Sponsors (23)
The bill permanently protects 1.56 million acres of the Arctic Coastal Plain to preserve subsistence resources, wildlife, recreation, and carbon sinks, at the cost of foreclosing potential energy and mineral development, limiting some infrastructure options, and reducing certain tribal/state land‑use flexibilities.
Indigenous and local rural communities keep protected subsistence resources and wildlife because 1.56 million acres of the Arctic Coastal Plain are permanently designated wilderness, preventing most development and extraction.
Residents and visitors retain long-term access to undeveloped landscapes and recreational opportunities because the area is preserved as wilderness.
The landscape's carbon sinks and Arctic conservation values are maintained, contributing to broader climate mitigation and biodiversity goals.
Utilities, energy companies, and local economies lose potential opportunities for oil, gas, and mineral development on 1.56 million acres, reducing possible jobs and future revenue.
Indigenous tribes and state governments may have reduced flexibility in land-use planning and co-management where the wilderness designation supersedes other statutory authorities relied on for subsistence or shared management.
Federal wilderness designation could constrain infrastructure improvements or access projects, complicating local economic activities and federal land-management operations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced April 29, 2025 by Edward John Markey · Last progress April 29, 2025
Designates about 1,559,538 acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain as wilderness and adds that area to the National Wilderness Preservation System. It amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act to create a statutory wilderness designation that applies notwithstanding other provisions of that Act, and it references an official map for the exact boundaries.