Navy seizes 5,600 acres of Alaska wildlife refuge for weapons testing
H.R. 9138 — To require the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the Secretary of the Navy administrative jurisdiction of certain land located on Adak Island, Alaska, and for other purposes. · Filed by Nicholas Begich (R-AK) · Introduced Jun 4, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill transfers about 5,600 acres of federal land on Adak Island, Alaska from the Interior Department to the Navy, removing it from the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Navy can use the land for weapons testing, explosives training, aerial gunnery, electronic warfare exercises, and other military purposes.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is straightforward: transferring administrative control of Adak Island acreage from Interior to Navy for military training and testing. The mechanism is plainly stated, though the ecological and subsistence-use consequences are not emphasized in the title.
What the text implies
- Removal from National Wildlife Refuge System is permanent and overrides multiple conservation statutes (1966 Act, ANILCA, 1913 Executive Order), potentially setting precedent for future refuge conversions to military use.
- Alaska Native subsistence hunting and fishing rights on refuge lands may be curtailed or eliminated, affecting indigenous food security and cultural practices tied to Adak Island resources.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
U.S. Navy (operational capacity and training infrastructure); Defense contractors providing explosives, weapons systems, and testing equipment