U.S. Wildlife Svc downsizes amount of Alaska wilderness considered critical habitat for polar bears

[The Straight Story]

Polar Bears vs. Oil Drilling in Alaska

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has downsized the amount of Alaska wilderness that should be considered critical habitat for polar bears, after complaints were raised by the oil industry over the agency’s original proposal.

In October 2009, FWS officials proposed designating about 200,541 square miles of land for the bears, which are an endangered species. Now, the agency says 187,157 square miles of Alaskan territory, mostly sea ice, should be protected for the animals.

Federal officials insist the reduction in critical habitat was the result of “more accurate measurements of international borders across sea areas,” writes Courthouse News Service, and had nothing to do with criticism from industry.

The new habitat boundaries include some oil and gas exploration sites. Companies will not be able to conduct drilling within the designated area without gaining approval from all federal agencies that have jurisdiction over actions that could impact the bears’ survival.

http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Polar_Bears_vs_Oil_Drilling_in_Alaska_101201

[xchrom]

1. 'bears' repeating

'after complaints were raised by the oil industry over the agency’s original proposal.'

the irony -- it's just like the massive turn out for 08 never happened.

[The Straight Story]

2. And the 'news' stations would rather report on the lives of reality tv people than this

Pretty sad really.