WASHINGTON, DC – January eighth, 2025 – The congressionally mandated second lease sale for the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) was a complete failure, with no bids acquired. This growth reaffirms what has all the time been true: the Arctic Refuge is a spot the place wildlife and other people come first, not drilling. For time immemorial, the Gwich’in and different Indigenous Peoples have trusted this land, and it stays a sanctuary for caribou, muskoxen, polar bears, tens of millions of migratory birds, and numerous different species. The way forward for the Arctic Refuge lies in its continued safety and stewardship— not as a website for exploitation.
“President Biden will depart workplace with ZERO growth within the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge,” stated Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President and CEO of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation. “We thank President Biden, Secretary Haaland, Appearing Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis, FWS Director Martha Williams and BLM Director Tracey Stone-Manning and everybody within the Biden Administration for his or her onerous work to guard this really outstanding place for now and the longer term.”
The Bureau of Land Administration (BLM) introduced the bid opening for the second congressionally mandated oil and gasoline lease sale for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge would happen on January 10, 2025 following a Nationwide Day of Mourning for President Jimmy Carter. It’s becoming that this information comes because the nation honors President Carter, a staunch advocate for Alaska’s wildlands whose landmark conservation achievement, the Alaska Nationwide Curiosity Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), protected greater than 100 million acres of public lands. Below ANILCA, the Arctic Refuge was expanded from 8.9 million acres to its present 19.3 million acres, establishing the Arctic Refuge as we all know it at present. Regardless of efforts by pro-drilling pursuits in Congress, no bids have been submitted by the January 6, 2025 deadline.
This isn’t the primary time lease gross sales within the Arctic Refuge have flopped. The Trump Administration held the primary lease sale on January 6, 2021 and attracted no main oil firms. In truth, the 2 oil firms who bid, requested for his or her leases to be cancelled and to be refunded their cash. The one different bidder at that sale was the Alaska Industrial Growth and Export Authority and their leases have been cancelled attributable to authorized deficiencies.
The Arctic Refuge is among the crown jewels of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System, residence to an unlimited and interconnected ecosystem with outstanding range of wildlife. Its Coastal Plain serves because the calving grounds for the Porcupine Caribou Herd, a species central to the tradition and sustenance of the Gwich’in individuals. The Gwich’in have lengthy opposed oil growth within the Arctic Refuge recognizing the essential function this panorama performs of their lifestyle and the well being of wildlife that rely upon it.
“Drilling within the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is dangerous for the Gwich’in and different Indigenous Peoples who rely upon the land and animals within the area; it is dangerous for wildlife; it is dangerous for the planet; and clearly, it is dangerous for enterprise,” stated Sorenson-Groves. “It is time to defend the Arctic Refuge as soon as and for all and take drilling off the desk.”
The Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation stays unwavering in our dedication to completely defend the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge for Indigenous peoples, wildlife and the American individuals for generations to return.
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Because the main unbiased voice advocating on behalf of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System, the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage via strategic packages that serve the System and wildlife past its boundaries. The group addresses Refuge System funding, administration, and strategic development, whereas additionally selling packages that maximize the system’s conservation affect.
For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Advertising and marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.
