Senator Dan Sullivan has introduced an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would force the approval of the Ambler Road, bypassing crucial environmental laws and overriding the voices of Alaska Native communities.
Despite widespread national and Tribal opposition, Senator Dan Sullivan has inserted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would force the approval of the Ambler Road.
This proposed 211-mile road through Gates of the Arctic National Preserve poses a significant threat to Alaska’s environment, wildlife, and the cultural heritage of Alaska Native communities. It would cross 11 major river systems and thousands of smaller rivers, streams, and wetlands—these waterways are highways for our subsistence lifestyle.
Hundreds of thousands of Alaskans have spoken out in opposition to the road at meetings with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in letters, petitions, and in meetings with legislators. 89 Tribes in Alaska have passed resolutions opposing the road, including the Full Board of Directors of the Tanana Chiefs Conference region.
In April, the BLM released their final Environmental Impact Statement which identified the ‘No Action Alternative’ for the Ambler Road Access Project as the preferred alternative stating “any of the action alternatives would significantly impact resources, including important subsistence resources and uses, in ways that cannot be adequately mitigated.”
In June 2024, the Biden administration, after extensive scientific analysis and consultation with Tribal leaders, made the decision to reject the Ambler Road project. The administration recognized the irreversible harm the road would cause to the environment, wildlife, and cultural resources, and chose to protect Alaska’s land and people.
Senator Sullivan’s amendment ignores the widespread opposition from Alaska Native communities, conservationists, and the general public. It is a reckless attempt to bypass the very laws designed to protect our environment and ensure informed decision-making.
Join us in opposing Senator Sullivan’s amendment. Visit https://www.tananachiefs.org/noamblerroad to learn more, sign the petition, and help us defend Alaska’s precious resources. Your voice is crucial in this fight—act now to ensure a future where Alaska’s land and traditions are preserved for generations to come.