ACTION ALERT Potential Impacts to Maternal Polar Bear Dens and Associated Model The U.S Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is accepting comments through Monday, April 20th on a peer-reviewed scientific manuscript and associated model (the Wilson Model) relating to the design of a seismic survey and potential impacts to maternal polar bear dens in the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Wilson Model was developed to assess impacts of a seismic program proposed in 2018 in the 1002 area. In reviewing a request for an authorization for this seismic program, the USFWS applied a “new approach,” different from the approach historically applied by USFWS to analyze impacts to polar bears. The proposed program never occurred, in part because of the new methodology USFWS developed. As a result, USFWS has now requested public comments on the value of this methodology and the Wilson Model, which it seeks to apply to assist in evaluating future requests for authorization to conduct activities on the North Slope and specifically, the impact of these activities on maternal polar bear dens. There is significant scientific data that puts into question the validity of the Wilson Model. Further, use of the Wilson model as a management tool would preclude virtually all activity in the Arctic. Beyond industry activity on the North Slope, other essential goods and services to support local communities would cease to exist if USFWS elected to use the Wilson Model as a management tool. Numerous research studies would be determined to be disastrous to denning bears, aircraft travel would be prohibited, and community development would be severely limited. There is no basis for the USFWS to abandon its prior approach to evaluating impacts to polar bears from industry activities. Through rigorous regulatory processes and evaluations over decades, the USFWS has repeatedly found that Alaska’s oil and gas industry has, at most, a negligible impact on polar bears. Those findings have withstood challenges by environmental advocacy organizations and have been upheld on three different occasions by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Action Requested RDC members are encouraged to write comments opposing the use of the Wilson Model as a management tool for industry and community activities on the North Slope. There is no basis for the USFWS to abandon its prior approach to evaluating impacts to polar bears from industry and community activities. Comment by email to: [email protected] Points to consider:
Comment deadline is April 20, 2020
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