Alternate drilling site must be found

Recently, Indiana Senator Richard Lugar changed positions on the issue of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve in Alaska, and said he now supports the measure. President George W. Bush has said he would like to consider the option of drilling for oil in the preserve. But drilling for oil would ensure the destruction of a pristine environment by the government that sought to protect it.\nThe government must find another way to find oil, one that does not compromise the environment in this wildlife preserve. \nBy searching for oil in lands that are preserved for their beauty, the government will cause environmental tragedy. The pipes to drill oil might be placed underground, but what will that do to the roots of trees and plants that now find their food and water supply cut off by pipe? Plant species could be eliminated from the region. What about the damage to the ocean and tide pools that will result from digging in the sea to lay the pipe? The Preserve's Web site states that fish, though abundant, have slow growth rates in the waters near the Preserve. Digging in the Preserve could eliminate these fish from the waters. \nIt should be noted that the government has no idea how much oil is under the land in the preserve, which was created in 1980. Decades of damage could be done to the wildlife for three years' worth of oil, a huge price to pay for a small amount of heat and gas. In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey did a study, which found that even if 11.6 billion barrels is found under the Preserve, not all of it could be recovered and, technically, less than half could be conceivably recovered.\nDrilling in nationally preserved lands could start a slippery slope from which the government might not be able to retreat. What happens when the oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve is used up? Will the government look for oil in Yosemite or Yellowstone National Parks next?\nThe government needs to seek alternative means to provide gasoline and energy to its citizens cheaply and efficiently. According to Greenpeace, the Arctic is the place where global warming is being felt the most and therefore the ecosystem is very fragile. By drilling for oil, the government will tamper with this fragile environment. The U.S. Department of Energy has said automobiles have been developed with alternative-fuel capabilities. Furthermore, solar power and wind power have often been discussed as alternatives to coal and natural gas energy. These options should be explored before making the final decision to drill in a protected habitat.