By Nancy Lord, Advocacy Committee Chair
Here are updates on issues with which we’re engaged.
FY26 Refuge System Budget: The House and Senate Appropriation Committees marked up the budget bills to provide $505 and $525 million respectively to the Refuge System, compared to $550 in FYs 24 and 25. Senator Murkowski played a key role in the Senate committee. After the August Congressional recess, both bodies will resume budget work, but it’s unclear whether a budget will be agreed upon or whether we may expect a continuing resolution or a government shutdown.
Izembek Refuge Road: This is an on-going issue with a coalition of partners. Survey work for the proposed road is underway. Hearings on a land trade will be held Aug. 18-21.
Arctic Refuge (with Arctic Defense Coalition):
Friends is involved in the Trustees of Alaska’s appeal to the Dept. of Interior’s decision to reinstate the oil leases that were previously cancelled. Seismic work is underway. The reconciliation bill passed by Congress requires four new lease sales in the refuge within the next seven years.
Other issues receiving our attention and involvement include the proposed Johnson Tract Mine (potential impact on the Alaska Maritime Refuge’s Chisik Island), Selawik Refuge Broadband Project (80 miles of overland cable), oil and gas exploration drilling on state land adjacent to Yukon Flats Refuge, predator control on state lands adjacent to refuges, and several administrative actions including one designed to control refuge visitor center exhibits and signage.