What Congress gets wrong about the Arctic Refuge and America's sportsmen
Two sportsmen oppose a June 5 lease sale that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s Coastal Plain to oil and gas development, arguing it threatens one of America’s wildest public lands. The refuge spans 19.6 million acres and supports caribou, musk ox, Dall sheep, wolves, grizzly and polar bears, and more than 200 migratory bird species, making the Coastal Plain a crown jewel for backcountry hunting and fishing. They describe the Coastal Plain as a gift of freedom that should not be squandered, inviting readers to consider the value of public access.
The authors recount visits to the Brooks Range and the Arctic Refuge, emphasizing the rugged landscapes and the biodiversity that sustains hunting and angling traditions. They urge thoughtful stewardship rather than blanket opposition to development, arguing that public lands belong to current and future generations and that policy should protect migratory birds and caribou while balancing use and access.
