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The environment north of the Yukon River and beyond the vast Brooks Range is warming rapidly. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists predict that by 2020-2030, the Arctic could be nearly free of sea ice during the summer. Open seas will expand opportunities for maritime transportation, tourism, and oil and gas exploration in the region. But as a warming Arctic opens up vast opportunities for commerce and development, it brings with it unprecedented challenges, especially for protecting Alaska?s extensive coastline and incredible marine life. Increased vessel traf c to newly accessible oil reserves and navigational routes raises the likelihood of accidents at sea and along the Alaskan coast. Both industry and government will have to deal with and manage the resulting medical emergencies, search and rescue cases, and environmental pollution. ADDRESSING OIL SPILL RESPONSEOne area that has received a lot of attention in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and well blowout is oil spill response. All oil exploration and production operations in U.S. waters are required to have response equipment accessible in case of a spill. The temperate waters and dense industrial coastline of the northern Gulf of Mexico are well equipped to support oil spill response when The Challenge of Responding to The Challenge of Responding to Arctic Oil Spills Arctic Oil Spills The Challenge of Responding to The Challenge of Responding to Arctic Oil Spills Arctic Oil Spills The U.S. Arctic is no longer the place it once was. The U.S. Arctic is no longer the place it once was. By Dave Westerholm By Dave Westerholm (Photo Credit: NOAA OR&R/Doug Helton) Image Above: December 8, 2004. The bulk carrier M/V Selendang Ayu ran aground on Unalaska Island. Although carrying a cargo of soybeans, the ship spilled approximately 350,000 gallons of fuel oil and diesel oil. 18 MNDecember 2012
