[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6097596,"mediaKeyId","2827954-a295b824496c780650dcf126b82278e3","parentId",2827954,"title","Kaktovik leaders, AIDEA push for development after court reinstates coastal plain leases","audioSeconds",2755,"startMs",521000,"endMs",3276000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2827954-a295b824496c780650dcf126b82278e3&start=521&end=3276","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2827954-a295b824496c780650dcf126b82278e3/thumbnail_521000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097596/Alaska/Kaktovik-leaders-AIDEA-push-for-development-after-court-reinstates-coastal-plain-leases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097596-a7d27d55de538228c69d769d93045791/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140159&Signature=GPqv1W7bxQW6xv0otA2SjN54W4TC81KM~-LmXcmizZJ51IHWyPUjikK4554oH5A4HBRC~c-omQpmhBYYLfSK9cVLxCRhg~L40UfopHwXujG6JXxn8zRcg~MuWerQqwBACH6LzA-ZuVs1K~GYd7NrvlMvxOPshfZARNSvoUl-z5n~rFOJGlOK61yLp6PB-S1VGD0rCDAKTHYDkO6w~notPXQhF9wKYGB69AvIW2TomQyte2a-ErLTdD03~71~z1PkHzglepdqTPQIqI6Yhxt577yiuIkz71Ke-9zH2CcZmX~VPYUTra7sK~lWqGjgIOtT~zrsrHbu-HCG-g19OnCcng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","For the record, Jeff San Juan, program manager for the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, told the House Resources Committee on March 31 that AIDEA is pursuing two large projects: oil and gas activity on the Coastal Plain (the ANWR “1002” area) and the Ambler Access Project. “The coastal plain has significant economic benefits to the state of Alaska,” San Juan said, adding that the Bureau of Land Management’s final supplemental environmental impact statement estimated more than $2,000,000,000 in annual revenue to the state from development in the 1002 area.

Why it matters: Kaktovik residents and the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation (KIC) framed the debate as one of self‑determination and local economies. Speakers said federal actions that blocked or delayed development have had long economic effects for their communities and that local corporations and tribal governments support leasing and exploration on the Coastal Plain.

San Juan told legislators that AIDEA litigated the previous Interior Department cancellations and that a federal judge (identified in the hearing as Judge Gleeson) recently ruled in AIDEA’s favor, reinstating the seven leases awarded in 2021. AIDEA says the leases total about 365,775 acres and that independent research estimates roughly 4 billion to 6 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the area. San Juan said AIDEA’s next steps include reestablishing lease status and planning a 3D seismic program; he estimated a seismic program could cost $25 million to $35 million.

Tribal testimony: Matthew Rexford (identified during the hearing as a tribal administrator and former leader connected with Kaktovik’s corporate governance) and Charles Lampe, president and CEO of the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation, told the committee they and their community back leasing and development in the 1002 area. Rexford said the community’s institutions—tribe, village corporation and local government—are “in complete alignment with oil and gas exploration in the 1002 area.” Lampe said KIC and locals “have been unapologetically pro oil and gas” and described a history in which ANCSA and later federal conservation actions constrained local economic options.

Speakers stressed subsistence ties and local stewardship alongside support for development. Lampe described modern seismic acquisition as low‑impact when conducted on winter ice and snow, and he showed satellite comparisons the delegation said demonstrate little persistent surface disturbance after thaw. He also noted KIC lands total roughly 92,000 acres—about 6% of the 1002 area made available in the lease sale—and that the leases’ cancellation earlier had halted business plans and likely delayed jobs and community benefits.

Committee questions and context: Representative Sara H. Mears asked for the anticipated scale of exploration spending; San Juan replied that AIDEA is focused first on reinstating leases and that formal development budgets have not been finalized. Representative Fields pressed for details about a Ketchikan shipyard matter raised by other legislators; San Juan said he was not prepared to speak to that project and agreed to follow up to the committee.

What wasn’t decided: No formal motions or votes were taken on ANWR leasing. Committee members asked for follow‑up information about AIDEA’s seismic plans, the precise legal status of leases and what legislative support AIDEA or KIC would seek. AIDEA said it will return with additional information.

