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

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 50^th 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 50^th 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 50^th 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 50^th 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 50^th 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.”