Sunlight illuminates a lynx in Denali National Park and Preserve. NPS Photo by Emily Mesner |
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AIDEA acts first, and asks Alaskans later |
Last week, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) approved a resolution that would allow them to spend up to $20 million at this year’s mandated oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This controversial decision comes after the Department of the Interior canceled AIDEA’s leases from the initial sale in 2021 because the process was riddled with flaws and environmental oversights.
There was strong written opposition to last week’s resolution, but AIDEA failed to allow for public testimony by phone, silencing Alaskans who were calling in to express their concerns. The Northern Center alerted AIDEA staff that the call line wasn’t working and requested voting be postponed until the public could comment. Instead, the AIDEA board approved the resolution.
Though it may have been a technical issue, AIDEA’s decision to allocate millions in public funds for development in the Refuge without adequate public engagement is part of a larger pattern of going against Alaskans’ economic interests. AIDEA should not have approved funding to bid on coastal plain leases, and they should not approve wasting public funds to litigate their misguided efforts to develop the proposed Ambler Road.
Email comments to communications@aidea.org by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, to share your concerns before their next board meeting. Tell the board that they are working against Alaska’s best interests. Oil and gas development in the coastal plain would come at a huge cost to communities on both sides of the Alaska-Canada border.
It’s time for the Alaska legislature to end AIDEA’s policy of closed-door decision making and demand transparency and public accountability. |
Action Alert: No Ambler Road, No Ambler rider |
Northern Center’s Katie McClellan holds a sign from Defend the Brooks Range outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in May 2023. Photo by Katie McClellan |
Indigenous advocates from the region and members of Defend Brooks Range coalition are still actively organizing and lobbying against Sen. Dan Sullivan's amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Department of the Interior to approve permits for the proposed Ambler Road.
As the bill moves through Congress and is the subject of debate, we continue to have opportunities to reach out to legislators in an effort to remove this rider from the NDAA. We encourage you to take a few minutes out of your day to call and leave a message to two or three key legislators. It’s time for Sen. Sullivan to respect the robust process performed by the DOI and serve his true constituents, the people of Alaska.
Click the button below for email and phone scripts, in addition to phone numbers for the members of Congress who have influence over the NDAA process and can advocate on behalf of Brooks Range communities to remove the rider. If you have any questions, please email katie@northern.org.
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Night for the North, 2022. Photo by Sarah Lewis Photography |
There's still time to get your tickets for Night for the North, our annual auction and dinner celebration! Join us in helping protect the diverse natural ecosystems in Alaska and the communities that depend on them and help us work to empower the next generation of conservation champions. WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 9 TIME: 6:30-9:30 p.m. WHERE: Birch Hill Recreation Area (Fairbanks) Do you live outside of Fairbanks but still want to participate? Don't worry, we're adding an online silent auction this year, opening Nov. 7!
And thank you to National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Arctic Audubon Society, Aurora Animal Hospital, Enlaces Alaska, and Becky Hassebroek on behalf of Friends of Creamer’s Field for sponsoring this year's event! Click their logos at the bottom of this newsletter to learn more about the work they do.
If your business would also like to support Night for the North, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page. Questions? Email events@northern.org.
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Listen: Microplastics in the Arctic |
In this "Line One" podcast hosted by Alaska Public Media's Prentiss Pemberton, learn more as he talks with Alaska Community Action on Toxics' Vi Pangunnaaq Waghiyi and Pamela Miller about microplastics in the Arctic. |
Help protect Tanana Valley State Forest |
The Tanana Valley State Forest encompasses 1.81 million acres of land stretching from near the Canadian border to Manley. It is Fairbanks's big backyard, an area that many of us use for hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, dog mushing, skiing, snowmachining, biking, ATVing, boating, berry-picking, and firewood cutting.
A process is underway to update the 2001 Tanana Valley State Forest management plan. This update serves as a rare opportunity to put into place some safeguards to ensure that future generations of Interior residents enjoy and benefit from our big, healthy forest.
Comments are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 19 and can be emailed to dnr.for.tvsfrevision@alaska.gov. For more information, click here or contact community advocate Jenna Jonas at jenna.e.jonas@gmail.com.
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Check out some of our favorite reads this week |
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The Alaska Center is hiring for two new positions on their Advocacy Team. Read more about the positions and requirements below.
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Federal Infrastructure Coordinator - AKC seeks an individual knowledgeable about the federal funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act who is experienced in connecting federal programs/funding opportunities with communities, entities, and individuals who are eligible to receive funds. The goal of this position is to secure and guarantee equitable spending of as much federal funding for Alaskans as possible by serving as a connector, educator, and resource for communities across the state.
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Partnerships Coordinator - AKC seeks an energetic community connector to help strengthen and build our ecosystem of environment, labor union, and community partners to advance our vision of a Just Transition for Alaska. This position will act as The Alaska Center’s lead in key climate and clean energy coalition spaces and will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with partner organizations by attending, scheduling, and facilitating coalition meetings, and identifying and bringing in key partners and stakeholder groups into our climate and clean energy campaigns.
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Thank you Night for the North sponsors! |
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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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