The initial steps to undo a long-developed land management plan for Central Alaska cleared their first hurdle in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, even as several environmental and tribal organizations pushed back against the reversal.

House Joint Resolution 106, sponsored by Rep. Nick Begich III (R-Alaska), passed the House in a 215-210 vote and now moves to the U.S. Senate. The measure seeks to repeal the Central Yukon Resource Management Plan, which Begich described as a restrictive policy that limits development on 13 million acres of public land.

“With this resolution, we are restoring balance to federal land policy and ensuring that Alaska can responsibly contribute to America’s energy and mineral independence,” Begich said in a news release. “Alaskans know how to balance

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