Administration Advances Ambler Mining Road through Alaskan National Park

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The administration today approved the Ambler Access Project, ordering federal agencies to expedite permits for a 211‑mile private industrial mining road that would cut through the Brooks Range and Gates of the Arctic National Park, reversing prior findings that any route would cause significant and irreversible harm to wildlife and permafrost, while also dismissing the concerns and objections of 89 Tribes and First Nations that oppose the project.  

Following is a reaction from Bobby McEnaney, director of Land Conservation at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): 

"This is an extraordinary action that would bring ruin to a national park and an incomparable wilderness landscape. There is a reason the previous administration put an end to this project, given that it was roundly opposed by scores of communities along the proposed route—industrializing the landscape for speculative mining in this part of Alaska is not worth the economic, quality of life, or environmental costs it would impose. Make no mistake: When a road like this is built, the impacts are irreversible."

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).