[Alaska] Ambler Road

[Glitch]

Attempt to revive Ambler Road project through defense bill amendment prompts reaction from Alaskans

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - In the proposed defense bill by the U.S. Senate being endorsed by the Senate Armed Service’s Committee, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan aims to authorize more than $790 million in military construction for Alaska, a move that could significantly boost the state’s defense infrastructure.

The senator also hopes to use the legislation to reverse the Biden Administration’s rejection of the Ambler Road project, which reversed a Trump-era policy to allow the project back in 2020.

For those who might not be aware, the Ambler Road plan was approved by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources in June 2022. It's purpose is to connect the Dalton Highway (a.k.a. "Haul Road") just south of the Arctic Circle and proceed 211 miles due west to the Ambler Mining District. The name of the road originates from the mining district it is intended to serve.

Trilogy Metals, Inc. is one of those mining companies operating in the Ambler Mining District, mining "the world's richest known copper-dominant polymetallic deposits." However, they are not the only one. Ambler Metals are working two deposits. Both involving copper and cobalt sulfides.

There are two native organizations in Alaska that oppose the road, even though none of their lands are involved. The NANA Corporation, which controls the Red Dog mine, the world's largest Zinc mine, and the Brooks Range Council, which has no connection to the project or the road. While four native organizations in Alaska, who the road will effect, are supportive of the road and see it as an opportunity for jobs and to improve their standard of living.

Our future generation needs to have opportunities to earn a good living and support our families, as well as, stay in the community and practice subsistence. Supporting the Ambler Road is our way of steering towards a path of economic strength and job creation. Our commitment to our community's future is unwavering. This resolution embodies our dedication to responsible resource development and securing a prosperous future for our
younger and coming generations.

- Thelma Nicholia, Chief of Hughes Village

In the words of Larry Westlake, 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 opportunity exists for our children and future generations.’

- J Simon, First Chief of Allakaket Village Council

The Ruby Tribal Council is dedicated to ensuring jobs and opportunities for our children and grandchildren. The resolution stands as a testament to our village's dedication to responsible resource development. We want to have a say over our future and supporting the Ambler Road is one way we can plan for future generations.

- Chief Patrick McCarty, First Chief of the Ruby Tribal Council

I strongly believe that the road will greatly benefit my community and I’m not alone. Many of my neighbors also support the road, as do other villages in the region. I worry though that our voices are getting drowned out by people outside the region [who] don’t understand the struggles of my community.

- Miles Cleveland, President of the Native Village of Ambler and Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly Member

This road will go a long way in opening up Alaska, particularly northwestern Alaska. I should also point out that the Dalton Highway from which the Ambler Road intends to spur off was originally developed in 1977 in order to build the 850 miles Trans-Alaska Pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Roads exist because we have a need to access those resources. The Ambler Road is no different from the reason why the Dalton Highway exists.

Unfortunately, the Ambler Road runs through a southern portion of the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and BLM lands and therefore requires federal approval for the right-of-way. Biden canceled the Ambler Road project in 2023 merely because Trump had approved it in 2020, and for no other reason.

So now Senator Sullivan is including funding for the Ambler Road project in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024. Which Congress will pass with a veto-proof majority, thus preventing a veto by President Biden.

Source:
Ambler Road Site Specific Plan - Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land, and Water Resource Assessment & Development Section, Approved June 27, 2022 [PDF]

 

[hecatmoggie]

BLM Officially Blocks the Ambler Road, a 211-Mile Industrial Corridor Through Alaska's Iconic Brooks Range

The BLM announced it would not greenlight the Ambler Road, a proposed project to access a copper deposit in Alaska's Brooks Range.

www.outdoorlife.com

thank goodness it was shot down - conservation wins

thank all the people hunting/fishing for stopping this

The decision — which comes after 90,000 written public comments, 12 public meetings, and dozens of consultations with Native corporations — is being celebrated by hunting and fishing conservation groups and criticized by stakeholders for blocking jobs and economic development in the state.

