CPAWS Yukon Decries U.S.-Announcement of Oil and Gas Leasing Sale on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge 

April 24, 2026

Whitehorse, Yukon—CPAWS Yukon stands in solidarity with our Gwich’in allies in decrying the U.S. Government’s decision to proceed with the environmentally, socially, and economically reckless launch of the oil and gas leasing program within the Coastal Plains of the Arctic Refuge. The announcement, made April 17th, officially opened more than 680,000 acres of the Coastal Plain—home to the sacred calving of the Porcupine Caribou Herd at a formal lease sale to be held June 5.

This lease sale represents a direct threat to the health and stability of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, who have been returning to the Coastal Plain to birth, nurture, and protect their calves for millenia. It is also an affront to the sovereignty, culture, and will of the Gwich’in people, who live in ongoing relationship with the caribou who have steadfastly and adamantly opposed any and all development within the Coastal Plain. The move also represents the continued disrespect of the U.S. government for the sovereignty and security of Canada and Canadians, as this unilateral action is in direct violation of the legally binding 1987 Canada-U.S. Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement.

Offering oil and gas leases in the nursing grounds of baby caribou during an accelerating climate crisis and unprecedented biodiversity loss following two previous sales that, due to a lack of industry interest, were universal flops, is not only immoral and irresponsible, but absurd.

CPAWS Yukon remains committed to standing beside the Gwich’in in the fierce and unwavering defense of the Arctic Refuge and the sacred calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou. The only acceptable oil and gas extraction on the coastal plain is none, and we won’t stop fighting until the Refuge is protected. Now and forever.

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Contact

Laurence Fox, Conservation Coordinator, CPAWS Yukon
lfox@CPAWSYukon.org| 867-393-8080 x 3