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Defenders Magazine
Defenders in Action: Arctic Refuge Battle Heats Up
Defenders and its allies are mounting a last-ditch effort to keep oil rigs out of Alaska's pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Pro-drilling politicians in Washington, D.C., have succeeded in sneaking language into a budget resolution that would open the 19.8-million-acre refuge to oil and gas developers, but conservationists are hoping to strike Arctic drilling from the budget before it becomes law.
In close votes in late March, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2006 that paves the way for oil exploration in the Arctic refuge. Tying the fate of the refuge to the federal budget effectively bypasses public hearings and debate, and circumvents the 60-vote majority typically required to pass controversial legislation.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the refuge has less than a one-year supply of oil that would take at least a decade to reach the market. If oil was found and produced, it would do nothing to lower gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign supplies. Meanwhile, leading scientists—including the more than 1,000 who signed a letter to Congress about the refuge in February—agree it would do permanent damage to habitat for polar bears, caribou and millions of migratory birds.
As the budget process proceeds this summer, Defenders is rallying supporters to persuade Congress not to include Arctic drilling in any bill that finds its way to President Bush's desk. "Though they stacked the deck, they haven't won yet, and we intend to fight them every step of the way," says Defenders President Rodger Schlickeisen.
Visit www.savearcticrefuge.org to learn more and find out what you can do to defend this vital safehaven for wildlife.
