2017 Map of Howard Pass A-3 NW

About this map

The North Slope Borough and Northwest Arctic Borough meet in this remote section of the Brooks Range, where the landscape is divided between major federal land holdings. The northern half of the quadrangle lies within the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, also labeled as the Npr-A, a massive tract managed for both resource potential and environmental conservation. South of the borough line, the terrain transitions into the Noatak National Preserve, a protected wilderness area. The only significant drainage identified is Fauna Creek, which threads through the high-altitude topography of the southern portion. This 2017 survey illustrates the stark administrative boundaries that define this roadless arctic wilderness, highlighting the intersection of petroleum interests and conservation mandates.