Interior Department Issues Statement on Proposed Willow Project

Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

The Bureau of Land Management-Alaska today completed the final supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS), as directed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, for the proposed Willow Master Development Plan in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) for which there are existing leases.

The final SEIS includes a preferred alternative, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The preferred alternative is not a decision about whether to approve the Willow Project.

The Department has substantial concerns about the Willow project and the preferred alternative as presented in the final SEIS, including direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions and impacts to wildlife and Alaska Native subsistence.

Consistent with the law, a decision will be finalized by the Department no sooner than 30 days after publication of the final SEIS. That decision may select a different alternative, including no action, or the deferral of additional drill pads beyond the single deferral described under the preferred alternative.

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