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Read "The Road to Nowhere" and Take Action Today!
Latest News
November 10, 2008: The proposal to build a road through the Izembek NWR has been attached to a massive pubic lands omnibus package which could be voted on during a lame duck session of Congress - tentatively scheduled for the week of November 17th. The public lands omnibus package contains approximately 150 different bills, one of which is the Izembek road proposal. In September, the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced the measure, S. 1680, with slight changes to the House version (HR 2801) which had been approved by the House Natural Resources Committee on April 23rd.
NWRA and our conservation parters are actively working to remove the Izembek road proposal from the omnibus lands package. Click here to urge your U.S. Senators and Representative to oppose any public lands package that includes a road through the Izembek NWR.
Background on The Road to Nowhere
NWRA and the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges released “The Road to Nowhere,” urging Congress to reject H.R. 2801 and S. 1680, bills which would authorize the construction of a gravel road through the heart of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, a globally significant Alaskan wilderness area.
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The proposed road through Izembek NWR would have treacherous driving conditions and would cost the American taxpayer at least $30 million. ©FWS |
This Road to Nowhere is a problem Congress has already solved; further debate is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars. In 1998, King Cove residents argued they lacked adequate access to medical and airport facilities. In response, Congress allocated $37.5 million for medical and airport improvements and a 98-foot hovercraft that has successfully provided rapid medical evacuations.
The road would have detrimental effects for the region’s wildlife. Its construction could have devastating impacts on more than half a million Pacific black brant, emperor geese, swans and other wildlife, resulting in fragmentation, disturbance, and pollution.
The road would be built through a congressionally designated wilderness, where by definition, humans leave no mark. Precedent would be set, opening the door for other wilderness areas to be destroyed. Further, the National Wildlife Refuge System’s principles established in the “National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997” would be reversed.
This road would cost American taxpayers additional millions of dollars for building and maintenance costs. King Cove has already spent $26 million on the 17.6 mile road to the hovercraft terminal but because of harsh terrain, they have only completed 10.4 miles. It will cost at least $30 million more to complete the road through the Izembek Isthmus Wilderness.
Izembek in the News
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The 98 foot Suna-X hovercraft can travel in wave heights up to 10 feet 6 inches and winds over 45 miles per hour, and can carry 50 passengers, an ambulance and freight. To date it has completed at least 32 medevacs, saving lives and giving it a 100% success rate. |
12/8/08: Senator Feingold's Dear Colleague Letter
11 /26/08: New York Times Letter to the Editor by NWRA President, Evan Hirsche & accompanying New York Times Editorial "A Resounding Vote for Open Space" (11/19/08)
11 /9/08 Washington Post Article: Proposed Road in Refuge Raises Fears About Drilling
9/18/08 New York Times Editorial: First a Bridge, Now a Road
9/15/08 Press Release: Gov. Sarah Palin Supports a New “Road To Nowhere;”
Senate Committee Approves Treacherous Road Cutting Through Protected Alaska Wilderness
9/11/08 AP Article: Palin-backed wilderness road passes Senate panel
4/26/08 New York Times Editorial: Mr. Young Wants Another Road
4/24/08 Press Release: House Committee Abandons Common Sense in Favor of the “Road To Nowhere”
4/14/08 Updated Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet Regarding the Proposed Road Through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
7/23/07 Press Release:
Alaska Senator, Congressman Introduce Bills to Build "Road to Nowhere" in Biological Heart of Wilderness Area
7/15/07 Comprehensive Report from NWRA and Friends of Alaska NWR's: The Road to Nowhere
How can you take
action to save Izembek NWR today?
NWRA is working full-time on intensive grassroots, Congressional and media outreach. To underwrite these efforts and ensure victory, we need your help TODAY! Contribute to the "Stop the Road to Nowhere" Campaign!
You can make your voice heard by utilizing the Refuge Action Network (RAN), a free, fast and easy way to respond to important national wildlife refuge alerts. Using the RAN system, you can send an e-mail or fax (even if you don't own a fax machine) to your elected officials with a click or two of your mouse. Just visit refugenet.e-actionmax.com to learn more about how you can help oppose the Road to Nowhere!
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