Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today the Biden administration issued a final record of decision stopping a controversial proposal to build a road across more than 200 miles of Alaska wilderness for the benefit of mining interests.
The Ambler Road was a proposed 211-mile-long industrial access road supported by mining groups to facilitate operations in remote Alaskan wilderness. The proposed route would have cut near some of the country’s most well-preserved national parks. Local communities along the proposed route were overwhelmingly opposed to its construction.
Under the Trump administration, mining interests pushed for construction of the road. The Biden Administration sought input from impacted communities before ultimately moving to block the proposal.
In response, Sierra Club’s Director of Conservation Dan Ritzman issued the following statement:
“The Biden Administration has made the right call by blocking the proposed Ambler Road. This industrial corridor would have cut a swath through Arctic wilderness, severing the migration route of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd and causing significant harm to Alaskan landscapes and the local communities and wildlife that rely on them. Those who would seek to revive this project should listen to the local communities along the proposed route of the road, who have time and time again made their voices clear in opposing this damaging project.”
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.