Statement: Landmark Arctic National Wildlife Refuge protection bill introduced in Congress

Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Reps. Jared Huffman of California and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania introduced bi-partsian legislation Thursday to permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Arctic Refuge Protection Act featured 75 co-sponsors. If passed, the bicameral bill would grant wilderness designation to the coastal plain of the refuge. Wilderness designation is the strongest protection in the American public lands system, safeguarding areas from development and preserving them as truly wild places.