Re: “Interior to open millions of Alaska acres to drilling and mining” (March 21, A1):
The secretary of the inside’s assertion that “it’s time for the U.S. to embrace Alaska’s plentiful and largely untapped sources as a pathway to prosperity for the nation” fails to think about the environmental fragility of the area, plus the excessive threat and value of operation.
The Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is positioned in one of the vital fragile and distant locations on our planet. It’s residence to an abundance of wildlife, together with polar bears, caribou and thousands and thousands of migratory birds. An oil spill could be devastating to the setting and wildlife.
Beforehand, when ANWR was opened for oil and fuel growth, the promised financial profit by no means occurred. There was little curiosity in lease gross sales, as corporations prevented these high-risk, high-cost initiatives.
Having labored in polar areas, I noticed firsthand how fragile the Arctic setting could be. Even with the very best of planning, many issues typically go improper. Oil drilling or leasing shouldn’t be permitted inside ANWR. The chance and value far outweigh the touted profit.
Paula A. Lau, Renton
