In a controversial move, the Department of the Interior (DOI), under the Trump Administration, has proposed rolling back protections on 13 million acres of the Western Arctic, potentially paving the way for expanded oil and gas drilling in one of the most ecologically and culturally significant regions in the United States.
The lands in question lie within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), a 23-million-acre expanse of tundra, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. The Western Arctic is the largest single block of public land in the country and is home to migratory birds, caribou herds, polar bears, and other vulnerable species. It also holds deep importance for Indigenous communities who depend on the land for traditional subsistence.
Removing these protections would allow oil companies to drill across vast stretches of fragile wilderness, increasing the risk of pollution, habitat destruction, and long-term damage to the ecosystem. Oil development in this region could also impact the food security of nearby communities.
“The administration’s move to reopen the Western Arctic to industrial drilling is shortsighted and dangerous. This region is one of the most pristine and biologically diverse landscapes left on the planet—it’s critical habitat for Arctic wildlife and a place that sustains Indigenous communities who have lived in balance with it for generations. Backtracking on these protections puts caribou herds, migratory birds, and traditional life ways at risk, all for the benefit of fossil fuel companies,” said Katie Hobbs, director of Federal Affairs at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).
Beyond local impacts, expanding fossil fuel extraction in the Western Arctic poses serious global risks. Oil drilling releases greenhouse gases that directly contribute to climate change, accelerating ice melt in the Arctic, raising sea levels, and intensifying extreme weather events worldwide.
The rollback is part of the administration’s broader push to deregulate industry and open public lands for private profit. Conservationists warn that sacrificing protected lands for short-term gains will cost far more in environmental and climate damage over the long term.
The proposal is now open for a 60-day public comment period, providing the public with an opportunity to express their views. As the Arctic experiences rapid warming at an unprecedented rate, advocates emphasize the urgency of safeguarding wildlands. These areas serve as vital natural defenses against the climate crisis, making this a crucial time for action.
Please submit a comment to the Department of the Interior HERE!
