Double Whammy Friday: Ambler Road Blocked and a Tennessee-Sized Portion of Alaska Declared Off-Limits to Development

June 28, 2024

If the entire state of Tennessee was placed off-limits to future resource development, what would the reaction be?

That’s the situation Alaska faces today, as early Friday morning, the Biden administration – fresh off their incredible debate showing – decided to lock up a sweeping swath of the state.

The fate of these areas has fostered a fierce debate for more than a half-century. In 1971, Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which directed Interior to transfer millions of acres of land to Alaska Native corporations and villages. But they also allowed Interior to decide whether to permanently shut down some other areas.

In a final environmental impact statement, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management outlined several options for managing 28 million acres of public property across Alaska. The “preferred alternative” calls for prohibiting all future development across all those lands.

While environmentalists rejoiced, rational Alaskans saw it for what it is: a continued targeting of the state by this federal administration hell-bent on crippling its resource-based economy.  The decision affects many potential mining projects, including the Pebble and Donlin mines in Southwest Alaska.

In a second – and further damaging decision – the Department of Interior made final its preliminary ruling that the proposed road to the Ambler mining district would not be allowed through the Gates of the Arctic National Park.  This announcement stands in direct opposition to Congressional authority to allow the road, and is sure to further frustrate Alaskans who understand the need to balance environmental stewardship with responsible development.

The actions today make a total of 66 taken against Alaska’s resource development industries since Joe Biden assumed office.  Unfortunately, the state is almost certain to see more over the next few months, as he looks to shore up his support among radical environmental-minded voters.