Urge the Administration to Use Sound Science When Making Decisions on Oil and Gas in the Arctic
In June 2011 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a lengthy report summarizing gaps in knowledge about Arctic marine ecosystems. The stated purpose of the USGS report was to help inform federal decisions on oil and gas development in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas off Alaska’s northern coast. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who commissioned the report, stated: “This study is helpful in assessing what we know and will help inform determinations about what we need to know to develop our Arctic energy resources in the right places in the right way.”
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Click to see the names of the 573 scientists who signed the letter.
An Open Letter from U.S. and International Scientists
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Secretary Salazar
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear President Obama and Secretary Salazar,
Decisions about resource extraction on the Outer Continental Shelf should be based on sound scientific information. Your administration first displayed a strong commitment to science during the President’s inaugural address in 2009. This commitment was underscored by Secretary Salazar’s announcement on March 31, 2010, when, as a part of a three-pronged approach to Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas development, he directed the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct an evaluation of science needs and gaps in the U.S. Arctic Ocean. The evaluation would help the Department of the Interior determine how best to “…conduct scientific analyses to gather the information we need to develop resources in the right places and the right ways.” (Source: Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey overview, from Office of the Regional Executive, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508)
The USGS completed its task in June 2011, releasing USGS Circular 1370: An Evaluation of the Science Needs to Inform Decisions on Outer Continental Shelf Energy Development in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska. The report is commendably objective and broad-ranging. We are grateful to the Secretary of the Interior for commissioning it and to the authors of and contributors to the report for their hard work. The report’s 62 recommendations indicate many pressing needs including:
- further research on the physical and biological environment of the region,
- studies on specific aspects of the life history of important species,
- the development of a comprehensive monitoring program that can detect environmental change and identify the drivers of such change,
- the synthesis of existing information in order to answer key questions including the identification of ecologically significant areas,
- an assessment of cumulative impacts from multiple sources,
- greater inclusion of the traditional knowledge of Arctic residents,
- the creation of a data management system that provides timely sharing of information from all research activities, and
- a closer integration of scientific studies and findings with decisions being made about offshore industrial activity.
We, the undersigned research scientists, call upon the Administration to follow through on its commitment to science by acting on the USGS recommendations. Doing so prior to authorizing new oil and gas activity in the Arctic Ocean will respect the national significance of the environment and cultures of U.S. Arctic waters and demonstrate the value that your Administration places on having a sound scientific basis for managing industrial development of the Outer Continental Shelf.
Sincerely,
(The scientists who have signed this letter have done so in their personal capacities. Institutional affiliations are provided only for identification purposes, and do not imply any institutional position on Arctic Ocean policy.)
Vera Alexander, Ph.D.
Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S.
Daniel Pauly, Ph.D.
University of British Columbia
Robert T. Paine, Ph.D.
University of Washington
Stuart Pimm, Ph.D.
Duke University
Charles Scott Baker, Ph.D.
Oregon State University
John Teal, Ph.D.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Henry P. Huntington, Ph.D.
Pew Environment Group
Stan Senner, M.S.
Ocean Conservancy
Charles H. Peterson, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Hiroyuki Matsuda, Ph.D.
Yokohama National University, Japan
John Ogden, Ph.D.
University of South Florida
Pablo G. Borboroglu, Ph.D.
National Research Council, Argentina
John C. Avise, Ph.D.
University of California – Irvine
Chris Krenz, Ph.D.
Oceana
Click to see a complete list of over 570 letter signers.
For additional information, please contact:
Henry Huntington, Arctic Science Director, Pew Environment Group, 907.696.3564, hhuntington [at] pewtrusts [dot] org
About Oceans North U.S.
The Pew Environment Group’s U.S. Arctic Program, also known as Oceans North U.S., works to conserve the unique ecosystems and vibrant Native communities that depend on North America’s Arctic waters. In Alaska, these include the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering seas. The region supports some of the world's last intact marine ecosystems, and its well-being is threatened by climate change, loss of sea ice, and rapid development.
Oceans North U.S. works closely with Alaska Natives, scientists, local governments and conservation groups to achieve key policy goals for conservation of the Arctic ecosystem.
Successful 2009 Science Letter
In 2009, more than 400 scientists signed a letter to the President asking for a time-out on oil and gas development in the U.S. Arctic Ocean. This letter was extremely well received and contributed to Obama administration’s decision not to offer new oil and gas leases and to temporarily suspend exploratory drilling in the Arctic Ocean.
Ad Campaign Focused on 2009 Letter:
