OK, finally got back in, site has had problems for several days.
First off, no Alaskian wants to see any enviromental damage done in ANWR. We have such stringent regulations in place, and we know things do happen but there is ways of preventing most of them. Quick responses, can minimise the ones that do happen. As for the day to day operation, work is only done in the winter when everything is frozen. When they leave not a track is left behind. Prudhoe Bay has been a learning ground.
Second the enviromentalist are going to scream anywhere an attempt is made to drill for oil in Alaska. Their agenda is to have the entire state locked up with no industry, mining, oil drilling, road building, or any type of progress for those that live here. They held up the pipeline for eight years. When President Bush mentioned opening up the NPR (National Petrolium Reserve) they immediently went in an all out drive to get it stopped. That area has been set aside for that purpose. The environmental groups want to see as much of Alaska turned into National Parks as possiable. They are succeding well in their effort.
Now for that infomas USGS report. Governor Murkowski blasted the USGS for that report before congress. The so called up dates were made from satalite photos taken in the mid 90s. They have not done any extensive survey work or had a survey party in ANWR or any where else in Alaska since the late 40s and early 50s. Look at the maps we get from them, they show trails leading to villages that have been growen up and impassiable for thirty years. Any way the USGS says the oil is under NPR, very little under Prudhoe Bay and even less under ANWR. Well Prudhoe Bay proved them wrong. Private industry said there was a lot of oil there and there was. As for NPR, private industry sent survey teams with geologist and sismologist to NPR. Their reports are that there is minimal recoverable oil under NPR, they don't feel NPR is worth drilling. Private industry also sent teams into ANWR, and like with Prudhoe and NPR they refute what the USGS say about recoverable oil in ANWR. My recommendation set back and look at the facts. USGS using outdated and flawed information, or private industry using the latest most up to date techniques and getting an entirely differant openion. Who would you put your money on?
Why do Alaskians want to see oil coming from ANWR? Aside from making the country less dependant on foreign oil? It will give us an opertunity to make money for the state, there you think greed! Well if you call wanting to have a road to be able to go and see Grandma and Grandpa greed then we have it. Wanting to be able to heat our homes, yes that's greed. Wanting a railroad to connect with the lower 48 states, so we don't have to depend on unreliable barges, and held to the whims of longshoremen and shippers in Seattle, yes thats greed. Or to be able to get fruits and vegitables in a timely manner before they are half rotten, and a mirid of other things, that the people who are not wanting to see drilling, take for granted everyday. Yes we Alaskians are a greedy bunch we want something close to what the people in the lower 48 states have, how nasty of us to be that greedy. The people in the villages need to continue to use their out houses or honey buckets at 40 and 50 below, they don't need to have a septic system installed they live in Alaska. Continue using wood, coal, or fuel oil when they can get it, to heat with, they live in Alaska. Put off going and seeing the grandkids for another year, airfare is too high, Oh well they live in Alaska. Cousin John died last week, he cut himself while skinning a bear. The cut got infected, he lingered for several days before dying, there was too much wind for a plane to get in and out to take him to the doctor. If we only had a road to the next village they have a health nurse, or to Fairbanks where there is a hospital. But that would be greed.
