Washington, D.C.– In response to the Department of the Interior (DOI) recklessly advancing oil and gas leasing in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge, greenlighting a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, and approving the right-of-ways for the Ambler Road Project, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick:

“While the government remains shut down and everyday people across the country are struggling with increasing healthcare, grocery, and energy  costs, the Trump administration is once again putting the interests of its Big Oil billionaire donors over the public good. Today’s decisions from the Department of the Interior to build roads through Alaska’s sacred and treasured lands and push forward with oil and gas leasing in the entire Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge ignore decades of science and engagement with Indigenous communities. These decisions are reckless, not economically viable, and will hurt Alaska Native communities, their way of life, and Alaska’s wildlife. LCV will continue to fight at every step of the way to protect these lands that sustain Alaska Native communities.”

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