§15906 North Slope Science Initiative

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior must create a long-term program called the North Slope Science Initiative to coordinate scientific data collection and improve understanding of the North Slope’s land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. The Initiative must make a science strategy and work plan that sets research and monitoring priorities about the effects of past, current, and expected development and environmental change; learns what information government agencies, local governments, and the public need; coordinates work to avoid duplication and share money and expertise; identifies gaps left by agency science programs in effect on August 8, 2005 and makes a funding plan; uses consistent, high-quality methods; keeps and shares research and traditional local knowledge; and requires peer review. The Secretary must consult with and coordinate federal, state, and local land and resource agencies and may make cooperative agreements with the State of Alaska, the North Slope Borough, the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, and other federal agencies to share resources and fund projects. The Initiative must have an advisory panel of not more than 15 scientists and technical experts from diverse backgrounds, including industry, subsistence users, Native Alaskan groups, conservation and wildlife organizations, and academia. A public report on studies and findings must be published within 3 years after August 8, 2005 and every year after. Money as needed is authorized to carry out the program.