Interior Department Issues Statement on Proposed Willow Project

02/01/2023
Last edited 06/03/2025

Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

The Bureau of Land Management-Alaska today completed the final supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS), as directed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, for the proposed Willow Master Development Plan in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) for which there are existing leases.

The final SEIS includes a preferred alternative, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The preferred alternative is not a decision about whether to approve the Willow Project.

The Department has substantial concerns about the Willow project and the preferred alternative as presented in the final SEIS, including direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions and impacts to wildlife and Alaska Native subsistence.

Consistent with the law, a decision will be finalized by the Department no sooner than 30 days after publication of the final SEIS. That decision may select a different alternative, including no action, or the deferral of additional drill pads beyond the single deferral described under the preferred alternative.

###

  • Press Release
    Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
    08/03/2026

    Department of the Interior Proposes Targeted Updates to Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule to Advance…

    The Department of the Interior today announced a proposed rule through the Marine Minerals Administration to modernize and refine federal regulations governing exploratory oil and gas drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf, advancing President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to unleash American Energy Dominance while maintaining strong safety and environmental oversight.

    Read more
  • Press Release
    Photo of BLM law enforcement vehicle
    07/13/2026

    Department of the Interior and Partners Seize Fentanyl, Thousands of Pills During Northern…

    Department of the Interior law enforcement officers, in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, have successfully disrupted a major narcotics operation in California. This joint, multi-day operation resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, marking a major milestone in ongoing collaborative efforts to combat drug trafficking on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

    Read more
  • Press Release
    Hikers at Sacramento Recreational River, California
    06/25/2026

    Interior Releases First-Ever Interagency Recreation Visitation Report and Announces Nationwide…

    The Department of the Interior today announced the release of the Interagency Recreation Visitation Data Report, the first unified compilation of recreation visitation estimates across all federal land and water management agencies, as directed by the EXPLORE Act. The landmark report provides a comprehensive, standardized view of how millions of people experience outdoor recreation across hundreds of millions of acres of federally managed public lands and waters.

    Read more

Was this page helpful?

Please provide a comment