Conservation objections Trans-Alaska Pipeline System

a caribou walks next section of pipeline north of brooks range. opponents of pipeline asserted presence of pipeline interfere caribou.

although conservation groups , environmental organizations had voiced opposition pipeline project before 1970, introduction of national environmental policy act allowed them legal grounds halt project. arctic engineers had raised concerns way plans subterranean pipeline showed ignorance of arctic engineering , permafrost in particular. clause in nepa requiring study of alternatives , clause requiring environmental impact statement turned concerns tools used wilderness society, friends of earth, , environmental defense fund in spring 1970 lawsuit stop project.

the injunction against project forced alyeska further research throughout summer of 1970. collected material turned on interior department in october 1970, , draft environmental impact statement published in january 1971. 294-page statement drew massive criticism, generating more 12,000 pages of testimony , evidence in congressional debates end of march. criticisms of project included effect on alaska tundra, possible pollution, harm animals, geographic features, , lack of engineering information alyeska. 1 element of opposition report quelled discussion of alternatives. proposed alternatives—extension of alaska railroad, alternative route through canada, establishing port @ prudhoe bay, , more—were deemed pose more environmental risks construction of pipeline directly across alaska.

opposition directed @ building of construction , maintenance highway parallel pipeline. although clause in alyeska s pipeline proposal called removal of pipeline @ point, no such provision made removal of road. sydney howe, president of conservation foundation, warned: oil might last fifty years. road remain forever. argument relied upon slow growth of plants , animals in far northern alaska due harsh conditions , short growing season. in testimony, environmentalist argued arctic trees, though few feet tall, had been seedlings when george washington inaugurated .

the portion of environmental debate biggest symbolic impact took place when discussing pipeline s impact on caribou herds. environmentalists proposed pipeline have effect on caribou similar effect of u.s. transcontinental railroad on american bison population of north america. pipeline critics said pipeline block traditional migration routes, making caribou populations smaller , making them easier hunt. idea exploited in anti-pipeline advertising, notably when picture of forklift carrying several legally shot caribou emblazoned slogan, there more 1 way caribou across alaska pipeline . use of caribou example of pipeline s environmental effects reached peak in spring of 1971, when draft environmental statement being debated.

the pipeline disrupts caribou migration routes crossing points installed prevent disruption.the oil industry , pipeline provides money, can used protect local animal habitats , environment. 6-16 billion barrels of oil lies underneath anwr. however, senate blocked proposal drill under protected area.