"A federal judge has dealt a likely deathblow to a land-swap deal approved by the Interior Department last year that was meant to clear the way for a 12-mile single-lane gravel road through Alaska's Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason, in a ruling issued today, threw out then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's approval last year of an agreement to convey up to 500 acres within the refuge to an Alaska Native corporation in exchange for as yet unknown land in the area.
Gleason ruled that the land exchange agreement violated the Administrative Procedure Act because Zinke failed to justify the change in policy from the Obama administration, which found the road would be too destructive."
Scott Streater and Ellen M. Gilmer report for E&E News PM March 29, 2019.
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