After proposing a huge area in western Alaska as “critical habitat” for ringed seals, NOAA Fisheries is planning to hold several meetings throughout the state to get input from the public.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will host five public hearings in Alaska—one each in Nome, Anchorage, Kotzebue, Barrow, and Bethel—on the proposal to designate critical habitat for Arctic ringed seals under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA listed ringed and bearded seals as threatened under the ESA in December 2012.
The proposed habitat covers roughly 350,000 square miles along the Bering Strait and the northern Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. A release from NOAA Fisheries describes the area’s sea ice conditions as essential for ringed seal pupping, nursing, basking, and molting, as well as vital for the animal’s food sources.
The “critical habitat” label would protect the region from actions and activity that could “destroy or adversely modify” the habitat. NOAA says the designation would not affect subsistence harvests of ringed seals by Alaska Natives.
The designation has already found critics—including Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who says the designation would lock up a “Texas-sized” area of water that could impact economic development in western Alaska all the way to Canada. Members of the oil and gas industry have also criticized the plan.
The deadline for public comment is Mar. 9.
NOAA Fisheries will meet in Nome on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 4-7 p.m. at Old St. Joe’s Hall. The rest of the meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Anchorage: Feb. 2 from 4-7 p.m., at the Z.J. Loussac Public Library, Wilda Marston Theatre
- Kotzebue: Feb. 7 from 4 -7 p.m., at the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly Chambers
- Barrow: Feb. 23 from 7-10 p.m., at the Iñupiat Heritage Center
- Bethel: Feb. 26 from 4-7 p.m., at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center
The public may submit comments, identified by FDMS Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2013-0114, via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
NOAA Fisheries will also accept written comments addressed to:
Jon Kurland
Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources
Alaska Region NMFS
Attn: Ellen Sebastian
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802-1668
NOAA Fisheries says more information is online at their Alaska Fisheries website on protected resources.
