups, too, appear unsatisfied with the new plan, which they argue imposes restrictive conditions that make many mining projects “uneconomic” (YN). John Thompson ponders the Yukon government’s “botched handling” of the plan in an editorial published on Friday in Yukon News.
International
The UK and the Arctic – Where is Scotland? (Scottish Global Forum).
Holyrood urged to act to protect Arctic after 'snub' by Westminster (Herald Scotland).
The U.S. and Russia to join national parks in the Bering Strait (AIR, in Russian).
Norway and Canada appeal seal ban (Arctic Journal).
Arctic Frontiers takes place in Tromsø, Norway (Foreign Policy Blogs).
Arctic Frontiers 2014 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy).
Thoughts on the conference “In spirit of the Rovaniemi process” (Mistra Arctic Futures).
Japan and Russia: Arctic Friends (The Diplomat).
Norwegian FM praises cooperation with Russia in the Arctic (AIR, in Russian).
Comparing Arctic Law and Governance in China and Finland (Arctic Centre).
Canada
Hearings were held last week in Canada’s Northwest Territories on devolution Bill C-15, which takes effect in two months (NJ). Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington criticized the federal government’s handling of the bill, which “combines devolution with the elimination of regional land and water boards,” for stripping regulatory power from Aboriginal governments (CBC). In related news, Fort Resolution’s Deninu Kue First Nation agreed last week to sign the territory’s devolution agreement (CBC).
Real threat to Arctic sovereignty is Canada (Green Party of Canada).
Between strait and sea: Ottawa's Northwest Passage dilemma with implications for Alaska (Juneau Empire).
United States
FISH FACTOR: Treadwell to leverage Arctic expertise in Senate contest (Alaska Chamber of Commerce).
Russia
Russian Arctic envoy defends military buildup (Metro News).
Struggle over Arctic Not as Imminent as Many Imagine, Moscow Scholar Says (Johnson’s Russia List).
The Nordics
The Wheels of Greed are spinning in Iceland (Worldwatch Institute Europe).
ENERGY
This short, humorous article from Sara Murphy at the Motley Fool presents a good overview of the plight of the international oil companies, forced to fight over decreasing oil and gas reserves that require increasing amounts of investment. It’s important to know these dynamics to understand the decisions of companys like Shell in regard to investment in the Arctic. For more on this topic, see this article from Dan Gilbert in the Wall Street Journal. The American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources put out a newsletter recently with two articles of interest that are well worth a read, one examining the legal regime in the Arctic, the other looking at prospects for oil development in the U.S. Arctic. For your weekly dose of the “race for Arctic resources” theme, see this article in Oil and Gas Journal. For a more nuanced treatment of the topic, see this short interview with the geographer Klaus Dodds on oil and gas development in the Arctic at About Oil.
Shell declines to drill in Alaska and many rush to provide a post mortem of Shell’s Arctic ambitions
News last week that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had chosen to invalidate environmental assessments that supported oil and gas lease sales in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas (Oilprice) led Shell’s CEO Ben van Beurden to announce that his company would abandon its plans to drill on Alaska’s Arctic shelf in 2014 (NYT, ADN, ABC, CNN). Although van Beurden blamed the decision on the court’s action, Shell also recently reported very disappointing earnings for 2013 which many chalked up to, in part, the massive investments Shell has made on its Arctic projects (Oilprice). Many of Shell’s detractors and opponents saw in the decision an indication that Shell would abandon its Arctic oil ambitions entirely (On Earth, The Ecologist), while others cheered the decision as a reprieve for the region’s wildlife (Audubon) and residents of Arctic Alaska (ADN). Greenpeace described the once promising Arctic as transforming into an albatross around Shell’s neck. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, on the other hand, saw the decision as a failure on the part of the federal government and encouraged the Obama administration to fully address any of the deficiencies identified in the court ruling (press release). In the keenest analysis of these developments, Jennifer Dlouhy argues that the court ruling provided much-needed cover not only for Shell as it seeks to better prepare its vessels and procedures for Arctic operations, but also for the Obama administration which will welcome the removal of Arctic drilling from the public eye during the upcoming mid-term elections (FuelFix). Also, see this article by Margaret Kriz Hobson for Environment and Energy Publishing that presents Shell’s decision as a major complication for the federal government as it tries to define its Arctic strategy after years of ignoring the region.
