The U.S. Arctic Ocean plays a critical role in supporting coastal communities and many remarkable species, including bowhead whales, ice seals, walrus, and polar bears. The Department of the Interior (DOI) recently released its plans for new oil and gas lease sales in this vulnerable area, even though 3.8 million acres are already leased offshore.
Tell DOI it should not include new lease sales in the U.S. Arctic Ocean until:
-the large gaps in our understanding of the Arctic marine ecosystem identified by USGS are filled;
-biological hot spots and subsistence use areas are identified and excluded from the leasing program; and
-oil spill containment and response equipment is tested and proved to work in extreme Arctic conditions, including broken ice.
Tell Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that, without a science plan, protection of important areas, and infrastructure and technology to support a major spill response effort, DOI should not offer more of the U.S. Arctic Ocean for sale.
Ken Salazar
Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W. / Washington DC 20240
feedback@ios.doi.gov
Secretary_of_the_Interior@ios.doi.gov
The U.S. Arctic Ocean plays a critical role in supporting coastal communities and many remarkable species, including bowhead whales, ice seals, walrus, and polar bears. The Department of the Interior (DOI) recently released its plans for new oil and gas lease sales in this vulnerable area, even though 3.8 million acres are already leased offshore.
Tell DOI it should not include new lease sales in the U.S. Arctic Ocean until:
-the large gaps in our understanding of the Arctic marine ecosystem identified by USGS are filled;
-biological hot spots and subsistence use areas are identified and excluded from the leasing program; and
-oil spill containment and response equipment is tested and proved to work in extreme Arctic conditions, including broken ice.
Without a science plan, protection of important areas, and infrastructure and technology to support a major spill response effort, DOI should not offer more of the U.S. Arctic Ocean for sale.
