📸 Eelgrass appears at low tide in the vast wetlands of Izembek Lagoon, at the edge of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, AK | Kristine Sowl/USFWS
WASHINGTON, DC – November 20TH, 2024 – The National Wildlife Refuge Association (Refuge Association) stands firmly against the Biden administration’s endorsement of a proposed land swap that would pave the way for a road through the heart of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. This decision undermines decades of conservation efforts, threatens critical wildlife habitat, disregards tribal opposition, and sets a dangerous precedent for all public lands in Alaska.
The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is an ecological gem, home to some of the largest eelgrass beds in the world and designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. This unique habitat supports nearly the entire global population of Pacific black brant and emperor geese, as well as Steller’s eiders, caribou, wolves, and bears. For decades, the Refuge Association has fought tirelessly to protect this pristine landscape, recognizing its unparalleled ecological significance and its role as a sanctuary for countless species.
“The proposed road would carve through one of the most biologically rich and sensitive areas in the refuge, disrupting the habitats of countless migratory birds and other species that rely on Izembek’s protected lands,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “Allowing a road to slice through this refuge is not only an environmental disaster but a direct violation of Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and the very principles that created the National Wildlife Refuge System.”
The opposition from tribal communities has been loud and clear. Over 20 resolutions have been passed by tribes across Western Alaska, denouncing the land swap and road. The Native Village of Hooper Bay, along with dozens of other tribes, have voiced grave concerns over the impact this road would have on critical food resources and traditional subsistence practices. Supporters of the road include the Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove and the King Cove Corporation who argue it would provide emergency access to Cold Bay’s airport. However, the proposed route would be impassable much of the time due to harsh weather conditions, making the road an unreliable solution while causing irreparable harm to wildlife and subsistence lifestyles. There are viable transportation alternatives that should be explored.
“Many Alaska Native tribes have voiced their opposition to the road through their collective resolutions, underscoring the urgency of this issue,” said Sorenson-Groves. “These lands are not only irreplaceable habitats for wildlife but are also central to the subsistence lifestyles of local communities. The Pacific black brant and emperor geese are essential to the diets, culture, and heritage of tribes in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and throughout Alaska.”
The proposed land swap threatens not only Izembek NWR but also the integrity of refuges and other public lands in Alaska. Enacted to safeguard Alaska’s wilderness, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act established essential protections for places like Izembek NWR, ensuring they remain sanctuaries for wildlife. Allowing a road through Izembek NWR undermines these legal protections and sets a dangerous precedent, opening the door for similar projects that would erode the very purpose of the Refuge System, jeopardizing its mission to provide safe havens for wildlife in an era of increasing habitat destruction and climate change.
The Refuge Association urges the Biden administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider this ill-conceived endorsement. Viable alternatives exist that do not compromise the integrity of public lands or threaten livelihoods of tribal communities. Investments in a marine ferry, which was deemed 99.9% reliable by the Army Corps of Engineers, provide a sustainable and less damaging solution to connect King Cove to Cold Bay.
Reflecting on the ongoing battle to protect Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Sorenson-Groves underscored the significance of this moment with a poignant quote featured in the Washington Post: ““As [Jimmy] Carter is in hospice thinking about his life and legacy, this is something that’s important enough to him to take action on. That says a lot.”
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As the leading independent voice advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.
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