The Biden administration has safeguarded 28 million acres of Alaska's public lands, overturning Trump-era plans to open them to development, citing potential harm to Indigenous communities and wildlife.
Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.
In short:
- The administration's decision protects the lands from mining and oil extraction, ensuring the preservation of cultural and environmental resources.
- Interior Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the importance of mandatory tribal consultation in federal land decisions.
- The protected areas include critical habitats like Bristol Bay, vital for caribou and salmon.
Key quote:
“These lands and waters are unparalleled not only for their natural beauty, but for the habitat they provide imperiled wildlife, and the recreation opportunities they offer us.”
— Dan Ritzman, director of Sierra Club’s Conservation Campaign
Why this matters:
Preserving these lands helps safeguard Indigenous communities' access to essential resources and protects crucial wildlife habitats, which are increasingly threatened by development.
