16 Mar 20010 - Rick Goes to Wash DC

Last week, Mar 7-12, 2010, I was in Washington DC with the Sierra Club to Lobby Representatives and Senators for Wilderness protection of the Coastal Plains of the Arctic Refuge in Alaska. HR 39 is the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act. On Dec 6, 2010, it will be the 50Th Anniversary of the Arctic Refuge and we hope by that time that the coastal plain of 1.5Million acres of pristine wildlife and land will be permanently protected as designated Wilderness.

Under the Arctic Refuge Act, the area is currently protected from Gas and Oil exploration and/or drilling but constantly comes under attack by the Oil/Gas Lobby to open it up for drilling. Gas/Oil already has 95% of the entire Arctic coastal region already open for exploration and/or drilling leases. This area represents the remaining 5% and best estimates that it contains only 6 months of oil reserves.

Together with 3 other Sierra Club members from Breckenridge, Iowa, and Illinois, plus four Alaskan Natives from the Arctic Region, and members of the Alaska Wilderness League, we contacted over 45 Rep and Senators (their staff) during the week.

The entire week was a wonderful experience and I was able to gain valuable knowledge of the Arctic Refuge issue. Our Bill of Rights provides for individuals to "assemble for the purpose of petitioning Congress for a redress of grievances". Based on the number of normal people in the Legislative hallways, it was obvious that many people go to Washington for this purpose.

Click Here to see photos from my trip.

While in DC, I attended the Ansel Adams Murals opening ceremonies held in the Department of Interior by Ken Salazar. These photos were to be hung back in 1941 but were delayed by WW2. Ken Salazar, Sec. of Interior, made this a priority when he took the office.