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July 14, 2016

Today's C ongressional Action:   
The Senate will consider a motion to go to conference on S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act. The House expected to complete consideration of HR 5538, the Department of Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.

Media   

Steller Seal After Decades of Research, Steller Sea Lion Decline Still Puzzles Scientists.
Every summer, biologists visit Alaska to count  Steller sea lions . The western stock of the population has been in decline for nearly 40 years - hitting a low in 2002. The count helps determine whether sea lions stay on the endangered species list, which puts costly restrictions on the commercial fishing fleet. Even after decades of research, the reason for the decline is still a mystery . KTOO
 
Coast Guard Seal GAO: Coast Guard to Address Arctic Regional Operation Capacity Gaps.  The   U.S. Coast Guard  plans to develop specific measures for its Arctic region activities in an effort to systematically assess potential effects of its operations on the mitigation of operation capacity gaps in support of a Government Accountability Office   recommendation. GAO said Tuesday the service branch has worked with Arctic partners to assess and mitigate gaps in its training, communications and other operations capacities.  ExecutiveGov
 
Faroe Islands Enlist Sheep to Create Their Own 360-Degree Street Views.
If Google Street View won't come to the Faroe Islands, the Faroe Islands will bring 360-street views to them and the world.  The Nordic archipelago nestled between Scotland and Iceland has launched its own 360-degree street views using the islands' most abundant natural resource: sheep.  Huffington Post
 
russian flag Russia to Increase Arctic Shelf by Nearly 1,200,000 Square Kilometer. 
A special commission of the United Nations Organization expressed its readiness to take Russia's bid to increase the Arctic shelf  into consideration.  "To date, the corresponding note, which states that other countries do not mind Russia's bid, has been received from all countries, and the work will start accordingly," Sergei Donskoy, Minister for Natural Resources and Environment told RIA Novosti.
 
Rep. Young Pushes Coast Guard to Consider the Aiviq. In a hearing Tuesday, Representatives Don Young and Duncan Hunter of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Marine Transportation scrutinized the U.S. Coast Guard's opposition to the use of commercial icebreakers. The Coast Guard faces a gap between the retirement of an existing icebreaker and the construction of a replacement; the service has ruled out the use of a vessel not suited to a military mission, and lawmakers questioned whether there was a viable alternative to fill the gap. The Maritime Executive

Legislative Action futureevents   

No Arctic legislation was formally considered yesterday.

Future Events
    
A Collaboration with Rural Alaskans: The Driftwood Harvest in a Changing Climate, July 19, 2016 (Webinar). As part of the OneNOAA Science Seminar Series, ACCAP Climate Webinar will sponsor this event. The webinar will consider a study that examined flood events in the Yukon River with the goal of understanding how actual or perceived changes in driftwood availability are related to river hydrology and how future changes in hydrology may affect the driftwood harvest.

** New this week ** Hickel Day of the Arctic- Northern Forum, July 26, 2016 (Anchorage, Alaska, USA). To celebrate our annual "Day of the Arctic," the Institute of the North has organized a special luncheon featuring speakers from the Northern Forum, an intergovernmental, subnational platform for advancing sustainable development in the Arctic. Speakers include: Mr. Byron Mallott, Lieutenant Governor, State of Alaska; Mr. Yuri Zakharinsky, Vice-Governor of Krasnoyarsky Krai, Chair of the RCC; Mr. Alexander Mazharov, Vice-Governor of Yamalo-Nenetsky Autonomous Okrug; Mr. Alexander Zhirkov, Speaker of the Parliament of Sakha Republic; Mr. Leonid Nikolaev, First Vice-Governor of Chukotsky Autonomous Okrug.

Hosted by Saint Petersburg State University, the UArctic Congress 2016 will feature Science and Meeting sections, including:
  • Acclaimed keynote speakers and scientific experts presenting their latest research.
  • Parallel sessions on an array of Arctic science, policy, and education topics.
  • Formal meetings for representatives of the Council of UArctic and UArctic Rectors' Forum.
  • Pre-Meetings to foster contacts and enhance networking.
  • Opportunities for promoting and marketing your organization and activities.
  • A UArctic Student Forum with workshops.
  • A Cultural and Social program like no other.
The 2016 UArctic Rectors' Forum and the 19th annual meeting of the Council of UArctic form an integral part of the congress. 

