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ANWAR Alaska, also known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, has had more people fighting over it in recent years than any other piece of land I know of.
This page is designed to discuss and bring out major information about these controversies. If you are looking for information on visiting this Wildlife Refuge, see ANWR. If you want to go directly to submit your opinion, see ANWAR Debate at the bottom of this page. Establishment of the ANWAR Refuge by the US Government An 8.9 million acre area had been recommended for preservation as a wild area, as early as 1954. Since these are federally owned lands, it was finally established as a refuge in 1960 by Congress, under the control of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Since then, the area has more than doubled in size by other Acts of Congress. About the Original Inhabitants of ANWAR Alaska Though this area was made into a refuge by government proclamation, there were residents in this area that the US Government did not take into consideration. This is the homeland of the Kaktovikmiut Natives who have cared for it, lived in it and lived off of it for many thousands of years. With modern times came many things that were disturbing to their lifestyle and the preservation of control over their homeland. You see, they were never a conquered people and yet their land was sold by Russia to the United States. Then their land was divided by the Alaskan-Canadian border. However, these things that we consider to be fact, were never known to them and it actually didn't interfere with their lives until recent times. Preservation of ANWAR Alaska by the Native Inhabitants The fact that they have lived in this area for eons, with no disturbance of the ecological systems in the region, tells any sensible person that they do KNOW and UNDERSTAND that land and how to take care of it. On the other hand, those who have never lived there and know nothing about it, presume it can be managed and preserved better with modern sciences and technologies. Though the Kaktovik Natives are a very cooperative people and want to work with those who come to use their land, some credit should be given to their knowledge of this region and its wild inhabitants. They have seen much destruction of the wildlife in the region by those who are supposed to be managing and protecting it. Some of the most destructive things being done are the radio-collaring of wildlife for scientific study and at least formerly, the use of helicopters. It is unnecessary and a frivolous waste of taxpayers money, in their opinion. Native Views on Current Issues at ANWAR Alaska The Natives of the region, after having some experience with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Alaska Fish and Game Department, the oil companies and others who have come to the area, have a very surprising outlook on all this. They have found, after dealing with many people in these agencies, that they get better cooperation from the oil companies than they do from anyone else! Because of this, and for several other reasons, they are very willing to have oil companies drill on their lands and feel it would be no more harmful than anything that is being done by Government agencies. In fact, they feel it will be less damaging. The oil companies have actually used information the Natives gave them about the lands, to help reduce any damage and make their activities more cost-efficient. So who could complain about that?! The Kaktovikmiut Natives consider themselves to be the caretakers of these lands and wildlife, as their birthright and responsibility to their future generations. So they don't plan on letting anyone destroy it. It is part of their inherited way of life. The Controversy Over ANWAR Alaska With these views in mind, it makes one wonder what all the controversy is actually about. The main disagreements today appear to be the desire to utilize its resources versus the desire for certain groups to prevent that from happening, for the protection of the refuge, in their opinion. There certainly is no disagreement from the natives on its utilization as an energy resource. Their only concern is for the damage done by careless and uncaring visitors, or certain government employees who have either not known how to do their job, or been unconcerned about how they do it. Give Us Your Opinion About the ANWAR Controversy Since I'm sure many people have opinions about what should or should not be done in this refuge, I am giving you an opportunity to speak up and tell others what you think in my ANWAR Debate. Perhaps if enough people say what they really think, then the people making decisions on ANWAR might listen...
What do You Have to Say about ANWAR?
Are you for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling or are you against ANWAR drilling. Do you think it will harm ANWR animals, or not? Or are there other ANWAR issues you'd like to discuss?
Share your ideas with us - we'd love to hear from you!
Find Out What Others Think, Too...
Click below to see other people's opinions on the ANWAR Alaska controversy...
My Views on ANWAR Alaska
We should be drilling for oil in ANWAR Alaska and everywhere in America, and using all other technologies such as: wind, solar, coal, nuclear, geo-thermal ...
ANWAR VS GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Seems that we are so very dependent on oil right now, so much so that we are prepared to almost sell our mothers! Drilling in ANWAR might not be necessary ...
Drilling for oil in ANWAR-Better for the Environment
With all the rules and regulations imposed on companies drilling for oil in the US, the drilling has very little impact on the environment compared to ...
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