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Lingering
Withdrawals…
…Section 17(d)(1) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act
Millions of acres of the Alaska landscape are covered with Federal land withdrawals,
many of which were originally reserved in the 1970’s for study as potential
new Conservation Systems Units (CSUs) or for Native land selections. These
ANCSA 17(d)(1) withdrawals closed the lands to surface disturbing activities
that could alter the integrity of the landscape, particularly mining and mineral
leasing. The decision to maintain, modify, or revoke these withdrawals usually
occurs following the completion of land use plans, long-term resource management
plans which BLM is currently in the process of developing statewide.
In accordance with Section 207 of the Alaska Land Transfer Acceleration Act of 2004, the BLM is preparing a report for the Secretary of the Interior to submit to Congress. Based on available data and known management objectives, the BLM report will make recommendations to lift the d-1 withdrawals on lands that can be opened to entry, primarily for mining and mineral leasing.
The Scary Truth
The potential impacts of lifting these d-1 withdrawals are overwhelming, as they have essentially protected millions of acres of public lands from mineral development and destruction for over 30 years! The economic and social benefit of opening these lands to mining is highly questionable. Development in these areas would threaten the pristine quality of wildlife habitat, subsistence resources, and impair scenic vistas with new access roads, mining scars, and off-highway vehicle trails.
Public support and rationale can help prevent the lifting of these protective withdrawals from our most cherished Alaska BLM resources, including Wild & Scenic Rivers, Steese National Conservation Area, White Mountains National Recreation Area, the National Historic Iditarod Trail, and your favorite recreation areas and wild landscapes.
Take Action Now!
BLM is providing a 90-day public comment period to solicit information as to which lands withdrawn by the d-1 Public Land Orders (PLOs) should be opened to mineral entry or should have the d-1 withdrawals maintained. Please send written comments to the address below by the September 15, 2005 deadline!
A set of maps can be provided upon written request at the following address:
Bureau of Land Management - Alaska State Office
Attn: Section 207 Congressional Report (AK-932)
222 West Seventh Avenue, #13
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599
Or see them online here: http://akcenter.org/GIS/pickup/d1-PLOs/
Questions can be directed to BLM staff:
Dave Mushovic, 907-271-3293 or Susan Lavin, 907-271-3826