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The majority of Bureau of Land Management lands in Alaska have been off-limits to new mining claims since the 1970s. But that could change under the Biden administration, which is currently considering whether to open about 28 million acres across the state to mineral development.
The land the BLM is considering opening was nearly made available for mining almost two years ago, in the final days of the Trump administration. Then-Interior Secretary David Bernhardt signed orders to revoke the withdrawals, making it the largest opening of public land to mining in contemporary U.S. history. The Biden administration paused Bernhardt’s order, citing legal errors and setting a 2023 deadline for a final decision on the matter.
Tribal organizations support keeping the withdrawal in place. They say that allowing mining on the BLM land "threatens critical habitat for our subsistence hunting, fishing and cultural values," but the BLM is also facing pressure to lift the ban from the mining industry and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski.
The BLM is taking public comment until mid-October on how it should assess the potential environmental impacts of allowing mining on these lands.
Permitting reform faces test in Senate
The Senate is set to take a test vote today on Senator Joe Manchin's permitting reform bill. Manchin has been working to secure the 60 Senate votes he needs for his permitting measure, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is whipping his party against the legislation. The bill also faces an uphill battle in the House, where more than 70 Democrats have indicated they'll oppose it.
Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer struck a deal that ties the permitting bill to legislation to fund the federal government, known as a continuing resolution. If Congress fails to pass a continuing resolution, it would lead to a government shut down. Government funding expires Friday, making that the deadline to pass a continuing resolution—with or without permitting attached.
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Whatever version Congress chooses to put forth, ‘permitting reform’ only leads to violating the sovereignty of tribal people, excluding communities from input on major development projects, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. The type of ‘reform’ needed for communities would increase public input and increase accessibility to challenge bad projects.”
