National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Rule
The Bureau of Land Management is proposing to update its regulations for the management and protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). Extending from the northwestern slope of the Brooks Range to the Arctic Coast, the NPR-A encompasses roughly 23 million acres of public land managed by the BLM.
The BLM manages the NPR-A in accordance with the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 (NPRPA), which requires the BLM to balance oil and gas development with the protection of fish and wildlife, subsistence, recreational, and other values. The proposed rule would fulfill this duty by establishing a new framework for balancing development with the protection of Special Areas – lands that harbor significant subsistence, recreational, fish and wildlife, historical, and scenic values – and the management of surface resources throughout the NPR-A. This framework, which has not been updated substantially since the early 1980s, would improve the BLM's ability to respond to changing conditions in the Arctic while providing transparency in conservation and development decisions. The proposed regulations would also enhance protections for subsistence uses and resources throughout the NPR-A, particularly within the Teshekpuk Lake, Utukok River Uplands, and other Special Areas.
Meetings
Please note that comments must be submitted to www.Regulations.gov.
Friday, October 6, 2023:
Virtual informational meeting from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. AKT.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023:
Anchorage, Alaska - informational meeting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. AKT
Dena'ina Center, 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska, in the Kahtnu 1 Room
Thursday, October 12, 2023:
Atqasuk, Alaska - public comment meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. AKT
Atqasuk Community Building, 5010 Ekosik Street, Atqasuk, Alaska
This meeting has been canceled. We will provide an update with more details soon.
Friday, October 13, 2023:
Nuiqsut, Alaska -public comment meeting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. AKT
Kisik Community Center, 2nd Street, Nuiqsut, Alaska
This meeting has been canceled. We will provide an update with more details soon.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023:
Nuiqsut, Alaska - public comment meeting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. AKT
Kisik Community Center, 2230 2nd Avenue, Nuiqsut, Alaska
(Rescheduled from Friday, October 13, 2023)
Thursday, November 2, 2023:
Utqiagvik, Alaska - public comment meeting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. AKT
Barrow High School Auditorium, 1965 Takpuk St, Utqiagvik, Alaska
Friday, November 3, 2023:
Wainwright, Alaska - public comment meeting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. AKT
Wainwright Community Center
This meeting has been canceled. we will provide an update with more details soon.
Monday, November 6, 2023:
Virtual informational meeting from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. AKT.
Monday, December 4, 2023:
Wainwright, Alaska - public comment meeting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. AKT
Robert James Community Center, 1216 Airport Rd, Wainwright, AK
(Rescheduled from Friday, November 3, 2023)
What’s next?
The publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register opened a 60-day public comment period, which has been extended an additional 30 days to now close on December 7, 2023. During this time, the BLM will host in-person meetings in communities on the North Slope, and Anchorage, as well as virtual public meetings, to discuss the proposed rule.
This proposal reflects the beginning of an important conversation with BLM’s partners and stakeholders. Public involvement through this rulemaking process is crucial to ensure the BLM is making appropriate land management decisions on the ground.
We want to hear from you. To learn more about this proposed rule, or to provide comment, please visit https://www.Regulations.gov.