The Association of Village Council Presidents is criticizing a plan to open up more land in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to oil and gas drilling.

The association says the plan could harm the black brant, a type of sea goose that migrates to the reserve in the summer. The goose population is on the decline, the tribes say.

The Bureau of Land Management is recommending the Bush administration rescind Clinton-era protections for land in the northeast corner of the petroleum reserve. Interior Secretary is expected to make a decision on the plan next month.

Get the Story:
NPR-A plans imperil declining sea goose numbers, Natives say (The Anchorage Daily News 2/16)
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Relevant Links:
Association of Village Council Presidents - http://www.avcp.org

Related Stories:
Environmental groups sue to stop drilling in Alaska (02/18)
Alaska Native mayor decries spread of development (2/13)
Norton approves development in Alaska reserve (01/23)
Norton wants to drill more than ANWR (11/04)