AGP Executive Report

Ocean Monitoring Loss: The National Science Foundation is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a nearly $368 million deep-sea network that has fed real-time data used for fisheries, coastal hazards, and climate research—Alaska’s Gulf of Alaska observing sites are among those going dark. Arctic Carbon Update: A new study finds Arctic river deltas, though only about 1% of permafrost area, hold roughly 5% of global permafrost carbon—meaning thaw could further intensify warming. Indigenous-Led Research: An Arctic ACTION workshop in Utqiaġvik brought together Indigenous and Western researchers to co-produce solutions for flooding, erosion, and permafrost thaw in Arctic coastal communities. Coal Push: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and two new plants, drawing criticism that it’s an unnecessary subsidy for an uncompetitive industry. Alaska Conservation Land Transfer: A Nome River corridor was transferred to the Sitnasuak Native Corporation with a conservation easement promise to protect habitat. Community Restoration: Volunteers and the Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District are helping restore Resurrection Creek habitat using native plants grown from locally gathered seed. Wildlife Watch: Stream Watch volunteer orientation in Cooper Landing trained people to patrol fishing areas and teach watershed “why” alongside safety and best practices.

Arctic Oil Lease Sale Fallout: A June 5 federal lease sale in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve drew only two bidders, winning rights for about 72,000 acres out of nearly 689,000 offered, totaling roughly $3.7 million—raising fresh doubts about industry appetite for Arctic drilling and the habitat risks that come with it. Climate & Community Resilience: Fairbanks is moving ahead with a National Science Foundation-funded mural on City Hall, led by Alaska Native artists, meant to reflect Interior place-based knowledge and climate adaptation and biocultural heritage. Wildlife Research in Sitka Sound: Scientists with the Alaska Whale Foundation are studying why gray whales are showing up in greater numbers during the herring spawn, tracking individual whales and potential downstream effects for the ecosystem. Arctic Carbon Update: New research finds Arctic river deltas store far more frozen carbon than previously counted—about 58 billion tons—despite covering only a small share of permafrost terrain. Alaska Policy Watch: Alaska’s legislature sent more than 70 bills to the governor after a final-week push, while many other measures still failed, including proposals like paid parental leave. Public Safety: Searchers recovered the body of a missing Palmer man after a boat capsized on the Little Willow River; authorities say the search for the remaining missing person continues.

Arctic Refuge Lease Sale: The Trump administration’s latest Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil and gas lease sale drew tepid interest—only two bidders won five leases, totaling about $3.74 million, with no “oil majors” participating—drawing fresh criticism from lawmakers and Indigenous advocates who say the Coastal Plain should stay off-limits. Ocean Monitoring: Alaska’s marine science community is warning that cuts and dismantling of the Ocean Observatories Initiative could create a fisheries “blind spot,” including impacts from long-running Gulf of Alaska monitoring used to track changing ocean conditions. Cook Inlet Belugas & LNG: A new report says the proposed Alaska LNG project could worsen threats to critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales by increasing shipping noise and vessel traffic, endangering both marine habitat and coastal communities. Wildlife Protection Tech: In San Francisco Bay, researchers are testing a new whale-collision alert system as gray whales increasingly show up in busy shipping lanes—an approach Alaska watchers may want to track. Local Governance: Anchorage and South Anchorage are set to consider natural burial proposals, aiming to address low-cost cemetery space while limiting non-biodegradable materials. Rural Health Funding: Alaska health officials narrowed down hundreds of proposals for Rural Health Transformation Program funding after reviewing nearly 1,800 submissions. Permitting Process: A federal permitting council director emphasized early stakeholder engagement and clear communication to keep major projects on track while meeting environmental review requirements.

Biosecurity at the border: U.S. Customs seized 337 live hatching eggs shipped to Alaska from Germany after agents found they were not “winter jackets” and the paperwork didn’t match avian disease rules. Ocean monitoring squeeze: Alaska Marine Community Coalition warns the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Ocean Observatories Initiative could create fisheries blind spots by cutting long-running data like Gulf of Alaska Ocean Station Papa. Arctic climate impacts: New research links rust-orange Arctic rivers to permafrost thaw releasing iron through two pathways—pyrite exposure in uplands and iron release from waterlogged wetlands—raising risks for fish and downstream communities. Wildlife and habitat pressure: A report says the proposed Alaska LNG project would threaten critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales by boosting ship noise and traffic. Arctic drilling politics: ANWR’s latest lease sale drew only two bidders and $3.7 million, but conservationists say fossil fuel expansion still threatens habitat and Indigenous ways of life. Local land use: Anchorage Assembly considers two natural burial proposals, including a South Anchorage wooded site near Potter Marsh Watershed Park. Public safety: Search continues for a Palmer man after a boat capsized on the Little Willow River. Denali tragedy: A mountaineering ranger died after falling into a crevasse while on patrol at Denali.

