Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Bureau of Land Management concludes a public comment period that could see additional protections for the Arctic Refuge.
The comment period focused on a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) affecting the Coastal Plain of Arctic Alaska, which the Biden Administration proposed in early September. An updated SEIS could bring much-needed protections to the Arctic Refuge, which is on the front line of the climate crisis. The coastal plain of Alaska is the biological heart of the Arctic Refuge, with lands and wildlife essential to sustain Indigenous communities and cultures. It is one of the world’s last intact ecosystems, and continued drilling would damage communities and exacerbate the climate crisis.
The end of the comment period is the latest development in a flurry of administrative action in the Arctic. In September, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland canceled all remaining oil and gas leases in the Arctic Refuge. An additional comment period on proposed new environmental protections in the Western Arctic is set to conclude on November 17. In all, more than 21 million acres, an area nearly as large as Indiana, could see additional protections for public lands and waters.
In response, Athan Manuel, director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program, released the following statements:
"It is clear that oil and gas drilling is not compatible with the long-term survival of the Arctic and the communities and wildlife that rely on it. The Arctic is on the front lines of the climate crisis. Establishing additional protections and ending new oil and gas leasing could make it the front line of climate action. We will continue to urge the Biden Administration to listen to the Gwich’in Nation, take bold action to protect public lands and waters and avert climate catastrophe."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.