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Argument: Wildlife has not been notably harmed by other drilling projects in Alaska

Issue Report: Oil Drilling in Arctic Wildlife Refuge

Support

  • ANWR.org “Top 10 reasons to support development in ANWR” – “8. No Negative Impact on Animals: Oil and gas development and wildlife are successfully coexisting in Alaska’s arctic. For example, the Central Arctic Caribou Herd (CACH) which migrates through Prudhoe Bay has grown from 3000 animals to its current level of 32,000 animals. The arctic oil fields have very healthy brown bear, fox and bird populations equal to their surrounding areas.”
  • Polar bears have not been affected in similar cases: National Association of Manufacturers “ANWR Backgrounder” – “North Slope development, which is far more intense than any potential Coastal Plain development, has had no devastating effect on polar bears. Polar bears have thrived since 1967. The NAS report found there have been no known cases where polar bears have been affected by oil spilled as a result of North Slope industrial activities. NAS sums up its polar bear discussion by stating there is evidence to support a finding that there have been no serious effects or accumulation of effects on polar bears.”

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