March 4-5 – Washington, DC
The U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) met in DC for its 103rd session to present staff reports and to continue drafting USARC goals and recommendations.
Participants at the meeting included:
- Commissioner Fran Ulmer, Chair – Anchorage, AK
- Commissioner David Benton, Fisheries Consultant – Juneau, AK
- Commissioner Mary Pete, Director of Kuskokwim Campus, UAF – Bethel, AK
- Commissioner James McCarthy, Professor of Biological Oceanography, Harvard University – Cambridge, MA (on the phone for first hour)
- Commissioner Dr. Charles Vorosmarty, Director, City University of New York Environmental Cross-Roads Initiative – New York, NY
- Commissioner Dr. Warren Zapol, Director of Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Massachusetts General Hospital – Boston, MA
- Executive Director Dr. John Farrell – Arlington, VA
- Deputy Director Dr. Cheryl Rosa – Anchorage, AK
- Communications Specialist Kathy Farrow – Arlington, VA
Highlights:
- Arctic Marine Science Symposium
- NOAA budget includes $8 million for entire symposium, $1 million held back for North Pacific Research Board; need $50 million total.
- NOAA asks how the organization can do new work with this little money. Perhaps, apply toward the next five years?
- High cost of operating in the Arctic doesn’t seem to be clear with OMB.
- North Slope Science Initiative:
- Next planning session set for May.
- Water & Sanitation Workshop:
- Successful workshop on wastewater in January.
- Arctic Sea Ice Impact Symposium in July.
- Ongoing concerns about the role of the USARC at State Department. More clarification needed about how USARC will work with the Arctic Council.
- USARC will begin planning a to-be-determined workshop in Nome, either in September or October.
- Commissioners agreed to add an advisor for Arctic transportation and shipping; advisor to be determined.
- National Science Foundation proposal will be drafted about the need for data sharing in the private sector to supplement research.
- Alaska Mental Health Trust will present a study to USARC about Alaskans’ behavioral health, using a 16-month research period.