Policy

KOBC’s new $86.9 million annual program offers up to 90% financing for icebreaking vessels operating the Northern Sea Route, reducing equity needs for South Korean shipowners and supporting a trial container service through Arctic waters.

Inuvik council enacted a $280 fee for cemetery plot reservations and limited the program to town residents, aiming to manage an expanding cemetery while preserving family burial traditions.

Saga Metals ramps up exploration at its Radar titanium‑vanadium project in Cartwright, Labrador, reporting high‑grade drill results and testing a new on‑site processing method, while federal funding for regional infrastructure supports future development.

A public hearing on potential Arctic drilling in Teshekpuk Lake will be held on Sep. 23‑24, 2026, with Earthjustice guiding participants on environmental concerns for local caribou.

Norway’s foreign minister said Russia is testing sabotage of undersea cables in the North Atlantic, a threat NATO cannot yet counter under Article 5. He described Norway’s hedging strategy of deeper ties with Nordic and Baltic neighbors, while urging the EU to add security to its Arctic plan and calling for greater cooperation against Chinese and Russian naval activity in the Aleutians.

The Aqqusariaq Nunavut Recovery Centre, a $83.7‑million facility under construction in Iqaluit, is set to employ 50‑70 Inuit staff when it opens, with 46 positions already confirmed across therapy, administration, operations and family programs.

Hay River’s council adopted a zoning bylaw that replaces older 100‑year flood maps with new 200‑year ice‑jam flood maps from 2025, setting higher building elevation requirements. The change follows rising flood levels—up to 3.8 m in some areas—and aims to protect residents, businesses, and infrastructure amid increasing Arctic flood risks.

The U.S. Ninth Circuit is examining whether the executive branch has the power to authorize oil and gas leases within Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a debate that could influence future drilling and conservation efforts in the area.

The biennial EU Arctic Forum in Brussels hosts Indigenous Peoples' and Arctic Youth Dialogues, where participants debate policy priorities and Indigenous governance issues.

Delayed in‑person court dates in Nunavik’s travelling court, caused by insufficient accommodation, are pushing cases like that of Andrew Naluktuk back to 2027. The gaps in housing and travel logistics are forcing some accused to plead guilty early, raising concerns about timely justice for Inuit communities.

David Jenkins argues that Alaska’s proposed Pebble gold mine and Johnson Tract silver‑gold project threaten the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, worth over $2.2 billion and supporting 15,000 jobs, and the state’s tourism economy, potentially reversing the state’s economic diversification and risking a resource curse.

Grace Heglund‑Lohman warns that Alaska’s food insecurity has surged to 115,780 people in 2024, amid 45% rise since 2020 and 17% drop in SNAP enrollment, stressing the need for policy action.

The U.S. Coast Guard just awarded a $173.7 million contract to Whiting‑Turner Contracting Company to build a new pier and two berths at Base Seattle, a key Pacific Northwest hub, in preparation for the arrival of next‑generation Polar Security Cutters, which are projected to be delivered only by 2033.

Workshop on the Governance of Sea-Ice Geoengineering in the Arctic

Arctic Council marks 30 years of cooperation with launch of a Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter, moving beyond assessments to actionable policy.

BLM is proposing to permit winter oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's Coastal Plain, potentially opening a sensitive area for year‑round drilling.

Fairbanks North Star Borough has set aside $1.2 million to fund legal fees in a tax appeal that could alter the valuation of the Trans‑Alaska Pipeline System, with the updated $13.01 billion assessment up from $10.3 billion.

A 31‑year‑old Sámi‑heritage artist created the interactive Onne map, merging satellite data on mining, wind farms, roads and reindeer migration routes to help Swedish decision‑makers weigh green‑energy expansion against Sámi land rights amid a national election debate. The tool aims to visualize cumulative pressures and guide equitable development.