GIRDWOOD, Alaska — Members of the Arctic Council wrapped up a three day meeting in Girdwood to discuss a proposed international oil spill agreement on Thursday.
Last May, representatives from eight Arctic nations formed a task force to produce an agreement that would prepare for and respond to oil pollution incidents in the Arctic.
Alaska Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell says the agreement is needed because of the high number of oil, fuel and ore shipments made through the Bering Sea.
“We urged the group as they're meeting to pay very close attention to communities, the coastal communities, people who depend on subsistence resources, people who depend on whaling or sealing, or going after walrus to make sure that any oil spill response in the arctic works very closely with community members,” Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell said.
Oil spills from any source affecting the sea environment including shipping and drilling would be included in the agreement.
