There Goes The Alaska Wildlife Refuge!!

[A.W]

U.S. Senate backs oil drilling in Alaskan refuge
CTV.ca News Staff

A proposal that would have protected the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling has been voted down by the U.S. Senate.

An amendment brought forth by Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell proposed killing plans to open up the Alaska wilderness to drilling. However, it was voted down 51-48.

The provision that would allow such drilling is part of a budget bill that senators are expected to approve this week.

The House of Representatives is also geared up for a vote in the next week or so on its budget legislation, that would also give oil companies access to the 7.7-million-hectare refuge.

Canada opposes such drilling, arguing that it threatens the refuge's wildlife, including the migrating Porcupine River caribou herd. It migrates into Yukon and helps feed the Yukon's Gwich'in First Nation.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has voiced his opposition to the plan -- most recently in early October, to a room full of Wall Street power brokers during a one-day blitz in New York.

Martin said it doesn't make sense to risk damage to the Arctic for a minimal amount of oil. He said Canada's oil sands and hydroelectric resources have the potential to cover for what could be produced in the Arctic.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the refuge may contain enough oil to supply the United States for 16 months.

Advocates of drilling, including U.S. President George Bush, argue that the refuge's 10.4 billion barrels of crude would raise $2.4 billion in leasing fees for the government.

They say it would also reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil imports, and create thousands of American jobs.

U.S. oil and gas interests have been trying for years to gain access to the refuge without success. But tightening world oil supplies have increased pressure to open up the area.

Critics say Republican leaders are exploiting damage done to pipelines in the Gulf Coast by recent hurricanes.

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/Arti ... ing_051103

[Woody Williams]

There Goes The Alaska Wildlife Refuge..

That is what they said about the Alaskan pipeline too.

[GonHuntin]

That is what they said about the Alaskan pipeline too.

EXACTLY!!!

The problem with oil in Canada is just that......it's in Canada.......regardless of how good our relationship is......it's still imported oil.........

[ALINALBERTA]

Contrary to what many people think,drilling rigs and the oilpatch in general do not move through leaving a wasteland of hazardous waste behind. It is very common to see animals moving around near the rigs. Everything is very regulated and all waste is hauled away and properly disposed of. In northern and western Alberta,the animals frequent the old leases and cutlines due to the improved feed from the trees being removed to let new growth and grass start growing.

[TNhunterKMC]

Good for the US and thanks to those Senators that voted for this. Probably 100% along party lines. At least some still love America and what it has stood for. Others would love to see it dismantled and replaced by a socialist government.

[Shakky]

Can't say I'm surprised that Bush would do what the Oil industry wants done. I wish there was a right wing party that cared about the environment. Hope they are correct and it won't hurt the environment but if they are wrong, then what?

[Woody Williams]

"Hey Bou... How do you like this shade that the US of A put up for us to walk under?"

"Man, I think it is great!"

[GonHuntin]

Only potential problem I see is additional roads make access easier and that can lead to over harvest.........as far as the rigs go......I doubt it will change a single thing......I live and hunt in Oklahoma and you can hardly throw a rock without hitting an oil well.......still plenty of deer here and the herd is expanding!

[chris4570]

CLear cutting and replanting is not a bad thing either. Every bit of land that is cut over in WI gets replanted or aspen and oak take over what is not replanted with pines. Either way the forest comes back quickly.

Except when they are replanted with a single species of tree. ie red pine. Acres and acres of red pine of the same size is not a forest. The wildlife that can call a forest like that home are few. The more species of trees, of various ages and sizes, and brush the more diverse the wildlife will be.

[wabi]

Not sure I know enough to form an opinion on the envriomental impact, but it sure seems like the oil companies own a lot of politicians

[GREY OWL]

Is there deer in Alaska ? Not sure about that. Maybe the deer adapt to oil rigs, but do moose, and caribou?? Trees grow quickly in Oklahoma, but they grow alot less quickly in a Northern clime like Alaska.

Grey Owl

[ALINALBERTA]

I would say yes,they would adapt to the rigs. I see moose,deer, wolves,bear and woodland caribou where I am working. You have to realize motor noise and traffic doesn't bother animals too much when you think about how many wildlife/vehicle collisions there are! Farmers driving tractors working there fields can drive there equipment right by game animals without spooking them.

[GREY OWL]

Hey Al, what ta hell are you doing up at this time?? Are you like me a shift worker?

Grey Owl

[pdislow]

thank you! woody

[Shakky]

I guess I'm the only one who gets a kick out of seeing wildlife in a natural wilderness say minus a pipeline. Take a look at the reason they set up the refuge in the first place and see it you think drilling for oil is a good idea. http://arctic.fws.gov/
Just because I care about the environment doesn't make me a socialist or liberal or whatever label the Republicans like to attach to people who don't see things their way. Drill for oil, we need oil, I like oil but can we not just leave some places alone?