Sustained Observations of Changing Arctic Coastal and Marine Environments and Their Potential Contribution to Arctic Maritime Domain Awareness: A Case Study in Northern Alaska

Increased maritime activities and rapid environmental change pose significant hazards, both natural and technological, to Arctic maritime operators and coastal communities. Currently, U.S. and foreign research activities account for more than half of the sustained hazard-relevant observations in the U.S. maritime Arctic, but hazard assessment and emergency response are hampered by a lack of dedicated hazard monitoring installations in the Arctic. In the present study, we consider a number of different sustained environmental observations associated with research into atmosphere-ice-ocean processes, and discuss how they can help support the toolkit of emergency responders. Building on a case study at Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Alaska, we investigate potential hazards in the seasonally ice-covered coastal zone. Guided by recent incidents requiring emergency response, we analyze data from coastal radar and other observing assets, such as an ice mass balance site and oceanographic moorings, in order to outline a framework for coastal maritime hazard assessments that builds on diverse observing systems infrastructure. This approach links Arctic system science research to operational information needs in the context of the development of a Common Operational Picture (COP) for Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) relevant for Arctic coastal and offshore regions. A COP in these regions needs to consider threats not typically part of the classic MDA framework, including sea ice or slow-onset hazards. An environmental security and MDA testbed is proposed for northern Alaska, building on research and community assets to help guide a hybrid research-operational framework that supports effective emergency response in Arctic regions.L’augmentation des activités maritimes et l’évolution rapide de l’environnement présentent des risques naturels et technologiques importants pour les opérateurs maritimes et les collectivités côtières de l’Arctique. Actuellement, les travaux de recherche, tant américains qu’étrangers, représentent plus de la moitié des observations prolongées liées aux dangers dans l’Arctique maritime américain, mais l’évaluation des risques et les interventions d’urgence sont entravées par le manque d’installations consacrées à la surveillance des dangers dans l’Arctique. Dans la présente étude, nous nous penchons sur diverses observations environnementales prolongées en matière de recherche sur les processus atmosphère-glace-océan et nous discutons de la façon dont elles peuvent contribuer aux interventions d’urgence. En nous appuyant sur une étude de cas faite à Utqiaġvik (Barrow), en Alaska, nous étudions les risques potentiels inhérents à la zone côtière couverte de glace saisonnière. Motivés par des incidents récents qui ont nécessité des interventions d’urgence, nous analysons les données provenant des radars côtiers et d’autres ressources d’observation, comme un site de bilan de masse des glaciers et des amarrages océanographiques, afin d’établir un cadre pour évaluer les risques maritimes côtiers, cadre qui s’appuie sur diverses infrastructures de systèmes d’observation. Cette approche relie la recherche scientifique sur le système arctique aux besoins d’information opérationnelle dans le contexte du développement d’une image commune de la situation opérationnelle (ICSO) pour la connaissance du domaine maritime (CDM) pertinente des zones côtières et extracôtières de l’Arctique. Une ICSO dans ces zones doit prendre en compte les menaces ne faisant généralement pas partie du cadre classique de la CDM, y compris la glace de mer ou les dangers à évolution lente. En s’appuyant sur des travaux de recherche et l’apport des collectivités, un banc d’essai en matière de sécurité environnementale et de CDM est proposé pour le nord de l’Alaska afin de guider un cadre hybride de recherche et d’opération qui favoriserait une intervention d’urgence efficace dans les régions arctiques

OIL SPILL MODELING FOR IMPROVED RESPONSE TO ARCTIC MARITIME SPILLS: THE PATH FORWARD

Maritime shipping and natural resource development in the Arctic are projected to increase as sea ice coverage decreases, resulting in a greater probability of more and larger oil spills. The increasing risk of Arctic spills emphasizes the need to identify the state-of-the-art oil trajectory and sea ice models and the potential for their integration. The Oil Spill Modeling for Improved Response to Arctic Maritime Spills: The Path Forward (AMSM) project, funded by the Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC), provides a structured approach to gather expert advice to address U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) core needs for decision-making. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response & Restoration (OR&R) provides scientific support to the USCG FOSC during oil spill response. As part of this scientific support, NOAA OR&R supplies decision support models that predict the fate (including chemical and physical weathering) and transport of spilled oil. Oil spill modeling in the Arctic faces many unique challenges including limited availability of environmental data (e.g., currents, wind, ice characteristics) at fine spatial and temporal resolution to feed models. Despite these challenges, OR&R’s modeling products must provide adequate spill trajectory predictions, so that response efforts minimize economic, cultural and environmental impacts, including those to species, habitats and food supplies. The AMSM project addressed the unique needs and challenges associated with Arctic spill response by: (1) identifying state-of-the-art oil spill and sea ice models, (2) recommending new components and algorithms for oil and ice interactions, (3) proposing methods for improving communication of model output uncertainty, and (4) developing methods for coordinating oil and ice modeling efforts

