EventU.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason ruled that the Interior Department’s trade of Native-owned land for refuge acreage violated the Endangered Species Act, Refuge Act and ANILCA, canceling the exchange that would have allowed an 18.9‑mile road linking King Cove to Cold Bay airport. Alaska plans to appeal; construction of a 2.8‑mile segment on state‑owned land is still underway.
A federal judge invalidated a land exchange that would have enabled an 18.9‑mile road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, potentially stopping the project while Alaska seeks to appeal and opponents argue any construction violates conservation laws.
Judge Sharon Gleason voided the land swap that would have enabled a 19‑mile road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, halting construction plans for King Cove’s access to Cold Bay airport while affirming conservation and indigenous interests.
