Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Represented by Trustees for Alaska, Sierra Club and other conservation groups today challenged Interior Secretary Zinke’s recent approval of a land exchange to facilitate road construction through wilderness lands in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Zinke’s approval ignores deep flaws in the road building plan, including its exorbitant cost, high winter use risks, and detrimental impacts on the wildlife of the refuge and the Alaska Native subsistence it supports.
In response Alli Harvey, Alaska representative for Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign issued the following response.
“The land swap and road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge has been repeatedly studied and consistently rejected-- for good reason. The road will be a costly and ineffective use of taxpayer dollars, and would severely damage this important wilderness, a fact that has not changed with Presidential administrations.
“There are viable, reliable alternatives that can meet the needs of King Cove residents without upsetting the balance of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and everyone who relies on it.”
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.