Chukchi Sea Leases

Some environmental groups have objected to the February 6 lease sale for oil and gas drillers in the Chukchi Sea,which is off the northwest coast of Alaska.They are especially concerned about polar bears,which are threatened by the shrinkage of sea ice from global warming.Yet the local residents,especially the aboriginal peoples,have the right to determine their own economic destiny,and,after all ,have been stewards of the area far longer than any organizations have been in existence.