Walter Sampson testifies before BLM representatives at a public hearing for the proposed Ambler Road draft EIS in Kotzebue. (Photo by Wesley Early, KOTZ - Kotzebue)
The Bureau of Land Management held a public hearing on the proposed Ambler Road project in Kotzebue Monday evening. It was the first hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the road in a community that could be affected by it. Most of the comments criticized BLM’s process and presentation rather than the project itself.
The proposed road would stretch more than 200 miles from the Dalton highway west to the Ambler Mining District, northeast of Kotzebue along the Kobuk River.
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) wants to construct the road, saying it would allow for more resource development in the region. Opponents of the road express concern over how the project could affect subsistence in the area, including the Western Arctic caribou herd.
A few dozen people attended the hearing. Walter Sampson, who serves on the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly, was one of five people who provided testimony. He said that the people in the region that would be affected by the road aren’t being properly consulted.
“There is a lack of listening to the real people that are within the areas of the proposed road site to the Ambler Mining District,” Sampson said.
The draft EIS was released on August 23, with the first public hearing on September 10. Martha Whiting expressed criticism with how long people had to read the EIS and the timing of its release.
“It’s right in the smack of hunting and fishing season -- caribou hunting and moose hunting," Whiting said. "So the timeline is not that great for us at this point.”
After the presentation, Bill Hedman with BLM said he appreciated the comments on the timing, and he’s heard from several people that the 45-day comment period, which is the minimum amount required by law, should be extended.
“We’re encouraging folks to make that comment to us. Then we can pass it forward,” Hedman said.
In its presentation, BLM said that the project had the potential to significantly restrict Western Arctic caribou herd migration.
The Tanana Chiefs Conference, a regional nonprofit which represents Native lands that would be affected on the eastern half of the project opposes the road project. The city of Kotzebue also passed a resolution in opposition to the project last year.
NANA regional corporation, which represents the region that’s closer to the Ambler Mining District, is officially neutral on the project. But at the hearing, NANA president and CEO Wayne Westlake testified on behalf of himself. He objected to BLM saying the road project could “significantly restrict” caribou migration.
“You’re sending a message there that, to me, appears to be kinda scaring folks,” Westlake said.
Westlake suggested impact would be a better word.
In response to the concern, Hedman with BLM said that they are using language that is in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).
In their presentation, BLM listed 20 villages that could be affected by the project. Between now and Oct. 11th, they are scheduled to visit all of them.
In addition to Kotzebue, BLM is scheduled to hold hearings this week in Ambler, Kobuk, Shungnak and Noorvik.
Editor's note: Martha Whiting serves on the Board of Directors for KOTZ.
The proposed road would stretch more than 200 miles from the Dalton highway west to the Ambler Mining District, northeast of Kotzebue along the Kobuk River.
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) wants to construct the road, saying it would allow for more resource development in the region. Opponents of the road express concern over how the project could affect subsistence in the area, including the Western Arctic caribou herd.
A few dozen people attended the hearing. Walter Sampson, who serves on the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly, was one of five people who provided testimony. He said that the people in the region that would be affected by the road aren’t being properly consulted.
“There is a lack of listening to the real people that are within the areas of the proposed road site to the Ambler Mining District,” Sampson said.
The draft EIS was released on August 23, with the first public hearing on September 10. Martha Whiting expressed criticism with how long people had to read the EIS and the timing of its release.
“It’s right in the smack of hunting and fishing season -- caribou hunting and moose hunting," Whiting said. "So the timeline is not that great for us at this point.”
After the presentation, Bill Hedman with BLM said he appreciated the comments on the timing, and he’s heard from several people that the 45-day comment period, which is the minimum amount required by law, should be extended.
“We’re encouraging folks to make that comment to us. Then we can pass it forward,” Hedman said.
In its presentation, BLM said that the project had the potential to significantly restrict Western Arctic caribou herd migration.
The Tanana Chiefs Conference, a regional nonprofit which represents Native lands that would be affected on the eastern half of the project opposes the road project. The city of Kotzebue also passed a resolution in opposition to the project last year.
NANA regional corporation, which represents the region that’s closer to the Ambler Mining District, is officially neutral on the project. But at the hearing, NANA president and CEO Wayne Westlake testified on behalf of himself. He objected to BLM saying the road project could “significantly restrict” caribou migration.
“You’re sending a message there that, to me, appears to be kinda scaring folks,” Westlake said.
Westlake suggested impact would be a better word.
In response to the concern, Hedman with BLM said that they are using language that is in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).
In their presentation, BLM listed 20 villages that could be affected by the project. Between now and Oct. 11th, they are scheduled to visit all of them.
In addition to Kotzebue, BLM is scheduled to hold hearings this week in Ambler, Kobuk, Shungnak and Noorvik.
Editor's note: Martha Whiting serves on the Board of Directors for KOTZ.
The three proposed routes for the proposed Ambler Road. (Graphic courtesy of BLM)
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