**Interior Department Upholds Protections on Alaska’s Public Lands After Years of Controversy**
In a significant move, the U.S. Department of the Interior has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving nearly 28 million acres of Alaska’s public lands. This decision directly reverses the legacy of the Trump administration, which attempted to unlock these lands for oil and gas exploration. Extensive reviews and public consultations have led to this definitive step, ensuring the long-term protection of critical habitats and subsistence resources crucial to Alaska Native communities.
The D-1 lands, a subset of federally managed areas, have been safeguarded under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) since 1971. These areas encompass vast regions including the Bay, Bering Sea-Western Interior, East Alaska, Kobuk-Seward Peninsula, and Ring of Fire planning areas. The Trump-era attempts to lift these protections were met with fierce resistance from environmental groups and Alaska Native organizations, who highlighted the potential devastating impacts on wildlife habitats and subsistence activities.
President Biden’s administration promptly paused these plans upon taking office and initiated a comprehensive environmental review. Over the course of several years, this process involved numerous community meetings and an overwhelming number of public comments—approximately 15,000—by individuals and organizations advocating for retention of the protections. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the federal agency responsible for managing these lands, found compelling evidence that revoking the protections would significantly harm subsistence hunting and fishing practices, in addition to causing lasting damage to wildlife, vegetation, and permafrost.
Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the importance of tribal consultation and upholding long-standing protections in her statement. “Tribal consultation must be treated as a requirement—not an option—when the federal government is making decisions that could irrevocably affect Tribal communities,” she noted. This decision not only secures the preservation of these ecological domains but also solidifies the commitment to preserving traditional ways of life for Alaska Native peoples.
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