Comment period on Alaska Native swap extended

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has extended the comment period on a controversial Alaska Native land swap.

Doyon Ltd., an Alaska Native regional corporation, wants to give 150,000 acres to FWS in exchange for 110,000 acres within the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, plus mineral rights on an additional 97,000 acres. The corporation plans to drill on the land it acquires.

Tribes and villages in the area oppose the swap, citing the impacts on the environment. They said they weren't properly consulted by FWS.

The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will end May 19.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reopens comments on Yukon Flats land swap (AP 4/16)
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