Yukon Delta Refuge
Autor: Dava • April 15, 2016 • Essay • 505 Words (3 Pages) • 809 Views
Yukon Delta Refuge
The Yukon Delta Refuge is the largest unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Most of its landscape is dominated by low-lying wetlands; however, there are mountains along the northern, eastern and southern boarders of the Yukon refuge. There are two major islands: Nunivak Island and Nelson Island. Nunivak Island is volcanic in nature and southern part of Nelson Island is low, covered with small lakes and streams. According to US Fish and Wildlife, Yukon Refuge’s vegetation is primarily subarctic tundra, underlain by permafrost, supporting a variety of scrub, peatland, heath meadow, marsh and bog habitats. Yukon refuge is full of life and resources; however, there has not been a discovery of large amount of oil deposit and the possibility of finding one seems to be low. Private landowners can pursue an oil exploration on their lands but it would need an approval from the Secretary of the Interior.
The United States imports 50% of its oil and the country’s daily consumption is 18 million barrels. It is predicted to increase to over 25 million barrels in the next 20 years. An increasing use of import oil means increased national debt. How will we supply the increasing demand and debt? This is where our ANWR coastal plain comes into people’s mind. It is estimated to have 10 million barrels of oil beneath it and attracting many investors. Drilling an oil pipeline in ANWR eco-region has its positive and negative effects.
Positive effects are decreased national debt and increased jobs. An initial investment for building oil pipeline, infrastructure, and resource needs have positive effect on Alaskan economy.
Negative effects are disruption of wildlife migration routes and habitats; oil spills on land, landscape change due to drilling an oil pipeline, decreased tourism, toxic chemicals used in the process could spill and contaminate local soil and water, machinery and construction trucks have loud noises, gas flares and light pollution disrupt scenic views and clear night skies.
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