Alaska gas pipeline plan raises questions in state legislature
The administration of Governor Sean Parnell proposed recently that the state should move forward on a deal with Alaska’s major oil and gas producers to finance a pipeline to move North Slope gas to south-central Alaska and an LNG plant and port to move the gas to market. Unlike previous schemes that have sought to promote a gas pipeline funded solely by industry, this proposal has the state taking an equity stake in the project, potentially leaving the state with a USD 10 billion bill for the project (FNM). Parnell’s proposal will require the legislature’s approval, though law makers are balking as the project has been presented as a “take it or leave it” proposal from the state’s oil industry partners, a fact that raises the cackles of Alaska’s Democratic legislators (FNM). Legislators are also concerned that the billions of dollars that will be spent may be a boon for consultants who may not have the state’s best interests in mind (AD).
Norway moves ahead with oil and gas licensing along recently delimited border with Russia
The Norwegian oil and gas ministry announced that it had gathered nominations for 160 exploration blocks for future licensing, many of which lie along the Russian-Norwegian border that was only recently delimited in 2011 (BO). Over 40 companies submitted proposals (press release, in Norwegian), including Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft (AIR, in Russian). While oil and gas companies have struggled to make Barents Sea projects profitable, some are saying the resources there are extensive but will require large investments in infrastructure before they can be accessed and transported to markets (Bloomberg).
Canada
A conference held in Fort McMurray last week, “Energy and the Oilsands: Aboriginal Perspectives,” provided an opportunity for First Nations, industry and others to better understand each other’s interests and concerns regarding oilsands development (NJ). Though the conference was deemed a success at lowering tensions between the various parties, news of yet another wastewater spill in northern Alberta will not help to endear oilsands development to local residents (NJ). As the Northwest Territories transitions to greater autonomy over resource development as part of devolution, the Territories will still be receiving management assistance from the National Energy Board and the Alberta Energy Regulator, though the exact nature of the support is still being worked out (NJ).
Nuclear, oil & gas liability to hit $1B (MetroNews).
U.S.
Finland
Norway
See this interesting short video that presents community and industry perspectives on the development of Norway’s Arctic oil and gas from the northern town of Hammerfest (CSROil).
Greenland
An article from International Law Office looks at some of the legal barriers that Greenland faces as it seeks to exploit offshore oil and gas resources, though the article suggests that settlement of UNCLOS claims may hinder resource development without mentioning that most of Greenland’s resources exist comfortably within the exclusive economic zone and as such won’t be impacted.
Greenland looks to Norway regarding oil development (HNN, in Norwegian).
Russia
Work on the Yamal LNG liquefaction plant is moving a long apace as Novatek announced that it had signed contracts to sell over %75 of the production capacity for the facility (AIR, in Russian). The nuclear icebreaker Taimyr, meanwhile, is back in Murmansk for a crew change but will return to support operations at the Yamal LNG port of Sabetta after 10 February (AIR, in Russian). Even as work progresses on the Yamal project, Novatek is planning a second LNG project in Russia’s Arctic, this one based on the Gydan peninsula (BO). Rosneft and ExxonMobil, meanwhile, are exploring ways to run Arctic oil and gas facilities remotely because, really, who wants to sit out on an oil platform on the Russian shelf for weeks on end in the middle of winter (AIR, in Russian)?
More than 1000 workers sought for Arctic-Purpe pipeline (AIR, in Russian).
Golginskoye oil field in Pechora Sea approved for development (AIR, in Russian).
Rosneft asks Putin to simplify the rules for Arctic offshore development (AIR, in Russian).
Iceland
First ever 'magma-enhanced' geothermal system created in Iceland, breaks record for geothermal heat (Treehugger).
SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Arctic heat wave – A new normal of winter rain, wildfires, avalanches, and coral reefs?
