Arctic Refuge lease sale endangers sacred land
The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the birthing ground of the famed Porcupine Caribou Herd
Credit: Peter Mather.
The affected lands are the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA — The federal Bureau of Land Management just announced that it will hold an oil and gas lease sale on June 5, 2026, offering tracts on the sensitive coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The affected lands are the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd and sacred to Alaska Native people who depend on the caribou herd for their very survival.
The administration has in recent months stripped away protections for the Arctic Refuge to make it easier for industry to drill and pollute in one of the last great wild landscapes in America, despite overwhelming public opposition.
The Wilderness Society responded to today’s announcement by issuing the following statement from Alaska Senior Manager Matt Jackson:
“Drilling on the sacred coastal plain endangers the freedom of Arctic Alaskans to sustain their cultures and lifestyles today, and for generations to come. With today’s lease-sale announcement, this administration is once again trampling the rights of local communities while ignoring the opinion of the American people and the bleak realities of the climate crisis.
“Two previous lease sales have been economic failures, leaving the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority holding the bag after legitimate oil companies paid to get out of the leases. Proving that the ridiculous Arctic Refuge leasing program should be eliminated. Congress must bring a stop to this destructive policy and provide permanent protection for the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.”
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