FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2020
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán released the following statement in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge:
“The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is among the most extraordinary and beautiful landscapes in the country. It belongs to all of us – and has always been a place of special importance to the Alaska Natives who called the land home for generations.
“As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of this refuge, we’re in the middle of a historic fight against the outgoing Trump Administration’s last minute rush to auction it off for oil and gas development.
“The Administration’s effort to drill in this national treasure ignores the serious environmental, cultural and climate impacts from fossil fuel extraction. The Arctic Refuge is critical to the goal of protecting 30 percent of the United States’ lands and waters by 2030 in order to preserve biological diversity and fight climate change.
“It is disgraceful that President Trump is trying to give one last handout to the fossil fuel industry at the expense of our public lands, indigenous communities, and climate.
“We must stop any oil and gas drilling efforts in the Arctic Refuge. I stand with the Gwich’in people and support President-elect Biden to take action on Day One to protect the Arctic Refuge.”
###
Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.