I wonder who 'owns' the adjoining land.
Realistically, all this delay is doing is underminig our security during war and gaining more [demonratically ideology-wise] taxes from higher pump prices, smoke & mirrors...
That is nearly what was already done. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act agreed to greatly increase the amount of land set aside as a Wildlife Reserve with the agreeement the barren coastal plain would be explored for oil. This agreement more than doubled the reserve in size.
Since the first agreement has not be upheld, I would not want them to do it again to steel more land away from possible development.
By the way, is is ANWR, not anwar.
Cheers.