HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 1995-28Suggested by: City Council
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 95-28
A RESOL~ON OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,
URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO OpEN'
THE COASTAL PLAIN OF TItE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE,
ALASKA, TO OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND ..
PRODUCTION.
WItEREAS, in Section 1002 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
(ANILCA), the United States Congress reserved the right to permit further oil and gas
exploration, development, and production within the coastal plain of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; and,
WHEREAS, the oil industry, the state, and the United States Department of the Interior
consider the coastal plain to have the highest potential for discovery of very large oil and
gas accumulations on the continent of the North America; and,
WHEREAS, the residents of the North Slope Borough, within which the coastal plain is
located, are supportive of development in the "1002 study area"; and,
WHEREAS, oil and gas exploration and development of the coastal plain of the' refuge
adjacent land could result in major discoveries that would e~thance our eommUnity's~ '
quality of life without disrupting our traditional ways, reduce OUr nation's future need for
imported oil, help balance the nation's trade deficit, and signiflean~ increase, the
nation's security; and,
WHEREAS, development of oil at Prudhoe Bay, Kuparuk, Endicott, Lisburne, and
Milne Point has resulted in thousands of jobs throughout the United States and
projected job creation as a result of coastal plain oil development will have a positive
effect in all $0 states; and,
WHEREAS, opening the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge now allows
time for planning environmental safeguards, development, and national security review;
and,
WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry and related Alaskan employment have been
severely affected by reduced oll and gas activity, and the reduction in industry investment
and employment has broad implications for the Alaskan work force and the entire state
economy; and,
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WHEREAS, the 1,500,000-acre coastal plain of the Refuge comprises only eight Percent
of the .19,000,000-acre Refuge,. and the development of the oil and gas resen, es.in the'
Refuge's.coaStal 'plain would-affect an area of only 5,000 to 7,000 acres, which is. One .and....
one.half Percent (1-1/2%) 0fthearea of the coastal plain; and, . ....' ..
WHEREAs, 8,000,000 of'the I9,000,000 acres of the Refuge have already been set aSide
'ns Wildemess, .. -' =.' .. .'--
NOW,.THE~FO~..BE'. IT RF~OLvED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY.oF
KENAI, .ALASKA, urges the Congre,~ of the United States to pass legislation to open..
me coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. to oil and gaS
exploration, development, and production; and,
BE IT.FURTHER RF~OLVED, .that this activity be conducted in a manner that
protects.the environment and uses the state's work force to the maximum extent possible'
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALAS~ this seventh day
of June, 1995.
ATIT.~T:
Acting City Clerk
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