1. FINAL COMMISSION REPORT
Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission
Alaska State Legislature
March 17, 2008
Representative Ralph Samuels, Chairman
Representative Reggie Joule, Vice-Chairman

3. Research Needs Work Group
Recommendations on Research Needs Necessary to Implement an Alaska Climate Change Strategy
Submitted to the Alaska Climate Change Sub‐Cabinet
June 2009

4. Research Needs Work Group
Recommendations on Research Needs Necessary to
Implement an Alaska Climate Change Strategy   
Overarching Needs Summary
The overarching needs identified by the RNWG are:
o Improved downscaled (local) climate models 
o Need for baseline environmental research and monitoring 
o Improved research infrastructure 
o Improved data integration and sharing 
o Multiple level decision‐making tools  
o Adaptable legal and policy frameworks 
o Improved baseline mapping 
o Education and Outreach

5. Operating Requests Tier I Improved downscaled (local) climate models
UAF High Resolution Localized Forecasts for Managers and Policymakers (SNAP)
FY11 (GF: $225.0, NGF: $700.0, Total: $925.0)
Multiple level decision‐making tools: and Education and Outreach
UAF Climate Adaptation: Information on to Inform Planning and Preparation (ACCAP)
FY11 (GF: $150.0, NGF: $450.0, Total: $600.0)
Need for baseline environmental research and monitoring
UAF Ecological Modeling: Responses of Biological Systems to Climate Change
FY11 (GF: $200.0, NGF: $650.0, Total: $850.0)
Tier II
Improved research infrastructure 
UAF Climate Change Impacts on Transportation (UATC)
FY11 (GF: $250.0, NGF: $700.0, Total: $950.0)

6. Capital Requests Responding to State’s Needs
UAF - Responding to Emerging Requests from the Climate Change Subcabinet
FY11 (GF: $8,000k Total: $8,000k)
Improved downscaled (local) climate models:
UAF - Improving Sea Ice Forecasts
FY11 (GF: $1,500k, Total: $1,500k)
Need for baseline environmental research and monitoring
UAF - Ocean Acidification
FY11 (GF: $1,000k, Total: $1,000k)
UAF - Commercial Fisheries
UAF - Coastal Erosion, Inundation
UAF - Natural Hazards Monitoring
UAF - Permafrost Dynamics
FY11 (GF: $1,000k Total: $1,000k) 

7. Capital Requests Improved data integration and sharing
UAF - Climate Data Management
FY11 (GF: $1,000.0, Total: $1,000.0)
Improved baseline mapping
 UAF - Alaska Monitoring and Response Capability
FY11 (GF: $4,000.0, Total: $4,000.0)
Improved research infrastructure
UAF - Improving Weather Predictions

8. Operating Requests Adaptable legal and policy frameworks
Adaptable legal and policy frameworks 
UAF and UAA Legal and Policy Implications of Climate Change in Alaska
FY11 (GF: $250.0, NGF: $700.0, Total: $950.0)
The following proposals were submitted, but not reviewed nor discussed. It was decided to include them as second order priorities.
Need for baseline environmental research and monitoring:
UAF Forest Growth and Health Change
Budget Request $400,000 (operating) $600,000 (capital)
Copper River Watershed Sustainability and Ecology: “Glaciers to Bay”
Budget Request $525,000 (operating) $900,000 (capital)