Action Alert: South Planning Area — National Petroleum Reserve Alaska

Overview:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is beginning a new planning effort to examine future management of the southern part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The planning area includes 9.2 million acres, much of which is the foothills and mountains of the upper Colville and Utukok River drainages. The BLM is now seeking input from the public and other agencies on how the land should be managed.

The southern area is the only remaining unplanned portion of NPR-A. Last year the Department of Interior adopted the BLM plan for the northwest part of the NPR-A and the agency is in the final stages of amending its 1998 plan for the northeast area. Oil and gas potential is considered high in both the Northwest and Northeast sectors, but is lower to the south, yet still significant, especially with regard to potential gas deposits. In addition, the southern portion is considered one of the most heavily mineralized regions of Alaska with significant potential for hard-rock minerals discoveries, as well as some of the nation’s largest undeveloped coal resources.

The southern area includes important surface values, too. Much of the western two-thirds of the area comprises the calving grounds for the Western Arctic Caribou herd, the largest in Alaska. Northwest Alaska villages harvest caribou from this herd. Additional information on the planning process is available at:

http://www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/state_info/planning.htm

Action Requested: 

Submit written comments by mail or fax before October 17^th to:

South NPR-A Planning Team

BLM Alaska State Office

222 W. 7^th Avenue, #13

Anchorage, AK 99513

FAX: (907) 271-5479           

Attend a Scoping meeting:

Fifteen meetings have been scheduled in Northwest Alaska, Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Anchorage	August 16, BLM Campbell Tract Facility, 6:30 p.m.
Nome	August 23
Fairbanks	September 1
Barrow	September 14

Points to include in your testimony and letter:

• Given the southern area of NPR-A is one of the most heavily mineralized regions of Alaska, BLM should urge Congress to open this area to mineral entry.
• BLM should make adequate provisions in the management plan to accommodate oil, gas and industrial mineral development, including coal, in South NPR-A. The reserve was designated by Congress for energy production, and, therefore, should be opened to leasing. No lands in the reserve, especially those with oil, gas, coal and mineral potential, should be deleted from leasing and mineral entry.
• The northern foothills of the Brooks Range/South NPR-A have significant potential for base metals discoveries similar to the rich zinc and lead ores found at Red Dog. The region may also hold some of the most significant coals deposits anywhere in the world.
• BLM should make provisions in its management plan for transportation corridors to facilitate future resource development.
• Given local subsistence and recreational needs, BLM should develop adequate and reasonable measures to protect important surface resources, including the Western Arctic Caribou Herd.
• Southern NPR-A should be managed with a true multiple use philosophy, allowing for the coexistence of development, recreation and subsistence uses. BLM should not propose new single-purpose, highly-restrictive conservation system units in the southern area. Alaska already has an overwhelming majority of the nation’s national park and refuge lands.
• Environmental concerns and habitat issues can be adequately addressed during the permitting process. Heavily regulated mines and oil fields in Alaska have not harmed surrounding wildlife populations.
• Oil, gas and mineral development in South NPR-A will enhance the nation’s energy and economic security.
• New oil, gas, coal and mineral development in the southern area will provide economic benefits to the Northwest Arctic region and Alaska, as well as new job opportunities for local residents. 
• Both the Northwest Arctic and North Slope boroughs, like the Alaska economy, depend heavily on resource development. Revenues derived from mineral and oil production are critical in sustaining local services and infrastructure ranging from water and sewer systems to schools and health care facilities.

Deadline for written comments: October 17, 2005