" A key part of President George Bush's energy agenda, access to the refuge's oil could lead to peak production of five percent of the nation's oil consumption per day by the year 2025, as estimated by the Department of the Interior."
http://www.unogateway.com/vnews/disp.../4248e3170fa21
So for 5% (maybe, that number is disputed) 20 years in the future, we're willing to place a national priority on destroying a historic and vital REFUGE formerly set aside as protected?
Of course, this highlights the point that NO government-protected land is actually permanently protected. Every state park, national park, game land, wildlife refuge,etc is subject to the whim of the legislature. Condos could someday cover the Everglades if there was enough profit in it!
The reason private land conservation working with government is essential - once development rights are given to a private conservation group they can NEVER by law be exercized





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