A federal website says a “record of decision” is due this spring on a new management plan for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including a potential recommendation to designate more of the refuge as wilderness.
But an official with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages ANWR, said the schedule could slip as the Interior Department transitions to new leadership.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is leaving the post at the end of March, and President Obama has nominated Sally Jewell to take his place.
Salazar was not expected to deal with the ANWR issue before his departure, Sharon Seim, of the Fish and Wildlife Service, told Petroleum News on March 24.
—WESLEY LOY
See story in March 31 issue, available online at 11 a.m., Friday, March 29, at www.PetroleumNews.com
