John B. Breaux: “The wildlife refuge law was specifically set up by Congress to protect an area that had specific significance. But other…”

“The wildlife refuge law was specifically set up by Congress to protect an area that had specific significance. But other activities that were compatible were to be allowed. You have to look at each wildlife refuge and determine whether that activity is compatible. Is farming, grazing, or oil and gas development compatible with the purposes of the refuge? In my State of Louisiana, 12 wildlife refuges-- Federal wildlife refuges and State wildlife refuges--have oil and gas production, in a much more fragile environment than is on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, all these other States have had the same activity in their wildlife refuges and it has been determined that it has been compatible. Do you take special precautions? Absolutely. But the point is, it is not a blanket prohibition. What is being asked today is a blanket prohibition, which I think is not justifiable, particularly when we have as strong a need as we do.”