An arial view of the coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Photo Credit: Lisa Hupp
The public comment period for a proposed oil and gas lease sale in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge closes March 5.
Today, the Northern Alaska Environmental Center submitted formal comments to the Bureau of Land Management outlining concerns about the proposal and its potential impacts on wildlife, Indigenous communities, and the Arctic environment.
In its comments, the Northern Center emphasized that while resource extraction plays a role in Alaska’s economy, development must meet the standards of responsible stewardship. According to the organization’s submission, oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain does not meet those standards due to ecological risks, uncertain economic viability, and potential impacts on subsistence resources.
The Coastal Plain provides critical habitat for the Porcupine Caribou Herd, denning habitat for polar bear, and breeding grounds for millions of migratory birds. The area is also deeply significant to the Gwich’in people, whose culture and subsistence traditions are closely tied to the health of the caribou herd.
Recent leasing history has also raised questions about the economic viability of Arctic Refuge drilling. The first lease sale held in 2021 generated minimal bids, and a second mandated lease sale in 2025 received no bids at all.
Learn More and Submit a Comment
The Bureau of Land Management is accepting comments on the proposed lease sale until March 5.
You can read the Northern Center’s full comment letter here: NAEC-2026-Coastal-Plain-Oil-and-Gas-Lease-Sale-91-Fed.-Reg.-4937-.pdf (351 downloads )
Comments or nomination packages may be submitted to the Bureau of Land Management Alaska State Office by email at:
BLM_AKSO_AK932_AKLeasesales@blm.gov
Public comments are an important part of federal land management decisions and become part of the administrative record used to evaluate proposed actions.