Hearing on Offshore Drilling in Alaska

Hearing on Offshore Drilling in Alaska

 
The Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, America’s Arctic Ocean, together with the Northern Bering Sea, make up one of the most abundant marine ecosystems in the world. This region is the lifeblood of Alaska Native coastal communities, whose residents have relied on the sea for cultural and nutritional subsistence for thousands of years. Climate change is now putting immense pressure on this unique area and its wildlife.  Interior Secretary Salazar will be in Anchorage April 14th for a hearing on Offshore Drilling in Alaska at the Den’aina Center downtown. This is an important opportunity for you have your voice heard regarding offshore drilling in the Chuckchi and Beaufort Seas and the Northern Aleutian Basin.
 
When:  Tuesday, April 14
Where: Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center
  600 W. Seventh Ave, Anchorage, AK
 

RSVP REQUESTED
If you plan to attending, please RSVP by emailing Vicki_S_Dixon@ios.doi.gov
Please note that an RSVP does not guarantee admission, and that admission to all meetings will be on a first come, first served basis so plan on arriving early.

Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and meetings will begin at 9:00 a.m. Please come early. Meetings will conclude by 8:00 p.m., with breaks tentatively scheduled from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
 

Details and Talking Points

After opening remarks, the Secretary and Interior agency staff will present a brief overview of the Department's findings regarding Outer Continental Shelf (OSC) energy resources. The rest of the meeting will be devoted to hearing from public and private interests on best approaches to developing a comprehensive offshore energy plan that includes the development of traditional and renewable sources of energy on the OCS. Upon arrival each attendee will be asked to submit a comment card.  In addition, all attendees who wish to deliver comments orally will be offered an opportunity to do so, time permitting.
 
Taking points:
 
1.    Science should be the basis for coastal policy. Any new five-year plan should include a study to assess current environmental baseline information and the impacts of leasing, exploration, and development on ocean ecosystems and on coastal economies.
 
2.    Offshore oil and gas activities like seismic testing would directly impact Native Communities and marine wildlife along the Arctic coast. These communities depend on the wildlife resources of the Beaufort & Chukchi Seas for cultural and nutritional subsistence, and they should be protected.
 
3.    Oil Spills are likely and there is currently no way to adequately respond to oil spills in the Arctic Ocean especially in broken ice conditions.  Federal agencies say there is a 33-55% chance for a large Arctic Ocean oil spill. Ice-breakers, platforms, and under-water pipelines all pose unknown hazards in the Arctic’s ice laden and harsh weather conditions.
 
4.    Bering Sea and Arctic ecosystems are already under stress from climate change. Scientists have demonstrated that warming temperatures have already had significant and unprecedented effects on these regions. Any further stress, such as offshore oil and gas activities, will exacerbate these threats to the integrity and resilience of the ecosystem.
 
5.    Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling in the North Aleutian Basin threatens Bristol Bay’s Economy and Ecosystem: Offshore oil and gas development poses tremendous risks to the sea life, Native communities, and fishing livelihoods that are dependent upon a healthy marine ecosystem. The fisheries alone are worth over $2 billion a year, sustaining thousands of fishermen, processors and workers in affiliated jobs.
 
 
Recommendations:

1.    Cancel the upcoming lease sale in the North Aleutian Basin.
 
2.    Stop ongoing offshore oil activities in Alaska’s Arctic, pending implementation of a comprehensive plan that requires a science-based, precautionary approach to all oil and gas activities in the region.
 
3.    Develop a comprehensive conservation and energy plan for the Arctic, based on a scientific assessment of the health, biodiversity, and functioning of the ecosystem and that provides a transition from reliance on oil to renewable energy sources and conservation.