Road Through Alaskan Wildlife Refuge Wins Senate Backing

A controversial road project through a prized wildlife refuge in Alaska, tucked into a sweeping bipartisan lands package, appears poised to make it into law. With Senate passage yesterday of legislation to protect more than 2 million acres of wilderness in nine states, the proposal to build a road traversing Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is a step closer to fruition after a decade-long battle. The 800 residents of King Cove -- a fishing village that abuts the refuge -- argue they need a one-lane road to connect them to the nearest all-weather airport, in Cold Bay. Environmentalists objected that the project would undermine Izembek's pristine landscape and that taxpayers have already paid to construct a terminal and supply the hovercraft that ferries residents across the bay. Although the Senate bill would put some checks on the Alaska road project -- the Interior Department would have to issue an environmental impact statement on the project and the Interior secretary could block it -- Alaskans hailed the Senate vote...Washington Post