U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Fairbanks District Office 		 
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News Release
BLM-Alaska Fairbanks District Office

1150 University Avenue Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3844
Tel: 907-474-2264 Fax: 907-474-2238
www.blm.gov/ak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                        News Release No. FDO-122807

Contact: Doug Stockdale, 907-474-2264                                                                               Date: 12/28/2007

 
 

No Ice Road Or Snow Trail Across National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska This Winter

 
FAIRBANKS, AK — Unlike last year, there will be no industry constructed ice road or compacted snow trail across the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) this year.

Ice roads and compacted snow trails are typically constructed by the oil and gas industry to provide winter access to federal oil and gas leases. North Slope residents often use the temporary roads to travel across NPR-A.

According to BLM’s Arctic Field Office Manager Lon Kelly, industry operations have shifted exploration locations this year and that means fewer miles of these temporary roads are required. Only short portions of ice road or snow trails will be constructed to active exploration sites.

For safety purposes and to avoid being stranded on the tundra far from communities, public use of ice roads or snow trails is not recommended. It is important for residents of Barrow, Nuiqsut and other North Slope communities who used ice roads and snow trails last year to know that there will be NO access to the highway system across NPR-A this year.

For more information, contact Ben Nageak, Natural Resource Specialist, Barrow Field Station, at (907) 852-2757, or Mike Worley, Realty Specialist, Arctic Field Office, in Fairbanks at 907-474-2309.

 
 
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The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages 258 million surface acres of public land in the nation—more than any other Federal agency. Most of this 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 in the U.S. 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 and cultural resources on the public lands.

 
Last updated: 12-28-2007