AGP Executive Report

Ocean Monitoring Win for Alaska: The National Science Foundation backed off plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, keeping hundreds of instruments in place after bipartisan pressure, including Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley. Arctic Climate Alarm: A new study warns Arctic soils may stop absorbing CO2 and start releasing it by the 2050s as deep frozen carbon is considered. Coast Guard Safety: A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk crashed during a training flight near Harbor Mountain in Sitka, injuring all four crew members; the cause is under investigation. Arctic Wildlife & Food Safety: Haines-area shellfish tested above safe limits for paralytic shellfish toxin, and regulators are warning beachgoers/harvesters. Local Governance & Land Use: Petersburg’s assembly reversed course and approved a wireless tower land sale after residents raised concerns about impacts and whether an environmental review was needed. Arctic Ocean Voyage: Explorer Matt Rutherford is set to attempt the first solo, nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation of the Arctic Ocean, citing record-low sea ice. Bristol Bay Update: Early sockeye catches are building in Ugashik and Egegik, with managers saying run timing remains on track.

Coastal Plain Legal Fight: AG Nick Brown led a coalition of 14 states backing lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s push for maximal oil and gas development in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain, arguing rushed reviews and ignored alternatives would harm migratory birds and worsen climate impacts. Marine Life Under Pressure: Federal and local teams are investigating a pregnant endangered fin whale found dead after being struck by a cruise ship in Seward; NOAA says ship strikes are a top threat. Wildlife + People: A new opinion piece digs into Alaska’s bear-human coexistence debate, pointing to higher attack rates around the Anchorage Bowl and the role of hunting and human presence. Public Safety—Fire: Alaska’s Division of Forestry issued a red flag warning for Interior areas including Fairbanks North Star Borough and parts of Denali Borough, warning of high wildfire risk from hot, dry, windy conditions. Aviation Incident: A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed during a training flight near Sitka, injuring all four crew members; the cause is under investigation. Local Health Care: A remote Kodiak hospital shared lessons on meeting infection prevention standards with limited resources at APIC 2026. Bristol Bay Update: Early Bristol Bay sockeye numbers show the run gaining momentum, with managers reporting timing on track.

Ocean & Wildlife: A cruise ship docked in Seward with a dead endangered 61-foot pregnant fin whale draped on its bulbous bow; NOAA and the Alaska SeaLife Center are investigating and preparing a necropsy. Local Land & Cleanup: Juneau officials say crude oil has surfaced at the historic Treadwell Mine complex in a sealed-off tank area near a popular trail, prompting new fencing and state study plans. Habitat Restoration: At Resurrection Creek, the Forest Service is rebuilding stream and floodplain function after early placer mining straightened channels and left tailings, aiming to restore salmon habitat and broader ecosystem complexity. Wildlife Watching & Community Science: Wrangell students helped bring Anan bear cameras online for a third summer, expanding livestream access for stewardship. Policy & Public Health: Gov. Dunleavy vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have added mental health education guidelines in Alaska public schools. Energy & Climate Data: The Trump administration reversed course on scrapping the Ocean Observatories Initiative after bipartisan backlash, keeping key ocean climate data flowing. Adoption & Animal Welfare: The Alaska Bird Club is seeking homes for 23 parakeets after a breeding-related rescue.

Wildlife & Shipping: A Royal Caribbean ship docked in Seward with a dead endangered fin whale draped on its bow; NOAA and the Alaska SeaLife Center are running a necropsy and investigating whether the whale was pregnant and how it died. Student-Led Conservation: Wrangell students helped bring Anan bear cameras online for a third summer, livestreaming Tongass bears and shifting from setup work to sharing bear stories with global audiences. Wildfire Tech: The Bezos Earth Fund is backing FireSat with $26 million to spot wildfires in Alaska sooner, aiming to detect small fires quickly and help crews respond before they grow. Subsistence Access: Anaktuvuk Pass residents won restored ATV access to Gates of the Arctic for subsistence hunting, a long-fought change tied to caribou traditions. Local Pollution Legacy: Juneau’s Treadwell Mine park saw crude oil surfacing near a disc golf course, raising questions about how old contamination can reappear in everyday spaces. Climate Risk: New reporting warns El Niño marine heatwaves could raise starvation, disease, and death risks for animals across ocean food webs.

