Tribal Leaders Celebrate Obama Administration’s Block of Ambler Mining Road Amid Political Pushback from Alaska Lawmakers

Alaskan tribal members and environmental advocates are preparing for political and legal attacks following the Obama administration’s decision to block the proposed Ambler mining road. The decision was welcomed by tribal leaders, who believe it will help them in their fight against the project. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recommended rejecting the road, stating it would cause irreparable harm to permafrost and wildlife, including caribou. If finalised, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), the state-owned development bank pursuing the project, would not receive a right of way to build the road across federally managed public lands. However, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola have both opposed the administration’s decision.