Alaska Governor Urges Comment Period Extended for Polar Bears

JUNEAU — Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend the public comment period on new studies that may affect the listing of polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

In a letter sent today to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, Governor Palin is requesting a minimum of 60 days, instead of the slated 15-day period.

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The time is needed to carefully review the data from nine new U.S. Geological Survey studies on the matter. Much of the 40 megabytes of data and analysis is new.

“Alaska has a profound interest in protecting and conserving the polar bear across its natural range,” Governor Palin said. “We want to work cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect this important marine mammal species.”

Prior comments demonstrate that there is substantial disagreement regarding the accuracy and sufficiency of the data, according to Palin. Until the new data and modeling have been adequately reviewed, it is impossible to determine whether these concerns have been addressed.

“The USFWS’s own scientific community could not be expected to review the scientific information contained in these studies in only two weeks,” Governor Palin said. “And we need to ensure that the data is accurate and sufficient to support any outcome.”

Although the USFWS is rushing to meet a one-year deadline to make a final decision whether to list polar bears under the ESA, adequate time must be provided to the state and the general public to review the USGS studies, she said.

“We have been told that localized uses, such as oil development and subsistence hunting, are not implicated in the projected decline of polar bear populations,” Governor Palin said. “Although we are encouraged by the conclusion, Alaskans remain concerned about what the future might bring in terms of ESA restrictions on human activity and the designation of critical habitat.”

Source: Alaska Governor