Ocean Monitoring Reversal: The National Science Foundation has halted plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, keeping sensors off Alaska and other coasts running after a Senate-backed backlash. Wildlife & Climate Risk: El Niño-driven marine heatwaves could raise starvation, disease, and death risks for seabirds, whales, and other ocean species as food webs get disrupted. Local Water Resilience (Homer): Homer completed a 26.5-acre purchase in the Beluga Wetlands to protect water quality, reduce coastal erosion, and buffer flooding through stormwater “sponge” peatlands. Wildlife Education (Wrangell): Students in Wrangell’s Teaching Through Technology program set up Anan Wildlife Observatory bear cameras for a third summer, livestreaming Tongass bears to build stewardship. Aviation Safety (Cordova): Alaska State Troopers say a Piper Pacer crash near Kanak Island southeast of Cordova killed the pilot; the NTSB is investigating. Summer Solstice in Alaska: The longest-day season is underway, with midnight-sun light lingering late into the night in higher-latitude communities.

Climate Stripes in Alaska: A new “Show Your Stripes Day” push highlights how warming has shifted many U.S. cities from cooler blue years to deep red heat, with Alaska flagged among the fastest-warming regions. Ocean Monitoring Fight: After a Senate revolt and bipartisan backlash, the National Science Foundation says it will halt dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, keeping real-time ocean data flowing off Alaska and other coasts. Homer Wetlands Protected: Homer completed the purchase of 26.5 acres in the Beluga Wetlands to strengthen stormwater “sponge” capacity, protect water quality, and reduce coastal erosion. Tongass Wildlife Tech: Wrangell students set up Anan Wildlife Observatory bear cameras for a third summer, livestreaming Tongass bears to build stewardship. Public Lands Funding: A Senate panel advanced a bill to reauthorize $1.9 billion a year for five years to tackle deferred maintenance on parks and public lands. Alaska Aviation Safety: Alaska State Troopers report a pilot died after an overdue small plane crashed near Kanak Island southeast of Cordova.

Public Lands Funding: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved reauthorization of the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, sending $1.9 billion a year for five years to tackle deferred maintenance across federal lands. Ocean Science Fight: After bipartisan backlash, the Trump administration backed off plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative; NSF says it will halt removals and redeploy instruments, including sensors off Alaska, after lawmakers warned the cuts would damage climate and ocean monitoring. Bristol Bay Conservation: United Tribes of Bristol Bay executive director Alannah Acaq Hurley won the Goldman Environmental Prize for leadership opposing the proposed Pebble Mine; more court arguments are set for June 25 in Anchorage. Invasive Plants in Kodiak: Kodiak’s Soil and Water Conservation District is battling orange hawkweed during Alaska Invasive Species Awareness Week, citing aggressive spread and illegal lawn-waste dumping. Wildlife & Community: A new southern resident orca calf was spotted near East Sooke, while another calf’s disappearance highlights the population’s ongoing salmon-linked struggles. Coast Guard Housing: Base Kodiak will add 30 housing units and a new childcare center, with construction expected to finish in 2028.

Goldman Prize for Bristol Bay: United Tribes of Bristol Bay leader Alannah Acaq Hurley won the Goldman Environmental Prize for fighting the proposed Pebble Mine, with more court arguments set for June 25 in Anchorage. Coast Guard housing boost in Kodiak: The Coast Guard is building 30 new housing units plus a childcare center at Base Kodiak, with environmental remediation and utilities work, aiming to finish in 2028. Ocean science reversal: After bipartisan backlash, the NSF is pausing plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, including instruments off Alaska, while a review moves forward. Invasive plants in Kodiak: During Alaska Invasive Species Awareness Week, Kodiak crews target orange hawkweed, citing illegal lawn waste and late-season challenges as they work to protect native habitat. Wildlife and fisheries updates: New southern resident orca calf L130 was spotted near East Sooke as another calf L129 remains missing; Kodiak charter halibut customers face a new $20-per-day stamp requirement. Public health watch: CDC reports measles has spread to 41 states with three deaths, underscoring ongoing outbreak risk.

