Taking Over Alaska?

Alaska, the nation's last frontier, has a population of just over 300,000. Which is at least 100,000 fewer people than showed up for the Woodstock festival. Given these statistics, a Long Island-based ecology group called Aduntusan—a Cherokee word for "earth spirit"—has developed the idea of organizing 350,000 young Americans of voting age to migrate north to the 49th state. The newcomers would settle there, gain political control through their voting power and, among other things, ensure that the Alaskan environment is never damaged by oil companies and land developers.

"Our intention," says Robert Berens, head of Aduntusan, "is to create a state of Alaska with an economy based on tourism and legalized gambling, as well as education, research and the arts. Natural resources would be exploited only after it is proved that methods have been developed that will prevent any damage to ecology and wildlife."

Thus far, Berens claims, 31,000 people have written to ask about the project. But at the moment the plan is little more than fascinating fantasy. Assembling 350,000 people for a permanent move to rugged country is not the same as organizing a weekend rock festival. Alaska already has a staggering unemployment rate of over 11%. Presumably Alaskans would not be altogether thrilled by the great migration, even though Berens has said, "We want to work in cooperation with the residents." Replied the Anchorage Daily Times: "Well, that's darn nice of Mr. Berens."