If elected, he has pledged to build conservation partnerships between federal and state governments, local communities and landowners to protect natural resources. Forbes also favors private-sector involvement over government regulation of public land. He does not credit the passage of federal laws for environmental improvements. Although Forbes rarely addresses public lands issues, when he does his position usually conflicts with environmentalists' positions. Forbes supports development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, an action conservationists say would greatly compromise the biological heart of the unique ecosystem.
Keyes usually takes positions that are opposed by the environmental community.
He has advocated transferring federal lands to state and local governments or private citizens and supported development of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. An advocate of individual stewardship over the land, Bauer also supports the development of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He opposes reductions in logging on public land and has also said that he would loosen federal restrictions on recreational land use. According to the League of Conservation Voters, Bauer believes that expanding human dominion over nature is beneficial. McCain has a mixed record on the environment.