What threats would oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge pose to wildlife? (Ask E).

--Alexander Brower, Jefferson, WI

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) "among the most complete, pristine, and undisturbed ecosystems on Earth." ANWR's Area 1002, the coastal plain where oil drilling is proposed, is home to a staggering array of native and migratory birds, ringed seals, beluga whales, musk oxen, polar bears, porcupine caribou, grizzly bears and wolves.

While it is impossible to determine exact consequences of proposed drilling, the Fish and Wildlife Service has cited numerous threats. The region's fragile tundra is extremely sensitive to human exposure and still exhibits scars from seismic exploration vehicles that passed through almost 20 years ago. Defenders of Wildlife warns that drilling will likely disturb the historic birthing grounds of oxen and caribou, resulting in lower birthrates.

Drilling advocates claim that only 2,000 of ANWR's 19 million acres would be subject to extractive operations. But the Arctic Protection Network argues that a much larger area is likely to be affected. The group cites the example of Prudhoe Bay, a neighboring oil-drilling site that had hundreds of square miles altered with roads, pipelines and power plants. In a single year, Prudhoe Bay experienced 293 oil spills. CONTACT: Arctic Protection Network, www.protect-the-arctic. com; Defenders of Wildlife, [phone], www.savearctic refuge.org.