Environment

All Alaska news stories about the environment, climate and weather. Could also include topics like animal die-offs related to the environment.

Alaska not expecting ash from Kamchatka eruption, for now

Shiveluch Volcano's eruption is not expected to create any ash deposits on the ground in Alaska, but that could change.
a map

Alaska’s new marine highway runs afoul of environmental group

The Center for Biological Diversity plans to sue a federal agency over a new marine highway in Alaska, saying it violates the Endangered Species Act.

Murkowski says Pruitt’s Pebble decision surprised her

Sen. Murkowski says the EPA administrator's move to keep alive proposed limits on the mine seemed out of character. Listen now
a rainbow

Turning weather data into music could help Southeast Alaska students hear their changing environment

Chet Udell's WeatherChimes, which collects weather data and turns it into music, will be used in projects across Southeast Alaska.

Trump’s Interior secretary takes first baby step on King Cove road

There was a bit of a victory Monday for supporters of a proposed road in Southwest Alaska that would connect the village of King Cove to an airport at Cold Bay via the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Listen now
Homer

In unprecedented move, federal council takes no action on Cook Inlet salmon plan

Management of the Cook Inlet commercial salmon fishery will likely fall to the federal government — which fishermen warn could severely limit it.

Seward, Mat-Su Clean Up, Kenai To Get More Rain

The cleanup is underway in Talkeetna and in other areas of the Matanuska Susitna Borough, but south of Anchorage, more rain is falling. River waters continue to rise on the Kenai Peninsula, and a flood warning has been extended until later this (Monday) afternoon a for Seward and for Tuesday night for the entire Kenai Peninsula Borough.
a weather map

Should we invest more in weather forecasting? It may save your life.

A pair of economists calculate that "making forecasts 50% more accurate would save 2,200 lives per year," citing major improvements in the last century.

Meet One of Alaska’s longest Aurora Borealis Researchers | INDIE ALASKA

Syun-Ichi Akasofu always had a curiosity for the aurora borealis. Yet, no one in his hometown in Japan knew exactly where these multi-colored shimmering lights in the evening sky came from. He's now one of the top aurora researchers in Alaska.
A man in an olive green sweater speaks at a podium.

Anchorage green financing program closes biggest deal to date

The C-PACER program helps finance energy efficiency upgrades for commercial properties, like the former Aviator Hotel downtown.
a damaged house

Hooper Bay families displaced by storm seek sustainable housing

A Hooper Bay leader says federal temporary housing provided after a fire years ago was inadequate and "not meant for the Arctic."
a fire blazes

Alaska sends firefighters, air tanker to help with Alberta’s ‘unprecedented’ early wildfire season

“This is the first time that we’ve sent a crew to Canada in May,” said Lily Coyle with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
An aerial view of Fort Yukon.

Four years into the Yukon salmon collapse, an Interior Alaska village wonders if it will ever fish again

Gwichyaa Zhee, also known as Fort Yukon, has always depended on salmon. But for the fourth year in a row, managers have severely restricted fishing, as the Yukon River king and chum salmon runs collapsed. Residents say the closures have been devastating to their way of life.
a salmon rack

Federal manager for Yukon River highlights resiliency in the face of salmon crashes

Holly Carroll, who spent the summer as the face of federal salmon fishing restrictions on the Yukon River, says she values keeping communications open.
two paleontologists

Scientists embark on a Yukon River expedition to track down a trove of dinosaur footprints

After dozens of field seasons along the Aleutian chain and on the North Slope, paleontologists will explore new territory along part of the Yukon River.
a man

Amid salmon crash, Alaska’s Yukon River residents say a new pact with Canada leaves them behind

In villages along the river, Tribal leaders say the state has cut them out of the process and they want federal oversight.
coho salmon

EPA plans to limit or eliminate salmon-killing tire chemical found in preliminary Alaska sampling

The Environmental Protection Agency announced its plans Thursday, answering a petition from three Native Tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
Fairbanks air pollution

Alaska and 9 other states threaten to sue EPA over wood-burning stove standards

Alaska officials say the EPA should focus on Fairbanks wood-stove certifications; the agency wants more improvements, some at power plants.

Fish wheel: Design from the past may be a solution for the future

With gillnet fishing limited to only a few days on the Kuskokwim for most of June and July, some people on the river turned to alternative ways of filling their smokehouses. In Sleetmute, Barb Carlson and Maggie Bobby ran a fish wheel to get their season's catch of red salmon and to help their neighbors. Listen now
water floods a wooden boardwalk

As recovery begins, Hooper Bay reckons with the emotional toll of the storm

“I’ve lived through storms before, but this was the worst,” said Loretta Smith, who lost her home in the storm. “The water came up so fast, and it was so high that the waves looked violent.”