WHITE HOUSE SEEKS TO DESIGNATE 12 MILLION ACRES IN ALASKA AS PROTECTED WILDERNESS

By TONI ELLINGTON

The Obama Administration announced on January 25, 2015, that it would designate 12 million acres in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as protected wilderness, a designation which would prevent possible oil and gas exploration in the refuge.  This announcement was made as the first in a series of decisions expected from the Department of the Interior which may impact possible oil and gas production.

According to the White House announcement, Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge is a fragile area which is home to caribou, polar bears, and many bird and fish species which support Alaskan Native communities.  Polar bears make their dens in this area during the winter, give birth there, and nurse their cubs until spring, making the area the species’ most importing habitat along the U.S. Arctic coast.  Polar bears are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

By designating the area as “wilderness” under federal law, the government would be able to prohibit motorized access into the area and prohibit road construction.

The announcement was met with opposition from Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, as well as Alaska Governor Bill Walker.  The American Petroleum Institute also issued a statement opposing the announcement, claiming that these resources in Alaska could be developed by the oil and gas industry in a safe and environmentally responsible way.

For updates, stay tuned to this blog, or contact Toni Ellington at (504) 599-8500.