NPG Readers: Please Comment on ANWR 
Testify: Fairbanks 10-19-11, Anchorage 10-20-11
Written testimony due: 11-15-11
 
 

 

Senator Cathy Giessel (NGP Photo) wrote the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Senator Cathy Giessel, OCS, ANWR, Dave HarbourService on their upcoming decision to recommend wilderness designations for ANWR’s 1002 area–or not.  (See above notice and her letter, below.)  Then, following her example, let’s all take a few minutes to comment on all three of these federal comment invitations!  The future of Alaska is in our hands.

 

 NPG Readers: Please Comment on EPA O&G Emissions Regs 
Before October 24, 2011 send comments re: unnecessary natural gas emissions rules that will further slow down America’s economy and employment without significant benefit.
 
 
 NPG Readers: Please Comment on OCS before September 26, 2011  
Comment in support of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, against further delay and ‘affirming Lease Sale 193"
 Send Comments:
COMMENTS: Final SEIS, Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193
c/o Regional Director, BOEMRE Alaska OCS Region
3801 Centerpoint Drive Ste. 500
Anchorage AK 99503-5820.
 

ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE

 
 

Senator Cathy Giessel
Senate District P
State Capitol
Juneau AK 99801-1182
907-465-4843
Fax: 907-465-3871
800-892-4843
District
716 W 4th Avenue
Anchorage AK 99501-2133
907-269-0181
Fax: 907-269-0184
 
September 2, 2011
 
Dear Sirs,
 
I am writing to advocate for Alternative A of the draft revised comprehensive Conservation Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
 
Alternative A would recommend NO NEW WILDERNESS designation. NO ADDITIONAL RIVERS would be included in the National Wild and Scenic River System. Existing management tools would maintain values on the presently undesignated, but already well protected four rivers. There would be NO CHANGES to KONGAKUT RIVER VISITOR USE.  (below for more….)

 
As you know, Federal agencies claim 222 million acres, equal to 61% of the State of Alaska. Of Alaska’s total land area, 148 million acres are dedicated to conservation. These 148 million acres equals 70% of all American park lands, 80% of wildlife refuge acreage, and 53% of the designated wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System.
 
Further sequestering of land, through Wilderness designation of ANWR, would significantly, negatively, affect the nation’s ability to extract the hydrocarbon resources that we know exist in the 1002 Area. It is critical to note that 92 percent of ANWR is presently closed to development. Given that the US imports more than 50 percent of the oil it consumes, it is vital that the option of future oil and gas development on the coastal plain remain on the table. Not one acre of existing federal wilderness in ANWR or elsewhere in the State of Alaska would be impacted by future oil exploration and development in the 1002 area.
 
Extraction of oil from the North Slope has been conducted in a very environmentally safe way. The area’s caribou herd has increased from about 5,000 animals to over 60,000 animals today. Polar bear, fox, geese and other wildlife exist in close proximity to the development activities, without negative affect.
 
I support Alternative A of the draft revised comprehensive Conservation Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
 
Respectfully,
Senator Cathy Giessel
District P
716 W 4th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501