Attend a public meeting on offshore oil and gas leasing on Tuesday May 13th in Anchorage or Thursday May 15th in Unalaska.

• The Minerals Management Service (MMS), the federal agency in charge of offshore oil and gas leasing in federal waters, is holding a public scoping meeting on North Aleutian Basin Sale 214
  

• The scoping meetings will provide members of the public an opportunity to ask MMS questions, to express opinions on the lease sale and also to comment on what types of information and impacts should be considered in preparing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the sale.  You can also come to the meetings just to listen and learn. 

• A good turnout by an engaged and fired up public will let the federal government know Alaskans care about the issue and that many are opposed to offshore drilling in Bristol Bay's rich waters.  Bring your friends and family to help pack the room!

Anchorage meeting: 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Tuesday May 13, 2008 at First Floor of Minerals Management Service office, 3801 Centerpoint Drive (click here for directions)

Unalaska meeting: 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Thursday, May 15, 2008 at Unalaska City Council Chambers

Remind Governor Palin that:

• The area targeted for offshore oil and gas leasing in 2011 (North Aleutian Basin, Lease Sale 92 area) overlaps important fishing grounds and habitat for salmon, pollock, cod, flatfish, herring, king crab and halibut.
• Sockeye salmon - the lifeblood of Bristol Bay communities and important to fishing families throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest  - utilize the area targeted for drilling during a number of key periods in their life cycle.
• Offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activities in these fishery-rich waters poses tremendous risk. The range of potential impacts from offshore seismic surveys, infrastructure emplacement, contaminated discharges and accidental spills could have serious repercussions for Alaska's fishing industry and subsistence traditions.
• Federal studies assume that offshore oil and gas production in Bristol Bay would result in at least one major spill of more than 1,000 barrels and numerous smaller spills. Oil spills could not only harm the health of fisheries, but could negatively affect the ability to market the region's wild seafood products.
• Alaska's fisheries are an extremely valuable, renewable resource that can continue to benefit fishermen and the State for many years to come. Offshore oil and gas development in Bristol Bay would jeopardize this promising future.

You can email Governor Palin, or write to:

The Honorable Governor Sarah Palin

PO Box 110001

Juneau, AK 99811-0001

Ph: (907) 465-3500

Fax: (907) 465-3532