Congressman Young is expected to introduce another controversial pork barrel road-building proposal in the coming week, just days after becoming embroiled in a federal appropriations and road-building scandal in Florida.   Like the Florida road, Young's latest proposal would cut through sensitive wetland and wildlife habitat, only this time on a much grander scale. 

Young's plan would have U.S. taxpayers spending tens of millions of dollars to build a damaging road through the designated Wilderness of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.  The proposed road would sever the refuge's most important wildlife corridor and risk disturbing nearly the entire world's population of Pacific Brant and Emperor Geese that depend on the refuge as a crucial migratory stopover. 

Young's only hang up is that Izembek is federally protected, and he would need the approval and financial support of the United States government.

Young's proposal is not new, and Congress said "no" to the road the last time the issue was raised.   In fact, the question of whether or not to protect the narrow isthmus of Izembek has been decided at least twice already.  The issue was first debated in 1980, when Izembek was designated Wilderness with passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).  Later that decade a road between the local communities of King Cove and Cold Bay was recommended in a regional transportation plan and the idea gained momentum as an important step for economic infrastructure and safe travel between the two villages.   By 1998 the Alaska delegation convinced Congress to consider the road through Izembek once again.   After careful consideration, the federal government rejected the road, but reached an agreement with the State of Alaska and the communities near Izembek.  If U.S. taxpayers floated a 37 million dollar transportation and hovercraft proposal, no road would pass through the Congressionally-designated Wilderness of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.  This solution carefully balanced the transportation, health and safety interests and needs of the community while preserving the conservation purpose of the globally important Wildlife Refuge.

Unfortunately it hasn't taken long for the delegation to come back for a second bite of the apple.

This time, recognizing the long shot of their proposal, Young has attempted to sweeten the pot with a land swap.  But the lands of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge were specifically identified and protected for their extraordinary habitat value for sensitive species.  More land of lesser quality will not provide equal protection to wildlife.  Further, it is a cynical ploy to propose that lands worthy of protection should be traded against lands already protected.

Bottom Line

The transportation, health and safety concerns of the community of King Cove have already been met with the hovercraft ferry link to Cold Bay. Izembek National Wildlife Refuge should remain free of roads. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, our Alaska office (907-272-9453), or Maribeth Oakes (202-429-2674).

Thank you for your consideration,

Jeff FoxThe Wilderness Society
202-429-7441