Position on H.J. Res. 106

We write in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 106 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan.” Repealing this Resource Management Plan (RMP) eliminates critical protection for Alaska’s national park wildlife, ecosystems and subsistence resources. Passing this resolution would ignore more than a decade of engagement and input from Alaska Native Tribes, local communities and the public.

The Central Yukon RMP governs 13.3 million acres of public lands in central and northern Alaska, including the Dalton Highway corridor contiguous to Gates of the Arctic National Park and the central Yukon River watershed. These lands are ecologically rich and culturally important, providing vital habitat for caribou, salmon and Dall sheep that rural and Alaska Native communities rely on for food, tradition and survival. These lands support important connectivity between Gates of the Arctic National Park and several other federal conservation units, including five national wildlife refuges.

If this plan is undone, it could expedite new permits and rights-of-way for the 211-mile Ambler industrial mining road, which would cut through Gates of the Arctic National Preserve and pose a grave threat to already suffering caribou populations and fisheries vital to the lives and cultures of over 60 Alaska Native communities. After an extensive review process, the permits for the project were revoked in June 2024 because of undue impacts to subsistence and cultural resources along the proposed private mining road route, which includes 20 miles across Bureau of Land Management lands inside the boundary of the planning region.

The Central Yukon RMP seeks to manage populations of salmon and caribou that are already historically low and in crisis by designating:

• 3.6 million acres of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern to protect subsistence values and sensitive habitats, including critical salmon spawning habitat;
• 746,000 acres of core caribou habitat for two non-migratory herds; and
• 4,600 acres of Dall sheep habitat to preserve important alpine ranges from increasing pressures.

It also improves public access while conserving what makes these lands unique. The plan creates:

• Two Backcountry Conservation Areas (666,000 acres) that safeguard remote wildlands for traditional use, recreation and subsistence; and
• Three Special Recreation Management Areas (1.45 million acres) that enhance hiking, camping and wildlife viewing opportunities along the Dalton Highway, while protecting scenic and ecological values.

The Central Yukon RMP reflects years of collaboration and hard work by Alaskans who know and depend on these lands. It is a durable, responsible plan for protecting habitat, culture and public access across a vast and vital landscape.

More broadly, we oppose the misuse of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to dismantle locally developed, science- and traditional knowledge-based land use plans. Doing so undermines Tribal consultation responsibilities, public input, long-term planning and stewardship of our public lands. This will not only have a chilling effect on regional-led planning and community engagement, but the CRA should not be used for this level of agency decision-making.

Please reject H.J. Res. 106 and uphold this collaborative plan for Alaska’s future.