The future of the 1.5 million acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the northeastern corner of Alaska will be determined by Congress. Representatives of the oil and gas industries argue that the Arctic Refuge should be made available for exploration, development, and production. Conservationists argue that it should be preserved as wilderness to protect the habitat of the Porcupine Caribou herd and many other species, and to preserve the unique wilderness value of the area. Wilderness protection for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a top national priority.

Representative Robert Mrazek (D NY-3) introduced legislation, H.J. Res. 239, to designate the Arctic coastal plain as wilderness. Originally introduced as H.R. 39 by Representative Morris Udall (D AZ-2), Representative Mrazek's bill was introduced upon Representative Udall's retirement and renamed the Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act in his honor.

The League has included co-sponsorship of the Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act as a pro-environment position. H.J. Res. 239 is currently under consideration by the Interior Committee and has 121 co-sponsors.