Return to Action Alert
Comment deadline closed May 19, 2008
Yukon Flats EIS Project Office
c/o ENSR
1835 South Bragaw, Suite 490
Anchorage, AK 99508
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to support the proposed land exchange in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge between Doyon Limited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I support both the Proposed Action Alternative and Alternative 1.
The benefits of the land exchange to Doyon, Alaska and the nation are very compelling. The Yukon Flats could hold large quantities of natural gas and oil. If commercial discoveries are confirmed, billions of dollars would be pumped into Alaska’s economy, millions of dollars would flow into the State Treasury and domestic energy production would be boosted. The exchange would clearly benefit Alaskans and Lower 48 residents.
The land exchange could facilitate development of oil and gas resources, allowing for the creation of a long-term economic base in rural Alaska. Development could create 1,000 or more good-paying jobs. It could help fulfill the promise of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to enhance social and economic well-being of Native people, creating jobs and other opportunities for Doyon shareholders. Benefits would flow statewide to other village and regional Native corporations through the revenue sharing provisions of ANCSA.
The exchange would allow the Service to achieve important conservation goals and consolidate land ownership. It would allow the agency to acquire many of the highest-priority fish and wildlife habitats on Doyon lands. In fact, the exchange would result in a net gain of water bodies, habitat and cultural resource sites for the refuge. The Service would end up administering more land, with consolidation of surface ownership and reduced refuge boundaries.
Likewise, the land exchange would allow Doyon to consolidate its holdings within the Yukon Flats, improving the economics of drilling for oil and gas.
Regardless of whether oil and gas is ever discovered, the land exchange is clearly a gain for the national wildlife refuge system. Development can occur without significant impacts and is compatible with other values of the refuge. If Doyon is successful in finding and developing the resource, less than one percent of the Yukon Flats would be disturbed.
I strongly support the land exchange and I urge the Service to move forward with the Proposed Action Alternative or Alternative 1 without delay. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion on the exchange.
Sincerely,
Comment deadline closed May 19, 2008
