03/14/2024

Your input and contributions are vital to our work!

Large-flowered wintergreen (pyrola borealis) bloom in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Emily Sullivan

As we advocate for northern Alaska's lands and waters, we rely greatly on support and input from members like you. Thanks to your ongoing advocacy and contributions, Northern staff are supporting lobbying efforts for clean water state-wide, legal efforts to block AIDEA's pursuit of Arctic Refuge leases, and more.

Read on for more detailed updates on our work, and take an opportunity to weigh in on our efforts with a brief survey. 

Northern advocates for clean

water at the state legislature

Northern's Emily Hikes and Katie McClellan meet with Maxine Dilbert in Juneau.

Last week, Katie McClellan and Emily Hikes joined Alaskan conservation organizations and tribes in Juneau to amplify concerns over House Bill 95 and Senate Bill 72, which attempt to instate a poorly-devised implementation procedure for the designation of ‘Tier 3’ or ‘Outstanding National Resource Waters’ in Alaska. 

Alaskans have the opportunity to safeguard waterways of ecological, economical, cultural, and recreational importance through the federal Clean Water Act's provisions by nominating them for designation of Tier 3 status. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has not fulfilled its legal obligation to review and designate Tier 3 water bodies, making Alaska the only state in the US without any Tier 3 waters. HB95 and SB72 would create an exclusively political process by placing review solely in the hands of the legislature, thereby circumventing the scientific data and expertise of the ADEC, and limiting public process.

Katie and Emily were grateful for the time spent with six legislators and their staff discussing the importance of rejecting these bills. They left with hope for future opportunities for Alaskans to advocate for Tier 3 waters–such as the Interior’s Draanjik and Teejiindriik Rivers–which have been awaiting this designation for close to a decade.

We encourage our members to reach out to their legislators and urge them to vote no on SB72 and HB95, and advocate for the ADEC to fulfill its legal duty to review and designate Tier 3 water bodies. For more information, please reach out to katie@northern.org and hikes@northern.org

Good news for the Arctic Refuge coastal plain!

Painting of the Arctic Refuge coastal plain by 2020 featured artist Cherissa Dukelow

In September 2023, we celebrated the cancelation of Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority's (AIDEA's) seven leases for oil and gas development on the Arctic Refuge coastal plain. However, AIDEA has taken every legal avenue available to challenge this move by the Biden administration.

This week, a federal judge for Alaska’s District Court halted AIDEA’s most recent effort to continue their canceled leases. Judge Gleason upheld her decision suspending any development activities in a case challenging the suspension of the coastal plain leases. This is continued good news for the Arctic Refuge! We will continue to challenge AIDEA's efforts to undo this important decision through legal recourse. 

Alaskans continue to show strong opposition to the Ambler Industrial Road

Last weekend, tribal members and coalition partners joined music superstars Portugal. The Man in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the Brooks Range and speak out against the proposed Ambler Road. Organizers and advocates from Native Movement, Tanana Chiefs Conference, various tribes, and in-region communities visited with federal leadership. They also took to the stage at PTM’s Saturday night concert to amplify the cultural and ecological importance of the Brooks Range and the ways in which Ambler Road would permanently impact communities and ecosystems. We are grateful for the continued leadership of tribes and community members across the Brooks Range who are leading the charge to protect this incredible landscape and the communities and cultures it supports.

Survey: let us know how we're doing!

Thank you so much for your support and action as a member of the Northern Center. We value your feedback and would love to hear from you–can you take a quick survey to let us know how you’re doing? Take 3 minutes to share your feedback.

Other News & Updates

• Please tell us more about you with our quick survey. 
• You can support the Northern Alaska Environmental Center through your 2024 Permanent Fund Dividend by choosing to Pick, Click, Give! PFD applications are available from January 1 to March 31.

• Come to the Earth Day Fair and Maker's Market on April 20, from noon-4:00pm at Barnette Magnet School.

MISSION

The Northern Alaska Environmental Center promotes conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy.

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