The Alaska economy received a blow on Wednesday. NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. announced its board of directors’ decision to withdraw from further involvement with the Ambler Access Project.
That means that the surface access permit that is held by Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, (AIDEA) will not be renewed this year.
“This decision reflects unmet criteria, insufficient consultation, and a lack of confidence in the project’s alignment with our values and community interests. NANA upholds a rich legacy of responsible resource development in our region, guided by a commitment to protect and advance our Iñupiat way of life. NANA established specific criteria required to consider supporting AAP [Ambler Access Project], including controlled access, protection of caribou migration routes and subsistence resources, job creation and community benefits. These criteria remain insufficiently addressed by AIDEA,” NANA said in a statement, adding that the project is not in the best interests of its Alaska Native shareholders.
The access is needed to get to a mining area that the state wants to develop to improve the economy of Northwestern Alaska.
In March, the Village of Hughes threw its support in for the project, passing a resolution that points out that it is one of the few communities that is located near the proposed road.
“This resolution acknowledges the high unemployment and expensive cost of living in the area and the potential benefits a limited-access road will enable for communities in Northwest Alaska. By backing the Ambler Road, Hughes Village recognizes the significant opportunities the project will bring, including local job creation nd lower cost of supplies,” the Village stated.
But NANA said, “We continue resisting attempts by the federal government to deny Alaska Native corporations’ control over our Indigenous owned lands and diminish our role in decision-making affecting our lands.
“Our Elders fought to retain our ancestral lands in the Upper Kobuk, emphasizing both their subsistence value and mineral resource potential. It is our responsibility to steward these lands for future generations,” said Gia Hanna, chair of the NANA board of directors. “All decisions about development on our lands need to be made by and with our people at the table. We intend to vigorously defend our right to pursue resource and infrastructure development in alignment with our values.”
“For more than 40 years NANA has successfully developed our resources alongside trusted industry partners in ways that respect our way of life and advance our region as a whole,” said John Lincoln, NANA president and CEO. “While NANA is disengaging from the AAP, we maintain our interest in future mineral development in the region that aligns with the expectations of our shareholders.”
It’s possible the only way left to get to the mining site will be to tunnel or put train tracks. The access to the site is guaranteed under federal law, and the state was promised access to its lands at Statehood. In any case, the Biden Administration unlikely to approve permits to the area that has the copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver, and cobalt deposits needed for the Biden “green energy” future.
