📸 Panorama of wetlands and snowy mountains of Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, AK | Lisa Hupp/USFWS
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER ninth, 2024 – The Biden administration simply introduced a Report of Choice (ROD) on the Arctic Refuge leasing program and that it’s going to maintain the second lease sale within the crown jewel of America’s Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System, as set out within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This as soon as once more places the coastal plain of the Refuge underneath risk from these most fascinated with profiting off of it.
The ROD comes after the discharge of the Closing Supplemental Environmental Influence Assertion (FSEIS) final month, which re-assessed the environmental impacts of the Arctic Refuge oil and gasoline leasing program. The supplemental evaluate was required as a result of the primary evaluation by the Trump administration was basically flawed and violated the regulation. The administration additionally introduced the second lease sale as mandated by regulation.
The Arctic Refuge drilling program just isn’t solely unhealthy for individuals, unhealthy for wildlife, and unhealthy for the local weather, it has additionally been time-tested and confirmed that it’s basically a foul funding for the taxpayer. Not solely has the Federal authorities not made any cash on this failed leasing program, however has spent hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to attempt to create a legally-sufficient program. Any lawmaker or administration official who cares about fiscal accountability ought to see that it doesn’t make sense.
The truth that banks gained’t fund it, insurance coverage firms gained’t underwrite it, and drilling within the Refuge has broad, long-standing opposition from the Gwich’in Nation and the American public clearly present that there’s nothing to be gained, however a lot to be misplaced from creating this irreplaceable panorama.
We, alongside the Gwich’in Steering Committee, Tribal Governments, and Iñupiat allies can’t overstate the necessity to restore protections for this sacred place. Members of our coalition shared the next statements,
“The Gwich’in Nation has at all times opposed any oil and gasoline growth within the Coastal Plain throughout the Arctic Refuge, which is sacred to the Gwich’in individuals. Our lifestyle, our meals safety, and our religious well-being is instantly tied to the well being of the caribou, and the well being of this irreplaceable panorama,” mentioned Kristen Moreland, Govt Director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee. “We opposed the primary lease sale as mandated by the 2017 Tax Act, and are dissatisfied {that a} second lease sale was ever mandated by regulation – it violates our rights as Indigenous Peoples. Each oil firm stayed away from the primary lease sale, and we count on them to do the identical throughout the second. We are going to by no means cease combating for our lifestyle and for our individuals’s proper to a wholesome future.”
“Any oil and gasoline drilling throughout the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge can be a direct risk to the Neets’ąįį Gwich’in lifestyle and would have catastrophic impacts on the Porcupine Caribou herd,” mentioned RaeAnn Garnett, First Chief of Native Village of Venetie Tribal Authorities. “Our individuals have relied on this herd for our subsistence practices since time immemorial and count on to have the ability to depend on it for generations to return. Any oil and gasoline growth poses an simple risk to the caribou migration routes, which can influence our conventional subsistence-based lifestyle. The choice to permit oil and gasoline leasing on this sacred land impedes on our cultural and subsistence rights. We proceed to face in protection of this sacred land and are steadfast in our opposition to any drilling within the Refuge, now and eternally.”
“These lands are excellent and thriving the way in which they’re. The calving grounds on the refuge are important for the well being of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, a herd that deserves our safety from harmful practices of the careless,” Nauri Simmonds, Govt Director of Sovereign Iñupiat for a Residing Arctic mentioned. “The time has come for accountability to those that disregard the pursuits of not solely the land that sustains our individuals, however the water, animals and Unique Peoples of our land. We’ve misplaced sufficient land to extractive business, seen sufficient well being issues, misplaced sufficient family members. Our land protectors have solely grown, and can proceed to develop. I carry the message of my elders and ancestors, we might be heard.”
“Whereas no sale or drilling ought to ever happen within the Arctic Refuge, we’re grateful that the Biden administration chosen a conservation-focused method. The coastal plain is the calving floor of the Porcupine Caribou Herd and regarded sacred by the area’s Gwich’in communities,” mentioned Meda DeWitt, Alaska senior supervisor for The Wilderness Society. “Huge public opposition and the simple realities of local weather change underscore the crucial that drilling on these hallowed lands just isn’t solely misguided but additionally economically unsound.”
