Ambler Road Project Faces Legal Pushback

Bellingham readers should note that a major infrastructure dispute is unfolding in Alaska, where a new road project threatens to alter the Arctic landscape. The Ambler Road Project would cut across the headwaters of 11 major rivers in the Brooks Range. This industrial haul road is designed to access mining claims for copper, silver, gold, lead, and zinc.

The proposed route spans 211 miles and includes approximately 48 bridges and 3,000 culverts. It will cross 26 miles of one of the nation's largest national parks. The path also intersects key caribou migration routes. The project aims to transport ore by truck and ship, bringing new emissions to a region known for its intact ecosystems.

The federal government has committed nearly $36 million for a 10% stake in Trilogy Metals. This Canadian company is seeking access to mining claims through a joint venture with Australia's South32 Limited. President Donald Trump has identified the road as a priority for unlocking Alaska's mineral potential. The federal investment more than tripled Trilogy's stock price overnight.

Environmental groups have sued the Trump administration over its decision to reissue permits for the road. These permits were rejected under the Biden administration. Aaron Mintzes, deputy policy director with Earthworks, criticized the move. He stated that the permits reveal decision-making that smacks of conflicts of interest and risks taxpayer money on a speculative investment.

At least 88 federally recognized tribes have passed resolutions opposing the project. Frank Thompson, first chief of the Evansville Tribal Council, voiced strong objections at a regional chiefs' conference in March. Thompson argued that the region should be protected rather than torn up for land. He questioned the benefits for local communities, noting that foreign companies might take the money and ore elsewhere, leaving behind trashed land.

Tommy Shanahan, second chief for the Evansville tribe, expressed skepticism about keeping the road closed to the public. He cited the Dalton Highway as a precedent, which was built for oil fields but eventually opened to traffic, bringing poachers and outsiders to remote areas. Shanahan, a former long-haul trucker, warned that one catastrophe could ruin the waterways. He noted that fuel tankers tipping over in rivers creates a mess that is impossible to contain.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers announced on September 18 that it is fast-tracking the environmental review of the first mine in the district. Ambler Metals has proposed an open-pit mine spanning 1,727 acres. This plan includes filling 121 acres of wetlands, ponds, and streams. The public had until November 2 to comment on the proposal, which includes ore-processing facilities, waste rock infrastructure, roads, and airstrips.