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Why you should care about D1 lands in Alaska

Maybe you’ve heard the term “D1” in sports (division 1) or in construction (course gravel material), but “D1” means something quite different when talking about land in Alaska.

Here, D1 lands refer to areas protected from mining and mineral leasing since the 1970s. They are commonly called D1 lands because they were withdrawn pursuant to section 17(d)(1) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.… Read More

Courtroom déjà vu: Protecting Izembek Refuge again

Yesterday we argued in court again to stop a bogus land swap deal that would trade away Wilderness in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to make way for a road. The land trade runs counter to the intent of the Refuge and would degrade and harm wetlands, animal habitat and wildlife. We already successfully argued in U.S. District Court two times to protect Izembek.… Read More

Dunleavy’s bogus “Unlock Alaska” initiative

This the second in a series about how a Supreme Court decision has muddied the waters for agencies managing the use of rivers and streams on federal lands like national parks. In part two: Alaska Governor Dunleavy announced the “Unlock Alaska” initiative in late March with a vague and incredibly broad assertion of state sovereignty over navigable waters throughout Alaska. The initiative is as perplexing as it is misguided. … Read More

Alaska Brief–November 2018

Fighting to protect wilderness, wildlife, and clean air and water can feel disheartening. It just got harder in Alaska with the election of a Governor who, like the Trump administration, wants to gut environmental protections and hastily pave the way … Read More