On March 27th, 2020, The National Parks Conservation Association requested its members share the following video regarding a threat to one of the USA’s wildest parks, The Gates of the Arctic National Park and preserve. Since a lot of us are currently under ‘Stay at Home’ orders, now might be a good time to advocate for our parks by signing the NPCA’s petition
The 210-mile Ambler industrial mining road in Alaska would cut through Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, disrupting one of Earth’s longest wildlife land migrations, cutting across vital waterways and threatening the way of life for Alaska Native communities. And a slew of rushed federal reviews and permits are now being rolled out, bringing this private industrial mining road across the open expanse of Northwestern Alaska one step closer to reality.
Alex Johnson
NPCA Alaska Program Manager
What do you think? Is it worth disrupting an ecosystem for easier access to copper ore and the creation of 400 jobs (many temporary?) Oh, and it will cost an estimated $430 million to build and you cannot drive on it, unless you work for the mining company. This road is allowed by the legislation that created the park in 1980, but is it the right way to treat our public lands?
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I plan on reviewing the video and any other relevant information I can find. Then I’ll sign the petition and otherwise look into ways I can reach out to my representatives and other pertinent rule makers. Protect the wild!
Thanks! I did see a contact form on the Department of the Interior’s website. My experience with my congressional representative is that he prioritizes issues which directly affect our district.
Allowed since 1980? I’d want to know more than just one side.
I was around when the environmental community predicted destruction of the caribou herds if the Alaskan pipeline was built. The company compromised by building high loops for the caribou to pass through. When we visited in 2008, the caribou did not bother with the loops. They just ducked when they passed under the pipeline.
There will be consequences no doubt; but how long will they last. Color me skeptical.
I lived in Alaska for 6 years and know all-too-well how eager many are to defile some of the most glorious land for short-term gains for a very few. There’s no reason to bow down to greed that will forever alter the land.
🧡🧡
The section they want to cut across is the National Preserve, not the National Park, which is why the rules allow for some development. A large portion of southern NJ is in the Pinelands National Preserve and there are roads there. I’m pretty sure the objection here is that permits are being rushed through while we are distracted. In The pinelands, new development cannot impede the Atlantic flyway and the permit process is there to safeguard that. Perhaps there is a similar compromise to the one you mentioned…can the road be elevated for the 27 miles across the preserve to allow wildlife to pass underneath?
It’s simply horrible and distressing how the present government favours bigbusiness over nature! Money doesn’t make the world go round, as they say, it makes the world go down the drain.
If you have a chance, read That Wild Country by Mark Kenyon. A thought provoking read on the cyclical nature of government’s support or lack of support for the environment. Trouble is, I don’t know if we’ll survive this cycle of non-support
I don’t live in your country but believe what is happening to the destruction of eco systems around the world alarming. We need the ecosystems to survive.
Agreed, it is disturbing
There has to be another way. We need to stop destroying natural habitat, just because of profit. The old adage, Just because you can, does not mean you should seems to apply here. Allan
I like that adage! Agreed, it needs to stop
No, it’s not! Thank you for the link to the petition which I will sign.
Best,
Tanja
Thanks! Happy to help
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I signed the petition.
Thanks 💖
As a Brit I don’t think I have a right to sign, but the US government should know that the international conservation / wildlife community is watching and horrified (but sadly not surprised) by its cavalier disregard for the natural world. Shame on them!
You’re probably right as I was asked for my zip code. Unfortunately this administration doesn’t care what the world thinks 😔
I’ll sign the petition. I’ll do my due diligence first, but if what you say is correct there is no question in my mind. The pay off is FAR too great.
Thanks for giving it some thought! Much appreciated 💖
Sadness!
😔🧡
As an Alaskan, I can honestly say that the push to make the state an extraction colony has never been greater. The current administration recently moved $35million towards the Ambler Road, bypassing the state legislature. This publicly funded road is to be privately held by the mining company. I appreciate any help we can get in keeping a road from bisecting Gates of the Arctic.
Thanks for commenting…it’s great to hear your opinion since you are so close to it. I hope the petition will have some effect
As someone who has spent time in Gates of the Arctic twice, I’ve been following this and truly believe we need to keep these wild places wild. I’d like to encourage people to not only sign the petition but to also join National Parks Conservation Association. They work really hard to keep an eye on things like this and to keep us informed so we have a chance to express ourselves before it is too late.
Agreed, the NPCA has great success in advocating for our parks. I also enjoy the National Parks magazine I get with my membership…save them all for future reference😀. Thanks for sharing your experience ❤️
So sad. I have backpacked through the park. Truly one of the world’s last great wildernesses. –Curt
Thanks for sharing ❤️. Hopefully the NPCA will prevail
A few more months– I’m thinking November– and we should know.
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