Alaska's senators are criticizing a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create new wilderness areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Sen. Mark Begich called the idea "a waste of time and money." Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the administration lacks authority to conduct wilderness reviews in Alaska without congressional approval.
Release of a draft refuge management plan follows a multi-day trip to Alaska by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Salazar said the administration is interested in drilling in Alaska if it's done responsibly. The administration hasn't expressed support for drilling in ANWR, though the state's delegation has pushed for that.
Designation of new wilderness is among the alternatives proposed as part of a long-range management plan.
The public will get to comment.
