U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S.F.W.S. (Service) declares availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Suggested Land Exchange. The Final EIS describes 4 alternatives, including the Suggested action, 2 other action alternatives, and a no action alternative. The no action alternative, no land exchange, is the Service's preferred alternative. The final EIS presents an evaluation of the environmental consequences of each alternative. The Final EIS includes changes to the Outline EIS (2008) analysis based on the comments received through public review, responses to individual comments, and additional information and analysis identified at the beginning of each chapter.
The Suggested land exchange involved 110,000 acres of Refuge lands that may hold developable oil and gas reserves, and oil and gas rights to an adjacent 97,000 acres of Refuge lands. Under the Suggested action, the Refuge would have received a minimum of 150,000 acres of Doyon lands within Refuge boundaries, and Doyon would have reallocated 56,500 acres of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act land entitlements within the Refuge to lands outside the Refuge.
The Service released a Outline EIS for public review in January 2008, and received in excess of 100,000 comments. The vast majority of comments, including those from several area tribal governments, opposed the Suggested exchange. Many comments in opposition to the Suggested land exchange focused on conservation concerns. Some felt that, geographically, the effect of the exchange would result in habitat fragmentation, as the refuge would be split into 2 parcels; and could degrade the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the Refuge. Comments also cited access and impacts to Refuge resources as significant issues. There were concerns, as well, that oil and gas development could reduce the quantity and quality of subsistence resources, which would negatively impact traditional lifestyles. Some segments of the public also expressed a fundamental opposition to any divestiture of Native lands. Critics also felt that the exchange, which could potentially facilitate oil and gas development in the Yukon Flats basin, was particularly problematic considering future climate change impacts on Refuge lands.
In addition, reinterpretation of historic seismic and geologic data by the U.S.G.S., combined with recently gathered geophysical information, suggests that oil and gas resources may not be located as originally believed, and thus has cast some doubts on the benefits of the exchange to all involved.
"I commend all of the groups and individuals who've contributed to this process to date," said the Service's Alaska Regional Director Geoffrey L. Haskett, "including Service and Doyon representatives and the many stakeholders who participated in the public review process. The Suggested land exchange was both complex and multifaceted, and it is only right that the process leading to our final decision has been rigorous."
Written comments on the Final EIS must be received on or before April 12, 2010. Comments should be specific, addressing the merits of the alternatives and adequacy of the environmental analysis. Upon evaluation of comments received, a Record of Decision will be issued which will document the Service's decision and present the rationale for the decision.
Comments submitted by mail or electronic mail should be directed to:
Laura Greffenius
EIS Plan Coordinator
U.S. U.S.F.W.S.
1011 East Tudor Road, MS-231
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment-including your personal identifying information-may be made publicly accessible at any time. While you can ask in your review to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Copies of the printed two-volume Final EIS or Summary, or the full document on CD-ROM, are accessible by request at the address above. You may also view the Final EIS online at http://yukonflatseis.ensr.com (click on the "Documents" link at the top of the page).
The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
