Anchorage (November 29, 2006) – A number of separate sources are confirming that President Bush plans to rescind the “Executive OCS Leasing Withdrawal” for Alaska’s Bristol Bay within the next few days. For years, the presidential withdrawal has prohibited offshore oil and gas development in this highly sensitive region of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf.
In response, diverse organizations including fishing groups, conservation organizations and Native interests sent an open letter to the President today urging him to maintain protection for Bristol Bay. These groups are reflective of the many organizations representing millions of U.S. citizens that have recently voiced opposition to offshore oil and gas development in Bristol Bay via public comments to the federal Minerals Management Service.
As the letter states, “The presidential withdrawal, currently in effect until 2012, serves a vital role in protecting the world-class marine resources, sea life, fishing livelihoods, and resource-dependent coastal communities of the region from the potentially devastating ecological, economic, social, and cultural impacts of offshore oil and gas development.” (Copy of the letter pasted below end of release.)
The offshore area targeted for oil and gas development supports unparalleled fisheries including the world’s largest wild run of sockeye salmon. The area being considered also overlaps with critical habitat for the highly endangered North Pacific right whale. The region’s coastal wetlands, lagoons and sheltered bays serve as migratory hubs, staging areas and wintering grounds for huge numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds.
“In addition to its vital ecological importance, Bristol Bay’s renewable marine resources have long supported coastal economies and subsistence ways of life in Alaska,” said Eric Siy, executive director of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council which has worked with local residents to protect the region for years. “If protected and properly managed they can continue doing so for generations to come,” Siy said.
Federal studies of impacts from potential offshore oil and gas production in Bristol Bay have shown a likelihood of one or more major spills as well as a number of smaller spills. Studies also show that recovery of spilled oil in Bristol Bay is unfeasible because clean-up technology is inadequate in rough sea conditions, ice, and strong tides and currents.
The Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) is a community-based organization of people who care about the health and future of Alaska’s oceans and communities. Our members are fishermen, subsistence harvesters, marine scientists, conservationists, small business owners, and families. Our ways of life, livelihoods and economies depend on healthy marine ecosystems.
November 29, 2006
Open letter to President George W. Bush
Re: Maintain the Presidential Withdrawal Prohibiting Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing in Alaska’s Bristol Bay
Dear Mr. President,
We, the undersigned, urge you in the strongest possible terms not to lift the presidential withdrawal prohibiting offshore oil and gas development in the North Aleutian Basin, which encompasses Bristol Bay and a portion of the southeastern Bering Sea.
The presidential withdrawal for Bristol Bay, currently in effect until 2012, serves a vital role in protecting the world-class marine resources, sea life, fishing livelihoods, and resource-dependent coastal communities of the region from the potentially devastating ecological, economic, social, and cultural impacts of offshore oil and gas development.
We urge you to continue the history of protection for what is arguably one of the most important and sensitive areas of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf. We also request your help in working with the Congress to reinstate the bi-partisan moratorium on offshore oil and gas development in Bristol Bay that had, until 2003, been in effect for more than a decade. These protections have been in place because of the great risk to Bristol Bay posed by oil and gas development. The presidential withdrawal now stands as the last line of defense for this irreplaceable resource.
Sincerely,
David Harsila, President
Alaska Independent Fishermen's Marketing Association
Linda Behnken, Executive Director
Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association
Eric Siy, Executive Director
Alaska Marine Conservation Council
Elise Wolf
AlaskaWatch
Kristen Miller
Alaska Wilderness League
Bobby Andrew, President
Aleknagik Natives Ltd.
Dora Andrew-Ihrke, Board Secretary
Aleknagik Natives Ltd.
Dan Barr, President
Bristol Bay Driftnetters Association
Ralph Andersen, CEO
Bristol Bay Native Association
Rhonda Gregorio, President
Chignik Lagoon Native Corp
Debbie Carlson, Tribal Administrator
Chignik Bay Tribal Council
Andrew Berguof, Director
Choggiung, Ltd.
Bob Shavelson, Executive Director
Cook Inletkeeper
Steve Branson, President
Crewmen’s Association
Thomas Tilden, Curyung Tribal Chief
Curyung Tribal Council
Karen Stickman, President
Kijik Native Corporation
Michael McOwen, president
LegaSea
Mary Ann Yagie, Clerk
Native Village of Perryville
Agnes Rychnovsky, Treasurer
Newhalen Tribal Council
Pam Miller, Arctic Coordinator
Northern Alaska Environmental Center
Jim Ayers, Vice-President
Oceana
Whit Sheard
Pacific Environment
David Jenkins, Government Affairs Director
Republicans for Environmental Protection
Mary Jo Rice, Executive Director
Seaflow
Athan Manuel, Director of Public of Lands
Sierra Club
Bill Meadows, President
The Wilderness Society
Brent Paine, Executive Director
United Catcher Boats
Rick Steiner, Professor
University of Alaska
Wade and Wendy Willis, Owners
Vision Quest Adventures
William M. Eichbaum, Vice-president for Marine Portfolio
World Wildlife Fund
Representatives from:
Togiak, Manokotak, Port Heiden, Chignik Lake, Chignik River, Dillingham and Nondalton
