Vuntut Gwich'in to Step Up Efforts to Block Seismic Testing in ANWR

Friday, 22 September 2017 13:52

Chief Bruce Charlie says US wants to get accurate information on oil and gas reserves in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Vuntut Gwich’in First Nation Government says it will explore all options in attempting to halt the United States Government’s plans to allow seismic testing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in North Alaska. ANWR is the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, but contains oil and gas reserves, Republicans have wanted to access for decades.

The Gwich’in have been successful in lobbying U.S. lawmakers not to drill in what they call “sacred grounds.” A press release says, “the latest threat in the decades long Gwich’in struggle to protect the Calving Grounds from oil and gas development comes with the news that the United States Department of Interior has asked Fish and Wildlife service to amend regulations currently prohibiting seismic testing.”

Chief Bruce Charlie says the caribou are vital to his people’s way of life. “Our life a Gwich’in has always been deeply intertwined with the life of the Porcupine Caribou. A threat to the health of the Herd is a threat to our community and our way of life.”

The Vuntut Gwich’in believe this level of exploration would threaten to disturb the Herd, its sensitive habitat and the food and cultural security of the Gwich’in. Republicans in both Congress and Senate are pushing hard to open ANWR to exploration.

Yet Charlie says the estimated oil and gas reserves in ANWR would only sustain American consumption for approximately half a year. “Even most optimistic estimates of oil reserves beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would amount to only six months of American consumption. [President] Trump’s misguided plans to our ancient relationship with the Porcupine Caribou at risk can never be justified and must be stopped.”

Charlie estimates 200 days of oil, questioning the need to access so little oil. He says lobbying efforts in Washington DC have ramped up at the Embassy there. The Gwich’in Steering Committee in Alaska has an online petition, with Charlie urging people to sign. He stresses any activity which may harm the Herd. Even in the slightest must be stopped.

(Dan Jones Whitehorse September 22, 2017)