Several articles this week confirm that the current uncommonly mild temperatures in the Arctic are linked to the cold in the U.S. south. While David Spratt compares the situation with an Arctic freezer, the door wide-open, which lets the cold air drain into the U.S. and Eurasia (Climate Code Red), Michael E. Mann talks about a “Drunken Arctic”, which “Goes Head Over Heels” (HP). A video by Reuters illustrates the Arctic blast in the U.S. south (Reuters). Meanwhile, Yereth Rosen argues that winter rain instead of snow is becoming the “new normal” in Alaska (AD), and data collected by the Finnish Meteorological Institute FMI shows that Finland is warming up (EOTA).
Wildlife and the natural environment in the far north have been particularly impacted by the abnormal warmth and rain (AD). Norway has had to deal with three major wildfires since December, which was one of the country’s warmest winter months ever. Last week, fires exploded in Trøndelag - Frøya and Flatanger, which was the most extensive fire catastrophe in Norway since World War II and destroyed more than 139 buildings and houses (Robert Scribbler, Norway Post). The warmth has also takeen its toll in Alaska. “Unseasonal rain and warmth” destabilized the snow and resulted in an avalanche that buried a road and cut Valdez, Alaska, off from the road system (Daily Climate). A coral reef discovered in Greenland and previously thought impossible in the cold Arctic waters can be viewed as an indication of warming oceans (AIR, in Russian).
In the context of this extreme warmth in the Arctic, a group of researchers around James E. Overland with NOAA/Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory recently published an article on “Future Arctic climate changes: Adaptation and mitigation time scales”. It points to the need to plan for the adaptation to continuing environmental changes in the Arctic in the next decades (AGU Publications). The paper confirms that the reduction of carbon emissions could slow the temperature increase in the Arctic (NOAA, U.S. Embassy). To find out more about climate change in the Arctic, the European Research Council (ERC) is funding a €2M research initiative by the University of East Anglia. The project will examine the impact of global warming on the Arctic, particularly ice melt. For this purpose, it will construct a sea ice chamber (EurekAlert!).
Birds losing their way
Boston is experiencing the largest number of snowy owls ever recorded on its territory, as the birds unexpectedly migrate towards the Lower 48. The recurring problem of keeping them off the airport runways has proved to be a challenge for Logan International Airport (NYT). Another bird affected by the unusual weather patterns apparently lost its way on its migration to the open ocean. The rare white-winged Scoter was stranded in a parking lot in Virginia, U.S., from where it was brought to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for treatment, and finally released back into the wild (NBC29).
Climate
Arctic buoy travels 15,000 miles to Mayo, phoning home (Irish Times).
Greenland surface albedo changes in July 1981–2012 from satellite observations (Environmental Research Letters).
Canadian Arctic Warming Unprecedented In 120,000 Years (Energy Collective).
Climate science: Uncertain temperature trend (Nature Geoscience).
Year-Round Arctic Ice Cooled Earth Earlier Than Thought (Live Science).
Arctic's 'Layer Cake' Atmosphere Blamed for Rapid Warming (Live Science).
Wildlife
Meet the bears and walruses of Siberia (photo gallery) (Le Figaro, in French).
Miscellaneous
Applications for research permission to Zackenberg Research Station, Greenland (deadline: February 14) (Interact).
MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE
Russia continues to tread lightly regarding militarization of the Arctic
Russia’s ambassador-at-large and representative to the Arctic Council, Anton Vasilyev, has launched a whirlwind press offensive aimed at allaying fears over Russia’s increasing military activity in the region. Speaking with ITAR-TASS, “Vasiliyev said it was Russia’s ‘obligation’ to assure safe navigation of the Northern Sea Route” (AJ). Vasilyev further noted that whereas Russia’s Arctic border has previously been naturally secure due to the largely impassible ice, the melting of that ice has necessitated that Russia take actions to ensure the border remains secure (BO and AIR, in Russian). He also pointed towards the April 2012 meeting between representatives from Arctic Council members’ air forces at Canada’s Goose Bay aviation base as an example of burgeoning military cooperation in the region (VOR). Speaking to The Canadian Press, Vasilyev again stressed that there remains good military-to-military relations on regional issues, and said that Russia hopes other Arctic Council members follow Russia’s lead and increase their own military presence in the region. He also stressed positive relations between Canada and Russia regarding regional issues, and said he was unworried about overlapping territorial claims between the two nations (Globalnews.ca and OC). Meanwhile, the Russian Air Force announced that two Tu-95MS strategic bombers completed a patrolling mission in the region (ITAR-TASS and AIR), while Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced that the Russian defense sector is stepping up preparations to supply the Russian military’s activities in the region (stratrisks).
