ANWR on eBay II

From Yahoo News (Thanks to reader Mark Wernimont) --

Citing a need for domestic energy, the government plans to open for exploratory drilling thousands of acres on Alaska's North Slope that have been protected for decades because of migratory birds and caribou.

The NPRA, which was created in 1923 specifically to have access to oil if needed, is not to be confused with the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge farther to the east, which has been the focus of intense debate in Congress over oil development.

Of course an environmental lawsuit can be expected on this one. Is there a better way to open government land to drilling and/or ensure environmental protection? Perhaps.