Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Even though the Senate has voted 51 to 49 to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, we will continue to fight to preserve the Arctic Refuge and our nation’s wild lands and creatures, while pushing for new technologies and energy sources that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

After viewing the film "Oil on Ice," members of the College Democrats and the Environmental Action Team signed the following letter to send to President Bush, Senators Frist and Alexander, and Congressman Duncan. If you would like to have your names added to the letter, simply send an email to Alex Youn with your Maryville College post box number and your name.

Dear Representative,

I am writing you about an issue in this film that concerns me deeply: protecting the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is one of the most biologically productive regions on the planet and is the feeding and breeding grounds for over 180 species of resident and migratory birds, a herd of 130,000 caribou, all three species of North American bears, plus Dall sheep, muskox, weasels, lemmings, wolves, foxes, wolverine, and porcupine. It is a sacred place for the Gwich'in People who depend upon the caribou for their subsistence needs and cultural identity.

The moment has arrived for a technological system that depends upon renewable energy resources. There is no need to drill for oil in one of the planet's most beautiful and thriving regions. We would save more oil by increasing the fuel efficiency of cars than we could ever get from the calving grounds of the Arctic Refuge. Ninety-five percent of America's arctic coastal plain is already open for oil development; we must protect this remaining five percent for the sake of future generations, and for nature itself.

I hope you will support the permanent protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I look forward to your reply.

--Maryville College Democrats