Alaska environment

In this March 9 file photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the aurora borealis displays above Ice Camp Skate in the Beaufort Sea during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2018. Scientists are seeing surprising melting in Earth’s polar regions at times they don’t expect, like winter, and in places they don’t expect, like eastern Antarctica. (MC 2nd Class Micheal H. Lee/U.S. Navy via AP, File)

Scary warming at poles showing up at weird times, places

WASHINGTON — Scientists are seeing surprising melting in Earth’s polar regions at times they don’t expect, like winter, and in places they don’t expect, like… Continue reading

 

Sterling teen awarded Youth Salmon Fellowship

Eve Downing, a 16-year-old from Sterling, has been chosen as an Alaska Youth for Environmental Action Youth Salmon Fellow, an extension of the Alaska Center… Continue reading

 

Anglers try their luck for sockeye salmon on the Kenai River near the Russian River confluence in this June 2016 photo on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. As anglers head for the Kenai Peninsula, they’ll see Stream Watch volunteers on the banks, educating the public on ways to preserve the river bank and prevent bear encounters. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Stream Watch expands to Anchor River

Stream Watch, a volunteer river-stewardship program on the Kenai Peninsula, is expanding its program to the Anchor River this year. The expansion is funded by… Continue reading

 

The Mendenhall Glacier, which is receding. (Juneau Empire file)

Alaska takes first step toward a state-level climate policy

You don’t have to look far to see the effects of climate change in Alaska. Permafrost melts, ocean waters acidify and eroding shorelines threaten coastal… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Glacier, which is receding. (Juneau Empire file)
In this April 2017 photo, a black-bellied plover wanders the beach north of the Kasilof River near Kasilof, Alaska. The Kasilof River area is considered important habitat for shorebirds. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Birders, senators concerned at memo on bird protections

Birding activists and a group of senators are asking the U.S. Department of the Interior to rethink a recent decision to interpret the Migratory Bird… Continue reading

In this April 2017 photo, a black-bellied plover wanders the beach north of the Kasilof River near Kasilof, Alaska. The Kasilof River area is considered important habitat for shorebirds. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
In this Jan. 18, 2018 photo, patchy ice floats near the mouth of the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska. Most of Alaska experienced a warmer, wetter winter than average from 2017&

Alaska’s winter was warmer than average

Most of Alaska had a warmer, wetter winter than usual, and a warmer, drier summer may be on its way. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric… Continue reading

In this Jan. 18, 2018 photo, patchy ice floats near the mouth of the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska. Most of Alaska experienced a warmer, wetter winter than average from 2017&

Oil spill reported at Hilcorp’s Drift River Terminal

The state is investigating an oil spill reported at Hilcorp’s shipping terminal on the west side of Cook Inlet. The spill occurred at the Drift… Continue reading

This rodent has a lot to say about climate change

This rodent has a lot to say about climate change

The hoary marmot’s call sounds like an alarm. It’s a piercing high-pitched squeal so loud, researchers wear earplugs when studying them in the field, said… Continue reading

This rodent has a lot to say about climate change
This screenshot from the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network’s website shows the alerts issued for paralytic shellfish poisoning along the state’s gulf coast. (Courtesy the Alaska Ocean Observing System)

Network seeks to bring together data on harmful algal blooms

A group of scientists is coming together to share information related to harmful algal blooms in Alaska. Under the umbrella of the Alaska Ocean Observation… Continue reading

This screenshot from the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network’s website shows the alerts issued for paralytic shellfish poisoning along the state’s gulf coast. (Courtesy the Alaska Ocean Observing System)
In this July 24, 2016 file photo, a guide boat motors upstream on the Kenai River near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Rashah McChesney, file)

River users question turbidity finding on Kenai

Editor's note: This article has been edited to clarify that the turbidity exceedances for the Kenai River were not contiguous but rather were spread throughout… Continue reading

In this July 24, 2016 file photo, a guide boat motors upstream on the Kenai River near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Rashah McChesney, file)
In April 2017 Hilcorp’s Bruce Platform, pictured here, was shut in along with its neighboring platform Anna after the later released a sheen from its flaring system that turned out to be roughly three gallons of natural gas condensate. The incident was one of the 2017 hydrocarbon leaks from Cook Inlet’s aging platforms and pipelines that prompted the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council to begin an overview of Cook Inlet oil and gas infrastructure, leading to recommendations for preventing future leaks. (Photo courtesy of Ground Truth Trekking.)

