Reckless NPR-A plan is bad for communities, environment

The Trump administration today released its record of decision finalizing a revised Integrated Activity Plan for the largest tract of public land in America—the Western Arctic’s 23 million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska—opening vast areas of previously protected wildlands to oil and gas leasing. In response, The Wilderness Society released the following statement from Alaska assistant state director David Krause:

“Fundamentally, this land management plan is not in the public’s interest and is an injustice to Indigenous communities that depend on these lands for clean air, clean water, and subsistence resources such as caribou, fish and migratory waterfowl. Throwing out conservation protections for globally unique places such as the Teshekpuk Lake wetlands complex ignores the best available science for how these places should be stewarded in an increasingly warming Arctic.  

“On its way out the door, this administration is sticking to its blunt and destructive approach to management solely for oil development. This flawed management plan will create more conflict and a less-stable business environment for companies operating in the region.”

The Wilderness Society is the leading conservation organization uniting people to care for America’s wild places. Founded in 1935, and now with more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 111 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org.    

Contacts:

Edit Ruano, edit_ruano@tws.org, 530-305-9427