Word that the Trump administration has finalized a plan to allow oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is drawing kudos from Alaska’s congressional delegation, state officials and the industry, and cries of injustice from Alaska Native and environmental entities.
The record of decision signed on Monday, Aug. 17 by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, will mark “a new chapter in American Energy independent,” Bernhardt said, speaking with journalists during a conference call. “Years of inaction have given away to an informed and determined plan to responsibly tap ANWRs energy potential for the American people for generations to come,” he said.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy hailed the announcement as “a milestone in Alaska’s 40-year journey to responsibly develop our state and our nation’s new energy frontier.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, called the record of decision “a capstone moment in our decades-long push to allow for the responsible development” of a small area of ANWR. “Through this program, we will build on our already-strong record of an increasingly minimal footprint for responsible resource development.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, also praised the Interior Department’s decision, as did Kara Moriarty, president and CEO of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association.
Representatives of the Gwich’in people, for whom the caribou calving grounds are sacred lands, meanwhile are vowing to protect the refuge.
The Trump administration is continuing the long history of assimilation and genocide put on Native American people, said Tonya Garnett, spokesperson for the Native Village of Venetie Tribal government and Arctic Village Council.
“Right now, our people are at camp waiting for caribou,” Garnett said. “Right now, our people are practicing what we have done for thousands of years. Kids are learning. Elders are happy. Our hearts rejoice when we eat that first bite, thanking the caribou and Creator. They can’t take that away from us and we won’t let them.”
“I believe that our ancestors are with us, the creator is with us,” Garnett said, in a statement released by the Native American Rights Fund, Arctic Village Council and Venetie Village. “We will never stop protecting Vadzaih (caribou). We speak for those that cannot speak. We speak for the caribou. We speak for those that came before us.”
“Our elders in 1988 directed us to educate the world about who we are and why we want to protect the calving grounds.”
The Wilderness Society, Alaska Wilderness League and Natural Resources Defense Council also are maintaining their opposition to exploration in the wildlife refuge.