Russia
The nuclear submarine Nizhny Novgorod has rescued several fisherman in the Barents Sea (AIR, in Russian).
IL-38N Maps the Arctic Ocean (StrategyPage).
United States
Lockheed Martin MUOS Satellite Tests Show Extensive Reach in Polar Communications Capability (Lockheed Martin).
Europe
MINING
Greenland mining report continues to stir debate
The report To the Benefit of Greenland that made news last week has been released in English and is available here. The report challenges the assumption that Greenland would be able to fund its own independence based on rents from mining and hydrocarbons, showing that Greenland would need two dozen large, active mines to produce enough revenue to replace the yearly block grant from Denmark that makes up a large portion of government revenues. Instead, the report recommended a more measured approach, focusing on developing a few large mining projects and ensuring that they are well managed, a conclusion which was lauded by environmental groups and other NGOs (AJ). Bringing large mines to production in Greenland is still a challenge due to the remote location and lack of infrastructure. Jóannes Niclassen, vice president of MT Højgaard Mining, argues in an editorial for Arctic Journal that Denmark should set up an investment fund to help spur mining development.
Canada
The Mining Association of Greenland released a report that stated that the mining industry employed 418,000 people in Canada in 2012, and managed to add 11,000 new jobs that year. The report also concluded that the mining sector has some of the highest wages in Canada and contributes CDN 56.2 billion to Canada’s GDP (Northern Life).
Canada’s ‘Arctic Serengetti’ a victim of mining (Greenfudge.org).
Alaska
Russia
First minerals map of Yakutia completed (AIR, in Russian).
Finland
Finland’s Safety Investigation Authority released a report on the leak of toxic wastewater from the Talvivaara mine in 2012, faulting both mine operators and regulators for failing to prevent the accident (YLE).
Sweden
Mining on reindeer land (ABC).
FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS
Arctic Economic Council and Arctic Business Forum
At the opening of this year’s Northern Lights trade show in Ottawa on January 29, Minister Leona Aglukkaq formally announced the launch of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) as “a way for Arctic businesses to engage more directly with the Arctic Council states and indigenous permanent participants” (NN). Formerly called the Circumpolar Business Forum, the Arctic Economic Council has three main goals: to foster business development in the Arctic, to engage in deeper circumpolar cooperation, and to provide a business perspective to the work of the Arctic Council (Arctic Council). Anton Vasilyev, Russia's representative at the Arctic Council, suggested that the AEC could begin working from May 2015 (Voice of Russia). To counter fears that the AEC will become a “large corporation,” Canada’s representative Mitch Bloom emphasized the AEC will focus on small and medium enterprises and indigenous businesses (iPolitics). In an official statement, Greenpeace warns against the promotion of fossil fuel development by the new Arctic Economic Council (Greenpeace).
A different forum, the 5th Arctic Business Forum, will be held from March 11 to 13 in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland (Finland Times).
Russia benefits from the “Arctic boom”
On February 27, Moscow will host the International Investment Summit of the Arctic. The topic of the summit revolves around issues connected with the Northern Sea Route and is titled “Northern Sea Route: Infrastructure, transport and communication system of the Arctic region” (AIR, in Russian). Murmansk in particular benefits from the economic activity brought about by the opening of the Arctic. As Russia is reforming its port industry, Murmansk will control all Russian ports (BO). Furthermore, it is preparing to host the XV International fishing exhibition “Sea, Resources, Technologies 2014” (AIR, in Russian). The Siberian city of Nadym also hopes to profit from the new sea route to China (Guardian).
