The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving to hand over 110,000 acres in the pristine Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas exploration. In addition, they plan to transfer 97,000 acres of subsurface mineral rights to Doyon, Ltd, a for-profit corporation hoping to profit from oil and gas development in the refuge. 

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I recently learned that you are accepting comments on the Yukon Flats proposed land exchange Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). I am writing to express my opposition to this proposal.

Encompassing 11 million acres, the Yukon Flats Refuge was established to conserve fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their natural diversity including migratory birds, bears, moose, wolves, and caribou; as well as to provide for continued subsistence use by native villagers. Oil and gas development is not compatible with these purposes.

The proposed land exchange would transfer 110,000 acres of Refuge land, along with an additional 97,000 acres of subsurface rights to Doyon, Ltd., a for-profit corporation, in exchange for a minimum of 150,000 acres of Doyon land within the Refuge boundary. This land exchange would facilitate Doyon's industrial development for oil and gas extraction within the Refuge boundary.

Oil and gas development will bring roads, pipelines, air and vehicle traffic, air and water quality problems, and harm to subsistence cultures that have existed in this region for thousands of years. The land exchange poses threats to the entire Yukon river watershed, including the designated Wild Beaver Creek and to the White-Crazy Mountain Recommended Wilderness area. The proposed exchange should not proceed.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 20, 2008