16. Preserve the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

WHEREAS the United States Congress established the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to conserve Alaska's natural diversity of fish and wildlife populations and their habitats, to provide for subsistence uses, and to fulfill international treaty obligations with Native Alaskans; and

WHEREAS the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge, where oil drilling has been proposed, is home to the largest concentrations of wildlife in the refuge, including 135 species of migratory birds, polar bears, musk oxen, and the Porcupine caribou herd, the largest international herd in North America, which migrates to the refuge during calving and post-calving season; and

WHEREAS oil development in the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge threatens the coastal plain ecosystem, the Porcupine caribou herd, and the existence of the Gwich'in people whose survival depends upon resources of this fragile ecosystem; and

WHEREAS such an energy policy contributes to global warming, which can raise sea levels and increase storm frequency and intensity, threatening native Pacific Islanders' lives, the land base on which they depend, and their ability to sustain their people and culture; and

WHEREAS oil development in the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge also threatens the right to self-determination and self-sustainability of indigenous peoples in Alaska and the Pacific Islands; and

WHEREAS the State of Hawai`i has made promoting the welfare and cultural survival of the native people of Hawai`i, the Kanaka Maoli, a constitutional priority, and in so doing supports the rights of native peoples beyond our islands to self-determination and self-sustainability; now,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Maui County Democratic Party that the National Democratic Party at its 2004 National Convention urge the prohibition of oil development, exploration, and production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Congress is urged to designate "Area 1002" within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Wilderness to achieve the ends for which the refuge was created; and