Norton revisits ANWR

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton arrived in Alaska June 16 for a summer fact-finding mission to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Prudhoe Bay oil field, Arctic Village, Kaktovik, the Kenai River, and other areas.

Norton met with a number of people while she was in Alaska, including tribal leaders, local officials and Interior Department employees. Her return fulfilled a promise to visit ANWR when the tundra is coming to life which she made on her first visit to Alaska this year.

“In April, I said I’d return to listen to more local people,” Norton said. “It’s very important to understand the interests of Alaskan citizens and to experience first hand the conditions of the region during different seasons.”

Drue Pearce, newly appointed senior advisor to the secretary for Alaska Affairs, and Cam Toohey, special assistant to the secretary for Alaska accompanied Norton on her Alaska tour.