ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE * DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE * FRIENDS OF ALASKA
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES * LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS * NATIONAL
AUDUBON SOCIETY * NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ASSOCIATION * NORTHERN ALASKA
ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER * REPUBLICANS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION * THE
SIERRA CLUB * THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2010
U.S. Congress, CONSERVATION Groups call for the strongest possible
protections for the arctic national wildlife refuge
57 Members of U.S. Congress Send Letter to President Obama Calling for
the Strongest Protections of the Iconic Arctic Refuge on its 50th
Anniversary
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) today led a
letter, signed by 56 other Members of the House of Representatives to
President Obama, calling for the strongest possible protections for the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during this historic year – the 50th
anniversary of its original creation. Despite numerous battles to open
the Refuge for drilling throughout the years, strong bi-partisan support
has kept the Refuge protected. The House Members stated in the letter
that, “now is the time to grant the Refuge the strong, long-term
protections it deserves so that we can pass this unspoiled American
treasure to our children and grandchildren.”  
 A recent poll shows that a vast majority of Americans support
commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Refuge by granting it stronger
protections. The poll showed that more than 60 percent of Americans would
like to see the Arctic Refuge recognized at a level on par with other
pristine landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, Muir Woods, and Yellowstone.
 Truly one of America’s greatest wild places, the Arctic Refuge contains
a rich diversity of landscapes, wildlife and habitats – unparalleled in
North America. The Refuge Coastal Plain hosts an amazing array of
wildlife including polar bears, grizzly bears, muskoxen, wolverines, and
more than a hundred thousand caribou. This “biological heart” of the
Refuge is connected to the entire country, as well as to countries all
around the world. Every year, birds that begin their lives on the Coastal
Plain migrate to all 50 states and across six continents, before heading
back to the Arctic, where the cycle of life begins again. 
 The support from the U.S. Congress is timely, as the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service announced on September 27 that it would be exercise its
authority under federal law to conduct a wilderness review for nearly all
non-Wilderness areas of the Arctic Refuge, including the Coastal Plain,
as part of the Comprehensive Conservation Planning (CCP) process to
determine if these areas should be designated as Wilderness. While the
Arctic Refuge is the only National Wildlife Refuge in the United States
that was created specifically for its wilderness values, a full
wilderness study of the Coastal Plain has never been conducted.
Conservation groups commend the Obama administration for taking this
first step towards the strongest protections for the Arctic Refuge, and
join the Congressional champions in urging President Obama to do
everything in his power during this historic year to secure stronger
protections for the Refuge.
 
“The BP Deepwater Horizon spill of nearly 5 million barrels of oil into
the Gulf of Mexico this summer was one of the worst environmental
disasters in our nation’s history,” said Rep. Markey, chairman of twin
energy Committees in the U.S. Congress. “The BP spill is a stark reminder
that when it comes to oil drilling there is no such thing as ‘immaculate
extraction.’ On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Arctic
Refuge, the time has come to grant this unique and pristine American
treasure the strong protections that it deserves.”
 Quotes from Conservation Groups:
 “We commend Representative Markey and U.S. House leaders for their
support for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” said Cindy Shogan,
Executive Director, Alaska Wilderness League. “On the 50th anniversary,
it is befitting to bestow the strongest possible protections on the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. As one of America’s greatest wild
places, we hope to protect the Arctic Refuge for future generations, as
our parents and grandparents have protected it before us.”
 “The Obama adminstration has a once in a generation chance to get this
done, and it should take advantage of it,” said Theresa Fiorino with the
Defenders of Wildlife. “It’s truly inspiring to see our nation’s leaders
stand up for protecting the Refuge, especially as climate change begins
to bare down on Arctic habitat and wildlife. Protecting the Arctic today
will hopefully keep this national treasure safe for future generations of
Americans to enjoy.”
  “On the 50th Anniversary of the Arctic Refuge, we commend the Obama
administration for its efforts to preserve and protect this crown jewel
of the National Wildlife Refuge System,” said David Raskin, President,
Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges. “It is the only one among
552 national wildlife refuges that has ‘preserving wilderness values’ as
a stated purpose of its establishment.  In the current rush to increase
development on public lands, it is imperative that President Obama do
everything in his power to provide permanent protection for the only
remaining intact wilderness ecosystem in our nation.”
 “We applaud Congressman Markey and other Members of Congress for their
leadership in supporting stronger protections for the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge,” said Alex Taurel, Legislative Representative for the
League of Conservation Voters.  “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of
this extraordinary place, now is the time to move towards permanently
protecting the refuge’s wildlife and wild landscapes for the benefit of
our children and grandchildren.”  
 “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge, we have the historic opportunity to provide wilderness protection
to one of the most intact and untouched Arctic ecosystems in America,”
said Taldi Walter, Assistant Director of Government Relations for
National Audubon Society. “The biologically rich coastal plain of the
Arctic Refuge represents only five percent of Alaska’s North Slope, most
of which is available for oil and gas development. Providing permanent
protection to the coastal plain demonstrates a balanced approach for
managing our nation’s Arctic resources and supports the founding purpose
of the refuge: preserving this unique ecosystem for future generations.”
 “As the only National Wildlife Refuge in the 150-million-acre Refuge
System created to ‘protect wilderness values’ in its establishment by
President Eisenhower 50 years ago, Wilderness designation for the Arctic
Refuge's fragile coastal plain is long overdue,” said Evan Hirsche,
President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
  “We applaud U.S. Congress’ leadership in calling for stronger
protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” said Pamela A.
Miller, Arctic Program Director, Northern Alaska Environmental Center.
“Fifty years ago, Alaskans were among the first citizens who worked hard
for the establishment of the Arctic Refuge. Today, we continue that
vision to preserve wilderness and wildlife and to work to pass this
remarkable intact area to future generations.”
  “Our members understand that responsible stewardship and conservation
are conservative values,” said David Jenkins, Vice President for
Government and Political Affairs, Republicans for Environmental
Protection, “and when they see all of the oil development that has been
allowed on Alaska’s North Slope, they come to the same conclusion the
Eisenhower Administration came to 50 years ago – that protecting the
Arctic Refuge represents much needed balance.” 
 "The Arctic Refuge is an untouched, rugged land where caribou still roam
free – a place that sparks our collective imagination,” said Dan Ritzman,
Alaska Program Director, Sierra Club, “We owe it to our children and
grandchildren to provide the highest level of protection to America's
last great wild place." 
“The Wilderness Society has been committed to defending our nation’s most
treasured and unique areas for decades, and is now pleased to echo the
request of our many Congressional champions for the strongest possible
protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” said Nicole
Whittington-Evans, Regional Director for Alaska for The Wilderness
Society. “The Refuge is truly one of the last great wild places in this
country, and the world, and it is our responsibility to safeguard it from
oil and gas development interests. We are encouraged by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s plans to conduct a Wilderness review for most
non-Wilderness areas of the Refuge, and urge the Obama administration to
take another step in the right direction. For 50 years, the Refuge, and
especially the Coastal Plain, has been recognized as a sanctuary for
countless wildlife and visitors. Now is the time to return the gift of
safety – to grant protection forever to the Refuge, to all Americans, and
to future generations, during this historic year.”

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