As a veteran who has dedicated my life to serving this country, I am deeply troubled by an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would revive the Ambler Road project. This proposal, which seeks to expedite the construction of a private 211-mile road in Alaska for mining purposes, raises serious ethical and conservation concerns.
National Security Funding Misused
It’s disheartening to see national security funding being used to strip protections from our public lands, all for what seems to be an industry driven agenda. The NDAA should focus on military and defense priorities—not be leveraged for projects that threaten our natural heritage. By attaching an amendment to permit the Ambler Road to this critical legislation, lawmakers are sending a message that economic interests take precedence over the stewardship of our natural resources and the rights of local and Indigenous communities.
The Toll to Fish and Wildlife Habitat
The Ambler Road would carve a path through the Arctic in the famed Brooks Range, jeopardizing wildlife habitats including the migratory routes of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd. Installing 2900+ culverts into river and the delicate ecosystems that have thrived for generations risks putting further strain on wild runs of salmon, sheefish, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char. Increased industrial activity could further disrupt migration of caribou, the integrity of thousands of streams and threaten the subsistence lifestyles of local communities.
A Shameful Precedent
As a veteran, I fought to protect this nation and its values, which include a commitment to protecting our public lands. The use of national defense measures to further erode our nation’s public lands legacy feels like a betrayal of those principles. The Ambler industrial mining road would not strengthen U.S. supply chains of critical minerals, but it could strengthen the supply chains of our adversaries. Based on mining industry reports, these mineral concentrates are not intended to be processed in the U.S. Our military service was about safeguarding our country’s integrity, not compromising it for short-term economic gain. The Ambler Road would facilitate the sale of Alaska’s mineral resources to foreign processors, including China, an adversary. The one feasibility study conducted within the Ambler District further clarified that, “the significance of the Chinese market for concentrate cannot be understated.”
A Call for Unity
I urge my fellow veterans, sportsmen and women, and conservation advocates to speak out against this amendment. It’s crucial that we come together to protect our public lands and ensure that decisions about our public lands are made thoughtfully and responsibly. The Ambler Road project is not just an infrastructure initiative; it represents a fundamental choice about the legacy we want to leave for future generations.
Let’s stand united in advocating for a future where national security means not just military strength, but a commitment to safeguarding our natural resources and the rights of those who depend on them. Together, we can ensure that our nation’s priorities reflect the values we fought to uphold.
Stand with us and tell Congress you oppose the Ambler Road!
About Hunter Owen
Armed Forces Initiative National Board Eastern Region Conservation and Policy Representative & North Carolina Chapter Coastal Policy and Conservation Coordinator