Wildlife impacts from ANWR drilling could vary, USGS study says

By OGJ Editors

WASHINGTON, DC, Apr. 1 --New information from the US Geological Survey suggests that oil and gas development on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge could have a wide range of impacts on some native species. Studies on muskoxen, polar bears, and snow geese demonstrated that if proper precautions are taken, the effect of human development on their populations and habitat could be minimal, according to USGS Director Charles Groat in a letter to Interior Sec. Gail Norton Mar. 29.

But new information in the report found that the Porcupine Caribou herd may be particularly sensitive to petroleum development within the "1002" portion of the calving ground in ANWR.
Exactly what kind of impact could occur would depend on the type of development and where the development is located, USGS said. Five development scenarios were simulated to assess the potential effects of development of the 1002 area, Groat said.
"These five scenarios demonstrate that the impact may range from none to substantial," he said.
Because the five scenarios may not dovetail with what Congress is now considering this month under pending energy legislation, USGS asked the scientists who undertook the controversial caribou studies to provide additional analyses that will be available to Norton and other members of the Bush administration within the next 7-10 days.

Dispute
Environmental groups said the USGS report gave the clearest indication yet that the refuge's coastal plain should not be developed because it is ecologically unique and fragile.
The White House, however, said the report shows that energy development and environmental protection can coexist thanks to new technology and tough regulations that protect wildlife.

The Senate is expected to tackle the explosive ANWR issue shortly after it returns from a spring break Apr. 8. A House energy bill passed last August calls for limited leasing in the 1002 area. Environmental groups, however, say there is not enough support in the Senate to pass a similar measure there.
An ANWR leasing provision could still be added later by congressional leaders provided they reach a consensus on a final bill. That possibility remains uncertain, according to lawmakers and lobbyists, and it is also uncertain whether President George W. Bush will accept or reject a bill that does not include an ANWR leasing provision. The White House energy blueprint released in May 2001 calls for leasing in the 1002 ANWR coastal plain area.