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BLM's "Virtual Meetings" Start Tomorrow
The Bureau of Land Management declined our request to suspend the comment period on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Willow Master Development Plan, going ahead with "virtual meetings" starting tomorrow as we continue to practice physical distancing and avoid gathering.

It is an egregious violation of public process to continue to hold meetings as Alaskans' attention is rightfully focused on our health and safety, and the uncertainties associated with the COVID- 19 pandemic, but BLM stated that they “agree that providing easy access to participate in a high quality, efficient and open process is paramount. That is why we are moving forward with our public meetings in a virtual environment in order to provide information to our public in the safest and most efficient way possible.”

This process can hardly be considered high quality, since many in the communities most impacted by the proposed infrastructure don't have reliable access to the technology needed to participate nor the SEIS document itself.

As we've noted before, it's very difficult to prioritize this process while we are all managing changes and uncertainties in our home and work lives. Please prioritize your own health during this time.

If you choose to participate: The meetings will be held via Zoom, and information on how to register can be found here. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE, and state whether you plan to testify. Click here for suggested talking points.

Please note: there seems to be a considerable delay in receiving registration confirmation. If you encounter issues, let BLM project manager Racheal Jones at [email protected] and let her know, adding that this process should be suspended. (Please cc [email protected] )

BLM has stated that they will also livestream the meetings via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BLM.NPRA.SAP/ .

Native Movement and Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic (SILA) will be hosting a pre-meeting info session via Zoom tomorrow at 11:30 am.

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The complete virtual meeting schedule is as follows:
Thursday, April 16, 2020 — General Public 

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 — North Slope Communities (North Slope residents given priority for registration) 

Thursday, April 23, 2020 — Nuiqsut (Nuiqsut residents given priority for registration) 
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 — General Public 

MISSION
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center promotes conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy.