This October, the United States and Russia agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding stewardship of the Bering Strait region. The two international superpowers hope to create an International Park connecting the Beringia National Park in Chukotka, Russia, with the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and the Cape Krusenstern National Monument on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula. However, Alaskans, including Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representative Don Young (R-AK), are concerned that the agreement could negatively impact their constituents.

The deal, originally proposed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State at the time, Hillary Clinton, is intended to promote conservation and scientific research.

The MOU, however, has not been signed, and National Park Service (NPS) officials explain that there are no immediate plans to create an international park. For more information please visit the NPS website here.

Sources: E&E News, the National Park Service, the U.S. Senate