To whom it may concern:
I think wild lands should be protected because: [Your answer here]
Please accept the following comments on the northwest NPR-A DEIS and please consider drafting an alternative that truly protects wildlife habitat and wilderness.
I am from [STATE] and I believe that the final recommendations for oil and gas leasing in America's Western Arctic should strike a responsible balance between development and protection for wildlife habitat, wilderness, and wild and scenic rivers.
I strongly object to oil and gas leasing alternatives A and B in the draft environmental impact statement, which seek to open up 100% and 96% of the northwest planning area, respectively. Also, each of the alternatives contains weak exploration and development stipulations that would fail to safeguard this fragile environment. It would be irresponsible make a nearly nine million-acre swath of America's Arctic available for drilling without adequately protecting its immense natural values for the birds and wildlife that call this place home, for Alaska Natives that depend upon these resources, and for future generations.
I urge the BLM to instead adopt a wildlife habitat alternative based on sound science that would protect the northwest planning area's most ecologically valuable areas. These areas include Teshekpuk Lake Special Area, Colville River Special Area, the Dease Inlet-Meade River region, Peard Bay, Kasegaluk Lagoon, and the South Ikpikpuk River. Together, these special areas provide valuable habitat for millions of migratory waterfowl, nesting raptors, and threatened species like the spectacled eider, along with caribou, grizzly bears, polar bears, wolves, and many other species.
A truly balanced oil and gas leasing plan for the Western Arctic must be based upon an adequate review of wilderness and wild and scenic river potential, and include responsible environmental safeguards for areas where drilling proceeds. I urge you to work to develop such a middle ground, wildlife habitat, wilderness, and wild and scenic river protection alternative for the NPR-A northwest planning area that conservationists, Alaska Natives, and the public can truly support.
Sincerely,