Ocean Monitoring Fight: The National Science Foundation is pausing its plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, keeping hundreds of instruments running in Alaska and other coasts after a bipartisan push in Congress, including Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s “Saving the OOI Act.” Wildlife & Public Health: Australia has detected a first suspected H5N1 avian flu case in a dead migratory bird, raising concern for wildlife and biosecurity as the virus spreads globally. Local Impacts in Alaska: Alaska districts closed 12 schools amid severe budget cuts, with students and staff facing busing, larger class sizes, and program reductions. Community Science: Unalaskans are training with COASST to count dead seabirds on beaches, using long-running data to spot shifts tied to marine heatwaves, algae blooms, and other ocean stressors. Wildlife Management in Sitka: Sitka officials euthanized two more bears, bringing the season total to five, with ADF&G stressing removals are tied to public safety and likely property damage.

Ocean Monitoring Fight: The Trump administration has reversed course and will halt further dismantling of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, keeping arrays off Alaska, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina and Greenland running while equipment already pulled is set for redeployment—after intense bipartisan pushback from Sen. Lisa Murkowski and others. Wildlife Management: In Sitka, ADF&G biologists say two additional bears were euthanized as bear season begins, with decisions tied to public safety and likely property damage. Community Science: Unalaskans are helping track ocean health by counting dead seabirds through the COASST program, using long-term beach surveys to spot shifts tied to marine heat and other ocean changes. Climate Impacts in Alaska: A new study finds Alaska glaciers can melt faster than expected—each 1°C of summer warming can extend melt by about three weeks—highlighting how heat waves strip protective snow. Coastal Infrastructure: Seward Highway’s Milepost 14 railroad crossing is slated for a major overhaul as glacial floods threaten the only road link into town.

Kelp and carbon math gets messy: A new University of Alaska Fairbanks study found two Gulf of Alaska kelp farms had mixed results for CO2 removal—one slightly reduced local CO2 while the other added more—adding a caution flag for seaweed-as-climate-solution hype. Clean water checks in Juneau: Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition scientists are sampling popular Juneau beaches for fecal bacteria for a second summer; early results show most sites are “mostly poop-free,” with testing funded through a state-to-EPA grant. Arctic emergency care: At JBER’s Below Zero Medicine Conference, military and civilian clinicians discussed gaps in cold-weather emergency medicine and how to improve care in Alaska’s extreme conditions. Wildlife and people collide on trails: A brown bear attack on Anchorage’s Hillside led to trail closures, underscoring how quickly recreation plans can change in bear country. Energy policy in Alaska: EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi visited Anchorage to outline federal energy and coal priorities, while Alaska LNG tax-break debate continues in the Legislature amid calls for clearer project details.

Arctic Health Preparedness: JBER hosted the Below Zero Medicine Conference, spotlighting gaps in emergency care in extreme cold and pushing for better research and training for both military and civilian responders. PFAS in Marine Life: A world-first global assessment found PFAS contamination rising in toothed whales, dolphins and related species, with levels highest in the Pacific—raising concerns for immune and reproductive health. Ocean Monitoring Under Threat: Senators and House committees urged the NSF to reverse course on dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, warning the loss of 900+ sensors could harm fisheries and coastal communities, including Alaska. Wildlife Safety on Trails: A brown bear attack injured a mountain biker on Anchorage’s Hillside, closing the Dome Trail and another nearby trail as officials urge caution around bear activity. Alaska LNG Tax Fight: Lawmakers wrestled with a rushed Alaska LNG property tax subsidy, but critics say key cost details remain unclear as the House moves ahead. School Cuts: Alaska districts closed 12 schools this year amid severe budget shortfalls, setting up larger classes and program reductions statewide. Permafrost Tech: New AI-based “digital twin” work aims to better track permafrost formation and thaw impacts in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Public Lands Funding: A Senate committee advanced a bill to reauthorize a deferred maintenance fund for national parks and public lands. Juneau Cleanup Watch: The state plans to study crude oil that surfaced at the historic Treadwell Mine, part of a long-running contamination concern.

