House Votes to Overturn Conservation Protections in Alaska

The United States House of Representatives today approved resolutions under the Congressional Review Act to remove Biden-era protections from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The actions nullify the prior management plans for both landscapes and are consistent with the Trump administration’s efforts to open even more of these sensitive habitats to oil and gas development.

“These resolutions continue an indefensible sell-out of our public lands and precious wildlife by the Trump administration and its allies in Congress,” said Robert Dewey, vice president of government relations at Defenders of Wildlife. “Millions of acres are already leased or available for lease in Alaska’s Arctic. These actions are intended to turn even more irreplaceable habitat for wildlife like polar bears, caribou and 200 species of migratory birds over to the oil industry.”  

For decades, Defenders has been a champion in protecting wildlife and habitat in the Arctic Refuge and Western Arctic. Using CRA resolutions to weaken conservation protections through land planning sets a dangerous precedent that further harms the region’s biodiversity and undermines years of bipartisan support for Arctic conservation.  

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