Fall 2009: Sen. Lisa Murkowski to hold U.S. Arctic policy field hearing on campus

Today, Aug. 20, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, will hold a field hearing on the strategic importance of the Arctic and U.S. Arctic policy on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307.

Witnesses scheduled to testify at the hearing include Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell; Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; Dr. Lawson Brigham of the University of Alaska Fairbanks; David Benton, Executive Director, Marine Conservation Alliance; Edward Itta, Mayor, North Slope Borough and Mead Treadwell, Chairman, U.S. Arctic Research Commission.

"We are holding this hearing to learn about the significant changes that are occurring in the region and how the United States must prepare for an ice diminished Arctic," said Murkowski. "The Arctic is becoming more accessible due to a loss of summer sea ice and increases in technology. Increased maritime activity relating to the transportation of goods, oil and gas development, mineral extraction, tourism and research will demand new infrastructure and investment and a greater presence in the region."