Environment America members submit more than 13,000 comments for protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Public opinion continues in favor of safeguarding our most pristine areas and endangered wildlife

Environment America

WASHINGTON — Environment America submitted 13,194 comments calling on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling before the comment period for the Call for Nominations and Comments for the Coastal Plain Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale ended Thursday. The comments came from members representing all 50 states and Puerto Rico

The BLM is moving at a breakneck pace to finalize lease sales, despite public support for protecting the refuge, the unwillingness of major banks to fund Arctic drilling projects, and clear signals from the incoming Biden administration that they are committed to protecting this unique area.

Ellen Montgomery, Public Lands Director for Environment America, issued the following statement:

“The federal government and oil companies alike should be listening to the public will. With more than 13,000 Americans joining Environment America to tell the BLM that Arctic drilling runs directly counter to our country’s historic commitment to protecting our most important wild places, it’s clear what needs to be done. It’s time to say no to drilling in the calving ground of the porcupine caribou herd. It’s time to say no to drilling in the denning areas of the endangered polar bears. 

“The Trump administration must stop this rushed ‘going out of business’ process. We urge oil companies to sit this one out and we urge the incoming Biden administration and the new Congress to act decisively to protect this area forever.”