Judge rejects Trump plan for road in Alaska wildlife refuge

(KTUU)
Published: Mar. 29, 2019 at 2:20 PM AKDT
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

A federal court judge says Trump administration plans for a road through a national wildlife refuge in Alaska violates federal law.

An order Friday by U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason halts plans for the road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula.

The refuge encompasses internationally recognized habitat for migrating waterfowl.

The village of King Cove and Alaska state officials want the road for land access to an all-weather airport at the nearby community of Cold Bay.

Gleason ruled that a swap of refuge land for private land signed by former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was illegal.

She said federal law required the administration to acknowledge it was reversing previous policy and provide an explanation for doing so.