SC Alaska News

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Congressman Nick Begich, all Republicans from Alaska, have released statements following President Donald J. Trump’s decision to re-approve the Ambler Access Project in Alaska. The decision was made under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), which allows project applicants to appeal federal disapprovals directly to the President.

Alongside this presidential determination, the Department of Defense announced a $35.6 million investment through a strategic partnership with Ambler Metals to advance mining exploration in the Ambler Mining District. In exchange, the Department will receive an equity stake in Trilogy Metals, which is part of the Ambler Metals joint venture.

Senator Murkowski expressed her support for the decision: “I thank President Trump for issuing this determination and getting the Ambler project back on track after it was derailed by politics at the end of the Biden administration. Congress enshrined this project’s approval into federal law in 1980 as part of a ‘grand bargain’ to conserve more than 100 million acres of land in Alaska, and it has more national significance now than ever,” she said. “The President’s re-approval will unlock a world-class mining district, deliver quality-of-life benefits for communities in the region, and help grow Alaska’s economy. It will also improve our national security by strengthening our mineral security and enabling us to produce more of our most important resources here at home. I look forward to federal agencies promptly re-issuing permits and authorizations so that the Ambler access project can finally proceed, and to working with the local people and Alaska Native Corporations to ensure a successful project.”

Senator Sullivan added: “I want to thank President Trump and his team, especially Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, for granting this appeal under Section 1106 of ANILCA, rolling back the Biden administration’s egregious and lawless denial of a right-of-way for the Ambler Access Project. This appeal is great news for Alaska, for jobs for our workers, for American national security, for reducing our country’s critical mineral dependence on China, and for the incredible Alaskans of the region. I just spoke by phone with the President about this important announcement, and he reiterated his strong commitment to advancing the Ambler Access Project, and so many other important projects for our state, including the King Cove Road and the Alaska LNG Project. I’ve always said the Ambler Access Project has to be done right, with close consultation with Alaska Native and community leaders and with respect for our environment and subsistence way of life. We were able to make great progress on these fronts under the first Trump administration, but the Biden administration came in and killed this project and the thousands of good-paying jobs, economic opportunity, and improved cost of living across the region that would come with it, subverting the clear intent of ANILCA. I’m glad to see another critically important project for our state’s economy and working families being put back on track.”

Congressman Begich stated: “The Ambler Mining District is a strategic asset for Alaska and an important pathway to critical mineral development in the United States,” he said. “By advancing this access, we are creating new opportunities for Alaskans while strengthening America’s supply chain and reducing dependence on foreign adversaries for our critical mineral needs. I applaud the President’s decision to support this appeal, and I look forward to working with the Administration, state leaders, and Alaska Native communities to ensure this project moves forward in a way that benefits all Alaskans.”

The Ambler Access Project aims to provide transportation access into northern Alaska's mining district so that minerals such as copper—essential for electronics—and others like cobalt can be developed domestically rather than relying on imports from countries like China.

ANILCA was enacted in 1980 as legislation designed both to conserve land—including creating Gates of Arctic National Park—and allow responsible resource development by ensuring right-of-way access across federal lands.

Permitting began in 2015; permits were granted in 2020 but revoked during subsequent environmental review processes under President Biden's administration before being rejected entirely last year.

Section 1106 of ANILCA gives applicants recourse if their projects are denied: they may appeal directly to U.S. presidents when non-wilderness lands are involved—a process used here by AIDEA after its application was rejected earlier this year.

With President Trump’s approval now secured via Section 1106 provisions—which require prompt action from federal agencies—supporters expect necessary rights-of-way permits will soon be issued so work can resume.