Act Now! Stop the Drilling in the Western Arctic
From: Sandra Lee
Dear Sandra,
The Bush administration has unveiled a shocking proposal to develop America's pristine and fragile Western Arctic. The planned oil and gas drilling would endanger critical bird and wildlife habitat in the ill-named National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. These lands are exceedingly remote, breathtakingly wild, and harbor an abundance of wildlife; including caribou, waterfowl, loons, eiders, black brant, and shorebirds.
Right now, the administration is currently accepting comments from the public on its plan -- but only until August 23. Now is the time for action!
Specifically, the Bush administration's proposal would open a whopping 96 percent of the vast 4.6 million acre northeast corner of the Reserve to oil and gas development. The plan would also reduce protections for the unique and critical wetland habitat of Teshekpuk Lake -- one of the crown jewels of this region -- by 75 percent. Teshekpuk Lake is an irreplaceable and fragile habitat for tens of thousands of geese, as well as for the 45,000-animal Teshekpuk Lake Caribou Herd. This herd is vital for the many Alaska Natives who rely on it for subsistence.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the governmental agency given the task of protecting these publicly-owned lands, has issued this proposal on the heels of its decision to open up to oil and gas leasing the entire 9 million-acre northwest planning area of the Reserve, despite the fact that more than 95,000 Americans voiced their support for preserving the region's most sensitive and wildlife rich areas.
The Bush administration needs to hear from you today.
Please write and tell the BLM to protect this vital and fragile ecosystem from the effects of oil and gas exploration and production. Time is short; the deadline for public comment is August 23 and we know that we need more than 100,000 Americans to tell the administration that the value of the America's Arctic wilderness isn't just measured by the barrels of oil that it can produce.
Make your voice heard today!
Please don't forget to tell a friend about this effort and give a special donation to us today to help us mobilize against this shortsighted exploitation of America's Arctic wilderness.
For more information on America's Western Arctic, visit: www.ArcticGems.org
Thank you,
Paul Stenbjorn
Online Organizer
Campaign for America's Wilderness
www.LeaveitWild.org
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