The last CCP to take place on ANWR was in 1988. The study started this April will take two years to complete and is scheduled to conclude in April 2012.  The initial stage of the study will comprise of public hearings and comment period open until June 7th.  The public can write in to the USFWS expressing their views on ANWR usage via the USFWS website at

http://arctic.fws.gov/ccp.htm

The public an also print a comments form and post it to the USFWS.
Form available at:
http://arctic.fws.gov/pdf/ccp1b.pdf

There will be 7 public meetings held to hear verbal testimony from the public on the ANWR CCP concentrating on wilderness designation and public land use.  These meetings will be conducted as follows:

USFWS Public meetings
Fort Yukon  April 20
Venetie  April 29
Arctic Village  April 26
Washington DC May 4
Anchorage  May 11
Fairbanks  Mid May
Kaktovik  May 20

After the public comment period closes the USFWS staff will review comments and compile a recommendation draft report which will be made public in Spring 2011.  Afterwards a second public comment period will open during summer 2011 followed by a report finalization period until March 2012.  In April 2012 a final CCP will be released.  The CCP could possibly recommend wilderness status of the 10-02 Coastal Plain area of ANWR as defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act.  A wilderness designation on the 10-02 would effectively close the most promising onshore area of North America to oil and gas exploration.  Wilderness means no mechanized vehicles of any kind are permitted and no development of any kind is permitted on the land in question.  Already 9 million acres of ANWR is currently declared wilderness under the ANILCA law that created it. The 1.8 million acre 10-02 Coastal Plain Area of ANWR was specifically not designated as wilderness by Congress in 1980.  Instead it was defined as an area set aside for the study of oil and gas exploration.  In 1987 the Department of Interior, for which the USFWS resides, recommended Congress open the 10-02 to oil and gas exploration which they did in 1995.  President Clinton vetoed that decision. 

Under the ANILCA bill that created the current ANWR Congress was given the sole authority to decide the land use of its areas.  ANWR currently is divided into three distinct areas: 
1) the 1.5 million acre “10-02” area comprising the Arctic Coastal Plain of ANWR was defined as “an area set aside for the study of oil and gas exploration”.  The 10-02 Area will probably become the focus of the CCP with a recommendation to change its status to wilderness.  The 10-02 Area comprises of 8% of ANWR. 

2) the 8 million acre “wilderness” zone in the centre of ANWR.  This area is already permanently off limits to exploration. 

3) the 9 million acre refuge zone comprising the southern third of ANWR.  This area, like the wilderness zone is permanently off limits to any development.

In total 92% of ANWR is permanently off limits to oil and gas exploration and the remaining 8% of ANWR (the 10-02) can only be accessed with Congressional approval.

Alaska  currently contains 18.6 million acres of the nation’s 20 million acres of wilderness lands.

Arctic Power recommends all Americans to write, call, email, or show up to the CCP public hearings and express their views on the ANWR issue.  The CCP process is specifically put in place to allow the public to have input into the decisions of government.  It is at this time that Americans need to voice their views, understanding all the facts and current realities of the ANWR situation.  Over 70% of Alaskans support the opening of the 10-02 to responsible oil and gas exploration.  This has included 100% support for the issue from every Alaskan Governor and every Alaskan standing Legislature regardless of political party since the debate began.  Every elected Congressional representative and senator from Alaska has also supported this issue unwaveringly in Washington DC.  The North Slope Borough, the regional government for the entire Alaskan Arctic also supports responsible development within the 10-02.  Alaskans believe and know that natural resources can be produced with care for the environment.  To Alaskans this is not an either / or situation;  it is not a democrat or republican issue.  It is an issue to take responsibility for our lifestyles, our economic situation, to reduce our debt, and increase our national security.  Oil produced from ANWR will accomplish these goals to a dramatic effect.  Contact the USFWS office at their website, phone, or post to let your voice be heard.