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National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, Subsistence Advisory Panel
“As you'll hear from just about anyone who has worked in Alaska - things are really different up here! Subsistence, the customary and traditional utilization of natural resources by rural residents, factors into every management decision that we make on BLM lands. In the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), the focus is on oil and gas leasing and exploration. At the same time, the 23 million acres that make up the NPR-A are also the home of the Inupiat Eskimo, with four communities located within the boundary of the reserve and numerous others outside the reserve, who rely heavily on the subsistence resources we manage.
Stacie McIntosh
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whatever the proposed activities are that year--whether it be a seismic shoot, the drilling of an exploratory well, or research on water withdrawals from lakes. The SAP meets at least three times a year with the manager of the NPR-A, with each consisting of an informal workshop and public meeting. And even though some of the meetings can be rough due to competing values, opinions, and perceptions, we always walk away from them better informed and with a feeling of accomplishment. The SAP has been instrumental in not only conveying issues to be addressed to the BLM, but in taking information from the BLM back to their communities. Advice that they have provided to the BLM has resulted in new and better mitigation, as well as the avoidance of mishaps. Ultimately, the greatest benefit of the SAP has been the fact that it provides a presence in and continued close relationship with all the communities in the NPR-A, especially relevant since our field office is located 350 miles away in Fairbanks. By working proactively with the tribes and communities of the NPR-A on a regular basis, the BLM is a better manager of the land. In my opinion, the SAP exemplifies the goal of the BLM--managing public lands for the benefit of ALL Americans.” 