SC Alaska News

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Congressman Nick Begich, and Governor Mike Dunleavy participated in an “Alaska Day” event at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where Secretary Doug Burgum announced several actions affecting Alaska.

The measures include signing three land allotments for Alaska Native veterans, restoring the Coastal Plain oil and gas program, reinstating permits for the Ambler Access Project, and finalizing a land exchange to build a road connecting King Cove to Cold Bay.

Senator Murkowski expressed appreciation for these decisions: "Thank you to Secretary Burgum and his team for their significant efforts on these Alaska priorities. I appreciate the finalization of several Native allotments, while recognizing we need to extend that program. It is great to see the reinstatement of permits for Ambler that should have never been revoked in the first place, and the restoration of a Coastal Plain program that reflects federal law. I’m also truly grateful that Secretary Burgum has added his name to the bipartisan list of Secretaries who have listened to the good people of King Cove and chose to help them. I’m hopeful this land exchange agreement will finally deliver a life-saving road for this predominantly Alaska Native community—delivering them from a seemingly never-ending federal cycle and providing them with reliable access to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. After decades of dangerous medevacs and terrible crashes that have cost human lives, it is past time to ensure that their health, safety, and quality of life is fully protected.”

Senator Sullivan praised Secretary Burgum’s leadership: “Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum has been in office for nine months and I can easily say he's been the best Secretary of Interior for Alaska in American history,” said Sen. Sullivan. “The contrast with the previous administration could not be clearer. Working closely with the Trump administration, we are rapidly checking off each of the Biden administration’s egregious 70 executive orders and actions that locked up Alaska and hurt our economy. From pushing through a land exchange for the long-sought life-saving road for residents of King Cove, to reopening the entire ANWR Coastal Plain to leasing, to reauthorizing the Ambler Access Project leading to a major deposit of critical minerals, to finalizing allotments for our courageous Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans after a decades-long fight, Secretary Burgum and the Trump administration are listening to Alaskans and delivering for our communities. These actions aren’t just important for economic opportunity for Alaska’s working families—the ability to access our lands and responsibly develop our resources is directly related [to] the livelihoods and well-being of Alaskans. That might be the most important legacy of Secretary Burgum and President Trump in Alaska.”

Congressman Begich highlighted collaboration between state leaders and federal officials: “Today’s event at the Department of the Interior was a clear example of the strong partnership between the Trump Administration and Alaska. I want to thank Secretary Burgum, President Trump, and the entire Department of the Interior team for their steadfast commitment to Alaska. Today’s actions mark a turning point - proof that when the federal government works with Alaska, not against it, we can deliver real results for the people of our great state”, said Congressman Begich. “From honoring Alaska Native veterans through long-overdue land allotments, to authorizing the Ambler Access project and restoring the Coastal Plain program in ANWR, to finally securing the life-saving road to King Cove, this Administration is demonstrating that Alaska’s potential is America’s strength. These decisions unlock our resource potential and ensure that Alaska remains at the center of our nation’s strategic future.”

Secretary Burgum stated: “From day one, President Trump directed us to unlock Alaska’s energy and resource potential while honoring commitments to state and local communities,” said Secretary Burgum. “By reopening The Coastal Plain and advancing key infrastructure we are strengthening energy independence creating jobs supporting Alaska’s communities while driving economic growth across state.”

Governor Dunleavy described today’s announcements as historic: “Today’s announcements are historic for Alaska. President Trump and his administration are delivering on promises made to Alaska,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “The land transfer for King Cove Road will save lives economic opportunities will be unlocked in Ambler Mining District ANWR's Coastal Plain And Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans will finally receive land allotments they were promised.”

The press release notes background on each action:

- The Alaska Native Vietnam-Era Veterans Land Allotment Program allows eligible veterans or heirs from this era who did not previously receive an allotment under earlier programs an opportunity now; applications must be submitted by December 29 2025.

- The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act (TCJA) opened up part of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's (ANWR) non-wilderness area known as "1002 Area"—estimated as America’s largest untapped conventional oil/gas field—to limited development under strict environmental conditions.

- The Ambler Access Project aims at providing surface transportation into central-Alaska's mining district containing critical minerals such as copper cobalt gallium germanium which are considered vital due US dependence on imports especially from countries like China.

- The new agreement regarding King Cove enables construction connecting two existing roads through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge; historically difficult weather conditions have made medical evacuations dangerous there.

Recent Secretaries Zinke Bernhardt Haaland also supported facilitating road access via similar agreements.