Road Project Cuts Through Alaskan Wildlife | Chloe Villa-Abrille

492 miles sq of Alaska is covered by the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, where many diverse species of wild life roam with out the disturbance of human intervention; however Ryan Zinke a secretary from The Interior Department is calling for a a road to be built within the reserve. It’s supposedly to be used for the transport of injured residents to the small city of King Cove, while it’s being doubted because the government already spent 50 million dollars on a different transportation route for the same problem, and that the same road was previously supported for easier access for those working for a Japanese fish cannery based in King Cove. Many of King Cove’s residents do hope for the road, other its for their job or actual medical assistance, but there are laws protecting wildlife, which makes the plan difficult to pursue. King Cove has so far suffered from 18 deaths, some being the from the failed attempts at reviving medical attention; however, the road its self is dangerous as well, President Dwight Eisenhower even disregarded the road because he knew that the refuge and wild life could be easily killed because of this road. The road is estimated to cost 24 million with out the cost of maintaining it, but people believe its too much for a town with only 989 people. As of late, emails have revealed the roads main purpose to actually be economic gain of the transportation of fish and fresh goods, as of Zinke signing off to agreeing to do a land exchange in order to build the road. 

Covered by CNN on December 10, 2017, The article goes into depth and supports both sides. The citizens are heard of King Cove and the underlying cooperate side is exposed. Its important to answer and communicate with cities demands, especially those that are usually unheard of; however the truth sadly does not meet the true story. Wild life is already being damaged enough and global warming is not helping, and this road is certainly not going to aid animals there. instead I hope that it will be used at some point to save someones life instead of for the transportation of fish and other food. These people do need help, one story talked of how a resident saw his daughter die in a crash in hopes of gaining medical attention, so I really do hope this road will be beneficial to them, and not just to a cannery that is also hurting the environment.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/10/politics/alaska-izembek-road-zinke-invs/index.html