The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a quasi-public corporation better known as AIDEA, plans to build that vital transportation link and recoup the construction and maintenance costs from tolls charged to companies that develop mines in the district. In 2020, BLM and the National Park Service (NPS) issued AIDEA the feder- al permits needed to build a road and meet the Congressional mandate out- lined in ANILCA. In 2022, however, BLM suspended the authorizations for further review. The federal land manager cited a lack of adequate consultation with Alaska tribes and evaluation of potential im- pacts the road might have on subsis- tence uses as reasons to reevaluate the previously issued authorizations. Over the past two years, BLM has been reanalyzing the proposed road, including further subsistence studies and additional tribal consultation. In October, BLM published a draft sup- plemental environmental impact state- ment (SEIS) incorporating the findings from its extra analysis. "The latest draft includes additional data and analysis informed by robust Tribal consultation and cooperation, on-the-ground perspectives, and pub- lic input," BLM Alaska State Director Steve Cohn said at the time. Gov. Dunleavy and AIDEA officials are urging BLM to take into consid- eration recent resolutions in support of the Ambler Road from several rural Alaska communities that would be im- pacted by the project. This support includes strong en- dorsements for the road by the villages of Ruby and Hughes over the past cou- ple of weeks. Recognizing the important role re- sponsible resource development plays for residents living in Northwest Alas- ka, on March 20, the Ruby Tribal Coun- cil unanimously passed a resolution in support of the Ambler Road. "The Ruby Tribal Council is dedicat- ed to ensuring jobs and opportunities for our children and grandchildren," said Ruby Tribal Council First Chief Pat- rick McCarty. "The resolution stands as a testament to our village's dedication to responsible resource development." Less than a week later, Hughes Vil- lage passed its own resolution for sim- ilar reasons. "This resolution embodies our dedi- cation to responsible resource develop- ment and securing a prosperous future for our younger and coming genera-
tions," said Hughes Village Chief Thel- ma Nicholia. Due to the importance of respon- sible economic development for future generations, the village believes there should be a subtle shift in the narrative for Ambler Road. "The right question to ask is not 'what happens to our communities and Tribal members if a road is built and mining occurs?' but 'what happens to our communities and Tribal members if a road is not built and no jobs or oppor-
tunity exists for our children and future generations?" the Tribe wrote. This reframing of the Ambler Road question first voiced by Larry Westlake Sr., an elder from the village of Kiana, is why Hughes Village has come out in favor of the Ambler Road. "Supporting the Ambler Road is our way of steering towards a path of eco- nomic strength and job creation," said Chief Nicholia. "Our commitment to our community's future is unwaver- ing."
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