A major new Arctic oil field prompted a deal to protect caribou. Then Trump officials backed out.

By: Max Graham, Northern Journal

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: February 18, 2026

Words: 1,552

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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As oil giant ConocoPhillips forges ahead with construction of one of Alaska’s largest oil fields in decades, a new battle is emerging over a deal to protect a nearby caribou herd from the development.

After approving the Willow project three years ago, the Biden administration quietly signed an agreement with the nearby Iñupiaq village of Nuiqsut.

The deal gave leaders of the village power to regulate development across some 1 million acres of caribou habitat …

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