Dear Mr. LaMarr:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Ambler Road.
Our organizations are deeply concerned about the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the proposed road, development of the Ambler mining district, and the lack of information available on the project. Building this road will cause a large, wild area to experience heavy truck traffic that will create noise pollution and dust, impair wilderness recreation, disturb wildlife, destroy wetlands and permanently alter rural lifestyles dependent on traditional food resources like fish and caribou. BLM should consider the widespread public opposition to this project based on its negative economic and environmental impacts, and include a broad range of mitigation measures. As the lead agency, BLM must ensure this process complies with NEPA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and the permitting requirements of its cooperating agencies.