Arctic Waterways Turning Orange: A new study links Alaska’s rust-colored rivers to thawing permafrost, which releases iron through two pathways—pyrite breakdown in uplands and oxygen-poor wetland chemistry—raising concerns for fish, food systems, and downstream communities. Denali Tragedy: Denali National Park and Preserve says mountaineering ranger Robin Pendery died after falling into a crevasse near the 14,000-foot camp during a climbing patrol; the incident is under investigation. ANWR Lease Sale, Limited Interest: Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale drew only a handful of bids, with HEX Energy and AIDEA winning most tracts—another sign major oil players are staying away. Coal Push With Federal Funds: National coverage highlights Trump’s $700 million coal support using wartime powers, including a new Alaska coal plant grant—raising Alaska climate and pollution questions. Northern Lights Forecast: NOAA says a strong geomagnetic storm could bring auroras to up to 20 northern states, including Alaska, with visibility improving overnight. Boat Search Near Willow: Troopers report one rescued and one missing after a Little Willow River capsizing; search efforts continue.

Arctic Ocean Monitoring Cut: The Trump administration is dismantling the $368 million Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing 900+ deep-ocean instruments that track currents, temperatures, and carbon uptake off Alaska and the Pacific—raising alarms for climate and fisheries monitoring. ANWR Lease Sale Fallout: Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge auction drew only limited interest, with HEX Energy and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority winning most bids—another sign major oil players aren’t rushing in. Denali Tragedy: A National Park Service mountaineering ranger, Robin Pendery, died after falling into a crevasse while on patrol near 14,000-foot camp on Mount McKinley/Denali; the incident is under investigation. Warming Arctic Wildlife: A report highlights gray whales struggling to find nourishment in a warming Arctic, with malnourishment linked to a wider population decline. Local Housing Debate: Anchorage’s proposed zoning changes aim to boost density with taller homes and reduced setbacks, but critics warn Alaska’s heavy-snow conditions could make dense builds riskier. Permafrost & Tourism Risk: A Yukon study finds tourism operators often normalize permafrost thaw as “routine,” even as it quietly destabilizes roads and heritage sites.

Arctic Wildlife & Climate Policy: The Trump administration’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil lease auction ended with just $3.7 million from two Alaska bidders on five tracts—no major oil companies showed up, despite the push to open the Coastal Plain. Energy & Health Debate: Federal support for coal is back in the spotlight, including a proposed Mat-Su Borough coal plant tied to the $700M national package—supporters tout reliability and jobs, while environmental groups warn it’s “the dirtiest possible fuel.” Denali Tragedy: A Denali National Park mountaineering ranger, Robin Pendery, died after falling into a crevasse during climbing patrol; the incident is under investigation. Permafrost & Tourism Risk: A Yukon study finds tourism operators often normalize permafrost thaw even as it destabilizes roads and heritage sites, with wildfire hazards getting more attention than slow-onset ground failure. Subsistence & Wildlife Management: Federal regulators restricted caribou cow harvest in northwestern Alaska amid Western Arctic Caribou Herd decline. Ocean Monitoring Cuts: Scientists and advocates are alarmed as the National Science Foundation plans to dismantle a deep-ocean monitoring system that tracks temperatures, currents, and ocean carbon impacts off Alaska and the Pacific.

Arctic Oil Lease Push Meets a Wall: The Trump administration’s first Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” pulled in just $3.7 million for five tracts, with no major oil companies bidding—only HEX Energy and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority—prompting Indigenous and conservation critics to call it a “failed” effort. Wildlife Protection at the Federal Level: Federal regulators voted to restrict caribou cow harvests in northwestern Alaska as the Western Arctic Caribou Herd continues to decline, tightening rules for both local and non-local hunters. Denali Safety Tragedy: A seasonal mountaineering ranger, Robin Pendery, died after falling into a crevasse on Denali (Mount McKinley); the park says the incident is under investigation. Indigenous-Led Arctic Research Partnership: A new Arctic ACTION partnership in Utqiagvik is pairing Indigenous and Western knowledge to tackle flooding, erosion, and permafrost thaw based on community priorities. Juneau Cabin Decision Revisited: The Forest Service reversed course on a Herbert Glacier recreational cabin project, now citing mining interests and conflicting land uses after earlier denials.

