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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-AK-0000-2022-0003-EIS
Project Name: ANCSA 17(d)(1) Withdrawals EIS

Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-AK-0000-2022-0003-EIS
Project Name

ANCSA 17(d)(1) Withdrawals EIS
Project Type

EIS
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

State Office - AK
Last Updated

5/17/2026 5:00:00 PM

Project Description

The BLM published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider the effects of revocation on August 18, 2022. The BLM received public scoping input through October 17, 2022. The Public Scoping Report is available on the Documents page. On December 15, 2023, the BLM released the Draft EIS for public review. The comment period on the Draft EIS ended February 14, 2024. A summary of community engagement, including response to public comments on the Draft EIS, is included in Appendix H of the Final EIS. All EIS documents are located on the Documents page.
 
This EIS reviewed public lands orders that were previously prepared but not issued. In 2020 and 2021, the BLM prepared Public Land Orders 7899, 7900, 7901, 7902, and 7903, which would have opened BLM-managed land to activities such as mining and oil and gas development, by revoking ANCSA Section 17(d)(1) withdrawals for approximately 28 million acres within the five planning areas. However, legal defects were identified in the decision-making process that led to these orders. As a result, the opening order for Public Land Order 7899 was deferred until August 31, 2024, and publication of the remaining public land orders was deferred until completion of further review through the preparation of an EIS. The BLM addressed the legal defects in the decision-making process during preparation of this EIS, including ensuring compliance with the requirements of National Environmental Policy Act.

What's New

The ANCSA 17(d)(1) Withdrawals Record of Decision (ROD) is available on the Documents page. The ROD contains the details of the Secretary's decision regarding these ANCSA withdrawals on lands within the Bay, Bering Sea-Western Interior, East Alaska, Kobuk-Seward Peninsula, and Ring of Fire planning areas; Alaska.

In January 2025, Executive Order 14153 directed the Department to open the lands evaluated in the 2024 EIS. Under that direction, these 28 million acres – like all of BLM’s multiple use lands generally – would be open to location and entry under the public land and mining laws, and to selection by the State of Alaska under the Alaska Statehood Act. The BLM is undertaking a process to fulfill the direction provided in Executive Order 14153.

Draft EIS Publication

Actual Date

12/15/2023

Final EIS Publication

Actual Date

7/5/2024

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Soldotna	Alaska	99669	Kenai Peninsula Borough

Application Information

Program

Lands and Realty
Sub-Program

Withdrawals

Project Dates

Start Date

8/18/2022
End Date

8/22/2024

Notice of Intent Publication

NOI Publication Date

8/18/2022

Record of Decision Publication

Actual Date

8/22/2024

Project Office Information

Lead Office

State Office - AK
Offices

State Office - AK

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Scott Claggett
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

907-242-8121

Contact 2 Name

Racheal Jones
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(907) 290-0307