Reaction to Obama’s reported plans for Alaska

Reaction to Obama’s reported plans for Alaska

Republicans denounce Obama's plan while conservationists applaud his announcement.

The reaction to President Obama’s reported plans to set aside an enormous portion of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a federally protected wilderness area has sparked a huge outcry on both sides. Such a designation would give the area the highest level of federal protection available to public lands. Obama’s plans are being denounced by the Senate Energy Committee as a “declaration of war on Alaska,” while being applauded by conservationist for committing to protecting, “one of our nation’s crown jewels.”

Republican Senator, Lisa Murkowski, is the chair of the Senate Energy Committee and represents Alaska. Senator Murkowski is one of many important officials in favor of exploration and production within the wildlife refuge, which is located on the northeast coastal plains of the state. Senator Murkowski, with cooperation from Alaskan Governor Bill Walker, issued a joint news release on Sunday stating their view on the announcement as being, “an assault on Alaska.” Governor Walker also complained of this action as being another way the federal government is “taking Alaska’s economy away from it piece by piece.”

Up to 1.5 million acres would be protected from drilling by Obama’s suggested plan. These 1.5 million acres are part of a larger 12.3 million acre tract that would be set aside as federally protected wilderness. This area makes up a narrow strip stretching between the Brooks Range mountains and the Arctic ocean. The enormous stretch of land is thought to hold a possible 10.3 billion barrels of oil, but is also an important part of an ecosystem that includes 36 types of fish, breeding grounds for caribou, and over 200 other species of wildlife including migratory birds and musk oxen. Polar bears, grizzly bears, and black bears also make their homes in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Conservationists view this area as the biological heart of the refuge. They are concerned that the ecosystem will be irreparably damaged, forcing the shy caribou to seek more private and safe birthing grounds, as well as greatly affecting the native community who depend on the caribou for part of their subsistence. The Arctic coastal plain is one of the few remaining areas in the United States that is still in the original condition it was found in when natives first settled in Alaska thousands of years ago.

Because only Congress can designate the land area as federally protected, opponents of the president’s proposal do not expect it to pass. Republicans currently control the majority in Congress and are in favor of opening up the area to exploration and drilling in order to boost both Alaska and America’s economy. Senator Murkowski says Obama’s “attack on Alaskan families” will keep them from developing an economy that will allow their children and grandchildren to thrive.

Whether Obama’s proposal passes through Congress or not, both sides are preparing for a long battle in the years ahead. The U.S. Interior Department plans to continue to fight any proposed development of the area. This includes oil and gas development, mining, building of roads or permanent structures, and logging.

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