Comment letter on Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation’s Incidental Harassment Authorization
January 7, 2021 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Submitted via http://www.regulations.gov Re: Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2020-0129. To Whom It May Concern: The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to comment on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) notice related to Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation’s (KIC) Incidental Harassment Authorization for seismic surveying. RDC is a statewide trade association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s fishing, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.
The USFWS estimates that this project may result in the nonlethal incidental take of up to three polar bears. This proposed authorization will be for take of three polar bears by Level B harassment only. No take by injury or death to polar bears is likely.
RDC encourages the USFWS to issue the proposed letter of authorization. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely,
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