President George W Bush is deciding whether to lift a ban on oil and gas drilling in federal waters off Alaska s Bristol Bay, home to endangered whales and sea lions and the world s largest sockeye salmon run. Leasing in a portion of area rich in oil and natural gas ended nearly two decades ago - while Bush's father was president - in the outcry after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989.

But with natural gas prices higher, the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service proposed reopening up the North Aleutian Basin. That includes Bristol Bay and part of southeastern Bering Sea.

Decision likely
White House spokesman Scott Stanzel confirmed on Saturday that Bush was considering taking that step. Environmentalists oppose drilling there because of the potential for oil spills and harm to wildlife. They have speculated in recent days that Bush might allow such drilling before Democrats regain control of the US Congress in January.

"If the Bush administration decides to allow drilling in Bristol Bay, it will simply illustrate the level to which they will sink to satisfy Big Oil," Carl Pope, the Sierra Club s executive director, said. "They are willing to risk a valuable, renewable resource like Bristol Bay s salmon fisheries for limited, shortsighted drilling plans," Pope said.

The Minerals Management Service said in its August proposal that reopening energy development in the basin's federal waters, extending between three miles and 200 miles offshore, could produce $ 7.7 billion in oil and gas production and up to 11,500 jobs. (AP)
(NDTV.com, 03/12/2006)