Environmental Concerns Over Oil and Gas Exploration Proposal in Beaufort Sea
by admin ~ February 28th, 2007
North Shore native whaling communities in Alaska are troubled over oil and gas exploration proposals in Beaufort Sea. “The U.S. Minerals Management Service has approved Shell’s plan to drill as many as a dozen exploration wells over the next two years in the Beaufort Sea” (1). Approval does not call for an environmental impact review, and Alaska native and conservation groups oppose proposal without further input and discussion of the impact of seismic activity on bowhead whale populations. An Alaska Public Radio report on the issue can be heard below:
Updates:
- New York Times: “In Alaska’s Far North, Two Cultures Collide” (Dec. 04, 2007), “Of Humans, Oil, and Whales” (Dec. 17, 2007), “Court Says Shell Can’t Drill Near Alaska” (Nov. 20, 2008).
- Web Media Presentation: “A Dilemma in the Arctic” (NYT).
- Associated Press: “Court orders review of Beaufort drilling plan” (Nov. 21, 2008).
- Associated Press: “Court Cancels Offshore Drilling Plan” (April 17, 2009).
- New York Times: “Shell to Shift Alaska Exploration Plans” (May 06, 2009).