On December 27th, 2014 Governor Bill Walker announced that he was giving an executive order to stop all funding for the proposed Ambler road as well as five other megaprojects (Juneau Access Road, Susitna-Watana Dam, Kodiak Launch Complex, Knik Arm Crossing and Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline Project) . Governor Walker stated in a press release “Our budget deficit grows deeper …

As recently as October, NovaCopper (the company that has been promoting the proposed road to Ambler) raised concerns over their own ability to progress with mining activity in the Northwest Arctic region due to the economic stability of the company. NovaCopper stated that “substantial doubts exists as to our ability to continue”  because it is dependent “on our ability to …

Nicole Whittington Evans of the Wilderness Society responded to the most recent study of how the road may impact the Western Arctic caribou herd in a letter to the Juneau Empire newspaper. Nicole stated that the study focused specifically on the potential effects of the road corridor on the herd’s current winter range, and did not address other possible impacts …

Opposition to the proposed Ambler road continues to build with the majority of those attending the AIDEA meetings voicing strong concerns regarding the road’s affect on local hunting and fishing and the Native way of life, and questioning both NovaCopper’s claims of future jobs and AIDEA’s claim that the road would remain private.   Community members voiced significant concerns about …

AIDEA’s two day meeting that was held in Fairbanks,  ended with a public hearing Wednesday (12/17/14) with dozens of tribal and village leaders, business owners, and residents of the Brooks Range  speaking out against the road to Ambler and the impact the proposed road would have on their way of life.   Julie Robert-Hyslop, vice president of the Tanana Chiefs …

As Alaska’s budget woes continue to become evident the question of what, if any, of the capital-intensive megaprojects (such as the proposed Ambler Road) should be funded has become forefront in the news.   “Alaska has no shortage of capital-intensive megaprojects in the works, but now the state is scrambling to find funds to cover the basic needs for state …

Megaprojects such as Susitna-Watana Dam, the Ambler Mine Road Project, and the Knik Arm Bridge Crossing were tentatively put on hold while Governor Bill Walker attempted to adjust the states budget, slimming it down to $106 million from the $220 million of unrestricted state dollars former Gov. Sean Parnell had planned to spend. Read the full article from the Newsminer …

Brooks Range Council has now gathered over 2000 signatures against the road! On December 16 and 17th, AIDEA will be holding an “all corridor” meeting where communities along the route are encouraged to attend and give input on the proposed road to Ambler.  During this meeting, as part of the public comment on the road, Brooks Range Council will be …

Walker reconsiders the proposed road to Ambler, citing budget concerns, current price of oil, and possible affects on the local community:   “In concept, I like resource development, responsible development. I think that’s a good thing,” Walker said. “What I need to make sure is … one, given where we are financially now, with the price of oil, is that something …

As Bill Walker made arrangements to step into office as the new governor of Alaska, more than 250 Alaskans attended a transition conference to lay out a policy roadmap. Amongst the items discussed and recommended, was the suspension of several mega-projects so that they could be closely reviewed to determine if they should go forward. The proposed road to Ambler …