Following a meeting with Alaska Natives from King Cove, Alaska and in response to concerns raised by the Alaska delegation, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar is seeking additional information and has directed additional government-to-government consultation to inform a pending decision concerning the Izembek Land Exchange/Road Corridor between King Cove and Cold Bay.

“As I said when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the final Environmental Impact Statement, the preferred alternative would protect the heart of a pristine landscape that Congress designated as wilderness and that serves as vital habitat for grizzly bear, caribou and salmon, shorebirds and waterfowl,” Secretary Salazar said. “The important analysis contained in the FEIS is based on exhaustive scientific review and extensive public dialogue, including government-to-government consultation.”

“Pursuant to the unique trust relationship that Interior holds with Alaska Natives, and in response to concerns raised that a non-commercial road is necessary for medical evacuations from King Cove, I believe that additional steps and dialogue are appropriate before a final decision is made,” added Salazar. “In reaching the Department’s final decision on this matter, the Secretary will consider the full record before the Department, including the Fish and Wildlife Service’s final Environmental Impact Statement, information presented in a report from the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, and comments received during a public meeting in King Cove convened by the Secretary.”

Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski said after the Interiors decision, “There is no greater good we could do than to provide the residents of King Cove a safe land route to the airport in Cold Bay so they can be evacuated in cases of medical emergencies,” Murkowski said. “I’m pleased that Secretary Salazar has agreed to take a second look at this. I look forward to working with Interior to ensure the department fulfills its native trust responsibilities to the people of King Cove.”

It is possible that after review is completed, a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement may be conducted. Secretary Ken Salazar has sent a memo to Fish and Wildlife directing them to not issue a final decision on the proposed road ubtil after the review.

“In my mind, this is an environmental justice issue. Conserving our natural spaces is important, but we have to balance that with the safety needs of local residents,” Murkowski said. “King Cove has been clearly disadvantaged by a wildness designation that separates them from Cold Bay. The least we can do is to ensure they have the ability to reach an airport that can handle instrument approaches when weather makes travel by plane and boat all but impossible.