Defender,

The Bureau of Land Management is now deciding whether to fast-track oil and gas development in a massive stretch of wildlife habitat known as the National Petroleum Alaska-Reserve.

The Reserve is home to an incredible array of animals, including caribou, polar bears, migratory birds and more. These animals are currently protected by safeguards that BLM could decide to weaken, putting their lives and homes in danger.

The public comment process is open now: Click here to send your comment to BLM opposing weakening rules that protect wildlife in the Reserve!

This process was kicked off by a request from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association to create a new, fast-tracked permitting framework to build roads, pipelines, gravel pads, and other oilfield infrastructure.

Those sped-up permits would face less scrutiny with fewer opportunities for public review and input. If secured, there will be no opportunity for public engagement on any future proposed oil and gas activity in the Reserve, regardless of the size and scope of the project.

The Reserve could be industrialized with oil and gas development even faster than before – driving some animals out of their home turf and closer to the edge of extinction.

BLM is taking public comments until the July 6 deadline. We must speak up today before the public is cut out of decision-making processes in this important and rich landscape!

Keep polar bears and other Arctic animals safe: Tell BLM not to weaken vital protections that protect wildlife in the Reserve!

Defender, thank you for taking the time to speak up on behalf of wildlife in Alaska and beyond.

Thank you,