Winter Trail Proposed Across Arctic Wildlife Refuge Sparks Debate
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is sharing a draft plan to allow the Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation to build and use a winter snow trail for 20 years across the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This trail will help them move big equipment to their land near Kaktovik. People and groups have until February 9, 2026, to share their thoughts before a final decision is made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
20-Year Snow-Trail Right-of-Way for KIC
The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to issue a 20-year right-of-way (ROW) permit to the Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation (KIC) that would let KIC annually build and use a 30-foot-wide winter snow trail across Refuge lands to move large equipment and commodities to its inholdings. The ROW would be 200 feet wide along 96.8 miles (49.6 miles overland, 42.9 miles shore fast sea ice, and 4.3 miles of connectors) and would total a 2,355-acre footprint.
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Key Dates
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