Draft Integrated Activity Plan / Environmental Impact Statement Amendment for the Northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska

Public Comment Due: August 23, 2004

Address comments to:
Bureau of Land Management
Alaska State Office
222 West 7th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599

Or, via the Internet:
http://69.20.72.207/comments/

RE: Draft Integrated Activity Plan / Environmental Impact Statement Amendment for the Northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska

Introduction
The National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA), just west of the Arctic National Wildlife refuge, was set aside about 100 years ago by the federal government as an oil field to be tapped only in a time of dire need. Thus far, the Reserve has remained untouched even under the pressures of the 1970s energy crisis.

The land is just as diverse and beautiful as its neighboring Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. White-fronted geese, arctic poppies, long-tailed jaegers, and caribou call this area home. While the reserve has been technically open for oil and gas leasing, it has maintained a semi-protected status because of its remoteness, lack of clearly identified oil discoveries, and rich biodiversity. Federal officials have recognized the ecological uniqueness of the Teshekpuk Lake area within the reserve's boundaries for special protection.

For sheer volume of wildlife, the network of coastal lagoons, deep-water lakes, and sloughs of the Teshekpuk Lake area are unsurpassed in the Reserve. This region supports the calving ground for caribou, and habitat for various types of birds including molting geese, and Spectacled and Stellar's eiders.

The Inupiat Eskimo also call this area home. They rely on seal, whale, caribou, bear and waterfowl for a large proportion of their sustenance, while also linking them culturally and spiritually to the land.

What is Being Planned?
The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comment on the Draft Integrated Activity Plan / Environmental Impact Statement Amendment for the Northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. The Plan will provide guidance and direction for these BLM-managed lands for the next 10-15 years.

The Draft Plan calls for opening an additional 387,000 acres of land to oil and gas leasing. The Draft plan reconsiders opening current "no activity zones" south of Teshekpuk Lake and other areas currently off limits to the oil industry. Conoco-Phillips has recently received permits to drill several exploratory wells immediately west of Teshekpuk Lake as well as several wells to the southeast of the lake. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of the northeastern reserve is already open to oil and gas companies.

What You Can Do
Write a letter to the Bureau of Land Management urging them to continue protecting the Teshekpuk Lake Area and its rich resources. Under the current draft plan, the Bureau of Land Management can accept "Alternative A, the 'No Action' alternative." This would maintain protections for the Teshekpuk Lake and its surrounding wildlife and wetlands.

See the following for "Alternative A" details

We need to maintain the rich habitat of the Teshekpuk Lake for its wildlife habitat values. The public has consistently stated it would rather conserve energy, reduce dependence on oil and gas, than impact such rich ecological areas. Public Comment is due August 23, 2004. Take a moment and let the Bureau of Land Management and the Bush Administration know you want your desires to accept "Alternative A - No Action."

For more information see: www.northern.org