Arctic Refuge: 50-Year History of Protection
50-year Anniversary
President Eisenhower established the Arctic National Wildlife Range in 1960 “to preserve wilderness, wildlife, and recreation.” Alaskans played a key role 50-years ago promoting this incredible area in hearings, newspapers, and educational efforts, and we continue today!
Congress Added Protection
- Congress enlarged and renamed it Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980.
- Refuge purposes include: protecting fish and wildlife populations and habitats, in their natural diversity, fulfilling international treaties, providing subsistence uses, and ensuring water quality and quantity.
- Protected species include: Porcupine caribou herd, polar bears, grizzly bears, muskox, Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines, snow geese, peregrine falcons, other migratory birds, Arctic char, and grayling.
Heart of the Refuge Threatened
Congress designated most of the original refuge Wilderness in ANILCA. It held back from making the Coastal Plain forever wilderness (despite such votes by the House of Representatives).
- Congress required a one-time study for the 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain’s wilderness, wildlife, and oil potential.
- At the same time, the law prohibited oil and gas drilling, leasing, and development in the refuge.
- Today, the refuge’s Coastal Plain is protected wildlife habitat for caribou, polar bears, and migratory birds where oil and gas drilling are off limits.
Americans Keep the Refuge Safe
Alaskans and conservationists throughout the nation have defended the Refuge year after year as oil companies and their allies lobbied Congress to allow oil drilling in this vital heart of the refuge they call “ANWR.”
The Arctic Refuge is the only area (8%) of Alaska’s North Slope where oil exploration and development are prohibited by law. Oil companies already have millions of acres available.
Oil development would cause spills and permanent harm to wildlife, wilderness, and Gwich’in culture.
We must not hand over our greatest national treasures to Big Oil. Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.
People in the Arctic speak about the refuge
In January 2001, Alaska Senator Frank Murkowski stood on the Senate floor and held up a piece of white cardboard and said about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, “This is what it looks like. Don’t be misinformed.” As a response, Charley Swaney of Arctic Village refuted Senator Murkowski's words at a Gathering in Arctic Village in 2009:
To see more Alaskan Voices Project videos about protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, click here.
Betty Ann Peter of Arctic Village. For a transcript click here
