Protecting Our Land, Protecting Our Future: Why the Central Yukon Plan Matters

Alaska's Interior is in a critical situation. The Central Yukon Resource Management Plan, finalized in 2024 after 12 years of dedicated effort, is now at risk. This plan governs 13.3 million acres of public lands—land that is vital not just for resources, but for food, culture, and the survival of rural Alaskan communities.

A Collaborative Effort Under Threat

The plan is the result of collaboration among tribes, local businesses, and residents. It carefully balances hunting, fishing, resource development, and wildlife protection. Without it, there is uncertainty about subsistence rights and habitat management. This is not just a policy debate—it's about putting food on the table and preserving culture.

Congress Considers Overturning the Plan

Congress is now considering overturning the plan. If they succeed, it would revert to outdated plans from the 1990s, creating chaos for land managers and tribes. The Congressional Review Act has never been used to undo a resource management plan before. Doing so now would be a grave mistake.

Alaska's Interior in Crisis

Alaska's Interior is already struggling. Salmon runs are collapsing, and caribou migrations are shifting. In such times, stable land management is crucial. The BLM-managed lands support subsistence opportunities and cultural practices. Overturning the plan would endanger these opportunities and undermine trust in collaborative planning.

A Call to Protect the Plan

It is time for Congress to reconsider. The Central Yukon Plan is the product of years of hard work and collaboration. Overturning it would destroy that effort. The future, food security, and cultural survival of Alaskan communities depend on this plan.

It's time to protect it.