Ocean Monitoring Fight: U.S. lawmakers are pushing the National Science Foundation to reverse plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386 million network of more than 900 sensors that tracks ocean circulation, ecosystems, and climate impacts—removal is targeted for waters off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and more by 2027. Subsistence & Salmon: A court awarded Alaska Indigenous corporations $1.8 million in attorney fees after Alaska lost a Kuskokwim River lawsuit tied to subsistence fishing limits. Arctic Security: The Coast Guard selected Kodiak and Seward as homeports for its first Arctic security cutters, with the first vessel expected in 2028. Wildlife & Fishing: Alaska’s Russian River Sanctuary Area opens early for sport fishing after strong early sockeye returns, with specific rules for anglers. Oil Pollution Cleanup: Juneau’s Treadwell Gold Mine site will be studied to see how far an old oil spill has spread after an oil sheen surfaced in 2025. Local Governance: Wrangell’s assembly unanimously rejected a waterfront land lease for a proposed data center, citing power use and environmental concerns.

Arctic Coast Guard Buildout: The U.S. Coast Guard picked Kodiak and Seward as homeports for its first Arctic security cutters, with the first ship due in 2028 and major new housing and shore support planned. Salmon & Tribal Lifeways: Alaska Native leaders at the NCAI Mid Year Convention urged a united push to protect salmon runs, warning that collapsing Chinook and chum threaten subsistence and culture. Ocean Monitoring Under Threat: Sen. Lisa Murkowski and other lawmakers are pressing the National Science Foundation to stop dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386M network that tracks currents, marine life, and extreme weather. Oil Pollution Watch in Juneau: The state plans to study crude oil that surfaced at the historic Treadwell Mine to determine how far contamination has spread. Wildlife Safety Tech: A Canadian group is touting “Bear-dar” radar to help prevent polar bear conflicts in the Arctic by alerting people early. Bear Safety in Anchorage: A brown bear attacked a biker on the Dome Trail; injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and Fish & Game said the bear showed normal behavior. Public Land Access for Subsistence: The Interior Department restored off-road vehicle access for subsistence hunting in Gates of the Arctic near Anaktuvuk Pass. Wildfire Policy Fight: Sen. Mike Lee is pushing to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, arguing it blocks wildfire mitigation. Water Contaminant Push: Alaska’s acting AG joined a coalition urging EPA to study whether mifepristone residues contaminate drinking water.

Ocean Monitoring Fight: U.S. lawmakers are pushing the National Science Foundation to stop dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386M network of 900+ sensors that tracks currents, ecosystems, climate change and extreme weather—especially in waters off Alaska—warning the move could leave coastal communities and science “blind.” Marine Heat & El Niño: NOAA says El Niño is strengthening and a West Coast marine heatwave has already broken records, raising concerns for fisheries and marine life as conditions shift. Alaska Kelp Carbon Results: A new University of Alaska Fairbanks study finds kelp farms in the Gulf of Alaska have mixed effects on local carbon dioxide removal—one site reduced CO2 while another increased it—showing it’s more complicated than “seaweed fixes climate.” Wildlife Close Calls: The Alaska Zoo says a brown bear attacked a smaller bear in a shared enclosure; the exhibit is closed while the injured bear recovers. Local Water Stewardship: Fairbanks volunteers cleaned the Chena River and Noyes Slough, emphasizing storm drains and “good housekeeping” to protect recreation and fishing. Invasive Species Push: Alaska marked Invasive Species Awareness Week, continuing outreach to prevent new pests from taking hold.

Ocean Monitoring Fight: Senators and House committees are urging the National Science Foundation to reverse plans to dismantle the $386M Ocean Observatories Initiative, warning the move could leave researchers and the public “flying blind” on oceans, ecosystems, and extreme weather. Arctic Security: Two senators propose barring China- and Russia-linked vessels from conducting research in U.S. Arctic waters, saying science missions can be used as cover for intelligence gathering. Climate Records: The World Meteorological Organization flags continued global heat and especially strong Arctic warming, with forecasts pointing to further sea-ice declines and shifting rainfall patterns that could hit Alaska and the North. Bear Safety in Alaska: The Alaska Zoo says a brown bear attack on a smaller bear was “moderate” but serious enough to close the exhibit temporarily, while a separate Cooper Landing-area black bear attack story highlights how quickly outdoor trips can turn dangerous. Water & Politics: Republican attorneys general, including Alaska’s, are pushing the EPA to treat mifepristone as a water contaminant despite experts saying there’s no clear harm to waterways.