Ending: Committee co‑chairs adjourned after additional presentations; no committee action on ANWR or AIDEA proposals occurred during the March 31 hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/31/2025 01:00 PM House RESOURCES","oneSentenceSummary","For the record, Jeff San Juan, program manager for the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, told the House Resources Committee on March 31 that AIDEA is pursuing two large projects: oil and gas activity on the Coastal Plain (the ANWR “1002” area) and the Ambler Access Project.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097591,"Northwest tribes and AIDEA press case for Ambler Access Project as path to jobs and minerals",3217,3187000,6404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2827954-a295b824496c780650dcf126b82278e3&start=3187&end=6404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2827954-a295b824496c780650dcf126b82278e3/thumbnail_3187000.jpg","/articles/6097591/Alaska/Northwest-tribes-and-AIDEA-press-case-for-Ambler-Access-Project-as-path-to-jobs-and-minerals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097591-808bf55a0ba6cb26b430d297c9d9eb65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140159&Signature=OTduv7TXz1CgSlx2lK~XMTEb2BeqV6742g0~LYlLusBSk4vCvHiKR3CgnTDNxywapPqCB6v-zIKb4Lgyt6wat8NVUQ0O3PwTkDCYPSJbGJB6CbCWR1GLPJcAMFpwqhDQYC2PbbsJbjc8qls19U7dy39A83HJtDtU2l0OzKsKHNLMMvmy5PADNXj7tc0vIqE9fcuvhTN3ZfhCJM-GadU0E0JdQOMKHt4Njle9AY0VvjpHdC69F7H2hLbrPlfD21b-ndvX8~BGBtdt7PvlfBQN--Dl2luKyjiQ5zDyi0VIYu-t9k5ot2LfyUWUbJrOgbNNObAFul3vnhCxXH0uNWR-9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tribal leaders from the Northwest Arctic and interior Alaska pressed the House Resources Committee on March 31 to support the Ambler Access Project as a route to jobs, training and local economic stability. “What we need the most in our community to help us continue to live the way we do is jobs. Most importantly, we need jobs,” Fred Sun Sr., tribal president of Shungnak, told the committee.

Why it matters: speakers said Ambler road access would lower the cost of exploration for critical minerals, create seasonal and (potentially) permanent jobs, reduce local outmigration and fund community services. AIDEA framed the Ambler project as modeled on the Red Dog (DeLong Mountain Transportation System) success, which the agency says can be replicated to bring sustained revenue and employment to the region.

Community testimony and priorities: Fred Sun Sr. and PJ Simon, first chief of the Allakaket tribe, described decades of local engagement with mining companies and a series of resolutions passed by local governments in favor of road access and training. Simon told legislators Allakaket seeks workforce training, not just short seasonal hires: “We want something more than that. We want an opportunity … it's called self determination.”

AIDEA and local partnerships: Jeff San Juan (AIDEA) explained the agency is pursuing outreach and resolutions of support from communities along the proposed corridor, and said AIDEA is working with regional corporations including Doyon and NANA. In response to Representative Fields’ question about eminent domain, San Juan said AIDEA requires community buy‑in and is working with regional partners; he pointed to an access agreement AIDEA holds with Doyon as an example of cooperative work.

Labor, contracting and local hiring: Committee members repeatedly asked whether Ambler development would include local‑hire or local contracting requirements. San Juan said transportation corridors like AIDEA’s do not themselves impose a regional hire mandate but that some mining companies working in the Ambler district have local hiring agreements with regional corporations. Speakers urged state participation in training programs and workforce pipelines so local residents can fill both mine and subcontractor roles.

Costs, revenue and timeline: AIDEA said it is relying on prior internal and academic studies (including a University of Alaska CED report containing 2019 estimates) to show long‑term tax and royalty potential; those estimates do not represent firm near‑term project schedules. San Juan told the committee the Ambler road would lower exploration costs and that private companies have paused investment when federal permitting or policy uncertainty increased.

What wasn’t decided: The committee took no formal action. AIDEA said it will continue stakeholder outreach and return with additional material. Tribal leaders asked for state help to fund training and to ensure contracts provide meaningful opportunities for local and regional residents.

Ending: The committee closed after further testimony and moved on to a scheduled wildfire presentation; representatives asked AIDEA and tribes to provide more detail on community agreements, consultant use and projected local hiring.","Tribal leaders from Shungnak and Allakaket told the House Resources Committee that the Ambler Access Project and related mineral development are essential to local jobs, training and community stability; AIDEA said the project would replicate the Red Dog model, reduce exploration costs and requires tribal and regional buy‑in before advancing.","actionData","errors"]

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Kaktovik leaders, AIDEA push for development after court reinstates coastal plain leases

Northwest tribes and AIDEA press case for Ambler Access Project as path to jobs and minerals