The Inupiat Eskimos, who are not opposed to onshore drilling, feel any oil development would affect three special no-leasing zones, which were established to protect whales, the Native whale hunt and other aquatic wildlife.
They are also worried about oil spills and the possibility of industrial noises, lights and traffic being extremely disruptive to whales and other wildlife and have long opposed drilling in Arctic waters.
Murkowski, however, who feels he is thumbing his nose at ‘the nation’s extreme environmental community’, believes the mining is to the benefit of all Alaskans.
According to the governor, “I feel quite confident that we will attract some interesting prospects here and that we can do it correctly in harmony with the concern over the migratory whales and the concerns of the Eskimo people.”
“Look, if it’s all right for Texas, if it’s all right for Louisiana or for other areas of the country, why is it not all right for Alaska?,” added Murkowski.
