In a move sure to increase concerns over regulation by Alaska industry, NOAA Fisheries Service is proposing that about a third of Cook Inlet near Anchorage, Alaska may designated as critical habitat for some 300 endangered Beluga whales that call this area home.
The federal government listed Cook Inlet Belugas as endangered in October of 2008. According to the Endangered Species Act, this designation requires federal resource managers to consider protecting critical habitat required to preserve the whale’s population.
In a press release announcing this proposal, NOAA Fisheries Service Administrator for the Alaska Region, Doug Mecum says, “We have used the best available science and the traditional knowledge of Alaska natives to identify areas essential to helping Cook Inlet beluga whales survive. Protecting these endangered whales is one of our top priorities.”
Beluga whales are found in five regions of Alaska. Only the Cook Inlet population is listed as threatened or endangered. Researchers believe the historic population was around 1,300 individuals. There are a number of dangers faced by the Belugas in Cook Inlet that include stranding, industrial activities and development, Killer whale predation, and loss of habitat.
The public can comment on the proposed critical habitat designation. Comments must be received by January 31, 2010. Send comments to: Kaja Brix, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources, Alaska Region, NMFS, ATTN: Ellen Sebastian. Comments must be identified by “RIN 0648-AX50” and sent by any one of the following methods:
- Electronic submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal website at http://www.regulations.gov.
- Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK, 99802-1668.
- Fax: 907-586-7557
- Hand delivered to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK.
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