Wildlife threatened by proposed road
March 13, 2010
American taxpayers may have to pay for the road to nowhere through the
heart of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. In June 2009,
then-Gov. Sarah Palin wrote to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to
"commence with a road" through the heart of Izembek Refuge. The reason
given was the health and safety of the people of Cold Bay.
In 1998, when Congress passed the King Cove Health and Safety Act,
American taxpayers spent $39.5 million to upgrade medical facilities at
Cold Bay and build a road between King Cove and the hovercraft terminal.
The proposed road could exceed $55 million and generations of Americans
would pay for the maintenance.
Izembek National Wildlife Refuge's cold-water lagoons and internationally
significant wetlands are critically important resting places for
migrating waterfowl.
The refuge is also home to tundra swans, ptarmigan, bald eagles and
hundreds of thousands of geese, as well as threatened species, such as
Steller's eiders, many of which migrate to Iowa.
The loss of these birds would have an impact on the economy of Iowa and
other states because hunters and bird watchers spend millions of dollars
on equipment, food and lodging.
- Phyllis Mains, Van Wert The Register cut vital information--Below is
what I actually wrote:
Dear Editor, Re: The Road to Nowhere
Like “The Bridge to Nowhere”, American tax payers may have to pay for
“The Road to Nowhere” through the heart of the Izembek National Wildlife
Refuge in Alaska. In June 2009, then Governor Sarah Palin wrote to
Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Ken Salazar, to “commence
with a road” through the heart of Izembek Refuge. The reason given was
the health and safety of the people of Cold Bay, Alaska.
In 1998, when Congress passed the King Cove Health and Safety Act,
American tax payers spent $39.5 million dollars to upgrade medical
facilities at Cold Bay, purchase a hovercraft to provide regular ferry
and emergency medical service between King Cove and Cold Bay, construct
new marine terminals, and build a road between King Cove and the
hovercraft terminal. The proposed road could exceed $55 million dollars
and generations of Americans would pay for the maintenance. The
hovercraft trip takes 20 minutes and the proposed road would take one to
two hours in the best weather conditions.
Izembek National Wildlife Refuge’s cold-water lagoons and internationally
significant wetlands are critically important resting places for
migrating waterfowl. Virtually all of the world’s Pacific black brant
and Emperor Geese stop at Izembek to feed and rest. The refuge is also
home to tundra swans, ptarmigan, bald eagles, and hundreds of thousands
of geese, as well as threatened species, such as Steller’s eiders, many
who migrate to Iowa. The loss of these birds would have an impact the
economy of Iowa and other states because hunters and bird watchers spend
millions of dollars on equipment, food and lodging.
The public can write comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by
May 1. Additional information concerning the proposed land exchange is
at http://izembek.fws.gov/EIS.htm
____________________________________________________________
Hotel
Hotel pics, info and virtual tours. Click here to book a hotel online.
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=QXB9avyGRSkBYrIKyYJZ4AAAJ1CqhysHoqKPmxy1AMlPj2phAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATRAAAAAA=
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]
Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp
To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp
|