CIRCAC studying pipeline leaks

After 2017 began with a natural gas leak in Cook Inlet, local spill prevention experts are preparing a comprehensive look at Cook Inlet’s aging oil… Continue reading

In April 2017 Hilcorp’s Bruce Platform, pictured here, was shut in along with its neighboring platform Anna after the later released a sheen from its flaring system that turned out to be roughly three gallons of natural gas condensate. The incident was one of the 2017 hydrocarbon leaks from Cook Inlet’s aging platforms and pipelines that prompted the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council to begin an overview of Cook Inlet oil and gas infrastructure, leading to recommendations for preventing future leaks. (Photo courtesy of Ground Truth Trekking.)

Kenai bluff project gained ground in 2017

In 2017, the mile of bluff between Old Town Kenai and the Kenai River mouth may have receded three feet — the amount of ground… Continue reading

Murkowski introduces bill to study ocean acidification

Global warming is causing ocean water to become less like baking soda and more like milk, chemically speaking. It’s a pHenomena called ocean acidification (OA)… Continue reading

Kenai acquiring land for bluff erosion

Kenai’s municipal government is steadily buying the land necessary for a planned mile-long rock berm meant to halt the three-feet-per-year erosion wearing away the ground… Continue reading

Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon

Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon

Though the Kenai River’s salmon populations are still healthy compared to other Pacific salmon populations, a number of climate change-influenced factors could threaten them in… Continue reading

Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon
Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon

Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon

Though the Kenai River’s salmon populations are still healthy compared to other Pacific salmon populations, a number of climate change-influenced factors could threaten them in… Continue reading

Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon

Drilling fluid released from Hilcorp platform

Two gallons of oil-based drilling fluid spilled into Cook Inlet during a drilling operation aboard Hilcorp’s Steelhead Platform on Monday after a burst hose on… Continue reading

Army Corps leaders speak on Kenai bluff erosion

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the date of the meeting to July 6. Last week Kenai residents provided input on one… Continue reading

This computer-generated graphic, included in a U.S Army Corps of Engineers report on the Kenai bluff erosion mitigation project, illustrates the Army Corps’ preferred plan to create a rock berm at the base of the bluff, allowing it naturally shift to a stable slope in the next 3 to 15 years, according to the Corps’ projection.

Army Corps finds negative cost-benefit of Kenai bluff erosion project

In a new report on a collaboration with the city of Kenai to halt erosion on the nearly mile-long bluff below Old Town Kenai, the… Continue reading

This computer-generated graphic, included in a U.S Army Corps of Engineers report on the Kenai bluff erosion mitigation project, illustrates the Army Corps’ preferred plan to create a rock berm at the base of the bluff, allowing it naturally shift to a stable slope in the next 3 to 15 years, according to the Corps’ projection.
Gautoma Iwamura, a homeschool student through the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Connections program, gathers trash on Sunday, June 4, 2017 on Augustine Island, Alaska. Iwamura was one of a group of students and adults who traveled with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to the remote island in Cook Inlet to gather marine debris from the beaches. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Volunteers clean beaches on remote Augustine Island

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the source of funding for the trip to Augustine Island. On Augustine Island, human footprints are… Continue reading

Gautoma Iwamura, a homeschool student through the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Connections program, gathers trash on Sunday, June 4, 2017 on Augustine Island, Alaska. Iwamura was one of a group of students and adults who traveled with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to the remote island in Cook Inlet to gather marine debris from the beaches. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)