Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Arctic Community-Based Environmental Monitoring, Observation and Information Stations Phase I: Bering Sea Sub-Network (An initial concept was submitted earlier under the name Arctic Indigenous Community-Based Monitoring and Information – AICEMI)  (BSSN)

Outline
Infrastructure for monitoring and observation by the indigenous and other Arctic residents’ organizations will be created. It will increase capacity and effectiveness of the circum-Arctic monitoring through responding to the need of the long-term collection of data in remote Arctic locations and will act as a portal for CBM in other initiatives, eliminating the duplication of CBM component and as such, serving as a bridge connecting programs. We propose to begin on a sub-regional level and to develop a working model for circum-Arctic use. The Bering Sea is a viable region for the development of the model because the jurisdiction is limited to two Arctic States, U.S. and Russia, which simplifies logistics, the program could utilize the ten-year experience in regional international co-operation in environmental field between indigenous peoples, and Alaskan village and tribal organizations have experience in co-operation with scientists and have access to grant programs in the U.S. that may support their initial participation in the network. BSSN will be set up as a program run by partnering international, regional and local organizations (e.g. AIA, ICC, APIA, Tribal Government of St. Paul, Kamchatka and Chukotka regional associations of RAIPON.) One of these organizations will host a Secretariat. The partners will decide on the most efficient form of organization for the network in the future. A workshop will be held to formalize BSSN formation, to select the Steering Committee and to develop the network protocol containing inter alia a package of documents in English and Russian defining means and methodology for data collection, processing and storage. Participants will be invited from local, regional and research organizations. Community-based organizations from Kamchatka, Chukotka (Russia) and Alaska (U.S.) currently involved in monitoring and research will be invited to join BSSN. All organizations joining BSSN will be provided with materials and training and will be required to follow the protocols established by BSSN. The Secretariat will compile a database of members and will make it available for the international research community to encourage partnerships with members. BSSN member-organizations will assist local residents with organizing their observations into usable data, while assuring compliance with legal requirements protecting intellectual property and privacy and exercising sensitivity to traditional ways of knowing. The second stage of the project will address the need for enhanced research capacities in local communities. Proposals for 2-3 regional research and monitoring stations with laboratory capabilities may be developed. Consortium of operators will be formed to pursue funding for the construction of stations. The process of the formation of BSSN will be open to organizations from other Arctic regions that may begin working on their sub-networks at any time using the model created by BSSN. Emerging sub-networks will create a unified system of community-based monitoring.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
? Development of international long-term monitoring and observation network that would help understand the Arctic in the coming years ? Increase of reliable and consistent data from the remote sites in the Artic ? Awareness of the importance of scientific research in the Arctic community ? Increase of the role of Arctic Communities in research ? Co-operation between multiple stakeholders, including indigenous peoples

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The multiple stakeholders in the project will be linked via Permanent Participants and the working groups of the Arctic Council. The initial collaboration will involve organizations from the United States and the Russian Federation. Some of the types of collaboration are joint meetings and workshops, design of multi-lingual materials, and research.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Bering Sea region to circum-Arctic. The field work will be conducted in the communities in the Bering Sea coastal areas of the United States and the Russian Federation

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2006-2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will be initiated in the existing facilities. It is anticipated that participants will need additional resources to support growing activities. Some of the resources that may be needed are new facilities with basic laboratory equipment, small boats and all-terrain vehicles.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes. A new innovative system for observation and monitoring will be created. It will include existing and newly built sites. Success of this project will result in unprecedented across-the-border co-operation between scientists and community-based organizations

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes -The concept of Arctic Indigenous Community Based Monitoring was endorsed by the Permanent Participants and well received by the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council in May 2004. It was recommended to incorporate this initiative into Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna and Arctic Monitoring and Assessment working groups program plans. The concept was further developed in a Discussion paper on CBM written by Permanent Participants and published by CAFF Secretariat as part of the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme package. To better respond to the goals of these working groups’ programs and many others, a stand-alone CBM project was considered to be more efficient.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

The project will interlace with existing activities and is expected to be fully established during the IPY time frame and then continue operations into the future. It is currently an independent component of CBMP of CAFF.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The program is proposed under the auspices of the Arctic Council, perhaps under CAFF and/or AMAP. The initial project management will be organized by the organizations involved in the development of BSSN with the consultation of experts working on the development of larger interdisciplinary networks, Permanent Participants, working groups of AC and national agencies. The Secretariat will be established and hosted by one of the participating organizations. The Network will consist of independent entities that have management infrastructure in place. Any new facilities/ resources acquired as a result of this project will be incorporated under the management of existing member organizations.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Internationally, Arctic Council, Indigenous Peoples Secretariat of the AC, and the Permanent Participants will provide venues for outreach and information dissemination. In addition, International Bering Sea Forum and Northern Forum will be used to target audiences and participants in the Russian Far East and Alaska. U.S. EPA, Alaska regional office has an established network of village environmental coordinators that will provide an excellent forum for initial discussions and a workshop planning. Presentations about the concept will be made at the Tribal conference in Sitka and at the Annual International Bering Sea Forum meeting in Seward in Alaska in April 2005.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
BSSN will collect and store data about member-organizations on a searchable website and will publish a directory. The website will be connected to higher level networks, such as CEON, COMAAR and others. A separate database of local and indigenous observations and ecological knowledge collected by member-organization will be compiled. It will have a multi-level access depending on the type of information involved. The network will regulate access procedures in accordance with national laws and local traditions where appropriate.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
In Alaska, IGAP (Indian General Assistance Program, U.S. EPA) could be available for initial funding for tribal organizations joining BSSN. Some of the programs run by U.S. F&W could also provide for initial work. Major funding will be sought from the U.S. Agencies (EPA, NSF, USAID, NPS), international organizations (GEF) and private funds

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Scientists have recognized the need for comprehensive monitoring of the environmental, social, and economic changes in the Arctic and acknowledged an indispensable role of the Arctic residents, especially indigenous peoples, in systematic collection and analysis of data in the remote regions. This proposal responds to the call in major international initiatives, such as Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, UNFCCC, and IPCC, for cooperative efforts in circum-Arctic monitoring involving scientists, local and indigenous communities

PROPOSER DETAILS

Executive Director Victoria Gofman
Aleut International Association, Inc
333 West 4th Avenue, Suite 301, Anchorage
Alaska
99501
United States

Tel: +1-907-332-5388
Mobile: no
Fax: +1-907-332-5380
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation