1995-27 Urging the United States Congress to Pass Legislation to Open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, to Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production.KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 95 -27
Introduced by: Assemblymember Hancock
Requested by: Assemblymember Hancock
Drafted by: Resource Development Council
Introduced: 06/01/95
Adopted: 06/01/95
A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
TO PASS LEGISLATION TO OPEN THE COASTAL PLAIN OF THE
ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (ANWR), ALASKA, TO OIL AND GAS
EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION
WHEREAS, in section 1002 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
(ANILCA), the United States Congress reserved the right to permit further oil and gas
exploration, development, and production within the coastal plain of the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the oil industry, the State, and the United States Department of the
Interior consider the coastal plain to have the highest potential for discovery of very
large oil and gas accumulations on the continent of North America; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the North Slope Borough, within which the coastal plain
is located, are supportive of development in the "1002 study area "; and
WHEREAS, oil and gas exploration and development of the coastal plain of the
Refuge and adjacent land could result in major discoveries that would enhance our
community's quality of life without disrupting our traditional ways, reduce our
nation's future need for imported oil, help balance the nation's trade deficit, and
significantly increase the nation's security; and
WHEREAS, development of oil at Prudhoe Bay, Kuparuk, Endicott, Lisburne, and
Milne Point resulted in thousands of jobs throughout the United States, and the
projected job creation as a result of coastal plain oil development will have a positive
effect in all fifty states; and
WHEREAS, opening the coastal plain of the Refuge now allows time for planning
environmental safeguards, development, and national security review; and
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 95 -27
Page 1 of 2
WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry and related Alaskan employment have been
severely affected by reduced oil and gas activity, and the reduction in industry
investment and employment has broad implications for the Alaskan work force and
the entire state economy; and
WHEREAS, the 1,500,000 acre coastal plain of the Refuge comprises only eight
percent of the 19,000,000 acre Refuge, and the development of the oil and gas
reserves in the Refuge's coastal plain would affect an area of only 5,000 to 7,000
acres, which is one and one -half percent of the area of the coastal plain; and
WHEREAS, 8,000,000 of the 19,000,000 acres of the Refuge have already been set
aside as. wilderness;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAfl
BOROUGH THAT the Congress of the United States is urged to pass legislation a
open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska to oil and gas
exploration, development, and production.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK
ISLAND BOROUGH THAT the activity be conducted in a manner that protects the
environment and uses the Alaskan work force to the maximum extent possible.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS FIRST DAY OF JUNE, 1995.
ATTEST: Mary A. Monroe, Presiding Officer
Donna F. Smith, CMC, Borough Clerk
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
— r�l '
Jero a M. Selby, Borou
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 95-27
Page 2 of 2