Act to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

From the Sierra Club (https://www.sierraclub.org/):

Drilling in the Arctic is not an empty threat: This week, Interior Department officials told two northern Alaska communities that they’ll soon launch the process to lease lands to oil drillers in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Tell Secretary Ryan Zinke and his oil loving friends that this isn’t over yet. Stand with the Gwich’in to defend the Refuge!

After Congress’ devious move to include drilling in the Refuge as part of the Tax Bill last year, the threat continues to escalate. Senior Department of Interior have claimed the leasing process could start this month ¹ and Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan told attendees at an oil industry conference that a sale in the Refuge could come as soon as next year ². And DOI Secretary Zinke’s dirty fuel interest has only become more troubling ³.

For decades, the threat of drilling has loomed over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And for decades, the Gwich’in people have fought back.

We will never give up on protecting the porcupine caribou herd and the Arctic Refuge. No matter what this Administration does, we will stand and fight every step of the way. – Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee

Send a message, loud and clear, to Zinke and the DOI: We stand with the Gwich’in, and will not give up until the Refuge is protected!

The Refuge is one of our nation’s most important spiritual and majestic places, inhabited by caribou, muskoxen, wolves, 200 species of migratory birds, and polar bears. The Gwich’in Nation, whose home has been the Arctic since time immemorial, have called for permanent protection of the birthing grounds of the Porcupine Caribou herd for over 30 years.

Defending this place is a matter of survival. Together, we can amplify the call to action from Indigenous peoples fighting to defend the coastal plain. We will not let them fight alone as their sacred lands are leased to the highest bidder. Raise your voice today.

Remind Zinke he’s the “steward in chief” of these sacred lands that are critical for human health and survival. Take action to stand with the Gwich’in today.

There will be many steps in this fight. But it is one we must continue to engage in, for the future of the Gwich’in people.

References:

1. DeMarban, Alex. “Interior Department Will Soon Launch Regulatory Process to Pursue Lease Sale in ANWR, Officials Say.” Anchorage Daily News, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Mar. 2018.
2. Cama, Timothy. “Alaska Senator: Arctic Refuge Drilling Sale Could Start next Year.”  TheHill, 5 Mar. 2018
3. Katz, Lauren. ” Ryan Zinke Spent His First Year in Office Selling off Rights to Our Public Lands.” Vox , Vox, 5 Mar. 2018