Anchorage, Alaska - The Trump administration on Thursday moved to open more lands in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling.

During an event dubbed "Alaska Day," the US Department of the Interior announced it was opening 1.56 million acres across ANWR's Coastal Plain for oil and gas leasing, claiming the move would improve public health and safety for Alaskans.

"From day one, President Trump directed us to unlock Alaska’s energy and resource potential while honoring commitments to the state and local communities," Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement.

"By reopening the Coastal Plain and advancing key infrastructure, we are strengthening energy independence, creating jobs and supporting Alaska’s communities while driving economic growth across the state," he added.

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The move marked a reversal of Biden-era protections the previous administration instituted in the ANWR.

On top of that, the DOI said it had completed right-of-way permits for the Ambler Road, a 211-mile industrial mining road green-lit by Donald Trump earlier this month. It also approved construction of a road from King Cove to the Cold Bay airport, which would pass through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.

Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy praised Trump as "amazing" and "a force like no other" during the "Alaska Day" event.

"I told the president, it's like Christmas every morning," Dunleavy said. "I wake up, I go to look at what's under the proverbial Christmas tree to see what's happening. And here's another example of more presents for not just Alaska, but for this country."

The Trump administration's efforts to boost extractive practices in Alaska have sparked protests among Indigenous and environmental groups.

Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic slammed the US administration's latest move, noting that it would harm Indigenous communities and endanger wildlife.

"We're committed to protecting the Arctic not just for ourselves, but for future generations. Stewardship is a shared responsibility – and it's time for policies that reflect that truth," Executive Director Nauri Simmonds said in a statement.

"Many Alaska Native communities, like Nuiqsut, are already facing negative health impacts from oil and gas development on their lands and are struggling to provide for their families due to impacts on the local fish and wildlife populations," Simmonds continued.

"Opening the Coastal Plain to oil and gas development would only serve to do the same for more Alaska subsistence communities – all for short-term gain."