Biden Blocks Ambler Road, Protects 28M Alaska Acres

The Biden administration has blocked the construction of the 211-mile Ambler Road, which would have facilitated mining in Interior Alaska, citing the need to protect Alaska Native communities and pristine ecosystems. This decision reverses a Trump-era approval of the project, which aimed to access significant mineral deposits. The administration also announced plans to retain protections for 28 million acres of Alaskan land from oil, gas, and mining activities, emphasizing the preservation of caribou migration, salmon spawning, and other vital wildlife habitats. Alaska lawmakers, including Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, criticized the decision, arguing it hampers national security by increasing reliance on foreign minerals. Conservation groups and Indigenous communities, however, praised the move, highlighting its importance for subsistence hunting and fishing. The administration's actions align with Biden’s efforts to bolster his environmental record ahead of the upcoming election.