In early September, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to rescind the Central Yukon Resource Management Plan (CYRMP)—a plan more than a decade in the making, rooted in compromise, science, and Indigenous knowledge. The resolution, known as House Joint Resolution 106, passed the House on September 3 and was received in the U.S. Senate the following day, September 4. Under the Congressional Review Act, the Senate has 60 session days to take action.
The CYRMP covers over 13 million acres of public land, an area larger than the state of Oregon. It was designed to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems essential to Alaska Native communities, including 3.6 million acres of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern and critical salmon spawning grounds. The plan protects moose, caribou, and fish that make up as much as 80% of the diet in TCC’s roadless Tribal communities.
By voting to overturn the CYRMP, the House has not only placed these lands and resources at risk—it has also shown blatant disregard for Tribal consultation and the voices of Alaska Native communities.
“This vote prioritizes corporate interests over Alaska Native food security, sovereignty, and the future of our children,” said TCC Chairman Chief Brian Ridley.
The stakes are high. If the Senate follows the House in overturning the CYRMP, protections would be stripped from 22 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, including the Tozitna River, Nulato Hills, Kateel River, Unalakleet River, Galbraith Lake, Snowden Mountain, and many others. These lands are not just places on a map—they are the heart of Alaska Native food systems, culture, and way of life.
TCC emphasizes that the CYRMP is not about “locking up” Alaska’s resources. It is about careful stewardship, ensuring that lands remain intact and ecosystems remain resilient in the face of the climate crisis. Our people have lived on these lands since time immemorial, and we have a right to continue our traditional subsistence and cultural practices.
As the Senate prepares to act on H.J. Res. 106 in the coming weeks, TCC urges Tribal leaders, members, and all Alaskans to contact Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski. Let them know that Alaska Native communities stand united in calling for the Senate to reject this harmful resolution and uphold the protections established under the Central Yukon Plan.
Together, we can defend the lands, waters, and wildlife that sustain our people—and protect them for generations to come.
Take Action Now!
The U.S. Senate received H.J. Res. 106 on September 4, 2025 and has 60 session days to act.
If passed, the resolution would overturn the Central Yukon Resource Management Plan and strip protections from 22 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
Contact Alaska’s Senators today and urge them to reject H.J. Res. 106:
Senator Dan Sullivan
(907) 456-0261
sullivan.senate.gov/contact
Senator Lisa Murkowski
(907) 456-0233
murkowski.senate.gov/contact