Conference on Water Innovations for Healthy Arctic Homes: September 18-21, 2016, Anchorage, Alaska. This circumpolar conference will bring together engineers, health experts, researchers, community members, policymakers, and innovators to discuss health benefits, challenges and innovations associated with making running water and sewer in remote northern communities safe, affordable and sustainable. Information and an expression of interest in attending can be found here. (The full link is:  http://wihah2016.com/)
 
13th International Conference on Gas in Marine Sediments: September 19-22, 2016 (Tromso, Norway).   GIMS 13  promotes the study of natural gas and release systems on a global scale and  facilitates interdisciplinary and international cooperation. The conference  intends to bring together geologists, biologists, microbiologist, geophysicists, oceanographers, geochemists and scientists from modeling disciplines. The forum will provide a platform for current knowledge and future programs in gas inventories, fluxes and their role within the carbon cycle and biodiversity. Conference is organized by CAGE - Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate at UiT The  Arctic University of Norway. Abstract submission deadline is May 30th and registration deadline is June 20th. For more information:  http://gims13.uit.no
 
Bridging the Future of Arctic Social Science Research, September 23-24, 2016 (Monticello, Virginia, USA). The event is sponsored by Arctic Horizons.  The event will reassemble the members of the National Steering Committee and a small but diverse selection of representatives from the five regional workshops, to total about 15 people. The aim will be to identify and synthesize the core threads of the previous workshops and public contributions proffered between workshops. The target output for the workshop will be a final report draft and outline of steps leading to the final report release in June 2016. The Jefferson Institute will manage production of the publication.
 
Second International Conference on Natural Resources and Integrated Development of Coastal Areas in the Arctic Zone, September 27-29, 2016 (Arkhangelsk, Russia).  The Conference is organized by FASO of Russia, Russian Academy of Sciences, Government of Arkhangelsk region, Arkhangelsk Scientific Center and International Arctic Science Committee (IASC). Conference is aimed at elaboration of research-based practical measures and instruments for realization of human, natural and transport-logistical potential of the Arctic zone, including development of the Northern Sea Route and implementation of models of integrated coastal areas management. For additional information, please email.

Arctic Ambitions V: International Business Conference & Trade Show, October 4-5, 2016 (Anchorage, Alaska, USA). This once-a-year event uniquely focuses on business and investment opportunities flowing from developments in the Arctic. With interest in commercial development in the Arctic growing rapidly, WTC Anchorage initiated the Arctic Ambitions conference five years ago to address issues such as innovation, investment, infrastructure development, transportation, natural resources, and trade. At the event, corporate executives and senior government officials from across the Arctic, and around the world, make presentations and participate in panel discussions. This year's conference also includes a Trade Show and B2B Matchmaking Session. For more information, please contact Greg Wolf ( [email protected]) or call 907-278-7233.

Inuit traditions are a repository of Inuit culture and a primary expression of Inuit identity. The theme for the 2016 Inuit Studies Conference invites Elders, knowledge-bearers, researchers, artists, policy-makers, students and others to engage in conversations about the many ways in which traditions shape understanding, while registering social and cultural change. The institutional hosts of "Inuit Traditions," Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Nunatsiavut Government, invite you to contribute to an exchange of knowledge to be held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, October 7-10, 2016. Presentations on all aspects of Inuit studies will be welcome.

Arctic Technology Conference, October 24-26, 2016 (St. John's, Canada).  Founded in 1969, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is the world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production and environmental protection. The Arctic Technology Conference (ATC) is built upon OTC's successful multidisciplinary approach, with 14 technical societies and organizations working together to deliver the world's most comprehensive Arctic event.

Converging Interests: Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS16), October 27-28, 2016 (Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada). MASS16 will once again focus on the challenges associated with both northern and maritime environments. The aim of the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supported international conference is to promote stakeholder collaboration, technological innovation, harsh environment research & development, and world-class education efforts that are contributing to various components of northern development. 
 
The 5th Forum for Arctic Modeling and Observational Synthesis (FAMOS) project School and Meeting, November 1-4, 2016 (Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA).The major goals of the meeting are to discuss results of ongoing FAMOS activities, and to plan 2016-2017 coordinated modeling and observing projects, with a special focus on high and very high spatiotemporal resolution processes. You can register here.
 
 

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