The Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge is extending the deadline for public comments on a proposed land exchange (and acquisition of Native lands) with Doyon, Limited. We are extending the original comment period by an additional 120 days, to July 30, 2005.
Doyon, Limited, an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation, currently owns 1.25 million acres within the exterior boundary of Yukon Flats NWR. In October of 2004, negotiators for Doyon and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, agreed in principle to provide Doyon title to some refuge lands that may hold developable oil and gas resources. In exchange, the Service would receive habitat currently owned by Doyon within the refuge boundary. This would consist of wetlands previously identified by the Service as quality fish and wildlife habitat.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held public meetings in early 2005 to obtain feedback on the proposed land exchange. Meetings were held in the cities of Fairbanks and Anchorage; as well as the villages of Arctic Village, Beaver, Birch Creek, Central, Chalkytsik, Circle, Fort Yukon, Stevens Village, and Venetie.
During those public meetings, and in written comments provided to the Service, many individuals and organizations requested an extension of the original public comment period. This announcement is in response to those requests. The extension of the comment period will enable the public to have more time to review the "Agreement in Principle? and the Service's recently-published Evaluation and Review of a Proposed Land Exchange and Acquisition of Native Lands,which provides a review of the management implications and potential environmental impacts of the proposed exchange.
We have posted prior news releases, the "Agreement in Principle," the Evaluation and Review of a Proposed Land Exchange and Acquisition of Native Lands, and a schedule of the previously-held public informational meetings online at http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/yukonflats/content.htm.
Information about the proposed land exchange may also be obtained by contacting the refuge office. Public comments may be submitted to yukonflatsrefuge@fws.gov or to Refuge Manager, Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, 101 12th Avenue, Room 264, Box 14, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701; or by calling (907) 456-0440 or sending a fax to (907) 456-0447.
