by Rachel D'Oro
The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says government scientists have until Oct. 1 to determine what research gaps remain in determining the effects of offshore oil and gas development in the Arctic Ocean.
Salazar said Tuesday the U.S. Geological Survey will examine research already done on the Beaufort and Chukchi seas and what still needs to be studied to better determine the environmental effects of drilling and challenges from the climate change that has hammered Alaska's coastal waters.
At the same time, the Minerals Management Service plans to run its own environmental scoping and hold public meetings on potential lease sales for Arctic offshore development under the five-year leasing plan to begin 2012.
