Proposed critical habitat is the nation’s largest

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) this month proposed designating 350,000 square miles of marine territory along the coast of Alaska as critical habitat for the Arctic Ringed Seal. The proposed designation, larger than the size of Texas, encompasses the Beaufort, Chukchi, and northern Bering Sea. If approved, it will be the largest critical habitat designation in the United States.

The ringed seal was listed as a threatened species in 2012 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Once a species has been listed, the ESA requires critical habitat for that species be identifi ed and protected in an effort to preserve or rehabilitate the population.

“I remain skeptical that the listing of ringed seals based on a 100-year weather projection was justifi ed,” U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski said of the original ring seal listing. She continued, “…I am concerned that this designation would severely impact any economic development from Northwest all the way to our border with Canada.”

The Resource Development Council is reviewing the 16-page critical habitat proposal and will be submitting comments prior to the deadline.

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