Alaska News

Report overlooks ongoing local opposition to Umiat road, North Slope development

In the recent Alaska Dispatch article, "Is Linc Energy poised to tap billion-barrel oil field in Arctic Alaska?," a company official pointed out the difficulty of moving people and equipment to the remote site of Umiat in the face of unforgiving Arctic winter. What the story left out is a far greater challenge the company faces -- widespread opposition to the proposed access road to Umiat from Iñupiat communities across the North Slope.

Linc Energy sure is aware of the widespread opposition because it has changed its tune on needing a Road to Umiat. Linc spokespeople have told my community, Anaktuvuk Pass, and other news outlets that it does not believe a state road is any longer necessary for the program. However, the process is still moving forward and it is a growing challenge to keep our voices heard when it comes to development projects on the North Slope and the Brooks Range Foothills, especially this legislative session. Let me explain.

The Department of Transportation staff continues to tell the state legislature that it prefers a road corridor that my community believes would slice through caribou migration routes that villages depend on. Caribou are very sensitive to the kind of industrial energy development, noise and access the Umiat road would bring. Right now, the Department of Fish and Game are conducting new studies on the impacts of roads on the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, and we are anxious for that insight. During migration periods caribou herds can spook easily, changing their paths at the slightest disturbance, making it more difficult for our hunters to travel further distances for the caribou. Imagine how caribou might react to the constant noise, vibration and smells of drilling operations and the caravan of trucks required to keep them operating year after year. As Linc Energy pointed out, just building the temporary 100 mile snow-road to Umiat required "hundreds of loads."

My people settled in Anaktuvuk Pass because it lies along the path of the annual caribou migrations. Groceries from the only store in town are expensive and sparse, so we still rely on the land and caribou for food -- and for the best cold-weather clothing money can't buy. Just as importantly, caribou are at the center of our traditional way of life that goes back hundreds of generations. We are caribou people. We want to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to carry on our traditional, subsistence way of life. Without the caribou we lose our identity as a people.

That's why villages and Tribal councils across the North Slope have passed resolutions opposing the proposed Umiat road over concern that the road would alter the migration routes of caribou herds and threaten plants and animals we depend on for subsistence. Last year, I was heartened to know that Senator Donny Olson, who represents North Slope constituents, took our message to heart. At a finance hearing he told other members of the committee, "In my 12 years that I've been down here I have not seen such passionate opposition to any kind of roads to resources issues that have been out there. . .there's unanimous agreement across the North Slope that this road to resources is going to severely interfere and inhibit the subsistence lifestyle."

Fortunately, the proposed Umiat Road is undergoing an extensive review process, which so far has allowed Iñupiat communities to give our input into that process. Public involvement provides rural communities with timely notice of proposed development actions, public hearings, an open comment period, and formal tribal involvement. Resource development on the Arctic Slope often involves multiple agencies and spans federal, state and Tribal jurisdiction. Public involvement ensures a comprehensive and critical view of each project rather than a piecemeal approach.

We have appreciated the opportunity to have a say in our future. But that could be taken away from us during this legislative session. Legislation (HB 77) that passed the Alaska House would give the state broad new powers to grant permits for development on state lands without giving affected people and communities the opportunity for public input. Another bill (SB 27) passed the Senate and would turn over permitting to dredge and fill wetlands to state agencies. Wetlands permitting is currently done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers whose process requires extensive public notice and participation, including formal consultation with Tribal governments. Alaska's Arctic slope is home to thousands of wetlands, ponds and lakes which provide habitat for caribou, moose, bears, migratory birds, fish and plants that support our subsistence way of life. Yet the governor and lawmakers who live hundreds of miles away are paving the way for reckless development of this Alaska treasure.

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Even more surprisingly, the House Resources Committee passed a bill (HB 129) out of committee in under an hour. This bill would dramatically change the way the state permits oil and gas development projects on state land by removing paths of public participation and blanketing approval over large areas—including the North Slope Foothills (4 million acres) that will have huge impacts on Anaktuvuk Pass. These bills have not made it through the process, but things are speeding up in Juneau without regard to the real impacts they will have on Alaskans.

The state is moving to cut Alaskans and tribes out of decision-making on infrastructure and natural resources management. This sets up communities like Anaktuvuk Pass to an uncertain and destructive future. We need our legislators to stop these bills from becoming law and put Alaskans' interests first.

The Iñupiat people understand that resource development is a vital part of Alaska's economy. But irresponsible energy development threatens a local economy that has sustained my people for generations. In their head-long rush to open up more state land to private interests, state lawmakers are taking away the ability of all Alaskans to shape resource development and ensure it is balanced with the other things that make Alaska, Alaska – clean air, clean water, and fish and game in abundance.

Lillian Stone was born and raised in Anaktuvuk Pass. A teacher at the village school, Lillian is the Naqsragmiut Tribal Council secretary and acting president and serves on the board of her regional tribe, the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS).

The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, e-mail commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.

Lillian Stone

Lillian Stone was born and raised in Anaktuvuk Pass. A teacher at the village school, Lillian is the Naqsragmiut Tribal Council secretary and acting president and serves on the board of her regional tribe, the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS).

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