“Drilling for oil within the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is all threat with no reward,” mentioned Earthjustice lawyer Erik Grafe, who has led litigation to guard the Refuge. “Oil drilling would destroy this stunning land, held sacred by Gwich’in individuals, and would additional destabilize the worldwide local weather, however it gives zero profit to taxpayers or customers. We’re dedicated to going to court docket as usually as essential to defend the Arctic Refuge from oil drilling and can work towards a extra sustainable future that doesn’t rely upon ever-expanding oil extraction.”
“Oil and gasoline growth within the Arctic Refuge is a direct risk to a number of the final untouched landscapes on Alaska’s North Slope and to the caribou herds that the Gwich’in individuals depend on,” mentioned Dan Ritzman, director of Sierra Membership’s Conservation Marketing campaign. “The 2017 Tax Act, compelled by way of Congress by Donald Trump and his Huge Oil CEO allies, opened up the Coastal Plain to grease and gasoline leasing. Letting him oversee a lease sale over these pristine lands can be past irresponsible. Within the meantime, President Biden ought to hearken to the Gwich’in and do all that he can to protect these lands and waters. His legacy is on the road.”
“Turning the coastal plain into an oilfield will obliterate the pristine wilderness of the Arctic Refuge, instantly threatening the way forward for the Porcupine caribou herd and the bodily, cultural and religious existence of the Gwich’in individuals who rely upon them,” mentioned Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska senior program director for Defenders of Wildlife. “Defenders once more calls on Congress to repeal this deeply misguided mandate that threatens an iconic American panorama.”
“Pursuing leasing and drilling on lands important to the Porcupine caribou and sacred to the Gwich’in Nation defies logic and sound stewardship,” mentioned Brook Brisson, senior employees lawyer with Trustees for Alaska. “It’s fiscally irresponsible and wasteful, harmful to local weather and Arctic animals, and dangerous to the well being of the area and future generations. Congress ought to restore protections for the coastal plain slightly than proceed permitting these lands for use as a political pawn. We are going to stand with our shoppers, companions, and nearly all of Individuals in opposing the leasing of those lands and if meaning difficult illegal choices in court docket, we’re ready to do this once more.”
“We are going to by no means cease working to guard the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge and guarantee oil firms by no means fracture this most sacred panorama,” mentioned Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President and CEO of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation. “It has been seven years for the reason that Refuge was opened to the opportunity of drilling and nonetheless no growth has occurred – and it by no means will as a result of we are going to by no means quit our struggle to guard it.”
“Pursuing oil and gasoline growth within the Arctic Refuge wouldn’t solely threaten this pristine ecosystem and cultural homeland with irreversible destruction, it additionally comes at an enormous monetary price for any firm short-sighted sufficient to bid,” mentioned Kristen Miller, Govt Director of Alaska Wilderness League. “The Arctic Refuge deserves to stay a spot of refuge, not an industrial oilfield that serves solely to line the pockets of huge oil executives.”
“Whereas we acknowledge {that a} second lease sale within the Arctic Refuge is remitted by regulation, any oil and gasoline growth on the coastal plain will trigger irreparable hurt to Indigenous communities throughout the area,” mentioned Sean McDermott, arctic program coordinator for the Northern Alaska Environmental Heart. “Regardless of ongoing opposition from Alaskans, we count on to see bids from the Alaska Industrial Improvement and Export Authority (AIDEA), demonstrating their blatant disregard for the wellbeing of Alaska’s individuals and surroundings.”
“There isn’t any secure technique to drill for oil and gasoline within the Arctic Refuge that doesn’t negatively influence wildlife and Indigenous communities. The Administration has been put in an not possible state of affairs due to this Congressionally-mandated lease sale, however did the most effective they may to attenuate potential impacts” mentioned David Willms, affiliate vice chairman of public lands on the Nationwide Wildlife Federation. “We urge Congress to rectify the incorrect it initiated seven years in the past when it voted to open up this crown jewel of wildlife refuges to growth that threatens to hurt polar bears, porcupine caribou, musk ox, and a whole lot of migratory chicken species.”
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Because the main unbiased voice advocating on behalf of the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge System, the Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Affiliation protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage by way of strategic packages that serve the System and wildlife past its boundaries. The group addresses Refuge System funding, administration, and strategic progress, whereas additionally selling packages that maximize the system’s conservation influence.
For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Advertising and marketing at [email protected].
