Important Update -ANCSA 17(d)(1) Withdrawals Draft Environmental Impact Statement Comment Period

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) 17(d)(1) Withdrawals Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  The BLM prepared an environmental impact statement to evaluate the effects of opening certain lands subject to ANCSA 17(d)(1) withdrawals in the Bay, Bering Sea-Western Interior, East Alaska, Kobuk-Seward Peninsula, and Ring of Fire Planning Areas. Opening lands could allow mineral entry or leasing, and potential subsequent development. Opening lands could also lead to the conveyance of land out of Federal ownership, including through the Statehood Act, which would remove the Federal subsistence priority from these lands.

The BLM invites comments on alternatives, information, and analysis in the Draft EIS and is hosting public meetings to gather comments and share information on the EIS. Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) 810 Subsistence Public Hearings will be held concurrently with the public meetings. The public comment period opened December 15, 2023, and closes February 14, 2024. 

For more information on the ANCSA 17(d)(1) Withdrawals Draft EIS, go to BLM’s website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2018002/510. The project website contains FAQs, participation opportunities, an interactive web map with the alternatives under consideration, the EIS, and related project documents. 

Changes to meetings are highlighted in yellow.