President Obama signed the Coast Guard Authorization Act last night, transferring 2,500 acres of federal land at Port Clarence to local, state, and federal stakeholders. Located 120 nautical miles northwest of Nome, Port Clarence has long been left out of discussion as the location for the nation’s Arctic deep draft port.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said in a press release that this land transfer is one of the first steps in making Alaska a leader in the Arctic.
Bering Straits Native Corporation is the main recipient of the land transfer.
In a press release by Bering Straits, CEO Gail Shubert said in a press release last week that this land transfer will move the region toward a “promising Arctic future.”
