The Biden-Harris administration’s recent decision to retain protections for 28 million acres of public lands in Alaska marks a significant victory for environmental conservation and the preservation of Alaska Native communities’ subsistence rights. This decision, announced by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, reverses a controversial move by the previous administration to open these lands to oil, gas, and mining development.
The lands in question, protected under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), have long been safeguarded for their natural, cultural, and subsistence value. These protections, known as “withdrawals,” have been crucial in maintaining the ecological balance of the region, as well as upholding the rights of Alaska Native Tribes, Tribal entities, and Native Corporations. However, in its final days, the previous administration attempted to revoke these protections without sufficient analysis of the potential impacts on subsistence resources or proper consultation with Alaska Native communities.
The Biden-Harris administration’s decision to affirm these protections underscores a commitment to environmental stewardship and respect for Indigenous rights. Secretary Haaland emphasized the importance of tribal consultation in federal land management decisions, stating, “Tribal consultation must be treated as a requirement – not an option – when the federal government is making decisions that could irrevocably affect Tribal communities.”
The decision to retain these protections followed an extensive public process led by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Over the course of this process, 19 community meetings were held, gathering input from Alaska Native Tribes, Native Corporations, urban and rural communities, and the general public. The overwhelming support for the retention of these protections was evident, with approximately 15,000 public comments submitted during the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) period.
The BLM’s analysis of various alternatives, ranging from partial to full revocation of the protections, revealed the potential harms that lifting the withdrawals could cause. The analysis indicated that revoking these protections would likely harm subsistence hunting and fishing in communities that would lose federal subsistence priority over certain lands. Depending on the alternative considered, between 44 and 117 communities could be adversely affected. Additionally, the analysis found that lifting even some of the withdrawals could have lasting negative impacts on wildlife, vegetation, and permafrost.
The environmental significance of these lands cannot be overstated. They encompass vital wildlife habitats, including those of three of the largest caribou herds in North America and 5,000 miles of Alaska’s salmon streams. These lands also serve as essential migration corridors for various species, connecting them with other wildlife conservation areas. The preservation of these ecosystems is crucial not only for the wildlife that inhabits them but also for the cultural and subsistence practices of Alaska Native communities.
The Biden-Harris administration’s decision builds on a broader conservation agenda that has already seen significant actions in Alaska. Among these actions is the protection of approximately 2.8 million acres in the Beaufort Sea, effectively placing the entire U.S. Arctic Ocean off-limits to new oil and gas leasing. The administration has also implemented maximum protections for over 13 million acres in Special Areas of the western Arctic and has rejected the Ambler Road proposal at the base of the Brooks Range to prevent irreversible harm to permafrost and Tribal subsistence uses.
These actions stand in stark contrast to the previous administration’s focus on opening public lands to extractive industries. The Trump administration’s attempt to revoke the 28 million acres of protections was part of a broader agenda to prioritize development over conservation, often at the expense of Indigenous rights and environmental sustainability. The Biden-Harris administration’s reversal of these policies signals a renewed commitment to protecting public lands and honoring the rights of Indigenous communities.
Alaska Native leaders and environmental groups have widely praised the decision to retain the protections. Dan Ritzman, Sierra Club Conservation Campaign Director, highlighted the importance of these lands, stating, “This is a big deal for the communities and wildlife who call Alaska home. These lands and waters are unparalleled not only for their natural beauty, but for the habitat they provide imperiled wildlife, and the recreation opportunities they offer us. These 28 million acres are some of the last truly intact wildlands in the United States.”
The decision to preserve these lands reflects the Biden-Harris administration’s understanding of the interconnectedness of environmental conservation and Indigenous rights. By prioritizing tribal consultation and carefully considering the environmental impacts of their decisions, the administration is setting a precedent for responsible and inclusive land management practices.
Secretary Haaland summarized the significance of this decision, stating, “Continuing these essential protections, which have been in place for decades, will ensure continued access and use of these public lands now and in the future.”
COMMENTS