Defend the Brooks Range and Take Action
Steve Bergman on the Koyukuk River, photo by Jayme Dittmar
The proposed Ambler Road is a 211-mile industrial access road intended to facilitate the development of at least four unproven and undeveloped large-scale mines and potentially hundreds of smaller mines across the Ambler mining district. It would cross 11 major river systems and thousands of smaller rivers, streams, and wetlands critical to fish and wildlife and the communities that depend on them. The road would require about 48 bridges and nearly 3,000 culverts.
photo by Jayme Dittmar
The road and associated mining operations would pass directly through and between several National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and other conservation system units. The Project and associated mining and secondary roads would have severe consequences for highly productive fish and wildlife habitat, public lands, and the Alaska Native communities that have depended on these resources for thousands of years.
The Ambler Road Project and associated development of the Ambler Mining District threaten the inherent human rights of Tribal members to continue traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering practices that serve as the foundation of their culture, spirituality, and way of life. The impacts from the proposed industrial development would cause severe harm across the region to all the resources that the local Athabascan and Iñupiat cultures revere—including caribou, fish, water resources, wetlands, and vegetation—as well as to their opportunities for subsistence and the social cohesion, culture, traditions, language, health, and well-being that depend on participation in subsistence harvesting and sharing networks.
Update: 4/22/2024
Due to the illuminating advocacy of many Alaska Native people and community partners, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – in their final supplemental environmental impact statement – announced on April 19, 2024, the “No Action” alternative is their preferred path forward. Alaska Native people raised key issues that influenced the decision.
Wildlife Habitat and Caribou Herds:
The proposed Ambler Road would have cut through critical habitat for one of Alaska’s magnificent caribou herds, known as the Western Arctic Caribou Herd.
The BLM determined the road would cause unacceptable harm to caribou and salmon habitat, among other vital subsistence resources.
Water Quality and Native Communities:
The project faced criticism due to potential risks to water quality and the Native communities that rely on natural resources in the area. The BLM highlighted the potential impacts from Acid Mine Drainage, Tailings, and far reaching impacts away from the proposed road – not just within the vicinity of the proposed road. The “No Action” alternative was chosen to avoid irreversible impacts on these vital resources. .
Community Opposition:
During the public comment periods, communities directly impacted by the project, advocates from across the state, and allies expressed their opposition – standing with the 42 tribes represented by Tanana Chiefs Conference who oppose the Ambler Road.
Native Movement provided space for communities during public hearings. Local voices for “No Action” were uplifted during community gatherings and rallies.
Most of the public testimony during the community meetings was against the road.
Inherent Human Rights and Environmental Impact:
Native Movement highlighted the severe consequences of the proposed Ambler Road upon Alaska Indigenous communities.
Native Movement and partner organizations’ advocacy efforts, community engagement, and social media actions contributed to the decision to reject the Ambler Road project in favor of the “No Action” alternative.