Thank you for participating in yesterday’s presentation of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) and Alaska Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the recently published draft EIS regarding ANCSA 17(d)(1) withdrawals. The draft EIS and supporting documents are available on BLM’s website here.
Here is some important information from the presentation:
Link to project web site: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2018002/510
Link to web map: https://blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d1ca81fb01dc4bc78493b24e08b1c106
Mineral Entry Lands – Alternatives A-D*:
Alt. A– No action alternative. All withdrawals would be retained.
Alt. B- Most withdrawals would be retained, only the most desirable lands would be revoked, and only areas with no major cultural resource conflict.
Alt. C- High mineral potential, open areas for development. Only State of Alaska leases.
Alt. D- Would revoke all withdrawals.
Minerals-locatable or leasable minerals.
Additional EIS would be conducted before any development plan or proposal.
*Potential for alternatives to change or add an alternative after the comment period ends on February 14, 2024.
BLM & the Department of the Interior have not selected a preferred alternative. Their decision will be announced in the summer.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA):
Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966, as amended, and its implementing regulations in 36 CFR 800, require federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. An undertaking is a project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a federal agency, or that requires a federal permit, license, or approval.
BLM contact:
Elia Nay, [email protected] -Tribal Coordinator for the Anchorage Field.
