A new, Congressionally mandated study into the cumulative effects of oil and gas production on Alaska's North Slope contains points that oil-industry members and environmental activists will surely employ in the debate this year on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The study, by the National Academies' National Research Council, found that infrastructure, roads, rigs and pipelines have affected the North Slope environment but "enormous" strides have been made by the oil industry and regulatory agencies to reduce these effects. Also, for some areas of concern, the committee found no evidence of environmental effects. For example, oil spills on the tundra so far have been small, and the damaged areas have recovered, the report says. Looking at animal populations, bowhead whales have traveled a different route in their fall migration to avoid the noise of seismic exploration activities. But, oil development has not caused large declines in the overall size of the Central Arctic caribou herd on the Slope, though it has affected their geographical distribution and reproductive success at times. Looking at social and economic effects, the committee found the revenue created by oil development has led to "profound" changes, many of which residents consider to be positive. For example, schools, health care, housing and other community services have improved. However, the committee also cited a loss of traditional culture and other societal problems. Alcoholism and diabetes have increased, for example. As for the future, the study committee declined to say whether the benefits derived from oil production justify any undesirable environmental consequences, stating that is beyond the scope of its study. "Society as a whole must debate and decide that issue," it says. The committee adds that decisions about the timing, placement and environmental protections needed for oil activities on the North Slope have been made on a case-by-case basis by agencies that have not communicated well with each other. It recommends a comprehensive plan, so regulatory decisions are consistent with overall goals. A draft U.S. House energy bill does not contain language for drilling in ANWR. A source in the House Resources Committee says ANWR will "definitely be included" in whatever bill emerges from the House. The source adds that the draft's exclusion of ANWR has more to do with allowing the Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over ANWR, to develop its own language than preventing "greens" from having one more reason to attack -Jodi Wetuski