Western Arctic (NPR-A)
Against all odds, the Bush Administration deferred Teshekpuk Lake oil and gas leasing for 10 years. Now, we seek stronger protections for these special places, unique wetlands and other critical habitats and remote wilderness in the Reserve in the BLM's first-ever comprehensive Area-Wide plan.
Protecting the NPRA
A balanced approach for America’s Arctic requires protection of Teshekpuk Lake and other biologically and culturally special places while oil and gas development occurs elsewhere in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). Click for information on how to make effective public comments. Includes tips, info, and talking points. Your one-stop shop to begin writing awesome comments (BY JUNE 1!)
Current Threats: The Road to Umiat
Governor Parnell's latest and riskiest state subsidy to oil and gas with serious consequences to Alaska's arctic.
The Land
The Reserve is the largest block of federal land in the U.S. It has thousands of lakes and diverse wetlands flowing across the huge Colville River watershed and rolling foothills which flank remote Brooks Range mountain wilderness.
The Wildlife
The Reserve has a unique concentration of molting geese at Teshekpuk Lake, world-class cliff-nesting areas for falcons and hawks along Colville River, Alaska's largest caribou herd calving at Utukok Uplands, and marine life at Kasegaluk Lagoon.
The People
This land is rich in fish and wildlife that provide cultural sustenance for four Inupiat villages within its borders and dozens of other Alaska Native communities. Millions of Americans are linked to the area through its migratory birds.
Quick Facts & Links
The so-called “model” Alpine oil field bordering the Reserve has harmed Inupiat subsistence hunting and fishing. Cumulative impacts from roads, ports, and infrastructure for offshore oil and gas, coal and hard-rock mining threaten the Reserve.
Arctic Climate Change
Coastal erosion slices away Teshekpuk Lake goose molting lakes. Snow icing from winter rains makes caribou feeding difficult. If massive Arctic coal deposits are mined and exported, U.S. regulations may not cover those new greenhouse gas emissions.
