American Rivers Opposes Controversial Ambler Road Construction That Would Damage Kobuk River

Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org 

10/09/2025 Anchorage, Alaska — American Rivers is today, voicing its continued opposition to the proposed Ambler Road project after its construction was reordered earlier this week. The road would threaten Alaska’s pristine Kobuk River which supports the Iñupiat, abundant salmon runs and a fishing economy, plentiful waterfowl as well as the second largest herd of caribou in Alaska.  

The 211-mile road had been greenlit in President Trump’s first term but was halted under the Biden administration for its overwhelming threats to people, water quality and wildlife. American Rivers listed the Kobuk River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers in 2024 due to the immense threat of the Ambler Road project.  

“Our nation is running out of the truly untouched, pristine places like the Kobuk River watershed and once they are gone, they are gone,” said Sarah Dyrdahl, Northwest regional director for American Rivers.  “Putting a road through such a beautiful region, with salmon and sheefish runs unlike anything you can find elsewhere anymore, would be a tragedy,” 

As proposed, the Ambler Road project would weaken permafrost and require thousands of crossings over streams, rivers and wetlands and open up a thus-far untouched area to extraction. The project would catalyze the construction of several open-pit mines already under exploration and render permanent damage.