Release of Implementation Plan for the U.S. Arctic Strategy and a new advisory on Arctic shipping
The Implementation Plan for The National Strategy for the Arctic Region by the White House is part of President Barack Obama's National Strategy for the Arctic Region announced last May. It follows three lines of effort: Advance United States Security Interests, Pursue Responsible Arctic Region Stewardship, and Strengthen International Cooperation. Besides the implementation plan, reaching an agreement with Canada over the Beaufort Sea maritime boundary and establishing an international code for ships operating in polar waters are on top of the U.S.’ list of priorities in the Arctic (Reuters). Around the same time, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) released its advisory Navigating the Northern Sea Route - Status and Guidance, which it developed with assistance from Russia's Central Marine Research and Design Institute. It informs about the risks of shipping in the Arctic and NSR regulations (BO).
Fisheries
Fishermen in the Murmansk region can get special status (AIR, in Russian).
Shipping
Project Offshore Marintec Russia received support from the state (AIR, in Russian).
Foss [Maritime Company] is Upbeat on the Arctic (Marine Link).
Other business and economic news
Ruble goes bad (BO).
HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Whitehorse hosts twelfth annual Available Light Film Festival
This week, Whitehorse, Canada plays host to the Available Light Film Festival, celebrating circumpolar cinema and featuring titles such as Uvanga, Arctic Defenders, Rhymes for Young Ghouls, and Expedition to the End of the World (CBC). The film festival opened with Arctic Defenders, a documentary retelling the story of the Inuit activists who worked to establish Nunavut (YN).
Youth Arctic Coalition Conference unites young northerners
The first conference of the Youth Arctic Coalition took place over the weekend. The conference’s hub was Ottawa, Canada, but “satellite hubs” in six other countries allowed participants to participate virtually from across the Arctic, discussing climate change, indigenous rights, food security, housing, employment, and other social, economic and environmental issues in the region (CBC). Speakers at the conference included Students on Ice founder Geoff Green, WWF’s Martin von Mirbach, and Inuit athlete Johnny Issaluk (Rabble).
Health
Why high suicide rates in Arctic Russia? (Ice-Blog).
Education
Society
‘Start waking up’: Report warns of Inuit child selling, cites anecdotal evidence of abuse, trafficking (National Post).
Experts to discuss Arctic social policy this month (AIR, in Russian).
Nordic Council to fund ten Russian social projects (AIR, in Russian).
The People of the Peel (YN).
Culture
Inuit Youth Hip Hop Dancing for Life (PsychCentral).
View from Svalbard, Norway (The Architectural Review).
Sculpture dedicated to Fridtjof Nansen to be installed in Samara, Russia (AIR, in Russian).
INFRASTRUCTURE
Alaska begins to dig out Richardson Highway after catastrophic avalanches
The town of Valdez has been cut off for over a week after a series of avalanches wreaked havoc on the Richardson Highway in Keystone Canyon. The avalanches buried some 1500 feet of highway under 40 feet of snow; the avalanches also poured into the Lowe River, effectively damming it. The subsequent flooding formed a lake in Keystone Canyon on top of about 2500 feet of the road (AD). “The threat posed by a half-mile-long lake pooled behind a snow dam…and continuing avalanche danger” held up clean-up efforts for days (ADN), but crews have begun working around the clock to clear the highway now that the water level has dropped to normal levels and the snow has stabilized (FNM), and officials at the Alaska Department of Transportation report that the highway appears to be in good condition (FNM). For those looking to stay off the roads entirely, the Alaska Railroad has announced that it will launch new mid-week service between Anchorage and Fairbanks starting in March (FNM).