Arctic Drilling Push: The Trump administration is set to hold the latest lease sale for oil and gas in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, offering 689,000 acres in the Coastal Plain (1002 area) despite conservation groups warning about climate-driven change and litigation risk. Coal Funding in Alaska: In a separate pro-fossil move, the administration announced nearly $700 million to keep coal plants running and build new ones, including support tied to Alaska projects—raising fresh pollution and climate concerns. Western Alaska Salmon Fight: The Alaska Board of Fish limited a commercial fleet to protect Western Alaska salmon, but the acting attorney general invalidated the measures; subsistence advocates are now weighing a lawsuit. Kuskokwim River Change: An Alaska Science Forum report highlights how a warming, shifting Kuskokwim system is leaving some Southwest residents stranded longer and harder to predict, as researchers team up with Native communities to track the changes. Toxic Algae Warning: Alaska is seeing more harmful algae blooms as waters warm, including a vivid fluorescent-green bloom in Kotzebue tied to paralytic shellfish poisoning risk. Wildlife Tracking: Manomet researchers are studying endangered whimbrels on the North Slope, using GPS tags to understand migration threats as populations have plunged. Community & Outdoors: Anchorage is enjoying a rare warm stretch with moose sightings, while officials urge people to stay weather-aware as conditions shift.

Coal Push in Alaska: President Trump announced nearly $700 million in coal support using Cold War-era Defense Production Act powers, including $89 million from the Energy Department to study a new coal-fired plant in the Susitna River watershed (Terra Energy Center, west of Skwentna) and additional funding aimed at building new coal plants in Alaska. National Energy Policy: The broader plan backs upgrades for 13 coal plants, restarts a shuttered Maryland facility, and funds a long-delayed coal export terminal in Oakland, California—drawing sharp criticism from environmental advocates who warn of pollution and health impacts. Ocean Monitoring Alarm: Alaska News Nightly reports scientists say a plan to pull a long-standing ocean observation station off Alaska’s coast threatens key climate data. Subsistence & Mining Tensions: Graphite One held an open house in Nome and residents near Teller raised concerns about subsistence risks as the company advances a graphite mine in the Kigluaik Mountains. Community Climate Resilience: Fairbanks is launching a City Hall mural project celebrating Interior Alaska cultures, landscapes, and climate adaptation, with volunteer painting days June 6-7. Local Wildlife Safety: Moose calving season is driving more Anchorage encounters, with Fish & Game urging residents to give mother moose space. Marine Debris Cleanup: A new report says Alaskans collected more than 1.5 million pounds of marine debris in 2025 through community cleanups.

Ocean Monitoring Rollback: The National Science Foundation is “descoping” the Ocean Observatories Initiative, pulling most of the $368M, 900+ sensor network that has tracked ocean health and climate signals off Alaska, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina and Greenland—leaving data streams to go dark as instruments are removed over the next 15 months. Wildlife & Habitat: A long-term DNA study of Bristol Bay belugas finds multiple mating partners may help maintain genetic health in a small, isolated population. Marine Life in Trouble: Gray whales are washing up in record numbers on Washington’s coast, with researchers pointing to malnutrition and food shortages, plus added risks from ships. Alaska Energy & Climate Policy: The Trump administration plans to use the Defense Production Act to funnel nearly $700M to support coal facilities, including matching funds for Alaska projects. Local Environment & Subsistence: Alaska’s Supreme Court hears a challenge to Donlin Gold’s state water permit, with the Orutsararmiut Native Council arguing the mine could de-water salmon spawning habitat. Public Lands & Logging: The Forest Service held a subsistence hearing for a proposed Prince of Wales logging project, where old-growth harvest could affect deer subsistence use.

Ocean Monitoring Rollback: The National Science Foundation plans to dismantle most of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, pulling more than 900 deep-sea sensors from the Pacific and Atlantic, including off Alaska—an especially bad moment as scientists warn of record ocean heat and an approaching super El Niño. Marine Wildlife Stress: Researchers say 25 gray whales have already washed up on Washington’s coast this year, with malnutrition and food shortages driving deaths and pushing whales into riskier waters. Gulf of Alaska Data Loss: Ocean Station Papa in the Gulf of Alaska is also slated for removal, threatening one of the longest-running North Pacific data sets used to track ocean warming. Subsistence & Logging: The Forest Service held a subsistence hearing for the proposed Twin Mountain II Timber Sale on Prince of Wales Island, where impacts to deer subsistence use are a central concern. Marine Mammal Trade Law: A bill (ARTIST Act) headed to the president would protect Alaska Native artists’ ability to sell marine-mammal ivory, bone, and baleen. Rural Fuel Costs: A report highlights how Middle East conflict-driven fuel price spikes hit Western Alaska villages hard, with heating fuel and gas often far above statewide averages.

