(JUNEAU) - U.S. Secretary of Interior Gale Norton placed the future of Alaska public lands back in the hands of the state on Friday. Norton said that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will no longer perform wilderness reviews of public lands in Alaska without the broad support of the state.

"I instruct BLM to consider specific wilderness study proposals in Alaska, as part of any new or revised resource management planning effort, if the proposals have broad support among the State and Federal elected officials representing Alaska," Norton said. "Absent this broad support, wilderness should not be considered in these resource management plans."

The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 preserved more than 150 million acres in specifically protected conservation units. More than one-third of those lands, 57 million acres, were formally designated as wilderness. Because of the limitations that a wilderness designation poses to multiple use of public lands, Congress did not mandate further wilderness inventory, review, or study of BLM lands in Alaska, except for one study near the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). Congress then granted the Secretary of the Interior the discretion to undertake additional wilderness study of BLM lands, but precluded further wilderness study of any Department lands in the State of Alaska, absent Congressional direction, for the establishment of single purpose "conservation system units, national recreation areas, national conservation areas, or for related or similar purposes." The decision is also known as the "No More Clause." Shortly after the passage of ANILCA, the Secretary of Interior adopted a similar policy not to conduct further wilderness study as part of the BLM planning process in Alaska.

On January 18, 2001 Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt permitted wilderness study on BLM lands once again.

On March 28th, 2001, by a vote of 48 to six, the Alaska State Legislature approved a joint resolution that urged the Department of the Interior to exempt the BLM in Alaska from further wilderness study.

Secretary Norton is returning the BLM planning process to the same philosophy that lasted for more than two decades. Further wilderness study must receive support from Alaska's State and Federal elected officials.

"Absent this broad support, wilderness should not be considered in these resource management plans," Norton said. "This approach allows me or my successors to take into consideration the views of the State of Alaska, through its elected representatives, in determining when it makes sense to conduct wilderness studies."

The announcement was welcome news to Alaska Senate President Gene Therriault (R-North Pole) and Alaska House of Representatives Speaker Pete Kott (R-Eagle River). Both leaders said the decision supported a philosophy long held by the Senate and House Majorities.

"I am extremely pleased by the news announced today by Interior Secretary Gail Norton," Therriault said. "We have repeatedly said responsible development of our natural resources is the key to Alaska's future. This correction in federal land policy restores the balance between preservation and development in Alaska-just as Congress intended when they adopted the 'No More Clause' in ANILCA. This outcome also demonstrates that Alaskans can be effective when we speak with one voice."

"Once again our Federal government is listening to the concerns of the citizens of Alaska," Kott said. "Alaskans support the protection and prudent use of their land. This decision by Secretary Norton shows that she understands the importance of trusting Alaskans with the future of their home."

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