Ben Brown’s impassioned editorial on the federal Bureau of Land Management’s efforts to “restrict” development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska omitted a few key facts. The truth is that the preferred management strategy announced by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar would allow the oil industry access to 72 percent of the reserve’s recoverable oil reserves.
At the same time, it would provide some protections for special wildlife habitat areas. Mr. Brown claims the reserve was “expressly set aside for its petroleum resources,” but he neglected to mention that Congress mandated the identification and protection of key “Special Areas” in the NPR-A when the reserve was put under BLM management in 1976. Those areas were established decades ago, and scientifically proven to contain important habitat for both migratory and Arctic species including caribou, polar bears and waterfowl.
By favoring a strategy that balances development and conservation, Salazar and the BLM are not only following the instructions of Congress, they are serving the needs of all Americans by allowing responsible oil development in appropriate areas now, while protecting America’s public lands legacy for the future.
Nicole Whittington-Evans
Regional Director, The Wilderness Society
Anchorage
Comments (3)
Add commentIt's all about politics, Nicole
Brown, the Communications Director for the Juneau republicans, is just setting the stage for 2014 when Parnell is likely to run against Begich.
Ben is just trying to drive some wedges in advance. Total honesty and accuracy are small obstacles to be ignored.
Honestly
I am glad the extreme environmental groups are trying to convince Alaskans that we should be happy when the federal government puts even more of our lands off limits. What they aren't telling you is that Obama's plan will probably keep a pipeline from being built across the NPR-A - and these same groups are pushing for another "roadless" rule to apply as well. It's also amusing whenever environmental activists try to reassure those of us with real jobs that plenty of oil remains available even after the Feds have finished blockading it. When the lights go out in Anchorage we will know who to thank.