Coast Guard : efforts to identify Arctic requirements are ongoing, but more communication about Agency planning efforts would be beneficial : report to congressional requesters.

Format:

Book

Government document

Contributor:

Caldwell, Stephen L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Coast Guard--Planning--Evaluation.

United States. Coast Guard.

Interagency coordination--United States--Evaluation.

Arctic regions.

Planning--Evaluation.

Arctic Regions.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (iii, 61 pages) : color illustrations, color maps

Other Title:

Efforts to identify Arctic requirements are ongoing, but more communication about Agency planning efforts would be beneficial

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2010]

Summary:

The retreat of Arctic sea ice combined with expected increasing human activity in the area, in shipping traffic and oil and gas exploration, has increased the strategic interest that the United States and other nations have in the Arctic. As a result, the Coast Guard is expected to acquire increased responsibilities in the region. GAO was asked to examine the extent to which the Coast Guard is: (1) coordinating with stakeholders on Arctic issues and operations and what, if any, further opportunities exist to enhance coordination; (2) taking action to identify requirements for future Arctic operations; and (3) taking steps to identify and mitigate challenges to meet current and future Arctic requirements. GAO reviewed Coast Guard documents that described efforts to plan for increased Arctic activity. GAO conducted a site visit to Alaska and interviewed federal officials, Alaska state officials, Alaska Native stakeholders, as well as private or nonprofit organizations representing Arctic interests. These observations are not generalizable, but provided insights on Coast Guard activities and actions. GAO recommends that the Coast Guard communicate with key stakeholders on the process and progress of its Arctic planning efforts. DHS concurred with our recommendation.

Contents:

Letter: Background

The Coast Guard coordinates with many stakeholders but some want more information on the Agency's ongoing arctic planning and future approach

The Coast Guard is taking action in identify future arctic requirements while routine operations provide other valuable information

The Coast Guard faces numerous challenges to current and future arctic operations

Conclusions

Recommendation for executive action

Agency comments

Appendix I: Objectives, scope, and methodology

Appendix II: Examples of state, local, and Alaska native stakeholders operating in the acrtic

Appendix III: Examples of Coast Guard coordination with key federal, state, local, Alaska native, and private sector stakeholders

Appendix IV: Select interagency coordination efforts related to arctic policy

Appendix V: Coast Guard's routine arctic operations that also inform future requirements

Appendix VI: GOA contect and staff acknowledgements

Related GAO products.

Notes:

Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Jan. 22, 2011).

"September 2010."

Includes bibliographical references.

"GAO-10-870."

OCLC:

697996887