The Biden administration is set to make a decision regarding a contentious land dispute in Alaska. According to a source, a draft environmental study is expected to be released next week, which could offer insight into whether the administration intends to move forward with a controversial road and land swap through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
While the source could not confirm whether the study would offer a clear stance on the issue, its release marks an outstanding step toward advancing the project.
The road in question, previously approved by the Trump administration, would connect the remote King Cove community to an airport, which supporters argue is critical for emergency medical evacuations.
Biden Weighs Alaska Land Swap for King Cove Emergency Access Route
When the Trump administration authorized the road, it justified the decision as the “right thing to do.” However, critics argue that the construction would jeopardize the refuge’s lands, waters, and wildlife, including species vital to indigenous tribes.
Last year, the Biden administration reversed the Trump-era approval, citing “several procedural flaws” and initiating its own environmental review.
Estelle Thomson, president of the Native Village of Paimiut, emphasized that the area is crucial for bird species like the emperor goose, which are vital to her community.
“If those numbers decline, it could be devastating to us,” she stated, noting the broader impact on many villages. It remains uncertain whether a final decision on the road will be made before the next presidential term, or if the incoming administration will revisit the matter.
