Anchorage, AK

The Biden administration is formally launching its review of the previous administration’s plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. 

“We are grateful that the Biden administration will address the insufficiencies and legal violations of the Trump-era oil and gas leasing program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” said Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska program director, Defenders of Wildlife. “Now it’s time for Congress to repeal it completely and permanently protect the refuge.”

Image
Sheenjek River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Alexis Bonogofsky/USFWS

The Interior Department announced today that it will carry out a rigorous environmental review known as a supplemental environmental impact statement. As part of the review, it will also consider possible alternatives to leasing such as declaring some areas of the Coastal Plain off-limits to leasing, banning surface infrastructure in “sensitive areas” and barring more than 2,000 acres of surface development across the Coastal Plain. 

This announcement follows promises made throughout President Biden’s campaign as well as commitments made earlier this summer to carefully review the Trump administration’s plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge up to drilling.
 

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244

News

Image
2016.06.27 - Landscape of Selkirk Mountains - Idaho Panhandle National Forest - Idaho - Jon Knechtel
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams Trump Interior Pick Burgum

Trump made known that he intends to nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior, giving authority of the nation’s public lands, wildlife and natural resources to a leading advocate of oil and gas drilling.
Image
2010.10.28 - Caribou Grazing in Front of Mountains - Alaska - Colin Arisman.jpg
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Defenders Opposes Proposed Illegal Land Exchange in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

Conservation groups are outraged today by a Department of the Interior’s proposal released today to trade away congressionally-designated wilderness lands within the Izembek National Wildlife