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The '''Ambler Road''' is the common name for the '''Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project'''—a proposed industrial [[haul road]] that would connect the [[Dalton Highway]] to the area around the '''Ambler Mining District''', allowing for future mining projects in the area. The project is being managed by the [[Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority]] (AIDEA)—Alaska's state-owned economic development authority. It has been the subject of controversy due to its potential impact on the environment and regional communities.
In April 2024, the [[Bureau of Land Management]] (BLM) issued a [[Environmental impact statement|Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement]], evaluating the project's potential impact on the environment and nearby communities. The BLM selected the "no action" alternative, effectively halting the project.
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In October 2023, [[Doyon, Limited]] announced that it would not renew its land-use agreement with AIDEA once it expired in April 2024, blocking access to 10-12 miles of two potential routes for the Ambler Road, as well as gravel pits needed for road construction. This action was due at least in part to a dispute between Doyon and AIDEA regarding a separate project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=James |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Doyon Ltd. drops support for Ambler Road, at least temporarily |url=https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/doyon-ltd-drops-support-for-ambler-road-at-least-temporarily/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101014936/https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/doyon-ltd-drops-support-for-ambler-road-at-least-temporarily/ |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |work=[[Alaska Beacon]]}}</ref>
The Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was released in late 2023 and concluded that 66 communities would see their [[Subsistence economy|subsistence]] practices impacted by the project instead of the 27 included in the initial EIS.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Lisa |date=April 18, 2024 |orig-date=April 16, 2024 (updated) |title=Interior Said to Reject Industrial Road Through Alaskan Wilderness |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/16/climate/ambler-road-alaska-interior.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426144619/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/16/climate/ambler-road-alaska-interior.html |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The SEIS was finalized in April of 2024, with the BLM this time selecting "no action" as its preferred alternative. This decision was announced at the same time as new restrictions on development within the [[National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska]] were finalized.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Biden-Harris Administration Takes Critical Action to Protect Alaska Native Subsistence, Lands and Wildlife |url=https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-takes-critical-action-protect-alaska-native-subsistence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503223745/https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-takes-critical-action-protect-alaska-native-subsistence |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=[[U.S. Department of the Interior]]}}</ref> BLM's decision drew criticism from industry groups, the Alaska state government, and Alaska's congressional delegation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Rosen |first=Yereth |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Biden administration rejection of Ambler road project both panned and celebrated in Alaska |url=https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/04/19/biden-administration-rejection-of-ambler-road-project-both-panned-and-celebrated-in-alaska/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506233828/https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/04/19/biden-administration-rejection-of-ambler-road-project-both-panned-and-celebrated-in-alaska/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 2, 2024 |work=[[Alaska Beacon]]}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
[[NANA Regional Corporation]] announced in May 2024 that it would not renew its land use agreement with AIDEA. NANA stated that it disagreed with AIDEA's management of the project, but continued to support future mine development and would maintain its partnership with Ambler Metals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosen |first=Yereth |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Alaska Native corporation ending involvement in controversial Ambler road project |url=https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/05/09/alaska-native-corporation-ending-involvement-in-controversial-ambler-road-project/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509193341/https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/05/09/alaska-native-corporation-ending-involvement-in-controversial-ambler-road-project/ |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |work=[[Alaska Beacon]]}}</ref>
In June 2024, Alaska Senator [[Dan Sullivan (U.S. senator)|Dan Sullivan]] added a [[Rider (legislation)|rider]] to the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024|2024 National Defense Authorization Act]] that would require the BLM to grant the Ambler Access Project right-of-way within 30 days of the act's passage, citing national security interests.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirch |first=Steve |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Attempt to revive Ambler Road project through defense bill amendment prompts reaction from Alaskans |url=https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/06/27/attempt-revive-ambler-road-project-through-defense-bill-amendment-prompts-reaction-alaskans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627152157/https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/06/27/attempt-revive-ambler-road-project-through-defense-bill-amendment-prompts-reaction-alaskans/ |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=[[KTUU|Alaska's News Source]]}}</ref>
==Reactions==
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A group of regional residents called Protect the Kobuk has organized opposition to the road in the [[Northwest Arctic Borough]].
In addition to Protect the Kobuk, the several notable organizations have publicly opposed the project, including the [[Tanana Chiefs Conference]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stop the Ambler Road |url=https://www.tananachiefs.org/get-involved/ambler-road-project/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024012304/https://www.tananachiefs.org/get-involved/ambler-road-project/ |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=[[Tanana Chiefs Conference]]}}</ref>, the [[Sierra Club]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2024 |title=Biden Administration Moves to Block Proposed Ambler Road |url=https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2024/04/biden-administration-moves-block-proposed-ambler-road |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627232654/https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2024/04/biden-administration-moves-block-proposed-ambler-road |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |website=[[Sierra Club]]}}</ref>, the Center for American Progess<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2024 |title=STATEMENT: Biden Administration Protects Vulnerable Lands in America’s Arctic |url=https://www.americanprogress.org/press/statement-biden-administration-protects-vulnerable-lands-in-americas-arctic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627232204/https://www.americanprogress.org/press/statement-biden-administration-protects-vulnerable-lands-in-americas-arctic/ |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |website=[[Center for American Progress]]}}</ref>, and numerous other environmental and Alaska Native organizations.<ref name=":2" />
===Arguments for the project===
Supporters of the project have cited its potential to bring jobs and economic growth to the region. They have also pointed out that the minerals that could be extracted from the Ambler Region would aid the nation's transition to [[clean energy]] and [[Electric vehicle|electric vehicles]]. Supporters have warned that if mining projects in the United States are blocked, the same minerals will have to be sourced from countries with weaker protections for [[human rights]] and the environment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feige |first=Corri |date=Mar 5, 2022 |title=Revisiting Ambler decision contradicts White House clean energy targets |url=https://alaska-native-news.com/revisiting-ambler-decision-contradicts-white-house-clean-energy-targets/60402/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306233305/https://alaska-native-news.com/revisiting-ambler-decision-contradicts-white-house-clean-energy-targets/60402/ |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |work=Alaska Native News}}</ref>
Supporters include Alaska governor [[Mike Dunleavy (politician)|Mike Dunleavy]] and Alaska's three members of Congress—[[Lisa Murkowski]], Dan Sullivan, and [[Mary Peltola]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 16, 2024 |title=US to reject access road to northern Alaska mining district, Politico reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-reject-access-road-northern-alaska-mining-district-politico-reports-2024-04-16/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> The project is also supported by mining industry groups, some Alaska Native groups, and the [[Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska|Northwest Arctic]] and [[North Slope Borough, Alaska|North Slope]] [[Borough (Alaska)|borough]] governments.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=AIDEA Office of Communications & External Affairs |title=AIDEA Urges BLM to Consider Recent Tribal Support in Ambler Road Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement |url=https://ambleraccess.org/Portals/ambler/3-28-2024%20AIDEA%20Urges%20BLM%20to%20Consider%20Tribal%20Support%20-%20Press%20Release%20Final.pdf?ver=olOp926xHG3AhYBsYLTLYw%3D%3D |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=[[Alaska Industial Development and Export Authority]]}}</ref>
==See Also==
*[[Red Dog mine|Red Dog Mine]]
*[[Pebble Mine]]
*[[Willow Project]]
== References ==
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