The administration announced a leasing program on Monday that will open up more than 1.5 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration.
Bernhardt said Monday's announcement"marks a new chapter in American energy independence" and would lead to the creation of thousands of jobs. But environmental groups and some members of Alaska's indigenous communities strongly oppose the plans and lawsuits are likely to follow.
"This reckless plan risks killing and injuring numerous species, including polar bears, caribou and migratory birds," Monsell said."The large vehicles used in seismic and other oil and gas activity can kill and harm polar bears by crushing their dens. Noise pollution can disrupt essential behaviors like breeding and feeding."
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, polar bears are protected from human activities that may kill, injure, harass or disrupt essential behaviors like breeding, nursing or sheltering. To meet biological standards prescribed under this conservation law, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cannot allow the death of a single Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear from oil and gas activities, according to Whittington-Evans.
"Studies show that fatalities can occur from effects on lungs, kidneys, blood, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs and systems. An oil-coated bear that is not cleaned and rehabilitated will probably die." "The oil and gas activities proposed in the Arctic Refuge are irreconcilable with protecting the world's most imperiled polar bear population," Monsell said.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Trump weighs Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil drilling in Alaska'We will take a look at that,' Trump told Fox News in a telephone interview when asked about a Wall Street Journal report that his administration plans to approve an oil leasing program for ANWR on Monday.
Weiterlesen »
Trump administration approves oil leasing in Alaska wildlife refugeTrump’s administration will allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a refuge that has been off-limits to drilling for decades Environmentalists and Democrats have long sought to block the pristine area, home to wildlife
Weiterlesen »
Trump administration approves oil drilling in Alaska wildlife refugeThe Trump administration on Monday finalized a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, putting it on track to issue decades-long leases in the pristine wilderness area before a potential change in U.S. leadership.
Weiterlesen »
Trump administration finalizes oil drilling plan in Alaska wildlife refugeThe Trump administration on Monday finalized a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, putting it on track to issue decades-long leases in the pristine wilderness area before a potential change in U.S. leadership.
Weiterlesen »
Trump administration approves oil, gas leasing plan for Alaska Wildlife refugeThe Dept. of the Interior approves an oil and gas leasing program within Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Environmental groups immediately assailed opening the refuge and promised litigation.
Weiterlesen »
Former Trump Official Endorses Biden, Says Trump Claimed ‘Magical Authorities’ Beyond The LawFormer Homeland Security Chief of Staff Miles Taylor claimed Trump withheld disaster aid to Democratic voters and warned of a ‘no-holds-barred’ second term.
Weiterlesen »