Alaska Coalition of Washington,
FYI. A new study by the USGS has concluded
that all of the polar bears in Alaska will likely be gone within 50 years if
current trends continue, including global warming which is
causing melting of the sea ice. As a result of the new information, the period
for public comment on whether the polar bear should be listed as endangered has
been extended until October 22nd.
Below are links with information about where
and how to submit public comments on the proposed listing of the polar bear as
endangered under the Endangered Species Act. A few points that you
could mention:
- Tell the US Fish and Wildlife Service
that polar bears should be listed as endangered and their habitat
protected.
- Only 20,000-25,000 polar bears remain in the
world. According to the newly released US Geological Survey report,
melting sea ice could eliminate two-thirds of the world's polar
bears and all of those in Alaska within the next 50 years.
- Polar bears are declining in health and numbers
with increased instances observed of starvation, cannibalism and
drowning.
- Global warming is destroying the sea ice that the
polar bear needs for hunting and denning.
- Polar bears will be further placed at
risk by the impacts of drilling and potential oil spills in their
critical habitat.
- The Minerals Management Service should
not proceed with Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing in the "Polar Bear Seas",
the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The MMS plans to sell leases to drill for
oil and gas in 73 million acres in these seas under the new 5 Year Plan which
took effect July 1 should be postponed until there is more information on the
impacts to critical polar bear habitat and marine mammals, and there is
scientific information about the ecosystems and wildlife that depend
on the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas.
You may email comments to
or mail written comments to the Supervisor,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, 1011 East
Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
Peggy Willis
CoChair, ACW