WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the House passed HR218 or the King Cove Road Land Exchange Act— a bill that authorizes the building of a road through Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
In response, Sierra Club’s public lands policy director Athan Manuel released the following statement:
“King Cove residents deserve quality, emergency access to healthcare.
“The proposed land swap and road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge has been repeatedly studied and consistently rejected—for good reason. On top of winter safety risks, the road would cost taxpayers millions despite already approved funding for health care transportation needs.
"Instead of wasting yet more time and money on a failed road project, the focus should be on alternative solutions that meet the needs of local residents while keeping Izembek National Wildlife Refuge intact.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.