The Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 1999 - that would allow oil and gas leasing in a small part of ANWR's Coastal Plain. Young's legislation is similar to an ANWR provision that was approved by the House and Senate as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1995. President Clinton vetoed it. The Alaska Federation of Natives supports ANWR leasing because it will provide needed revenues to help them escape Third World living conditions. Numerous other states and national organizations support our proposal because they know that ANWR leasing can be done in a manner to protect the environment and the economic health of our nation.
Populations rise and fall by natural cycles.
Of note, the Porcupine and Western Arctic herds do NOT migrate or calve near existing oilfields. The Teshekpuk and Central herds do. This flies in the face of Gwich'in Indian rhetoric that insists calving must occur over oil accumulations. However, while some Indians complain about problems with Caribou calving other Indians see it differently. Mayor Ben Nageak, an Inupiat from the affected area in the ANWR wrote to Bruce Babbitt and Bill Clinton begging them to allow oil drilling in the very small area set aside for that purpose.