The Regional Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's rejection of Alaska's exploration plan for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge did not sit easy with the state, which announced this week it will seek reconsideration.
The state sought a special use permit for exploration to evaluate the petroleum potential of the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, citing a permit the state said never expired.
But U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Geoffrey Haskett responded that the permit the state was referring to expired in 1987 when the Secretary of the Interior submitted the report by that section to Congress.
"Thus, the State of Alaska's Exploration Plan has been submitted years too late and has not been submitted in accordance with (federal regulation)," Haskett's letter said. "As a result, the State's exploration plan will not be analyzed for conformance with the criteria for exploration plans set forth in (federal regulations) nor will it be published, or a hearing held… ."
The state said it disagrees with that assessment.
"I am disappointed – the federal government chose to rely on an inaccurate interpretation of ANILCA," Gov. Sean Parnell said in a release. "The Interior Department's own legal opinion confirms our position: There is no expiration date set by the plain language of the statute for 1002(e) exploration. Obtaining accurate and complete scientific information from ANWR is a top priority for Alaska and a necessity for our country. In fact, it is a mandate of ANILCA. Federal law provides clear direction that the Interior Secretary must take certain actions upon the submission of a section 1002(e) exploration plan. The State will request the National Director of the USFWS to reconsider this decision."
The state contends that 3-D seismic testing in ANWR will allow analysts to better understand the probable quantity and quality of hydrocarbons beneath the surface of the coastal plan. The plan also called for the use of modern technology to gather seismic data with extremely limited impact on the surface, the state said.
"It is unfortunate that the USFWS failed to consider all of the technological advancements and new information detailed in the State's plan," Parnell said. "Instead of doing any new work or review, they relied exclusively on a political memo prepared more than 10 years ago."
Leaders from the Arctic, including Rep. Ben Nageak, D-Barrow, have come out in support of development of ANWR rather than offshore oil and gas development.
"ANWR's 1002 Area is one of the last great untapped natural resource basins, and I have worked -- and will continue to work -- with stakeholders to unlock its potential," Nageak said in a statement earlier this month. "The federal government has continually worked against the interests of the State of Alaska and those of us in the area that would welcome responsible exploration and development. If they won't do the work, then they need to follow the law and allow the State to move forward."
This article originally appeared in the Arctic Sounder and is republished here with permission.