George Ahmaogak, an Alaska Native mayor, gave a keynote speech at the Alaska Forum on the Environment where he deplored the rapid development of Inupiaq lands in the Arctic.

Ahmaogak, mayor of the North Slope Borough, said Natives are losing their voice as more oil and gas drilling occurs in their backyards. He worries about the impact on hunting and drilling and traditional culture.

He specifically mentioned an expansion of development that the Bush administration has approved in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. He also criticized Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) for limiting the input of local governments.

Proponents of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have used the North Slope Borough and Inupiaq people to show that Alaska Natives support development.

Get the Story:
Development crowding Slope, mayor says (The Anchorage Daily News 2/12)

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