Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt will brief media on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. EDT on the final decision for exploration and development of oil and gas resources in the northeast quadrant of the 23 million acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).

The decision will be in the form of a "preferred alternative" selected through a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement process involving several Interior agencies under the direction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The inter-agency group, with representatives from the State of Alaska and Alaska Natives from the North Slope Borough, spent 18 months conducting and reviewing scientific evaluations and outreach to stakeholders. The area studied encompasses approximately 4.6 million acres, including environmentally sensitive wildlife habitat around the Colville River and Teshekpuk Lake.

"The study process was able to point us toward a balance, based on good science and broad consultation, for this part of the NPR-A," Secretary Babbitt said. "Whenever a balance is struck, there are going to be those who will be displeased. However, in this case, I believe we have found a good foundation that protects important and sensitive environmental resources and subsistence hunting and fishing rights while recognizing the intent of Congress in designating this area a Petroleum Reserve."

The Secretary will brief media in Room 7000 of the Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC. A telephonic connection to the press conference for Alaska media only can be arranged by special request. For the "listen only" connection number, please contact Stephanie Hanna at 202-208-6416 after noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

A technical briefing for media and stakeholders will be held prior to Secretary Babbitt's announcement. The technical briefing, to be conducted by Tom Allen, Alaska state director for BLM, will be held in Room 5160 at 12:30 p.m. EDT.