Alaska's Road to Ruin
Jamie Rappaport Calrk, Defenders of Wildlife
Imagine a place where wildflowers blossom on fragile tundra, thousands of birds burst from lagoons of eelgrass and brown bears feast on salmon returning to spawn.
Now imagine tearing a road right through the heart of it all.
That's exactly what could happen if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife approves a proposal to build a harmful and unnecessary road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
Located on the tip of the Alaska Peninsula, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is internationally recognized as an important wetland, protected as a wildlife refuge and designated as a Wilderness Area.
It's one of Alaska's most ecologically unique refuges, with lagoons, tundra and stunning mountain peaks. This incredible habitat is home to brown bears, wolverines, caribou and other wildlife.
Tens of thousands of waterfowl, seabirds and shorebirds rely on the Izembek for nesting and feeding. In fact, each fall the refuge shelters nearly the entire population of Pacific black brant and emperor geese.
This federally designated Wilderness Area is the wrong place for a road.
There are so many things wrong with the proposed road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
- It would slice through the ecological heart of this amazing place, devastating fragile habitat and the wildlife that lives there.
- It would cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
- It would also set a terrible precedent, threatening other refuges and Wilderness Areas.
- It is unnecessary -- faster transportation alternatives already exist for the area.
But federal officials are under pressure to move forward with this terrible plan. We need your voice now to speak out for Izembek Refuge and the wildlife that calls it home.
Together, we can protect our wildlife and wild places.
The deadline for public comments on this destructive road is Friday, May 18th. Please take action today.
 Share on Facebook |
 |
Sincerely,
Jamie Rappaport Clark President Defenders of Wildlife |