Take Action: Preserve the Arctic Refuge

Preserve the Arctic Refuge

Tell Congress to pass legislation that protects the Arctic Refuge and its offshore waters from destructive oil and gas drilling.

Your Congressperson
Your Senators

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I am very concerned about Shell Oil's plans to initiate exploratory drilling this year in the Beaufort Sea, offshore of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other sensitive areas. This region is a vital habitat for polar bears and walrus, as well as a major migratory route for bowhead and beluga whales and a breeding ground for endangered and threatened birds. It is simply too sensitive for oil and gas drilling. I urge you to support legislation to close the Beaufort and Chukchi seas to oil and gas drilling and to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge coastal plain as wilderness (H.R. 39 in the House).

The Minerals Management Service has not completed an adequate and sound analysis of the potentially devastating effects of exploratory drilling on Arctic wildlife. Instead, the agency has conducted only a cursory study that fails to take into account site-specific and cumulative effects.

For example, the MMS's analysis completely ignores the potential for oil spills -- even though Shell plans to drill up to 12 exploratory wells and the company's own drilling plans acknowledge the risk of spills. An oil spill in offshore waters could cause serious harm to polar bear populations. In addition, migrating bowhead whales have not been safeguarded, and the potential dangers from invasive species have not been reviewed.

Unbelievably, the MMS has concluded that exploratory drilling offshore of the Arctic Refuge would have "no significant impact" on Arctic wildlife. Please protect America's premier wildlife sanctuary by declaring it permanently off-limits to oil and gas drilling.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your address]

Sincerely

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