Your action today will help protect irreplaceable wildlife habitat in Alaska, which is at risk of being opened up to oil and gas development.

We have only until May 15 to speak out against this ill-conceived plan for the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to millions of migratory birds as well as grizzlies, moose and wolves.

Edit the letter below, if you'd like, and click on Send this Message.

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 and to ask that you choose Alternative #3, the No Action Alternative.

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. The only appropriate alternative is the No Action Alternative, #3.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 23, 2008