News Release
BLM-Alaska State Office

BLM-Alaska Office of Communications, 222 W. 7th Avenue #13, Anchorage AK 99513-7504
Tel: 907-271-5555 Fax: 907-271-5421
www.blm.gov/ak

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BLM-Alaska Extends Public Comment Period for Draft Supplemental Plan for Northeast NPR-A

Anchorage—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is extending the public comment period for the Draft Supplemental Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement from October 23 to November 6, 2007.   This is in response to the North Slope Borough’s request for additional time to prepare comments.  

“We requested additional time so stakeholders and the public can make informed comments concerning complex issues raised in the draft impact statement,” said North Slope Borough Mayor Itta. “As a formal cooperator, we appreciate the BLM’s decision to extend the comment period. It shows the definite recognition by BLM of the importance of our many fall subsistence activities.”

The BLM began developing the Supplement in December 2006 in response to a September 25, 2006, U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska decision that the 2005 Northeast NPR-A Amended Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement failed to adequately address cumulative impacts.

In early 2007, the North Slope Borough signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BLM that gave it the formal status of a Cooperating Agency for this planning effort. The BLM is responsible for alternatives presented in the plan.

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages 258 million surface acres — more land than any other federal agency. Most of this public land is in 12 Western states, including 83.5 million surface acres in Alaska. The Bureau also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.

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