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Bush Gets His Wish in His Alaskan Oil-for-Caribou Drilling Program |
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Written by D.L. McCracken
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Thursday, 12 January 2006 |
Armed with assurances that technological advances in oil drill techniques will greatly reduce harm to flora and fauna, the U.S. Department of The Interior on Wednesday gave approval to open 400,000 acres of Alaska's previously protected northern region to oil exploration and subsequent drilling in an effort to meet the growing energy demand of the American consumer.
The land in question is part of the larger National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and until yesterday's announcement, had been off-limits to drilling activities because of the risk to indigenous species in the area. Drilling operations will be situated a mere quarter-mile from Teshekpuk Lake, an area which environmentalists say is of particular concern because of the sheer abundance of flora and fauna that will be placed at risk.
The Teshekpuk Lake area boasts the highest density of nesting waterfowl and shorebirds within the Reserve including the snow goose, Canada goose, brant and white-fronted geese. The lake area consists of coastal lagoons, deep freshwater lakes, wet grass meadows, streams & river deltas which offer a variety of flora including cotton grasses, mosses, lousewort, buttercup and heather.
The Teshekpuk caribou herd with numbers of up to 45,000 give birth tho their young along the southwestern shore of Teshekpuk Lake. The area is home to a large population of lemmings, not to mention the every-day, run-of-the-mill deer, bear and fish that populate a 400,000 acre area.
The Teshekpuk Lake area along with the Colville River and Utukok Uplands regions were in 1977 designated as "Special Areas" by the U.S. Interior Department who deemed all three regions as requiring maximum protection because of their substantial environmental importance. Apparently, America's ever increasing demand for energy sources has become the new "Special Area" of the 21st century.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management said yesterday the land can be drilled with "minimal" impact on flora and fauna.
The Bureau however failed to explain what 'minimal' meant in actual numbers. What would comprise a 'minimal' impact on a herd of 45,000 caribou or a previously pristine lake? We're about to find out. Contact D.L. McCracken at
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