Collaborative Decisionmaking in the Arctic Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and a Proposal for Enhanced Support From the Federal Government

October 2013
Citation:
43
ELR 10938
Issue
10
Author
Christopher G. Winter

The Alaska Native communities of the American Arctic rely upon their ancient subsistence practices for their food security, the continuation of their cultural traditions, and their physical and spiritual well-being. Industry interest in offshore resources will inevitably lead to potential conflicts with the historic subsistence uses of Alaska Natives. In order to resolve those conflicts, the federal government and stakeholders must bring to the table a clear understanding of the legal context as well as the unique community-led dispute resolution processes that have developed within that setting.

Chris Winter is the Co-Director of the Crag Law Center, a public interest environmental law firm based in Portland, Oregon. Since 2007, he has represented Native subsistence users on the North Slope of Alaska, including the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, regarding proposals for offshore oil and gas activities in the American Arctic. Chris is a former Adjunct Professor of Law at the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College and is a frequent speaker on environmental law and policy.

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