Executive Order Issued to Coordinate Arctic-Related Activities

President Obama issued an Executive Order on 21 January 2015 to help coordinate Arctic-related activities across the Federal Government and to enhance collaborations with state, local, and Alaska Native tribal governments and similar Alaska Native organizations, academic and research institutions, and the private and nonprofit sectors.

The Executive Order establishes an Arctic Executive Steering Committee that will serve as a coordinating mechanism on federal Arctic activities and facilitate cohesive guidance to departments and agencies. The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. John P. Holdren, will chair the committee.

According to its press release, the Office of Science and Technology Policy "looks forward to continuing its work with collaborators within and outside government to apply the best scientific information, data, and tools to support stewardship, preparedness, and long-term sustainability in the Arctic region."

More information about the Administration's Arctic priorities and activities can be found in The National Strategy for the Arctic Region, the Arctic Implementation Plan, and on this White House website.

For further information about the Executive Order and source material for this article, see the Office of Science and Technology Policy press release.