Kodiak is in the Pacific and well below the Arctic Circle!
But for Journalists what are mere details like a 1,000 plus miles or so.
Someone must be turned around a bit.
As I recall the last go around on permits had to do with Exhaust Emissions from the ships being the concern.
Having been involved in Surveying of the Coastline from Deadhorse clear to the Canadian Border....Barter Island/Katktovik is the only thing East of Deadhorse and that has about 300 people.....and there is SFA east of there until that wee Concrete Marker that indicates the Canadian Border.
The US Military left Gazillions of empty fuels drums littered about from the DEW Line Days but they have mostly turned to Iron Oxide.
GreenPeace must be smoking some funny Tobacco judging by their comments.
