Permits
Several sometimes-overlapping landowners and land managers
issue permits for research on the North Slope of Alaska. Project permits
from applicable village, Borough, State and Federal agencies are required
and must be obtained by the project leader prior to conducting any field
work.
BASC has been designated as the "point of contact"
for obtaining Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) and North Slope Borough (NSB) scientific land use permits. In addition, BASC can coordinate
obtaining permission for researchers to use the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Global Monitoring Division (NOAA/GMD) road for access to the Barrow Environmental Observatory and other nearby locations. BASC can also provide contact information for obtaining permission
to conduct research on NOAA/GMD or United States Geological Survey (USGS) land in the Barrow area. Based on the location, scope of work, and through
consultation with UIC, NSB, and NOAA/GMD officials, BASC will be able to determine which permits are required for each specific research project.
All completed permit applications and checks for UIC and NSB permits should be submitted to BASC Logistics.
Permission to conduct research on NOAA/GMD or USGS land in the Barrow area must be obtained directly from NOAA/GMD (see NOAA
section below). In most cases, NOAA/GMD representatives can provide permission for research to be conducted on adjoining USGS land.
Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) Requirements
UIC owns almost all the land in and around Barrow for miles in every direction. This ownership extends to the tide line, so
there is almost no place where you can walk without being on UIC-owned land.
There is a simple permit application form which must be submitted in order to get a land use permit from UIC. This permit
is required by all non-shareholders of UIC who will be traveling on UIC lands, whether for hunting, recreational,
or scientific purposes. Each individual member of a research group who will be participating in field work on UIC land (including the Barrow
Environmental Observatory), or who will be traveling across UIC land to get to their work-site, is required to complete a separate application
form, which BASC will provide when you check in with us. Each person must carry their issued permit (wallet card) with them while on UIC land. The permit card must be available to show to any UIC shareholder inquiring about your presence on UIC property.
The permit is good for the calendar year.
North Slope Borough (NSB) Requirements
The North Slope Borough requires land use permits for any project that involves ground disturbance. Ground disturbance includes
such things as: sediment sampling, vegetation sampling, core sampling, mechanized transportation (excluding snowmachines/4-wheelers), field camps,
or any activity that is determined by the NSB Planning and Community Services Department, Permitting and Zoning Division, to constitute a ground disturbance.
If it is determined that a land use permit is required, one of two permit applications must be submitted. BASC will determine
which of the two permit applications are appropriate for a specific research project based on information provided by the Principal Investigator. The
two different permits are a) Zoning Permit For City Of Barrow and b) Land Management Regulations Permit Application. The permit required depends
on the location of the work, and only one of the two different permits is required. Unlike the individual UIC permits, only one permit per project
is required by the NSB.
- Zoning Permit For City Of Barrow
If the work locations fall entirely within the corporate city limits of Barrow, then the Zoning Permit For The City Of Barrow permit application
is used.
- Land Management Regulations Permit Application
If any of the work locations are outside of the corporate city limits of Barrow, the Land Management Regulations Permit Application is used for activity within the Conservation District.
This permit covers areas of work that are entirely outside of, or only partially within the corporate city limits of Barrow.
A SITE-PLAN DRAWING must be submitted as part of the NSB permit application process. The Site-plan drawing must show
the locations of any ground disturbing work. The site-plan drawing will be used by the permitting officer as a visual reference during the permit
approval process. Site-plan drawings may also be used to provide answers to questions received by the permitting officer from the public or other
agencies, concerning specific projects.
The easiest way to make a site-plan drawing is on a map of the area where the work will be conducted. BASC can provide you with
a map of the Barrow area. A good site-plan drawing should include as many reference points as possible. Examples of good reference points include;
GPS coordinates, roads, power and gas lines, rivers, lakes, seacoast lines, structures, or any other terrain features that will help identify where
the work will be taking place. Making a site-plan drawing is greatly simplified if it is done on the provided map. Use additional sheets of paper for
any written explanations that you feel may be helpful.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Global Monitoring Division (NOAA/GMD), and United States Geological Survey
(USGS)
Effective 20 August 2007, if your project is to go into the CMDL ESRL\NOAA location, you will need to seek permission from NOAA 30 to 45 days before your project starts in Barrow. Administrative Order DAO 207-12 and NOAA Administrative Order NAO 207-12 apply for foreign nationals, pursuant to these guidelines. If a project will be working with foreign nationals they need to get permission beforehand. If a project is strictly U.S. citizens a week notice of request for access to NOAA at (907) 852-6500.
Should you wish to use the NOAA/GMD road for access to the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) or other nearby locations
that are not on NOAA/GMD or USGS controlled land, BASC can coordinate obtaining permission from the NOAA Officer-in-Charge. This road has a
locked gate. Once permission to use this road has been obtained, a gate key will be issued by the NOAA Officer-in-Charge.
Other permits
Other entities that may need to be dealt with, depending on the location and type of field activities, include village corporation(s),
Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and the Bureau of Land Management. BASC can assist as necessary.
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