The Department of the Interior has announced it will issue Public Land Order No. 7966, opening about 2.1 million acres in Alaska’s Dalton Utility Corridor to location and entry under public land and mining laws. This action revokes two previous withdrawals—Public Land Orders 5150 and 5180—north of the Yukon River, increasing opportunities for resource development and giving the State of Alaska more control over its land.
“President Trump was clear - promises made are promises kept and this decision is about unlocking opportunity for American Energy Dominance to lower costs for all American families,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “By opening these lands, we are empowering Alaska to chart its own course and develop energy, minerals and infrastructure that strengthen America’s security and prosperity.”
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy stated, “Today’s action by Secretary Burgum is a milestone for Alaska’s self-determination. I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Burgum for continuing to deliver on promises, even those promises made decades ago. Alaskans know what’s best for Alaska and revoking these Public Land Orders will empower Alaska to chart our own future on these lands.”
This move enables Alaska to advance its remaining land entitlements under the Alaska Statehood Act. The revocation makes approximately 2.1 million acres of previously unavailable “top filed” land eligible for state selection. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working with the state to identify which parcels it wants to take title to, moving toward fulfilling its remaining 5.2-million-acre entitlement.
“Today’s revocation is a major step forward for Alaskans to realize the promise the federal government made to us more than 60 years ago – a statehood land entitlement for Alaska to develop its resources and support its residents,” said John Crowther, Commissioner-designee of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. “We will continue to work in coordination and cooperation with the Department of the Interior on our relinquishment plan to ensure that the state’s highest-priority acreage will be available for transfer to the people of Alaska.”
As part of this process, Alaska has agreed to a good faith plan for relinquishing excess statehood selections in line with requirements under the Alaska Lands Transfer Acceleration Act.
“We are proud of this major milestone and the partnership that we have forged with the state.” said BLM Alaska State Director Kevin Pendergast. “This is federal–state collaboration at its best; we’ll continue working closely with them on our shared commitments to fulfilling land entitlements.”
The Dalton corridor includes important infrastructure such as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline as well as proposed projects like the Alaska Liquid Natural Gas line and Ambler Road. The revocation supports efforts under Executive Order 14153 and Secretary’s Order 3422—both titled “Unleashing American Energy”—to expand domestic energy and mineral production.
The new Public Land Order is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register next week.
