The President Donald Trump administration has officially approved oil and gas leasing across the entire Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and authorised the construction of a controversial road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska.
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced the final approval of a plan to open 1.56 million acres of ANWR’s Coastal Plain to oil and gas development.
This marks a significant reversal of previous restrictions under the Biden administration, which had limited leasing to 400,000 acres as required by law.
The Arctic refuge, often described as one of the last untouched wilderness areas in the U.S., is home to polar bears, caribou, grizzly bears, grey wolves, and over 200 species of migratory birds.
The region also holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Gwich’in Nation, whose leaders have strongly opposed industrial activity in the area.
The administration plans to auction off drilling rights during the upcoming winter season, a move that environmental groups warn could have irreversible consequences for fragile ecosystems and indigenous communities.
The Interior Department also approved the construction of a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area known for its rich biodiversity and critical habitat for migratory birds.
The road is intended to connect the remote community of King Cove to an all-weather airport in Cold Bay. This proposal has faced decades of legal and environmental challenges.
Supporters argue the road is essential for emergency medical evacuations and economic development. At the same time, opponents contend it will fragment pristine habitat and set a dangerous precedent for development in protected lands.
