A recent editorial (Herald, June 3) mentioned the Trump administration wants to open the Coastal Plain of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. The Coastal Plain’s ecological diversity nurtures the Porcupine Caribou’s calves, 200 bird species that migrate to six continents and is vital to the survival of the Gwich’in people.
I recently attended a film screening and discussion about the Arctic Refuge and heard Bernadette Demientieff, Executive Director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee, speak. She expressed that her people are strong and 20,000 years ago followed the migration but now live in villages along the route and still depend on the caribou for their cultural, spiritual and physical existence.
They also suffer from effects of climate change. Eight Arctic nations comprising the Arctic Council recently met in Fairbanks. Canada, Greenland/Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the U.S. agreed that the Arctic climate was rapidly warming resulting in widespread social, environmental and economic impacts in the Arctic and worldwide.
The council reaffirmed their commitment to the well-being of Arctic peoples and the rights of indigenous peoples. ANWR is federal land, not Alaska state land, and belongs to all Americans. President Eisenhower established the refuge specifically for its unique wildlife, wilderness and recreational values. President Carter expanded the area, designating much as protected wilderness for hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and to protect treaty rights.
Opening up and destroying the refuge for six months of oil is an environmental, public lands, human rights and economic issue, and Sen. Gardner’s vote in favor could cost Colorado a bid to host the Outdoor Retailer show.
Phyllis Mains
Cortez