 

[hecatmoggie]

Biden canceled the Ambler Road project in 2023 merely because Trump had approved it in 2020, and for no other reason.

and BTW I was against Trump approving it

 

[Glitch]

BLM Officially Blocks the Ambler Road, a 211-Mile Industrial Corridor Through Alaska's Iconic Brooks Range

The BLM announced it would not greenlight the Ambler Road, a proposed project to access a copper deposit in Alaska's Brooks Range.

www.outdoorlife.com

thank goodness it was shot down - conservation wins

thank all the people hunting/fishing for stopping this

The decision — which comes after 90,000 written public comments, 12 public meetings, and dozens of consultations with Native corporations — is being celebrated by hunting and fishing conservation groups and criticized by stakeholders for blocking jobs and economic development in the state.

Except that they didn't win. You apparently missed the part of my post where I pointed out Senator Sullivan's amendment to the National Defense Appropriations Act of 2024. Not only does it approve the Ambler Road Project, but it requires the BLM to issue right-of-way within 30 days of the bill's enactment.

Since the NDAA will be passed by a veto-proof majority of Congress, Biden will not be able to veto the bill.

The Ambler Road Project will happen, despite Biden's attempt to harm the US' national defense for his Chinese masters.

 

[Glitch]

and BTW I was against Trump approving it

I opposed Trump, but not the Ambler Road. We need those strategic resources. Relying on China to provide them is not only foolish, but dangerous.

The Ambler Road is no different than the Dalton Highway in 1977. We needed to build a road to the north slope in order to obtain vital strategic resources, so we did.

 

[hecatmoggie]

I opposed Trump, but not the Ambler Road. We need those strategic resources. Relying on China to provide them is not only foolish, but dangerous.

The Ambler Road is no different than the Dalton Highway in 1977. We needed to build a road to the north slope in order to obtain vital strategic resources, so we did.

we need the Brooks range more

drill somewhere else

 

[Glitch]

we need the Brooks range more

drill somewhere else

Ambler Road is well south of the Brooks Range. And it is a gravel road, not a drill site. A 211 mile gravel road that connects three existing mines, and four native villages, with the Dalton Highway.

 

[hecatmoggie]

Ambler Road is well south of the Brooks Range. And it is a gravel road, not a drill site. A 211 mile gravel road that connects three existing mines, and four native villages, with the Dalton Highway.

it was initiated by The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority right ?

I don't like in AK .... and as conservative as I am, I'm very much for protecting our national resources and per the link I added above, I think killing it is a great thing

It also says the road is through the Brooks Range

 

[Glitch]

it was initiated by The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority right ?

I don't like in AK .... and as conservative as I am, I'm very much for protecting our national resources and per the link I added above, I think killing it is a great thing

It also says the road is through the Brooks Range

It was initiated by the Ambler Mining District, and the native village of Ambler. The AIDEA is a State-owned corporation whose purpose is to promote employment and infrastructure projects to the State legislature. The AIDEA was the first government agency involved in the project, and they promoted it to the State legislature. It was also brought to the attention of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land, and Water Resource Assessment & Development Section, who finalized and approved the project in June 2022.



The road goes due west of the Dalton Highway. The Brooks Range is several hundred miles further north. The road would cut through the southern portion of the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and cut through other BLM lands. Which is why the project requires federal approval for the right-of-way.

 

[hecatmoggie]

It was initiated by the Ambler Mining District, and the native village of Ambler. The AIDEA is a State-owned corporation whose purpose is to promote employment and infrastructure projects to the State legislature. The AIDEA was the first government agency involved in the project, and they promoted it to the State legislature. It was also brought to the attention of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land, and Water Resource Assessment & Development Section, who finalized and approved the project in June 2022.

The road goes due west of the Dalton Highway. The Brooks Range is several hundred miles further north. The road would cut through the southern portion of the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and cut through other BLM lands. Which is why the project requires federal approval for the right-of-way.

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

everything I'm reading says that's all Brooks range ... I had a dream as a kid to go specifically to Brooks range and get as Dall Sheep ..... probably never happening now, but it was a dream

 

[Glitch]

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

everything I'm reading says that's all Brooks range ... I had a dream as a kid to go specifically to Brooks range and get as Dall Sheep ..... probably never happening now, but it was a dream

Consider the source. Wikipedia is not a credible source.

