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Alaska Natives and state leaders have praised a significant decision by the Trump administration to transfer 28,000 acres of land in the Arctic to a consortium of Natives after the Biden administration opposed state officials’ plans to develop the Ambler Mining Road and claimed they were protecting the locals.
The denial of the haul-road’s construction between Coldfoot and Ambler by the Biden administration hindered mining and other developments, despite the desires of both Juneau and the Natives.
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a strong advocate for the responsible development of energy resources in Alaska, commended President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum after the land transfer was announced.
“[It] demonstrates how the Trump administration is prioritizing both local control and responsible natural resource development,” Dunleavy told a news outlet on Monday.
“As governor, I look forward to collaborating with Secretary Burgum and his team to provide federal lands to the state as outlined in the Alaska Statehood Act,” he said. The 1958 law signed by President Dwight Eisenhower paved the way for Alaskan statehood and gave the state more control over the development of its natural resources.
“This is a positive development for both the state and our Native Corporations,” he said, as the land transfer recipient, NANA, is owned by 15,000 Iñupiaq residents in northwestern Alaska.
This action was described as “long overdue,” as many Alaska Natives support the responsible development of ANWR, Ambler, and other lands with untapped resources.
John Lincoln, NANA’s president, expressed gratitude to the Trump administration and the state’s congressional delegation for their efforts.
“NANA’s land selections were made many years ago by our Elders and past leadership,” Lincoln said, also commending Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski for their support of development efforts in Washington.
NANA’s stance contradicted the Biden administration’s claims that Native communities would be negatively impacted by the Ambler project.
In April 2024, the Biden administration revoked a permit for the Ambler project, citing environmental concerns.
In a final move before Trump left office, the Biden administration requested the suspension of the Ambler project’s Clean Water Act permitting.
The administration also mentioned concerns about the health of Native communities, but Burgum stated that the land transfer was fulfilling promises made by the Trump administration.
AIDEA proposed that the Ambler Mining Road project could create thousands of jobs and unlock valuable resources in Alaska.
In a recent development, a new study has found that eating chocolate regularly could potentially have a positive impact on heart health. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, suggests that consuming chocolate at least once a week could lower the risk of heart disease.
The researchers analyzed data from over 55,000 participants in the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study, tracking their chocolate consumption and monitoring their heart health over a period of 20 years. They found that those who ate chocolate at least once a week had a lower risk of heart disease compared to those who indulged less frequently.
Lead author Dr. Chayakrit Krittanawong noted that while chocolate is often considered a treat, it may have significant health benefits when consumed in moderation. He emphasized the importance of choosing dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, as it contains more antioxidants and less sugar than milk chocolate.
However, it is important to note that the study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between chocolate consumption and heart health. More research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of chocolate on cardiovascular health.
In conclusion, while enjoying chocolate in moderation may have some positive effects on heart health, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet and active lifestyle to reduce the risk of heart disease.
