Obama's protections for Arctic are vital

This past week President Obama proposed sweeping new protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Occupying Alaska’s North Slope, the refuge contains polar bears, wolves, dall sheep, muskoxen and one of the world’s largest caribou herds.

Initially protected in 1960 and then again in 1980 in recognition of its bountiful wildlife, the refuge has been under pressure from oil and gas development in recent years. By designating the majority of the refuge as a Wilderness Area, Obama’s proposal would afford the highest protection possible under Federal Law.

The U.S. Department of Interior said it’s the first time it has recommended additional protections and that the new recommendations have the potential to be among the largest conservation measures “since Congress passed the visionary Wilderness Act over 50 years ago.” Occupying more than 19 million acres, the refuge is one quarter the size of the state of New Mexico. By designating 12 million acres of it as wilderness, Obama would provide permanent protection for the most ecologically valuable areas and prohibit mining, drilling, roads, vehicles, and permanent structures.

However, the proposal has been met with significant resistance. Large oil and gas deposits are thought to exist underneath the Coastal Plain within the refuge, the area Obama has proposed protecting.

Oil and gas corporations want to develop the region and send the crude down the Alcan pipeline from nearby Prudhoe Bay. The question is whether they can do it in a way that doesn’t significantly harm the animals. Environmentalists, as well as most scientists that know the industry, will say that is impossible.

Climate change has hit many species in the Arctic harder than it has elsewhere in the world. By setting in place the strictest conservation laws in the nation, we may be doing the best thing we can practically do to help their survival.

But ultimately the question comes down to which commodity we value more, oil or wildlife. Are the largely ephemeral benefits gained from oil and gas development worth the sacrifice of one of America’s last pristine places? Speaking on the proposal, Obama said no. By “designating (ANWR) as a Wilderness we can make sure that this amazing wonder is preserved for future generations.”

Given the choice, I am siding with the president. A healthy environment seems like a better investment for our well-being. It is the rarer commodity and should be valued as such.

Will Brewer is a member of the UNM Wilderness Alliance.