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The Alaska Wilderness League last week applauded a bipartisan coalition of
Senators for introducing legislation to permanently protect the Coastal
Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The legislation, which seeks
to designate the fragile 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain of the Refuge as
statutory wilderness, was introduced today by Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT).
"We praise the leadership of Senator Lieberman and the other co-sponsors
for
coming together to support legislation that permanently protects Alaska's
most threatened wilderness from the ravages of oil development," said
Cindy
Shogan, Alaska Wilderness League's executive director. "Sacrificing the
crown jewel of our national wildlife refuge system for a six-month supply
of
oil that might be available 10 years from now is unconscionable."
The Arctic Refuge protects some of America's most spectacular wilderness
and
wildlife, including polar bears, musk oxen, caribou, grizzlies, and
millions
of migratory birds. The Gwich'in people, a subsistence culture, consider
the
Coastal Plain, which serves as the calving grounds for the 130,000
migratory
Porcupine River caribou herd, as "the sacred place where life begins."
Last week's announcement comes on the heels of a National Academy of
Sciences Report that outlines the adverse impacts that are a result of 30
years of oil and gas development on Alaska's North Slope.
Sponsors and co-sponsors of this bill are hearing the voices of the
American
people loud and clear. Recent polls have demonstrated that a majority of
Americans want to keep the Refuge wild and free from development.
The bipartisan wilderness legislation already enjoys the support of 25 Senators.