2015 Oil Observing Tools: A Workshop Report

Since 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have provided satellite-based pollution surveillance in United States waters to regulatory agencies such as the United States Coast Guard (USCG). These technologies provide agencies with useful information regarding possible oil discharges. Unfortunately, there has been confusion as to how to interpret the images collected by these satellites and other aerial platforms, which can generate misunderstandings during spill events. Remote sensor packages on aircraft and satellites have advantages and disadvantages vis-à-vis human observers, because they do not “see” features or surface oil the same way. In order to improve observation capabilities during oil spills, applicable technologies must be identified, and then evaluated with respect to their advantages and disadvantages for the incident. In addition, differences between sensors (e.g., visual, IR, multispectral sensors, radar) and platform packages (e.g., manned/unmanned aircraft, satellites) must be understood so that reasonable approaches can be made if applicable and then any data must be correctly interpreted for decision support. NOAA convened an Oil Observing Tools Workshop to focus on the above actions and identify training gaps for oil spill observers and remote sensing interpretation to improve future oil surveillance, observation, and mapping during spills. The Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC) assisted NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) with this effort. The workshop was held on October 20-22, 2015 at NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center in Mobile, AL. The expected outcome of the workshop was an improved understanding, and greater use of technology to map and assess oil slicks during actual spill events. Specific workshop objectives included: •Identify new developments in oil observing technologies useful for real-time (or near real-time) mapping of spilled oil during emergency events. •Identify merits and limitations of current technologies and their usefulness to emergency response mapping of oil and reliable prediction of oil surface transport and trajectory forecasts.Current technologies include: the traditional human aerial observer, unmanned aircraft surveillance systems, aircraft with specialized senor packages, and satellite earth observing systems. •Assess training needs for visual observation (human observers with cameras) and sensor technologies (including satellites) to build skills and enhance proper interpretation for decision support during actual events

Europe's Space capabilities for the benefit of the Arctic

In recent years, the Arctic region has acquired an increasing environmental, social, economic and strategic importance. The Arctic’s fragile environment is both a direct and key indicator of the climate change and requires specific mitigation and adaptation actions. The EU has a clear strategic interest in playing a key role and is actively responding to the impacts of climate change safeguarding the Arctic’s fragile ecosystem, ensuring a sustainable development, particularly in the European part of the Arctic. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has recently completed a study aimed at identifying the capabilities and relevant synergies across the four domains of the EU Space Programme: earth observation, satellite navigation, satellite communications, and space situational awareness (SSA). These synergies are expected to be key enablers of new services that will have a high societal impact in the region, which could be developed in a more cost-efficient and rapid manner. Similarly, synergies will also help exploit to its full extent operational services that are already deployed in the Arctic (e.g., the Copernicus emergency service or the Galileo Search and rescue service could greatly benefit from improved satellite communications connectivity in the region).JRC.E.2-Technology Innovation in Securit

STRATEGIC VULNERABLITIES OF US OFFSHORE WIND ASSETS: A “NEW” US BORDER REQUIRES A LONG-TERM SECURITY PLAN

The United States has set ambitious offshore wind power generation goals in support of its 2015 Paris Agreement commitments. However, climate change and the multi-polar geopolitical landscape will likely translate into significant vulnerabilities, particularly in the Atlantic, which is the focus of this research. Government and the private sector have spent the last twenty years addressing cybersecurity of critical energy infrastructure, but physical risks from extreme weather and/or sabotage have not been adequately considered. The Great Power Competition in the Arctic will bring near-peers close to US waters, and offshore wind distributed throughout the US economic exclusion zone will be attractive targets for hybrid warfare tactics. At present, the US has limited maritime capacity to protect those assets, and the regulatory risk assessment approach focuses on minimizing a wind project’s impacts on its surroundings and other activities. The US will need a national, long-term offshore wind security plan to address risks to offshore wind, and federal agencies will need to better incorporate future security into current research, policy, and deployment efforts. Historical case studies from the US Gulf of Mexico, Texas and Ukraine help better understand the baseline for energy assets exposed to extreme weather events and hybrid warfare, and points towards challenges OSW will face in the future. This effort than looks forward at potential OSW vulnerabilities, how a multi-stakeholder body might prioritize those potential vulnerabilities through multi-criteria screening, and the need for both proactive and reactive controls. The analysis also addresses some key government entities that will need to be heavily involved. A framework is then proposed for how a multi-stakeholder process can be conducted, including a gaps analysis for adequately protecting offshore energy assets, and followed by development of a National US OSW Strategy and Roadmap for Long-Term OSW Security. The paper concludes by providing sample recommendations for short-term exercises and data collection projects that will help inform the larger and longer gaps analysis and roadmap process

Arctic oil and gas field logistics and offshore service vessel capacities : the case of the Norwegian and Russian High Arctic

I denne rapporten gjøres en gjennomgang av logistikk opplegget og leveringskjeden fra forsyningsbase på land til olje og gassfelt til sjøs på de nordligste feltene i Norge og Russland. Ulike krav til offshore servicefartøy diskuteres i lys av utfordringer knyttet til is og ising, lange distanser og begrenset infrastruktur

Canadian Perspectives on the Future Enforcement of the Exclusive Economic Zone: A Paper in Diplomacy and the Law of the Sea

Canada\u27s declaration of a 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the forefront of a rush by coastal states to stake their claims to the resources of the seas and the extension of coastal state jurisdiction was considered by some to be pre-empting the outcome of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS III). It is certainly contrary to the call of Ambassador Arvid Pardo in 1967 before the General Assembly of the United Nations, seeking the reservation of the sea-bed and its resources beyond the recognized boundaries of state jurisdiction as the common heritage of mankind . However, Canada\u27s claims and extension of jurisdiction are unique in the method of implementation and as a study for modalities of enforcement of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Examination of Canada\u27s unilateral actions shows that they are still in keeping with her policies in the development of a Law of the Sea Treaty in UNCLOS III, but implemented through effective diplomacy as a prelude to unilateral action and an alternative to possible enforcement conflicts. The outcome of a treaty being still conjectural, it is the purpose of this paper to examine Canada\u27s successes and problems in enforcement of the Exclusive Economic Zone as a model for the future of the EEZ in international law in the event of failure of UNCLOS III to develop a final Treaty. 1 From the Canadian approach lessons and conclusions can be drawn showing a smoother path to the resolution of problems which would beset the r6gime of the EEZ were it left to a world community divided by its conflicts and pursued by extremes of unilateral action