Don't miss the deadline to submit your comments on Arctic issues! |
Photo: Atsushi Sugimoto Make time this afternoon to submit your comments on the following critical Arctic issues.
Closing today (Thursday 12/7): Reserve Rulemaking
Today is the last chance to submit comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding a new proposed rule for the Western Arctic Reserve. This rule would create stronger safeguards against oil-and-gas leasing in Special Areas. See our complete talking points and how to comment here.
Closing tomorrow (Friday 12/8): Seismic for Willow
At the same time, ConocoPhillips has submitted a proposal for seismic exploration in the Reserve. This plan goes beyond the boundaries of the Willow project, and threatens polar bear and caribou habitats by sending massive trucks weighing up to 95,000 pounds across these regions. See additional details and submit your comments here.
Thank you for taking the time to make your voice heard on these important issues. |
Anchorage hearing: oppose the Ambler road |
Next Wednesday (12/13), join us for the in-person hearing on Ambler road in Anchorage starting at 5:00 PM at Loussac Library. You'll be able to sign up to make an oral comment on the record, or sit with us in solidarity and listen to movement leaders speak about the issue to the Bureau of Land Management.
Native Movement will host a rally outside the library before the hearing featuring fresh No Ambler Road artwork and swag, an opportunity to gather together and hear from frontline leaders, and hot chocolate. This rally will start at 4:30 PM, and you can RSVP on Facebook or just show up.
Whether or not you can attend in person, you can submit a written comment online until December 22, 2023. You can review our talking points and see how to submit your comment opposing this road here. |
Help us find our next Featured Artist! |
Above: a selection of some of Northern Center's previous Featured Art We are currently seeking applications for our 2024 Featured Artist. Applicants should live in Alaska and have deep connections to the north. We welcome applications from early career artists. Please share this information with your network to help us find the best person for the role.
More information about this role and how to apply can be found on our website. Applications are due January 5, 2024, and a contract will be negotiated with the selected artist shortly thereafter. |
Transportation Advisory Committee stops all public meetings after letter from DOT |
Photo: Lynn Cornberg
A few weeks ago, the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), the stakeholder group tasked with reviewing the AK Richardson Steese transportation corridor study and recommending mitigation measures, was abruptly relieved of their duties by Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ryan Anderson.
The night before the November 16th TAC meeting, Commissioner Anderson sent a letter to committee members effectively hamstringing any meaningful conversation about the ore haul and transportation corridor study. DOT representatives at the meeting did not engage in conversation or answer any questions, citing the lawsuit against the state brought forth by the Committee for Safe Communities, even when discussion topics were unrelated to legal matters.
Because of this gag order, TAC facilitator, Shelly Wade of Agnew Beck, and Kinney Engineering determined that there will be no more TAC or public meetings regarding the ore haul moving forward, based on DOT's orders. Kinney Engineering plans to finalize and release their corridor study in early 2024. This is a gross overreach on the part of the Dunleavy administration to obfuscate what was supposed to be an independent committee and process to analyze the impacts of the ore haul. These recent actions clearly demonstrate that the committee was never meant to be independent or effective, and the Dunleavy administration will do everything it can to push an irresponsible ore haul on the roads and residents of the Interior. You can watch a recording of the final meeting here.
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