Conditions in the Arctic are changing rapidly. NOAA estimates that within the next 30 years the Arctic Ocean will be free of multi-year ice in the summer, increasing opportunities for maritime transportation, tourism, and oil and gas exploration.

However, "ice-free" seasonal conditions still present hazards to navigation: unpredictable ice conditions, moving ice floes, unsettled weather, and wave patterns.

Vessels transiting the Arctic have little or no emergency response infrastructure for support. This means that when oil does spill, the consequences can be much more severe, and search and rescue missions can face even greater difficulties.

The Office of Response and Restoration is building on decades of experience in Alaska to ensure the safety of Alaskan communities, ecosystems, and local economies while supporting a rising demand for maritime access and offshore development in the Arctic.

• Arctic ERMA: We are developing an Arctic Environmental Response Management Application, a critical GIS tool to support decision makers during oil spills and training exercises.
• Spill Response and Training Support: OR&R is the lead science adviser to the U.S. Coast Guard during oil spill response operations in Alaska and maintains a role on the Alaska Regional Response Team.
• Preparing for Natural Resource Damage Assessment: Natural resources such as bowhead whales, ice seals, and walruses hold important subsistence and cultural value for Arctic communities but are at risk from oil spills (see image at right). OR&R is collecting information on the current status and health of Arctic ecosystems and planning to ensure that environmental restoration is effective in the event of a spill.
• Marine Debris Removal, Research, and Education: OR&R coordinated the removal of 370 tons of marine debris from Alaska between 2005 and 2010, has ongoing research on derelict crab pots, and provides education and outreach through grants and partnerships.
• Collaborative Research and Planning: OR&R has initiated the Arctic Joint Assessment Team and assisted the Arctic Council, Canada, and Norway in developing Arctic spill response techniques and planning for spills in Arctic waters. We have also advised University of Alaska research and participated in joint industry and intergovernmental contingency planning.

ABC's of Arctic Acronyms: OR&R has compiled a useful list explaining common acronyms related to marine science, fishery, and oil spill work in the U.S. Arctic.

Arctic Navigation: The National Ocean Service website explains why NOAA is concerned about Arctic navigation, where the information we have now comes from, and how the agency plans to tackle major navigation challenges in this region.

Calendar of Arctic-related Events: OR&R maintains a calendar of noteworthy conferences, events, and deadlines of interest to the oil spill response, damage assessment, and marine debris communities in the U.S. Arctic. If you would like to add an item to this calendar, please email Celeste.Leroux@noaa.gov.