DOI issued a final rule governing the management and protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). Under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, BLM is directed to balance oil and gas development with management and protection of the surface value of specially designated areas, as well as mitigating the impact of oil and gas activities on surface resources. The rule limits oil and gas leasing and industrial development in areas known for their wildlife habitats, including those vital to subsistence, and sets out guidelines for development in covered areas that better protect subsistence resources. The rule also requires the Bureau of Land Management to consider Indigenous Knowledge when evaluating resources for the designation, de-designation, and management of “special areas,” which receive maximum protections.
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