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| No. 9 |
OIL DEVELOPMENT IN ALASKA
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A hasty leasing of vast
tracts of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) at giveaway prices has been
instituted by Secretary of the Interior Clark and is now
underway. In addition to the OCS leases, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service has issued permits to explore Alaskan Wildlife Refuges
for oil. |
| OCS leases have been sold
on areas totaling six times the area of Indiana. Enormous lease
sales are supplying the resource companies faster than they can
implement the leases. Already seismic explorations are proceeding
with giant bulldozers pulling sleds which damage the tundra in wildlife
refuges. |
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| The oil industry claims
development of Alaska's resources is necessary for energy
independence. At the same time it is seeking to sell oil to Japan
contrary to the Export Administration Act. This would increase
corporation oil profits without lowering prices for American consumers. |
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| The public will suffer a
tremendous loss if this exploitation of the Alaskan oil resources
continues: |
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* National security is
enhanced if we husband these resources as a strategic petroleum reserve.
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* Fisheries and multiple
forms of sea life are endangered by oil spills, accidents to which pack
ice and extreme weather conditions are conducive.
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* The true value of the
resource can be realized only if sold internally and carefully over a
period of time.
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* This oil development is
opposed by the state of Alaska, by the major fishery industries of the
Alaskan coast, native communities and a coalition of national
environmental organizations.
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| Therefore, in view of the tremendous economic and environmental loss and the opposition by the state of Alaska to this planned oil exploitation program, the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs urges the Department of the Interior to halt this hasty and excessive Outer Continental Shelf development and exploration in the National Wildlife Refuges. |
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