Secretary Dirk Kempthorne
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240

RE: Please cancel lease sale for Teshekpuk Lake Special Area

Dear Secretary Kempthorne,

I very strongly urge you to cancel the September oil and gas lease sale for the recently opened 590,000-acre Teshekpuk Lake Special Area in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, also known as the Western Arctic Reserve. This vibrant area has long provided critical habitat for tens of thousands of migrating birds and caribou, and oil and gas activities would cause irreparable damage to the region.

Eighty-seven percent of the Northeast area, which contains the Teshekpuk Lake region, is already open to oil drilling. The new plan would hand over the remaining 13 percent to the oil industry, even though the reserve is supposed to be managed to protect its natural values.

More than 215,000 citizens, as well as scientists, conservation groups and the mayor of the North Slope Borough, have spoken out to oppose opening more of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area to oil leasing. Allowing this additional oil development would further threaten the livelihoods of Alaska Native communities who have relied on the area's caribou, waterfowl and fish for thousands of years.

As Secretary of the Interior, you have made a commitment to enforce the laws, protect the public interest and manage the lands under your department to best protect their values. Enough acreage is already available for oil leasing within the Western Arctic Reserve without sacrificing the spectacular Teshekpuk Lake region. Please act immediately to stop the September lease sale for the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area.

EAN Alerts Email List | Tell a Friend | Links | Contact | Site Map