 Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain Terrestrial Wildlife Research Summaries Released April 2, 2002
Charles G. Groat, Director U.S. Geological Survey, wrote in the report's cover letter, "the analyses of potential oil and gas development on particular species will likely draw the most interest." He stated studies summarized in the report about muskoxen, polar bears and snow geese demonstrated that with mitigation the effects of human development on their populations and habitat could be minimal. Regarding the Porcupine Caribou Herd (PCH), Groat stated in his letter that new information is contained in the report about the nutritional importance of the calving ground, habitat trends, herd dynamics and demography and potential effects of development. According to Groat, the report indicates that any impact on the PCH from oil development would depend on the type of development and where the development is located. Five different fictional development scenarios were simulated to assess the potential effects of development of the 1002 area. The five scenarios demonstrate the impact may range from none to substantial. Groats is asking the scientists who undertook these studies to provide additional analyses of these five scenarios because he is concerned that these five scenarios may not be those that are being evaluated by Congress. He has asked for this supplemental information as soon as possible and anticipates receiving it within 7-10 days.
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