Ocean Monitoring Under Threat: The Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing hundreds of instruments from waters off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina and the Irminger Sea—ending real-time data scientists use to track currents, marine life and climate signals like the Atlantic circulation that helps shape global weather. Arctic Wildlife Health: A polar bear death in Svalbard has been linked to highly pathogenic bird flu (H5N5), with researchers also finding signs of neurological damage in other bears. Alaska Climate Signals: Kodiak saw record-cold May conditions, including a Memorial Day daily low, even as forecasts point to warmer-than-average ocean impacts tied to El Niño. Rural Fuel Costs: In Western Alaska villages, residents are still paying extreme prices for heating fuel and gas, with some hauling supplies across tundra when road access isn’t available. Moose Safety: Alaska wildlife officials warn summer moose calving season is driving more dangerous encounters, urging people to keep distance and know what to do if a charge happens. Local Impacts on Supplies: Juneau Costco is changing shipping services for Southeast Alaska small businesses, potentially raising costs and making deliveries harder for outlying communities.

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $368 million network of 900+ ocean sensors that has tracked climate and marine ecosystems for more than a decade; NSF says it’s “descoping,” but scientists warn it will create long-term data gaps. Climate Extremes in Alaska: Kodiak saw record-cold May highs and a Memorial Day daily low, plus hail during CrabFest—while researchers expect El Niño to bring warmer ocean conditions later this summer. Southeast Supply Shock: Juneau Costco will end its specialized shipping service for outlying communities starting June 7, forcing small businesses to buy full pallets of individual items instead of bundled shipments. Wildlife Safety: Moose calving season is underway, and Fish & Game urges hikers to keep distance and be ready to move fast if a charge happens. Marine Research Policy: A federal bill to support marine carbon dioxide removal testing is drawing attention from Kodiak fishermen who want fisheries protected first. Invasive Species Watch: New UAF research links warmer Southcentral waters to increased northern pike feeding, raising concerns for young salmon. Energy & Access: A push is underway to finance Alaska’s Ambler mining road, drawing tribal and environmental opposition over impacts to caribou and salmon.

Wildlife & Disease Watch: Alaska’s first mule deer harvest is a milestone, but biologists warn the expanding range could bring parasites and contagious diseases north—especially winter tick, which has devastated moose in parts of the U.S. and Canada. Climate-Driven Water Risks: NOAA says harmful algae blooms are increasing in Alaska’s Arctic waters as warming makes blooms more frequent; researchers flag toxins that can trigger paralytic and amnesic shellfish poisoning. Southwest Alaska River Change: A research team is studying changing conditions on the Kuskokwim River after breakup and storms are leaving communities like Aniak more isolated for longer stretches. Moose Safety in Anchorage: After five people were injured in moose encounters tied to people getting too close to cow calves, Fish and Game urges visitors to back away and avoid brushy trails with poor visibility. Arctic Deep-Time Discovery: Tiny fossil mammal teeth from northern Alaska suggest the Arctic was a cradle for mammalian evolution 73 million years ago—more connected and dynamic than once thought. Energy & Environment: A federal agency is offering large elk-migration habitat in Colorado for oil and gas leases, raising concerns about wildlife impacts and dark-sky tourism.

Kuskokwim River Change Study: A University of Alaska Fairbanks research team is working with the Native Village of Napaimute to track how shifting river conditions are reshaping spring breakup, erosion, and storm impacts in Southwest Alaska—monitoring water levels, salinity, temperature, and ice-driven hazards that can isolate communities for weeks. Moose Safety in Anchorage: After five people were injured in Anchorage moose encounters tied to people getting too close to cow moose with newborn calves, Fish and Game is urging Alaskans to avoid brushy trails with poor visibility and to back away if they spot a calf. Harmful Algae Watch: In Kachemak Bay and beyond, Alaskans are on the lookout for harmful algae blooms, with local monitoring tied to public health and shellfish safety. Ocean Science Under Pressure: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a network used to study ocean circulation changes that scientists link to climate-driven weather risks. Climate Extremes Warning: A new global outlook says record heat and extreme weather are becoming more frequent, with the Arctic warming faster than the rest of the planet. Coastal Access Debate: An Alaska Long Trail opinion argues scenic recreation should not come at the expense of practical public access across state lands. Wildlife Recovery Note: Reporting highlights how bowhead whales are recovering from near-extinction, underscoring long-term ecosystem resilience.