Good news on Ambler, D1 lands, and the western Arctic

By Madison Grosvenor

We should all joyfully yelp and holler for the good news we got at the end of June. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management refused to cave in to industry and state pressure, protecting the health of the southern Brooks Range by saying “no” to the Ambler road. This decision elevates the well-being of land, water, and communities over the interests of foreign mining companies only concerned about their pocketbooks.

Graphic provided by Defend the Brooks Range

In its record of decision, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management picked the “no action” alternative, which means leaving the area proposed for the road intact and issuing no permits for the road. The Bureau’s analysis found that Ambler road would cause irreparable impacts to the region, affecting dozens of Alaska Native communities’ ability to put food on the table for their families.

The agency’s decision supports the region’s people, animals, and relationships with the land by preventing a sprawling road project from destroying land and water, polluting water and air, cutting through caribou migration routes, and diminishing local communities’ access to their food sources and culture.

“This outcome is the result of years of advocacy in and out of court on the part of tribes and local communities, as well as Alaskans and state and national groups who have uplifted this Arctic region’s importance to people, caribou, clean water, and future generations,” said Suzanne Bostrom, senior staff attorney at Trustees for Alaska. “We are thankful that the administration listened to those who know the Brooks Range best.”

However great this outcome is, pushback is inevitable. In a proposed defense spending bill by the U.S. Senate, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan snuck in a provision that would reverse the Biden Administration’s science- and consultation-driven decision on the proposed Ambler road.

Rest assured; groups are working hard to ensure the southern Brooks Range remains protected.

Ambler River headwaters. Photo by Ken Hill NPS

Speak out now for 28 million acres of Alaska lands

At the end of June, the Bureau also released a final environmental impact statement and proposed course of action that would sustain decades of protection for 28 million acres of land integral to Alaska communities and ways of life.

Talkeetna Mountains, BLM lands. Photo by Fredrik Norsell

These areas, known as D1 lands, are scattered across the state from Bristol Bay to the Yukon-Kuskokwim region; provide important subsistence resources for over 100 Alaska Native communities; and support all five species of Pacific salmon, three of North America’s largest caribou herds, abundant moose populations, and vast numbers of migratory birds.

The work isn’t over. The federal government needs to hear that Alaskans and conservation allies everywhere support this preferred action, and want these public lands protected. Go to this link now to tell federal land managers to finish the job.

“We hope this agency analysis results in a decision that upholds the protections put in place 50 years go and recognizes how these protected lands are more important than ever to local communities, climate solutions, and the health of all living communities,” said Joanna Cahoon, staff attorney with Trustees.

Feds seek input on updating designated protected areas in the western Arctic

In other good news, the Bureau of Management announced last week that it is seeking input on whether to update protected areas in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska by expanding or designating new protected areas or modifying existing boundaries or management of these areas.

“Congress has required maximum protection of designated special areas in the Reserve for nearly 50 years to preserve fish and wildlife, cultural resources, recreation opportunities, and subsistence foods and traditions,” said Suzanne Bostrom, senior staff attorney with Trustees for Alaska. “We welcome this comment period and look forward to this long overdue and much needed process to ensure that those mandated protections are up to date and fully take into consideration what’s needed to sustain the health of the region now and for generations to come.”

The 60-day comment period will allow the public to give written feedback to help the agency determine whether to start a process to update Special Area designations. We look forward to participating in this comment period and urge everyone to tell the Bureau to move forward with a process for updating Special Area designations.

Western Arctic Caribou Herd calving area, Photo by J Schoen