Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has inserted a provision to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling in the 2006 defense appropriations bill.

Stevens agreed to the provision after the House passed a version of the bill that authorized drilling. The House passed its version early Monday morning at around 5am.

Senate Democrats slammed the inclusion of drilling in the "must-pass" appropriations bill. They said they would try to remove the provision or block the package altogether.

Alaska Natives are divided on the issue. Inupiat Eskimos, who own surface and mineral rights in ANWR, support drilling. The Gwich'in Nation opposes development out of fear it will harm the Porcupine caribou herd that migrates through ANWR.

The Arctic Slope Regional Corp., which owns the subsurface rights, won't have to share revenues with the other Alaska Native regional corporations due to a secret land deal negotiated with the Reagan administration.

Get the Story:
ANWR Issue Roils Senate Again (The Washington Post 12/20)
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Stevens Holds Senate in Session (The Washington Post 12/20)
House Budget Bills Face Senate Fight (The Washington Post 12/20)
Lawmakers Prepare for Showdown Over Arctic Oil Drilling Provision (The New York Times 12/20)
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ANWR vote uncertain (The Anchorage Daily News 12/20)
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ANWR battle rages in Senate (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 12/20)

Relevant Links:
Arctic Slope Regional Corp - http://www.asrc.com
Gwic'hin Steering Committee - http://www.alaska.net/~gwichin
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Willdife Service - http://arctic.fws.gov
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Pro-Development site - http://www.anwr.org

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Opinion: Drilling in ANWR would destroy sacred place (06/07)
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