U.S. Arctic Research Commission to meet at UAF
October 4, 2010
907-474-7902
9/4/10
The United States Arctic Research Commission will meet on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus Oct. 5 through 8. The meeting is open to the public on Oct. 6 and 7, and will include presentations about current arctic research projects by 18 researchers, most of them from UAF. A complete agenda is online at: http://www.arctic.gov/upcoming_meetings.html.
The Arctic Research Policy Act of 1984 established USARC. Its principal duties are to develop and recommend an integrated national arctic research policy and to assist in establishing a national arctic research program plan to implement the policy. USARC commissioners facilitate cooperation among the federal government, state and local governments, and other nations with respect to basic and applied arctic research. UAF faculty member Buck Sharpton is the acting chairman of the commission
The commission holds business meetings and conducts public hearings in Alaska and elsewhere to receive input on current and proposed research projects identified by the arctic research community. Members also regularly visit research facilities throughout the Arctic.
The 7-member commission, which sets goals for the approximately $400 million annual U.S. Arctic Research Program, has urged a new federal emphasis on integrated Arctic Ocean research, renewed programs related to the prevention of and response to oil spills in ice-covered waters, and to strengthen arctic health and indigenous language research.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Buck Sharpton, at 907-474-6663 or via email at buck.sharpton@alaska.edu.
ON THE WEB: http://www.arctic.gov/publications/2009-10_usarc_goals.html
JW/10-4-10/066ma-11