The Pew Environment Group and Ocean Conservancy commissioned respected scientist Dr. Robert Spies to convene independent Arctic experts to review the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Circular 1370: An Evaluation of the Science Needs to Inform Decisions on Outer Continental Shelf Energy Development in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska.
USGS Circular 1370, released June 23, 2011, was done at the request of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to “gather the information we need to develop resources
in the right places and the right ways.” In the review commissioned by Pew and Ocean Conservancy, 14 independent Arctic experts commend the USGS for identifying the major gaps in scientific knowledge in an unbiased manner. To
address information still missing and to provide a better understanding of the ecosystem as a whole, they call on the administration to take the steps described in this fact sheet.
