Department of the Interior agrees to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed Yukon Flats land exchange - May 27, 2005

The Department of the Interior has agreed to evaluate the proposed land exchange between Doyon, Limited and the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge through the process of a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A land exchange conducted under the provisions of ANILCA is not a legal requirement. However, the Department has agreed to go forward with an EIS, at Doyon, Limited's request.

The Fish and Wildlife Service released an Evaluation and Review of a proposed land exchange and acquisition of Native Lands on February 3, 2005, and will be accepting public comments until July 30. The Evaluation and Review, along with the comments received to date will help in the scoping of a much more detailed analysis of this proposal via the EIS process. The EIS will be initiated once funding is available.