Current Status of Bristol Bay
The fact that President Bush has lifted the presidential withdrawl on drilling in the Bristol Bay region does not mean that drilling will necessarily take place. However, it does mean that the possibility for drilling in the region now exists. According to the proposed leasing program for 2007-2012, two sales for leases in the North Aleutian Basin (the area encompassing Bristol Bay) have been suggested, one in 2010 and one in 2012 (MMS, 2006). The net social value (NSV) for this area (the economic value of oil and gas in the region minus the potential environmental/social costs) is estimated at $6 billion. Out of the 15 areas being considered for offshore drilling in 2007-2012, the North Aleutian Basin ranks 11th in terms of NSV (MMS, 2006).
Support for investigating this region for its oil potential comes from former Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski as well as some local groups such as the Aleutians East Borough and the Bristol Bay Native Corporation (Diaz, 2007). However, numerous other groups are opposed to oil exploration. These include groups associated with Bristol Bay’s fisheries, such as the Alaska Independent Fishermen’s Marketing Association and the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association (Diaz, 2007). They also include Native Alaskan groups such as the Curyung Tribal Council (Diaz, 2007) and groups focused on conservation such as the Alaska Marine Conservation Council (Diaz, 2007).