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MAY 7, 2001

Although drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has many advocates and detractors, Alaska Natives in the region are the ones who will end up living with the effects.

Inupiat Eskimos, who have rights to land in the area of the refuge targeted for drilling, have supported development. The village of Kaktovik stands to gain economically from development, as does the Eskimo-owned Artic Slope Subregional Corp.

Gwich'in Natives, who live further away from the slope, oppose drilling for fear it will destroy the Porcupine caribou herd.

Although the Bush administration plans to propose drilling when it releases its national energy policy this month, there aren't enough votes in Congress to support it. Since ANWR is a refuge, it requires Congressional approval before development can occur.

Get the Story:
Like Oil and Water: Natives’ views of exploration in refuge just don’t mix (NewsDay.Com 5/7)

Relevant Links:
Gwich'in Steering Committee - http://www.alaska.net/~gwichin
Oil Issues in ANWR, US Fish and Wildlife - http://arctic.fws.gov/issues1.html
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service - http://arctic.fws.gov
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Pro-Development site - http://www.anwr.org

Related Stories:
ANWR protest results in arrests (5/4)
Cheney pushes production over conservation (5/1)
Former Interior Secretary: Drill ANWR (4/26)
Campbell: Alaska Natives support drilling (4/25)
Bush: Snowmobile ban, Arctic drilling a go(4/24)
Administration has mixed drilling messages (4/23)
Gwich'in Nation: We Come from the Caribou (4/4)