This site is located within the Arctic Coastal Plain of the North Slope of Alaska and encompassing much of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area. The coastal region is characterized by many small bays, inlets, lagoons, and one major river delta - the Ikpikpuk River. The topography is generally flat with some rolling hills and cliffs that are usually associated with drainages. A high density of thaw lakes and ponds are also present in this region with the dominant fresh water body being Teshekpuk Lake – the largest lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain. Much of this region is known to support high densities of nesting waterfowl and shorebirds. The large thaw lakes just to the northeast of Teshekpuk Lake support the largest goose molting concentration in the Arctic.

The regions surrounding Teshekpuk Lake and the east side of Dease Inlet are of known international significance for many breeding and migrating birds. Previous research indicates that this region contains high densities of breeding shorebirds and waterfowl. In some years the northeast portion of the Teshekpuk Lake region supports large numbers (>50,000) of molting geese including Snow, Cackling, and Greater White-fronted Geese, and up to 30% of the Pacific Flyway Brant population. The Brant are believed to migrate from at least 10 different nesting colonies in Alaska and Canada and a molting area in Russia. This region also supports breeding populations of waterfowl that are federally listed as Threatened or as species of concern, including the Spectacled Eider and Steller’s Eider. In addition, the region contains some of the highest breeding densities of the vulnerable Yellow-billed Loon in the western hemisphere.

The biggest threat to bird populations in this region will be the likely expansion of oil development (with the associated infrastructure and disturbances) from the existing oilfields to the east (Prudhoe Bay / Kuparuk / Alpine). The oil development will result in a number of cumulative threats including: habitat destruction and/or fragmentation, roads, power lines, vehicle noise/disturbance, increased likelihood of oil spills, drainage of water from lakes, and increased garbage/cover for human commensal species including potential nest predators. Within the proposed IBA, leases have already been sold to oil companies and active exploration is currently taking place in some areas during the winter months. Oil development in this region is likely within the next 10 years. This region likely contains natural gas deposits that may also be exploited. In addition, climate change impacts, such as coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and habitat succession (i.e. encroachment of shrubs onto tundra) are also potential threats.