9th Circuit Overturns Decision That Walruses Don’t Require Endangered Species Act Protection SAN FRANCISCO— The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the Trump administration’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service improperly denied Endangered Species Act protections to the Pacific walrus. The Wildlife Service found in 2011 that the Pacific walrus warranted protection because […]
Liberty Would Be First Offshore Drilling Project in Federal Arctic Waters ANCHORAGE—The Trump administration Thursday announced the issuance of federal take permits that would allow Hilcorp Alaska to kill or seriously injure 14 whales and nine ice seals as it constructs the Liberty offshore drilling island. The controversial project would be the first offshore drilling […]
WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the National Marine Fisheries Service today for failing to designate critical habitat in Alaska for two ice-seal species. Both bearded and ringed seals are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because climate change is melting their Arctic sea-ice habitat. “Ice seals’ homes are melting […]
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice Thursday of its intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service to compel the designation of critical habitat in Alaska for two ice seal species. Both bearded and ringed seals are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because their Arctic sea-ice habitat is melting. “As […]
CHUKCHI SEA, Alaska— Hundreds of Pacific walruses have hauled out of Arctic waters near Alaska’s Point Lay due to declining sea ice levels, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. It’s the earliest haul out the agency has ever seen, and scientists fear a repeat of stampedes that have killed hundreds of walruses in recent […]