Getting to the Brooks Range by road is only possible on the Dalton Highway, which passes through the Brooks Range at Atigan Pass. Atigan Pass is located at 68° 07′ 46″ N, 149° 28′ 33″ W. The Ambler Road spurs off the Dalton Highway at 66° 54' 29" N, 151° 31' 11" W. That is a distance of 100.18 miles (161.2 km).

You can fly in to the Brooks Range, but driving might be a problem. Unless you are employed by the oil companies, driving the Dalton Highway north of the Yukon River requires a State-issued permit. There are no services north of the Yukon River until you get to Coldfoot, which is just south of the Brooks Range. The Ambler Road cut-off is south of Coldfoot.

There are also no trees in the Brooks Range, so bring your own fuel for fire, because you won't find any there.

 

[Glitch]

UPDATE:

Senate Dems vote against Interior on Alaska mining road

A group of Senate Democrats broke with the Biden administration last month to push approval of a contentious mining road in Alaska. It may have been a mistake.

The Senate Armed Services Committee — during a closed-door markup — attached an amendment from Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) to its fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act favoring the Ambler road. The panel released vote tallies this week.

As with the last three federal budgets passed by Congress, the NDAA of 2025 will pass Congress with a veto-proof majority. Biden will have no say in the matter. The Ambler Road will be given the federal right-of-way 30 days after the bill is enacted into law.

 

[Peter]

Who cares about the environmant or having clean water?
As long as oil companies can keep getting big fat profits it's all fine and dandy.

 

[hecatmoggie]

I hope it fails

 

[Glitch]

Who cares about the environmant or having clean water?
As long as oil companies can keep getting big fat profits it's all fine and dandy.

This has nothing to do with any oil company. They mine copper and cobalt in the Ambler Mining District. They are not drilling for oil. Both copper and cobalt are strategic minerals required for not only national defense but to manufacture your precious electric vehicles as well.

Or were you not aware that EVs create more pollution, by far, through its manufacture than any ICE vehicle? I'll wager that you think EVs just magically appear out of thin air without any resources being required.

Or are you one of those anti-American leftist Democrat pieces of shit who think it is a good idea to buy national strategic resources from our enemies, like China?

 

[Peter]

This has nothing to do with any oil company. They mine copper and cobalt in the Ambler Mining District. They are not drilling for oil. Both copper and cobalt are strategic minerals required for not only national defense but to manufacture your precious electric vehicles as well.

Or were you not aware that EVs create more pollution, by far, through its manufacture than any ICE vehicle? I'll wager that you think EVs just magically appear out of thin air without any resources being required.

Or are you one of those anti-American leftist Democrat pieces of shit who think it is a good idea to buy national strategic resources from our enemies, like China?

Do you really expect a reply when you talk to people like this?

 

[hecatmoggie]

Or were you not aware that EVs create more pollution, by far, through its manufacture than any ICE vehicle? I'll wager that you think EVs just magically appear out of thin air without any resources being required.

and the impact of acquiring those resources?

you won't find anyone bigger in hunting/fishing/outdoors on this forum than me - and I'm against Ambler

 

[Glitch]

and the impact of acquiring those resources?

you won't find anyone bigger in hunting/fishing/outdoors on this forum than me - and I'm against Ambler

You are mistaken. Those villagers who live on the route of the Ambler Road are much more into hunting/fishing/outdoors than you will ever be. They have no road access, remember? They hunt, fish, and forage for all their needs all the time.

Everything they need that they cannot obtain from the land, from gasoline for their ATVs, snow machines, and diesel generators to their ammunition has to be flown in. They are far more knowledgeable about the impact of acquiring those resources than you or I will ever be, and they strongly favor the road.

I personally support the road because it opens up western Alaska. However, if the villagers along this road were to oppose it, then I would defer to their judgement and also oppose the road. Every village that is effected by this road wants it. They see it as a significant improvement in their standard of living.

 

[hecatmoggie]

You are mistaken. Those villagers who live on the route of the Ambler Road are much more into hunting/fishing/outdoors than you will ever be

are they on this forum?

. They have no road access, remember? They hunt, fish, and forage for all their needs all the time.

Everything they need that they cannot obtain from the land, from gasoline for their ATVs, snow machines, and diesel generators to their ammunition has to be flown in. They are far more knowledgeable about the impact of acquiring those resources than you or I will ever be, and they strongly favor the road.

