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Environment

Environmental stories that take place in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

More Saline Water In Y-K Delta Is Bad News For Ducklings

By Johanna Eurich • Feb 5, 2019
Alaska Division U.S Fish & Wildlife Service

Ducks nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta may be the latest species at risk on the front lines of climate change. KYUK reported from last week’s Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage that in a laboratory test, spectacled and Steller’s eiders, already listed as threatened, almost died when exposed to saline water at levels already found where they nest. 

So Far, Seals Are Adapting To Shrinking Sea Ice

By Johanna Eurich • Feb 4, 2019
USFWS permit MA220876-1 ADF&G

Ice seals thought to be most affected by the disappearance of arctic sea ice seem to be doing well, according to data presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium last week. KYUK looks at evidence showing that some marine mammals are adjusting.


Shutdown Cripples, But Doesn't Sink Ocean Science

By Johanna Eurich • Feb 3, 2019

The federal shutdown made waves last week at a major conference on Alaska’s marine research that may have repercussions for the coming research season. While the conference took place after the government workers were back on the job, it was too late for them to get authorization to attend the Alaska Marine Science Symposium. This meant that some of the most senior scientists in arctic marine research were absent.

There were a lot of empty chairs as the Alaska Marine Science Symposium, which began in Anchorage last week.  

Stay Off Initial River Trail Plowed From Bethel To Aniak

By • Feb 1, 2019
The Native Village of Napaimute's 35 year old plow truck named Tumlista, the One Who Makes a Trail.
Mark Leary / Native Village of Napaimute

This week a crew has plowed 135 miles of an ice road from Bethel to Aniak. Mark Leary, with the Native Village of Napaimute, leads the crew and reports that there are wet, rough ice stretches from Akiak to Aniak, with the roughest ice sitting just below Aniak.

High Ocean Acidification Found Where Salmon Eat

By Johanna Eurich • Jan 30, 2019

One of the species of plankton that fish depend on is already being threatened by ocean acidification. That’s from data presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage this week.

Thin Ice Stretches Across Kuskokwim River

By • Jan 16, 2019

The Native Village of Napaimute ice road crew towing the ice radar to assess ice conditions on the Kuskokwim River.Credit Mark LearyEdit | Remove

In most places, the Kuskokwim River measures 18 to 24 inches of ice. Some areas of the main channel have just over a foot of ice.

Negative 40 To 55 Degree Wind Chill Expected For Nunivak Island And Kuskokwim Delta

By • Jan 10, 2019
Screengrab from weather.gov/arh/

Bundle up out there.

DNR Aims To Approve Major Donlin Gold Permits By Mid-January

By • Jan 10, 2019
Katie Basile / KYUK

Donlin Gold is still waiting on the state to approve its financial bonding and draft reclamation plan for its gold mine in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

2018 Second Warmest Year On Record For Bethel

By • Jan 4, 2019
Krysti Shallenberger / KYUK

2018 was the second warmest year for Bethel in nearly 100 years of recordkeeping. According to Rick Thoman, a climate scientist in Alaska, Bethel has been no stranger to a warming climate, especially in the last five years.

Newtok Is On The Move

By Johanna Eurich • Dec 27, 2018
Katie Basile / KYUK

It’s taken more than 20 years, but the Newtok relocation effort is going into hyperdrive this summer. According to plans unveiled by the Alaska Native Health Consortium staff at a meeting of the Newtok Planning group this fall, a huge construction crew is headed to Mertarvik to build the infrastructure for relocating Newtok, the community threated by climate change-fueled erosion. The plan for the 2019 construction season includes a long list of projects.

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