Federal Regulations Hostile to Alaska Natural Resource Development Efforts

Last month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released preliminary environmental documents that cast doubts on the future of the Ambler Road, an infrastructure project aimed at unlocking the mineral-rich Ambler Mining District in northwest Alaska. The Interior Department did not single out what route it prefers, which suggests it will not allow construction of the road after public comments end on December 22.

Dragging out permits for environmental reasons only limits Alaska’s economic progress. Policy uncertainties at the federal level have ultimately hurt the state’s capacity to attract investment and further hamstrung the opportunities available to residents. The Biden administration must realize that developing Alaska’s natural resources is not in conflict with caring for its environment.

SM

About the Author

Sarah Montalbano

Sarah Montalbano is a policy fellow at Center of the American Experiment. She was formerly a policy analyst at Alaska Policy Forum.

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Last month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released preliminary environmental documents that cast doubts on the future of the Ambler Road, an infrastructure project aimed at unlocking the mineral-rich Ambler Mining District in northwest Alaska. The Interior Department did not single out what route it prefers, which suggests it will not allow construction of the road after public comments end on December 22.

Dragging out permits for environmental reasons only limits Alaska’s economic progress. Policy uncertainties at the federal level have ultimately hurt the state’s capacity to attract investment and further hamstrung the opportunities available to residents. The Biden administration must realize that developing Alaska’s natural resources is not in conflict with caring for its environment.