In Alaska, with sparse populations and severe weather to overcome, new roads are often of dubious value. That hasn’t stopped Rep. Don Young (R-AK) and Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK) from pushing proposals to build an unneeded $26 million highway in a remote section of the Alaska peninsula connecting a town of 100 to a town of 800. The 30-mile highway would run straight through the heart of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area, setting a damaging precedent as the only new permanent road in a congressionally designated wilderness area.

In Congress, the proposals to connect the small Aleutian communities of King Cove and Cold Bay have passed both the House and Senate committees and await floor action. The Alaska delegation is pushing hard for immediate attention even though nearly one-quarter of the residents of Cold Bay have signed a letter opposing the project and the State of Alaska has no position on the legislation.

The road would cost over $30,000 for each of the less than 1,000 residents who would directly benefit from the project.

One justification for the road is to facilitate evacuation of patients during a medical emergency from King Cove to Anchorage via Cold Bay’s all weather airport. However, more cost-effective proposals have only just begun to be explored. The State of Alaska is currently conducting a study of alternatives including improved ferry or air service, airport improvements, and helicopter or hovercraft service. Existing medical facilities could also be improved. Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-AR) has stated, “I am quite certain that acceptable alternatives exist that can meet the village’s need without the road.”

The bill faces a veto threat based on the recommendation of the Secretary of the Interior. According to the Secretary, the highway is not compatible with the purposes for which the Izembek National Wildlife and Refuge and Wilderness were created and would exempt or override several environmental laws.