Today Governor Mike Dunleavy joined Interior Secretary Doug Burgum as he revoked Public Land Orders 5150 and 5180, expanding economic development opportunities on roughly 2.1 million acres. The action marks another major win for Alaska’s Statehood Defense Initiative—a coordinated, all-of-government effort to push back against federal overreach and secure long-promised state land entitlements.
In particular, this revocation allows the State of Alaska to receive land from the federal government that the Alaska Statehood Act entitles Alaska to but has not yet received. The State of Alaska has long sought to acquire the land in the Dalton Utility Corridor, but the past Public Land Orders have prevented title from being transferred to the State.
The lands affected include the corridor used by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and proposed projects including the Alaska LNG pipeline and the Ambler Road.
“Today’s action by Secretary Burgum is a milestone for Alaska’s self-determination. I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Burgum for continuing to deliver on promises, even those promises made decades ago,” said Governor Dunleavy. “Alaskans know what’s best for Alaska, and revoking these PLOs will empower Alaska to chart our own future on these lands.”
“Today’s revocation is a major step forward for Alaskans to realize the promise the federal government made to us more than 60 years ago: a statehood land entitlement for Alaska to develop its resources and support its residents,” said Alaska DNR Commissioner-designee John Crowther.
“This is exactly the kind of outcome the State envisioned when the Governor announced the Statehood Defense Initiative,” said Attorney General-designee Stephen Cox. “Not every fight ends in court. Sometimes it’s long conversations, joint planning, and sustained engagement with our federal counterparts. This win shows how Alaska defends its interests—on all fronts.”
The revocation supports President Trump’s efforts to expand domestic energy and mineral production under Executive Order 14153 and Secretary’s Order 3422, both titled “Unleashing American Energy.”
More information about the revocation is available on the Department of the Interior website.
