U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources
October 24, 2008
Federal Action Could Have Dramatic Effect
On Anchorage & Southcentral Alaska Economy
Washington, D.C. - The Alaska Congressional Delegation today sent a letter to the Bush Administration protesting the listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and outlining the dramatic effects the listing could have on the Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska economy.
Alaska Congressman Don Young, the Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee, and Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski sent the letter today to Secretary of Business Carlos M. Gutierrez.
"We strongly disagree with this determination and believe the protections afforded to the Cook Inlet beluga whale population under the Marine Mammal Protection Act were sufficient for this population," the Delegation stated in the letter. "We believe you took this action despite the lack of scientific data justification."
(A copy of the entire letter to Gutierrez is attached)
Federal Government Doesn't Understand Implications On Alaska
- Representative Young
"This decision shows me the agency does not understand the implications of this listing on Alaska," said Young, who has led Congressional efforts to reform the ESA. "It ignores science and makes me think the agency has its own agenda by basing their decisions not on science, but on whether or not they will get sued.
"This is yet another case of where the Endangered Species Act is being misused by countrywide environmental groups and sound scientific data is being totally ignored by the federal government."
Anchorage & Southcentral Economies In Jeopardy - Representative Young
"The economic impact of this listing and the designation of critical habitat could be substantial for the commercial, recreational and subsistence activities in the Cook Inlet watershed," Young said. "The Secretary of Business has the ability to exclude areas from such designation if the benefits of exclusion outweigh those of inclusion, provided the exclusion of the area does not result in the extinction of the species.
"The Cook Inlet beluga whale is already on the road to recovery. The only thing that may become 'endangered' in the Cook Inlet may be the economic development which is the lifeblood of the State of Alaska. Listing a species whose population has been increasing is ridiculous," Young said.
Delegation Says Listing Could Adversely Affect
Numerous Alaska Economic Plans
In the letter to Gutierrez, the Delegation stated there are numerous commercial activities that could be adversely affected by the critical habitat designation. These include:
- the Port of Anchorage and the Port McKenzie expansion projects;
- construction of the Knik Arm Bridge;
- construction and operation of a coal mine and marine terminal near the Village of Tyonek;
- oil and gas exploration, development and production;
- and any industrial activities that discharge or accidentally spill pollutants.
Subsistence, Fishing & Military Operations
Could Also Be Adversely Effected
Other activities the habitat designation could impact include:
- Subsistence, recreational, and commercial fishing activities on the rivers and in the waters of Cook Inlet,
- Military operations,
- State regulated timber and mining activities,
- Air transportation into the airports and for access to remote sites,
- State management of fish species that are prey to beluga,
- Shipping and cruise ships,
- And many other routine activities, with the potential to impact upland activities including permits for home construction.
The Secretary has the ability to exclude critical habitat based on economics.
The Delegation also stated in the letter: "We respectfully urge you to take all commercial, recreational and subsistence activities into consideration when designating critical habitat and use the authorities given to you under section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act which allows you to exclude areas from such designation if the benefits of exclusion outweigh those of inclusion, provided the exclusion of the area does not result in the extinction of the species. That Act also allows you to not designate critical habitat for Strategic Military Ports due to Countrywide Security concerns."
