9-19-13 BERINGIA!

Beringia!

For years the Federal government has been coordinating with Russia to create an International protected area (IPA) called “Beringia” (Beh-rin-gee-a) that could include millions of acres within Alaska and the Russian Far East.  (Short version)

(Senator Begich will look into the matter)

By

Dave Harbour

The Presidents of the United States and Russia in 1990 found they had something in common.  Their common interest evolved from the United States purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.  Because of Alaska, both countries now share an interest in the Arctic. 

The two leaders found they were comfortable discussing a celebration of their Arctic lands, people and cultures.  After all, they were situated on both sides of the Bering Strait on Asian and North American continents once joined by an ancient ‘land bridge’.

That conversation between Mikhail Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush evolved into a “Shared Beringian Heritage Program” created by Congress in 1991 to establish stronger ties between the residents, cultures and resources of the Russian Far East and Alaska.  These areas encompass monster land masses surrounding the ancient and now submerged land bridge.

After spending many hours reading, researching and talking with contacts in various federal and Alaska state agencies, I find that 22 years later the concept of Beringia is alive and well.  (See map.)

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In May 2011 Russian and American presidents issued a joint statement, “Calling for protection of the shared natural and longstanding cultural heritage of Alaska and Chukotka.”  Chukotka is the region immediately across from Alaska on Russia’s Far Eastern border.  While the statement made politically correct pronouncements about the Native people, culture and a common boundary, it also made clear an objective of, “…cooperation to protect nature and natural resources in the Bering Strait region.”  The statement also pays homage to, “climate change and ‘other’ pressures on the common natural and cultural heritage of the Bering Strait region.” 

The ‘joint statement’ is a reality and – as you will see – it was another step toward the creation of Beringia.

The Parnell Administration in both its Juneau and Washington D.C. offices has been keeping track of the Beringia program.  Judging from a letter sent to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on September 7, 2012, we sense that the Alaska governor was deeply concerned about seeing federal decrees affecting Alaska—especially when the words are coordinated with Russia’s and not Alaska’s leadership.

In the letter to Clinton, Parnell said the feds had not kept Alaska informed.   He said that while he agreed with the cultural value of working together, “…I remain concerned that designation of a new international protected area might limit the economic opportunity for rural Alaskans….  For example,” he said, “such a designation could complicate future easement negotiations for the Red Dog Mine road which runs through Cape Krusenstern National monument.”

The next day, on September 8, Clinton and her counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, “…formally stated their intention to ‘bridge’ the Beringia Strait in a symbolic linkage of parklands.”  They also agreed to adopt a formal agreement before the 2013 New Year.

While the formal agreement hasn’t been adopted, in January Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev decreed creation of Russian National Park, “Beringia”, in the northeast area of Chukotka which the United States National Park Service (NPS) says in its literature, “…makes federal lands available on the Russian side for inclusion in an International Protected Area spanning the Bering Strait.”

The land masses which the Russian and US diplomatic missions wish to unite are massive.  The Russian contribution would be 4,500,000 acres in the new Beringia Heritage National Park.  The US contribution which the NPS thinks are the “most reasonable candidates” are the 6.5 million acres of Noatak National Preserve, 2.6 million acres in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, 1.7 million acres of the Kobuk Valley National Park and .6 million acre Cape Krusenstern National Monument.

A humble writer’s observations:

1.  Why are Washington bureaucrats thinking of contributing more to the Beringia protected area than the Russians?
2. We could find no evidence that the Administration is seeking to put such a weighty matter before the Senate in the format of a treaty. 
3. Will the final agreement cover a number of addenda and/or an action plan that further affects Alaska’s ability to economically survive?
4. Will any new restrictions on human and natural resource activity affect the public interest or national security or potential job creation throughout Alaska and the United States?
5. How could our parks and preserves be more ‘protected’ by Beringia rules?
6. Why wouldn’t the State of Alaska – in addition to our citizens on the northwestern coast – be full and active participants in this process…complete with a veto capability?

We note that Kawerak, Inc., the nonprofit arm of Bering Straits Native Corporation, has expressed intelligent misgivings about this process and its results.

We know the process is moving forward.  This month, a delegation of federal officials and a few Alaska villagers will be flying a chartered plane across the Bering Sea to Anadyr, capitol of Chukotka, to join with citizens there in celebrating, “Beringia Days”.  We assume there will be many coordinating meetings.  We assume understandings will be reached.

We honestly join with those who celebrate family relationships, ancient cultures and international goodwill.  We honor the well intentioned NPS personnel involved.

But if a goodwill effort could end up being a means to further constricting Alaska’s economy and America’s future, the Governor and Congress should remain on high alert.  At this week's Oil and Gas Congress, we had the honor of serving as Co Chair and asked Senator Mark Begich following his presentation whether he would assure that a proposed Beringia treaty would come before the U.S. Senate for hearing and ratification before the Secretary of State and President signed the agreement.  He indicated he would investigate the matter.  

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