The Resource Development Council (RDC) spoke out against new wilderness designations in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) at a September public hearing in Anchorage.

Alternatives C and E in the Draft Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for ANWR would designate the 1002 area of the ANWR Coastal Plain as federal Wilderness, an action that would preclude future oil and gas exploration in what is considered America’s most promising onshore oil and gas prospect.

RDC emphasized that the Coastal Plain should not only continue to be excluded from Wilderness designation, but that it should be opened to responsible oil and gas exploration and development. RDC noted it strongly opposes any alternative that encumbers future oil and gas development on the coastal plain. RDC specifically requested the Service develop a new alternative that recommends opening the 1002 area to oil and gas exploration and development.

RDC is strongly opposed to new federal Wilderness and wild and scenic river designations in ANWR as the mere implication of such consideration is inconsistent with promises that were made in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). RDC and the State of Alaska contend that any such designations are in violation of the “no more” clauses in ANILCA and the intent of the 1002 area, and Alaska statehood.

The 1002 area was excluded from the existing Wilderness designation in a compromise struck under the 1980 ANILCA. In exchange, Congress doubled the size of the refuge and designated eight million acres outside the 1002 area as Wilderness. In recognizing the 1002 area’s enormous oil and gas potential, Congress mandated a study of its petroleum resources, as well as its wildlife and environmental values. In 1987, the Department of the Interior concluded oil development would have minimal impact on wildlife and recommended the 1002 area be opened. In 1995, Congress voted to open the area to exploration, but President Clinton vetoed the measure.

Opening the 1002 area to responsible oil and gas development would provide a huge and lasting stimulus to the economy and billions of dollars in new revenues to the federal government – all with virtually no expense to government. Oil development in the 1002 area would provide a safe and secure source of oil for the nation for decades. It would create tens of thousands of jobs throughout the country, lower dependency on foreign oil, reduce the trade deficit, and refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which is currently operating at only one-third of its original capacity.

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