Upon re-instating protections against mining and oil and gas development on over 28 million acres of public lands across Alaska, the Department of the Interior (DOI) faced mixed reactions. While environmental groups welcomed the move, Alaska’s governor criticized the decision, stating that the government was ‘attempting to turn Alaska into one big national park.’
The protections, initially established in 1971, were removed in January 2021 under the Trump administration. However, following an extensive public process that involved input from Alaska native tribes, native corporations, communities, and the general public, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland finalized the decision to reinstate these protections.
Haaland highlighted that many Alaska native tribes and tribal entities consider these lands crucial for protecting natural, cultural, and subsistence resources. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also received overwhelming support from the public for retaining these protections.
An analysis by the BLM indicated that lifting the withdrawals could have lasting negative impacts on wildlife, vegetation, and permafrost. As a result, the protections will remain in place in various regions of Alaska.
The DOI’s decision overturns a previous ruling made in the final days of the Trump administration, which would have allowed oil and gas development on these public lands. The department deemed the earlier decision as unlawful, lacking sufficient analysis of potential impacts on subsistence resources, and failing to uphold tribal consultation and legal requirements.
While environmental organizations applauded the decision, Alaska’s Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy criticized it, accusing the DOI of ‘locking up’ additional acres of land and describing it as a sanction against Alaska. Senator Dan Sullivan also expressed disappointment, calling the decision a betrayal of Alaska native Vietnam-era veterans and denouncing its impact on the state’s economy and job opportunities.
The DOI assured that the decision to maintain protections does not affect acres available for selection under the Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment Program. The Public Land Order by the DOI will be published in the Federal Register soon.
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