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MAY 22, 2001

Rising water levels in the Arctic are causing coastal erosion at a number of villages in Alaska and may lead to residents leaving their homes.

The Eskimo village of Shishmaref is one threatened by the erosion. It has about 600 villagers and its residents worry about losing their subsistence lifestyle if forced to move.

The Shishmaref city council, the traditional Eskimo government, and the village Native corporation have formed a group called Erosion Coalition and are pressing the US Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies for millions of dollars in projects to help fortify the coast.

Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) on Monday said a number of villages need large amounts of money to combat the problem.

Get the Story:
Villages may have to move, Stevens says (The Anchorage Daily News 5/22)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Ted Stevens - http://www.senate.gov/~stevens