This is our last chance to speak directly to BLM and urge them to protect the Arctic from unnecessary drilling.
On Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday, September 24, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management will hold virtual public hearings on their proposal to adopt regulations that would open up the Western Arctic for more drilling.
During the hearing, participants will be able to provide verbal comments on BLM’s proposed rule.
This is our last chance to speak directly to BLM and urge them to protect the Arctic from unnecessary drilling.
Public comment helps show that communities across the country are paying attention and demanding accountability.
You do not need to be a lawyer, scientist, or policy expert to participate. Personal stories and community concerns matter.
Quick Start: How to Participate
Step 1: Register for the BLM hearing
- Speaking slots may fill up.
BLM Virtual Public Hearing
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. AKDT / 10 a.m. – 1 p.m PDT
BLM Virtual Public Hearing
Thursday, September 24, 2026
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. AKDT / 2 p.m. – 5 p.m PDT
Step 2: Prepare your public comment
Your public comment can be short and simple. You can:
- Read directly from prepared notes
- Speak conversationally
- Share personal concerns
- Use the talking points below
- Combine personal experience with broader concerns
Public comment is likely to be limited to just a few minutes, but even a short statement can make a difference. A good rule of thumb:
- 1 minute ≈ 150 words
- 5 minutes ≈ 750 words
Step 3: Deliver your public comment virtually
You can speak from:
- Your computer
- Your phone
You do not need to stay for the entire hearing.
During the hearing:
- You will likely wait in a virtual queue until your name is called.
- Your microphone will be muted until it is your turn.
- You may simply read your prepared remarks aloud.
Step 4: Send us your public comment
Once you prepare your public comment, please send us a copy so we can better understand how supporters are engaging and help track participation.
We are incredibly thankful for your effort in this work. Thank you.
What BLM is Proposing
At the request of the oil industry, the Bureau of Land Management has proposed a new permitting process to greenlight potentially massive oil development in some of the most sensitive areas in Alaska’s Western Arctic without any public process or environmental review — potentially rubber-stamping massive drilling expansions as large as the Willow Project.
This approach aims to limit the government’s ability to say no to development, cut the public out of the process, and short-cut reviews of new projects’ environmental impacts.
Why Your Public Comment Matters
Public comment helps:
- Demonstrate widespread opposition to the tunnel project
- Build a strong public record
- Shows BLM that communities are paying attention
- Elevate the experiences and concerns of people affected by the project
- Push back against industry pressure
Key Talking Points
- The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, and its species are struggling to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
- No drilling in the Arctic is safe for Arctic species or our climate.
- Removing environmental review and public participation for drilling projects is irresponsible and short-sighted.
- The Arctic is home to fragile ecosystems that our warming planet is already putting into jeopardy.
Tips for a Strong Public Comment
Make it personal.
You do not need technical expertise for your public comment to matter. You can talk about:
- Concerns about impact of drilling to the Arctic
- Why keeping in place environmental review and public participation for development drilling in the Western Arctic matters to you
Keep it simple.
A clear and sincere statement is often more powerful than a highly technical one.
End with a clear ask.
Examples:
- “I urge you to resist industry’s efforts to eliminate environmental review and public participation in decisions about drilling in our public lands.”
- “BLM must protect the fragile ecosystems that would be at risk, not corporations.”
- “Please enforce the existing standards.”
Sample public comment structure:
Public comment should flow like this:
“Hi, my name is [name], in [my state].
“I am concerned about [list the reasons you are personally worried — examples can include: how drilling in the Arctic would impact you, why environmental review and public participation matter, etc.].
“Thank you for listening. [End with a clear ask]”
A Few Final Reminders
You are speaking on your own behalf, not on behalf of Earthjustice.
- You do not need to be an expert to participate.
- Short public comment still matters.
- Personal stories and concerns are powerful.
- Register as soon as you can before the public hearing.
Thank you for speaking up for the Arctic.
Opened in 1978, our Alaska regional office works to safeguard public lands, waters, and wildlife from destructive oil and gas drilling, mining, and logging, and to protect the region's marine and coastal ecosystems.