Dear Friends,

Thank you for posting the Class Menagerie.

I am writing because I am deeply concerned about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  I spent a month in the Refuge in 2001, and visited Washington DC this spring to lobby on its behalf.  The fate of the Arctic Refuge will likely be determined in the next two months.

It is critical to realize this fight is not over!  The Bush administration and its allies are working to create a sense of inevitability, and to foster the impression the decision to drill the coastal plain is a done-deal.  In March, a
Senate amendment to remove the drilling provision from the budget lost by two votes.  In the next step, the resolution process, the budget made it through by the thinnest of margins - five votes in the Senate and three votes in the House.  When Congress reconvenes in September, the Senate and the House will work on the budget reconciliation, that part of the budget process which has the force of law.  The Refuge provision is hanging by a thread, and there are enough Republicans opposed to drilling that it may yet be stripped from the final budget.

My hope, and the hope of untold others, is that this threat will not only be stopped, but it will mark a turning point in which American conservationists speak out so loudly they cannot be dismissed.  As Tom DeLay (R-TX) so candidly
admitted, "It's not about drilling the Refuge, it's about being able to drill anywhere."  I would add it's also about despoiling our lands and waters, extirpating plants and animals, undermining wildlands protection, and tearing
down bedrock environmental laws that have well served our nation for decades.

There are many things you can do:
       One of the most important is to begin calling and writing the offices of your Senators and Representative, and let them know how strongly you oppose oil development on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. If members of Congress hear this again and again they will take notice.  Call early, call often. [Capitol switchboard #202.224.3121]  It's always best to write a personal letter or email, rather than sending an automated message.
       Perhaps even more important, is to begin contacting sympathetic friends and relatives around the country and ask them to write and call their delegation.  It is imperative that people not get suckered by the ploy of this administration into thinking the Refuge has been opened to drilling.  Many people are anxious to help and just need a little direction toward effective action.
       Support the efforts of those who are taking to the streets of DC in defense of the Arctic Refuge.  Or better yet, COME TO THE CAPITAL AND JOIN THE MARCH ON SEPTEMBER 20TH!! This action has the potential to be very large - people are frustrated and are poised to act.  Contributions can be made to the Alaska Wilderness League, 122 C Street, NW, Suite 240, Washington DC 20001 and earmarked for "Arctic Action Day".
       Visit http://www.ArcticRefugeAction.org for more information.

The scale of the environmental crisis now goes beyond any individual's ability to fully comprehend.  Many of you are working on issues ranging from endangered species, to wilderness designation, to legislative issues in state
government, while also raising families, taking care of your health, and trying to find time to do the things you love.  Sometimes it all seems too much.  I sincerely appreciate any help you can give in defense of the Arctic Refuge and
wild nature.

Thanks ...

... Tim Hogan

Thanks for the great report. I'm glad you guys got to experience the refuge!

We rafted the Canning River in June and spent some time in Kaktovik.  The purpose of the trip (in addition to having a great time) was to look at some of the economic reasons why opening the refuge is a backwards idea, as well as to debunk some of the myths that drilling advocates have been passing off as truth.  Among them:

1) Myth - ANWR will lower gas prices.
Truth - Drilling in the Arctic Refuge will have no noticiable effect on gas prices.  Even oil industry execs admit that the Arctic Refuge contains a maximum of less than a 3 year's supply of crude. With worldwide demand surging, the impact of that amount of oil is likely to mean less than a nickle off a gallon at the pump.

2) Myth - ANWR will reduce dependenceon Middle Eastern Oil.

Fact - Only 31% of US oil imports come from Arab Countries.  Most is from Mexico, Canada, Venezuela and Domestic Sources.
Source - http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/saudigas.asp   Any small impact ANWR has will be dominated by reductions outside the mideast.

3) Myth - ANWR means a stronger economy.

Fact - Better fuel efficiency standards are much more important in keeping America strong.  If cars got 20% better mileage, the average person would have $500 more in their pocket every year.  Compare that to the one-time $300 Bush tax credit.  ANWR does nothing to encourage better fuel economy, in fact it moves us directly in the opposite direction - away from strength, and away from growth.

4) Myth - ANWR oil will be used for the domestic American demand

Fact - With China and India embracing a car culture, there is a strong likely hood that much, and possibly all, ANWR oil will be shipped overseas.

Source - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002245699_export17m.html
Source - http://www.ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/natural/nrgen-25.cfm

5) Myth ANWR has no environmental/health impact

Fact - Drilling in ANWR may or may not hurt wildlife.  But continued burning of petroleum products has immensly negative health effects for Americans in all areas of the country.  From asthma to cancer, many costly diseases can be traced directly to combusting gasoline.  Even in the pristine north slope, there is currently a smog cloud (caused by Prudhoe Bay operations) as brown as any over a major city.

We have a video in the final stages of production and would be very interested in having it shown on Grist and other sites.  Please check out www.treasureamerica.org.

Thank you!