BLM Releases Resource Management Plan for millions of acres of land near Elim, Koyuk, Shaktoolik, Unalakleet, Saint Michael, and Stebbins

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the revised Resource Management Plan (RMP), for the Bering Sea Western Interior (BSWI) which will affect western Alaska for decades to come. The plan, released on December 4^th, can be downloaded at, https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/36665/570. The plan opens undeveloped land managed by BLM to development such as mining, which carries the potential for an irreversible impact on subsistence land and resources. The window to protest the plan is 30-days from the release date which means letters must be submitted by January 4^th.

When the proposed plan was released in 2019, Kawerak joined the Native villages of Elim, Koyuk, Shaktoolik, Unalakleet and Saint Michael in requesting a comment extension early in the process in order to have sufficient time for tribal consultation, however the  Kawerak Extension Letter was denied, and was sent the Kawerak BLM RMP Response Letter. Prior to the deadline, Kawerak submitted a BLM Comment Letter, which, if implemented, would have provided basic protections for the BSWI RMP areas.

The Bering Sea-Western Interior planning area includes BLM managed lands south of the Central Yukon watershed to the southern boundary of the Kuskokwim River watershed, and BLM managed lands west of Denali National Park and Preserve to the Bering Sea.  The land use plan adopts planning measures for lands used by the residents of Elim, Koyuk, Shaktoolik, Unalakleet, Saint Michael, & Stebbins. These lands are located adjacent to streams, rivers, the ocean and provide for the bountiful subsistence resources and commercial fishing opportunities that Alaska Native people rely on.

Again, there is only a 30-day protest period that commenced on the plan release date, December 4, 2020.  If you participated in the planning process and you feel you may be adversely affected by BLM’s BSWI RMP you may submit a protest.  Instructions for filing a protest can be found at https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/public-participation/filing-a-plan-protest. Your protest must be made by January 4, 2021.  The BLM expects to release the Record of Decision for the plan early next year.

—UPDATE JANUARY 4–

Kawerak Letter of Protest, submitted January 4
https://kawerak.org/download/blm-bswi-rmp-kawerak-protest/

Unalakleet Letter of Protest, submitted January 4

Unfortunately, hard copies of the BSWI RMP will only be available for public inspection at the facilities listed below.  Before visiting those facilities, please contact them by phone to learn about their COVID-19 prevention protocols.