Alaska lawmakers push for increased investment in Arctic infrastructure
Senator Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage) has introduced a bill aiming to increase investment in Arctic infrastructure. “The bill would increase incentives for private investment in ports, roads, and telecommunications projects…[and] gives the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority…the authority to support infrastructure projects in the Arctic through loans or bonds” (KDLG). The bill’s co-sponsor, Rep. Bob Herron (D-Bethel), has focused particularly on the need to invest in a northern deep-water port. McGuire believes Port Clarence – as per our Read of the Week – is likely the best spot for such a port (AD).
Canada
Russia
From the CBC comes a profile of Russian ice road truckers on the Kolyma Highway – also known rather ominously as “the road of bones” due to its genesis as a project for unlucky prisoners in Stalinist-era gulags – between Yakutsk and Magadan (AD).
United States
Arctic Fibre Extends Network to Northwest Alaskan Communities (Arctic Fibre).
Europe
Kirkenes airport is now offering the world’s first airport sled dog taxis. Passengers can expect prices “somewhat higher than a normal taxi” (BO).
SPORTS
Yukon Quest 2014 Underway
The 2014 edition of the Yukon Quest dog sled race kicked off on Saturday at 11am Alaska time. The race normally runs some 1600 kilometers between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, but over 100 kilometers have been cut from the race this year due to concerns over conditions after unseasonably warm weather in the weeks running up to the race (CBC, YN, and FNM). Despite the adverse conditions, many of the mushers running the race say they’ve enjoyed an excellent training season, as most trails were unaffected by the weather until mid-January (FNM). The race means plenty to do for the myriad support staff, including aviators who provide crucial assistance along the way (AD). For the first time, this year 18 lucky spectators were given the unique opportunity to ride along (in a second sled) pulled by one of the 18 mushers for the first 1.5 miles of the race (FNM).
Europe
Second edition of the Arctic Race of Norway planned (Capovelo.com).
Canada
United States
IMAGES AND VIDEO
This week’s haul includes an “Arctic Hole-in-One” tweeted by Spencer Wynn, a welcome sunrise in Arctic Norway tweeted by @SherineNews, and caribou in the snow by Isacky Naglingnik, posted on Bylot 2015’s twitter. Flicker’s lone shot for the week is “BBQ Closed for the Season,” taken by Paul Aningat. On Instagram, we have a subdued Arctic sunrise (posted by user usm_auriga) and a fiery orange one (posted by user angelascox from Barrow, Alaska). For one last sunrise, check out this video posted on YouTube of an icy, windy one. For the latest in photo collections, check out “Visions of the Arctic,” posted by Earth Justice – it’s definitely reminiscent of a sunnier time – as well as the shots from Polar Week 2014 at Atlas Obscura and Discovery’s photo-essay “Polar Bear Mom Fights off Adult Male.”
Abbreviation Key
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
Aftenbladet (AB)
Alaska Business Monthly (ABM)
Alaska Dispatch (AD)
Alaska Journal of Commerce (AJC)
Alaska Native News (ANN)
Alaska Public Media (APM)
Anchorage Daily News (ADN)
Arctic Info (Russian) (AIR)
Arctic Institute (TAI)
Barents Nova (BN)
Barents Observer (BO)
Bristol Bay Times (BBT)
BusinessWeek (BW)
Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ)
Christian Science Monitor (CSM)
Eye on the Arctic (EOTA)
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (FNM)
Financial Times (FT)
Globe and Mail (G&M)
Government of Canada (GOC)
Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)
Huffington Post (HP)
Indian Country Today Media Network (ICTMN)
Johnson’s Russia List (JRL)
Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR)
Lapin Kansa (LK)
Moscow Times (MT)
National Geographic (NG)
Natural Gas Europe (NGE)
Naval Today (NT)
New York Times (NYT)
Northern Journal (NJ)
Northern News Service Online (NNSO)
Northern Public Affairs (NPA)
Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI)
Nunatsiaq News (NN)
Oil & Gas Journal (OGJ)
Ottawa Citizen (OC)
Petroleum News (PN)
RIA Novosti (RIAN)
Russia Beyond the Headlines (RBTH)
Russia Today (RT)
Voice of Russia (VOR)
Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
Washington Post (WP)
Whitehorse Star (WS)
Winnipeg Free Press (WFP)
Yukon News (YN)
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