By Allison Sayer

The BLM held two public meetings on Thursday June 17 regarding a proposed change to the East Alaska Resource Management Plan (EARMP) that would make two parcels of land located on the east side of the “hairpin turn” approaching Thompson Pass eligible for land exchanges. 

After a brief overview of the proposed amendment, BLM staff devoted the rest of the meeting to giving detailed instructions about how to comment on the proposal and receiving public comments. 

BLM staff encouraged public comment on this proposal, but also reminded the audience that comments must address the actual proposal to be considered valid. According to the presentation, “The decision to be made is whether BLM-managed public lands within the East Alaska planning area could be made available for an exchange, and under what terms and conditions.” 

When asked for clarification about exactly what the public should be commenting on, BLM staff Dara Glass replied, “Generally, in land exchanges the public has an opportunity to comment directly on the land exchange. This public meeting is not about a specific land exchange, only identifying lands available for potential exchange. We ask that you keep your comments about the identification of lands rather than an actual exchange.” 

There were few public comments offered during the meeting, which was surprising in light of the volume of past comments that had been submitted in writing. Three representatives from Chugach Alaska Corporation (CAC) reiterated their support for making the land available for exchange.

Valdez resident Lisa Wax also made a public comment in favor of the “No Action Alternative.” In her testimony, she called numerous points of the Finding of No Significant Impact statement into question. 

One point of contention that has continued throughout this process is the question of exactly what the Dingell Act, a huge piece of federal legislation that affects public lands nationwide, requires the BLM to do. According to BLM staff, amending the EARMP is necessary in order to comply with Dingell Act mandates. Those opposed to the transfer state that the Dingell Act does not necessarily mandate the change. 

The Dingell Act requires the BLM to identify “accessible and economically viable” lands that can be made available to CAC, in part because CAC states it was harmed by public land acquisitions that occurred in the wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. BLM staff have stated on numerous occasions that other lands they manage in the Chugach region do not meet the criteria of being “accessible and economically viable.” 

The 30 day public comment period on this proposal will end on July 2. Following that, the BLM will prepare a final Environmental Assessment and the new proposed Resource Management Plan. Following that, there will be a 30 day “protest period,” during which members of the public who have previously commented on this proposal will be able to submit additional comments. After that, the BLM will publish its final decision. 

Maps, documents, and a link that can be utilized to make public comments can be found on the BLM National NEPA register website. 

Written comments can be submitted to:
Bureau of Land Management
ATTN: East Alaska RMP; Amendment/EA
222 W. 7th Ave., Stop 13
Anchorage, Alaska 99513.

We will continue to cover this story in upcoming issues. Our prior coverage of this story, includes:

Proposed Land Exchange in Thompson Pass

Opposition Mounts to Potential Thompson Pass Land Exchange

BLM Finds “No Significant Impact” of Making Thompson Pass Area Lands Available for Exchange