I personally support the road because it opens up western Alaska. However, if the villagers along this road were to oppose it, then I would defer to their judgement and also oppose the road. Every village that is effected by this road wants it. They see it as a significant improvement in their standard of living.

that's part of living in remote AK

 

[Glitch]

are they on this forum?

How can they be on this forum when they have no access to the Internet?

that's part of living in remote AK

Why are you so determined to deprive them the same standard of living that you enjoy? Seems rather selfish and petty to me. Something I would associate with leftist behavior.

 

[hecatmoggie]

How can they be on this forum when they have no access to the Internet?

then why did you compare them to me and what I said?

Why are you so determined to deprive them the same standard of living that you enjoy? Seems rather selfish and petty to me. Something I would associate with leftist behavior.

because they choose to live in remote AK

and the mountain ranges and wilderness are more important IMO

I am who I am, call me right, left, center whatever .... we're trashing this planet, we don't need more roads and we don't need to destroy more wilderness

 

[Glitch]

then why did you compare them to me and what I said?

Because of your extreme arrogance. You claim to know more than the native Alaskans who actually live off the land.

because they choose to live in remote AK

This is where they were born. Did you choose the place of your birth?

Or maybe you would relocate them because they are an inconvenience. Sounds exactly like what Andrew Jackson did when he slaughtered 8,500 native Americans during the 1830s. We know that you want to deprive them of the same standard of living that every other American enjoys, because you have already said as much.

and the mountain ranges and wilderness are more important IMO

As if you had a clue. You have never even been to any of these mountain ranges or wilderness areas you are talking about. I have.

I am who I am, call me right, left, center whatever .... we're trashing this planet, we don't need more roads and we don't need to destroy more wilderness

I'm not calling you anything. I'm merely pointing out that it is always leftist filth who are, and were, responsible for screwing over native Americans. The Ambler Road Project is no exception. Republicans approved equalizing the standard of living for some native Americans, and leftist filth have an epileptic fit and once again deny native Americans from enjoying the same standard of living as every other American.

 

[hecatmoggie]

Because of your extreme arrogance. You claim to know more than the native Alaskans who actually live off the land.

I never said that and now you're name calling because I disagree with you

This is where they were born. Did you choose the place of your birth?

they choose to stay there and live there and I greatly envy them

Or maybe you would relocate them because they are an inconvenience. Sounds exactly like what Andrew Jackson did when he slaughtered 8,500 native Americans during the 1830s. We know that you want to deprive them of the same standard of living that every other American enjoys, because you have already said as much.

WTF you talking about?

As if you had a clue. You have never even been to any of these mountain ranges or wilderness areas you are talking about. I have.

I've not been to AK you're right

I have been to every western state and hunted in 1/2 of them

I'm not calling you anything. I'm merely pointing out that it is always leftist filth who are, and were, responsible for screwing over native Americans. The Ambler Road Project is no exception. Republicans approved equalizing the standard of living for some native Americans, and leftist filth have an epileptic fit and once again deny native Americans from enjoying the same standard of living as every other American.

"Because of your extreme arrogance."

LOL

 

[Terryj]

I think the worst thing that Alaska did was to become a State. I lived in Alaska for 8 years in Fairbanks, and really got sick and tired of people who have never been in Alaska trying to tell Alaskans how they are going to live. Most people don't have any clue just how vast Alaska is and just how hard life is in these remote areas. People in the lower 48 have no clue of the plight of the Alaska Natives in these remote areas, just how hard it is to get supplies into these remote villages and the expenses involved. The Ambler Road would do wonders for these villages such as Ambler, Shungnak, Kobuk, Bettles and Allakaket, reducing the cost of goods and providing employment in these areas. However, you have people, with the misconception of remote Alaska, protesting any improvement in these villagers lives, because it will destroy Alaska. Well, let me clue you in, there is nothing up there, no trees, nothing. These villagers rely on hunting and fish of subsistence and if anything can be done to help them out it should be done, regardless of people in the lower 48 think. Alaska has 17,000 miles of roads in the State, most of them unpaved, Texas on the other hand has almost 700,000 miles of paved roads and Alaska is twice the size of Texas. So, tell me again just why this road which is only a little over 200 miles long and maybe 40 feet wide should not be built.