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G_j

(40,366 posts) Sun Jan 25, 2015, 06:46 PM Jan 2015

Thanks Obama! (seriously) [View all]

President Obama plans to make 12 million acres of Alaska protected wilderness
Over 7 million acres of the refuge is currently managed as wilderness.

By Thor Benson Contact the Author | Jan. 25, 2015 at 2:45 PM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The Obama Administration announced Sunday it plans to set aside 12 million acres in Alaska to be considered protected wilderness.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is roughly 19 million acres in total, and President Obama hopes to make 12 million of those acres designated as wilderness, which means no roads can be built on it and there will be no motorized access. Designating it as wilderness is considered the highest level of protection for a wildlife area.

"Designating vast areas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Wilderness reflects the significance this landscape holds for America and its wildlife," said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. "Just like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of our nation's crown jewels and we have an obligation to preserve this spectacular place for generations to come."

The newly appointed Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairman, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), believes it is an attack on the oil and gas industry that could operate on the land.

"What's coming is a stunning attack on our sovereignty and our ability to develop a strong economy that allows us, our children and our grandchildren to thrive," she said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/01/25/President-Obama-plans-to-make-12-million-acres-of-Alaska-protected-wilderness/5321422214141/#ixzz3PsN1hSU7

Arctic native people of the Gwich'in Nation form a human banner on the banks of the Porcupine River near Ft. Yukon, Alaska, with a message to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil development on July 21, 2010. The 'Protect' image includes a Porcupine caribou antler and a threatened Yukon River Salmon. UPI/Camila Roy/HO
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Thanks Obama! (seriously) [View all] G_j Jan 2015 OP

Thanks, Obama. stage left Jan 2015 #1

K & R SunSeeker Jan 2015 #2

Thanks Obama. nm rhett o rick Jan 2015 #3

You earned your pretty penny from OIL, Murkowski, now run along, there are facts to discuss and Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #4

+1 Cha Jan 2015 #14

K&R. Thanks G_j, and scarletwoman Jan 2015 #5

I was looking to see if this was on DU before I posted it.. thank you, G_j.. Thanks Obama! Cha Jan 2015 #6

Great! Pharaoh Jan 2015 #7

C'mon, seriously. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #9

Thanks for kicking the Thread about the Alaskan Wilderness! Cha Jan 2015 #10

not generally full of praise, this is dear to my heart, as it should be to all G_j Jan 2015 #16

great Beringia Jan 2015 #8

Thanks Obama! mountain grammy Jan 2015 #11

Serious KICK Cha Jan 2015 #12

K Cha Jan 2015 #13

"Protect".. beautiful! Cha Jan 2015 #15

you probably know G_j Jan 2015 #17

Yes, I do, G_j.. and yes it is a BFD! As is this, imv.. Cha Jan 2015 #18

agreed G_j Jan 2015 #19

It's hard to take the President seriously when his statement includes the phrase ... Scuba Jan 2015 #20

"What's coming is a stunning attack on our sovereignty" IronLionZion Jan 2015 #21

That's neat, I wouldn't have realized that was a group of people standing there treestar Jan 2015 #22