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Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Threatened by Oil Drilling

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a 19.3 million acre refuge in the northeastern corner of Alaska. Situated between the Arctic Ocean and the Brooks Range, the Refuge covers an amazing diversity of habitat, from rugged peaks and glaciers to tundra and the coastal plain. The coastal plain is the most biologically rich part of the Refuge and helps to form one of the last completely preserved ecosystems left in North America. The Refuge is home to numerous animal species, including musk ox, polar and grizzly bears, wolves, and the largest international herd of caribou in the world.

The coastal plain of the Arctic has been compared to the Serengeti of North America. Every year, the 129,000 caribou of the Porcupine River Caribou Herd migrate to their calving grounds on the coastal plain. Millions of birds from as far away as Antarctica and Asia migrate to the coastal plain to nest. From Ohio, the Tundra Swan and the Semipalmated Sandpiper utilize the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge as their nesting grounds.

The Threat of Oil Drilling

The Refuge was established in 1960 by President Elsenhower. In 1980, Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands and Conservation Act (ANILCA), which enlarged the Refuge to its present size. However, the Senate had to compromise in order to win final passage of the bill. The compromise called for the coastal plain of the refuge - the biological heart of the ecosystem - to be set aside for study of oil and gas potential. The Refuge contains the last 5% of the entire Alaskan coastal plain that does not already allow for oil drilling, but the petroleum industry is working to have it completely opened for oil exploration and drilling.

Even "responsible drilling" can be very harmful to the natural environment. According to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Oil Spill Database, the oil fields of Alaska's Northern Slope have averaged over 400 oil spills a year since 1996. The U.S. Department of the Interior has estimated that the Porcupine River Caribou herd could suffer a decline of up to 40% if oil drilling takes place on the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge.

Six Months of Oil, Ten Years from Now

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says that the most likely amount of oil to be found in the Arctic Refuge would be roughly the same amount of oil that the United States consumes in six months. Executives from the oil industry have further testified that it would take approximately ten years after drilling were approved before any oil from the Refuge would be available.

Drilling in the Refuge is Not Good Energy Policy

By far, the best way to increase energy security is through energy efficiency. US EPA estimates that by increasing the fuel efficiency of our cars and light trucks by 3 mpg, it will save approximately 5 times the amount of oil estimated to be under the Arctic Refuge. The United States currently consumes 25% of the world's oil, but owns only 3% of the world's proven oil reserves. It is not possible to drill our way to energy security. Drilling in the Arctic does not make good energy sense, does not increase our national security, and should not be part of the discussion over any national energy plan.

Other Backdoor Tactics

Proponents of drilling in the Arctic Refuge have tried many backdoor tactics to win passage of any bill that would allow them to put oil rigs in the Refuge. From attempts to include the proposal in the federal budget, to including it in must-pass emergency defense bills after 9/11, to tying the issue to healthcare for miners, drilling supporters have shown they are willing to say or do anything to put holes in the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge.

Protect the Arctic Refuge

Arizona's Senators have split on protecting the Arctic Refuge - Senator John McCain has voted to protect the Arctic Refuge and Senator John Kyl has voted for drilling. We would like both Senators to vote to protect the Refuge. Senator McCain needs to be thanked for his strong support and Senator Kyl needs to be told to change his position.

The Refuge needs protection! Write to BOTH of Arizona's Senators and tell them you want them to support protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Letter writing tips:

Make sure your letter is neat and legible and addressed to the Senators:

Senator John McCain US Senate Washington DC, 20510

Senator John Kyl US Senate Washington DC, 20510

• In your own words, tell how important the Refuge is to you and why it deserves protection, and not oil drilling.
• Tell them that it is not good policy to destroy one of the most pristine places in North America for a speculative six-month supply of oil.
• Ask them to oppose all efforts to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
• Include your name, address, and phone number

122 C Street, NW, Suite 240, Washington DC, 20001
www.alaskawild.org
(202) 544-5205

Sierra Club, Rincon Group of the Grand Canyon Chapter, 738 N. 5th Ave. #214, Tucson, AZ  85705, (520) 620-6401

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