New Eagle Permit Web Site
 Two new permits are available through the Service that allow for the take of eagles and their nests under certain, specific conditions. Since November 2009, the Service has been accepting applications under CFR 22.26 and 22.27 that provide for the issuance of these permits under regulations developed for the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. While the bald eagle was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a permit was available to take bald eagles incidental to an otherwise lawful activity. Alaska was not included in these permit issuances because Bald Eagles were not listed here. However, since the delisting in 2007, there have been no regulations under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act to allow disturbance and other incidental take of either species of eagle; the new regulations establish permits for activities or projects that result in such take.
The Region 7 Eagle Permit Implementation Team has developed a website that will help applicants, Service employees and the public understand the new permit process. You can view Alaska's Eagle Permit Program website. For additional information contact the Permit Office at 907-786-3685.
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Final Stock Assessment Reports for Walrus and Polar Bear Available
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has revised marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) for the two stocks of polar bear and the Pacific walrus in Alaska. The purpose of SARs is to identify marine mammal stocks most affected by interactions with commercial fisheries. These reports are periodically updated to reflect the most current information. Draft versions of these reports were published in the Federal Register on June 18th, and that publication was followed by a 90-day period during which the drafts were available for public review and comment.
Stock assessments use the best available scientific information to describe the geographic range, minimum population estimate, current population trend, annual human-caused mortality and serious injury, and commercial fisheries interactions for each marine mammal stock. There are six marine mammal stocks in Alaska that fall under the jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Service; of these six, the Service previously updated the SARs for the three northern sea otter stocks in 2008. The SARs find that polar bear and walrus stocks have minimal commercial fisheries interaction.
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Queen Charlotte Goshawk Listing in Canada Proposed
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today its proposal to list the British Columbia distinct population segment (DPS) of the Queen Charlotte goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) as threatened, (except on the Queen Charlotte Islands, which the agency considers to be a significant portion of the DPS’s range, where we propose to list the goshawk as endangered), under the Endangered Species Act.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Polar Bear Critical Habitat
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a proposal to designate critical habitat for the polar bear, and will open a 60-day public comment period on the measure. The critical habitat proposal identifies habitat in three separate areas or units: barrier island habitat, sea ice habitat and terrestrial denning habitat.
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Service Designates Critical Habitat for Threatened Population of Sea Otters
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the designation of critical habitat for the southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. In December 2008, we proposed designating approximately 5,900 square miles of nearshore, marine waters as critical habitat for this threatened population of sea otters. An economic analysis indicated that designation of critical habitat would not result in a large economic impact to residents of southwest Alaska. After consideration of the economic analysis, public comments submitted in writing and at one public hearing, the final designation is essentially unchanged from what we originally proposed.
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Trampling Likely Cause of Icy Cape Walrus Deaths
 Trampling by other walruses was the most likely cause of death of 131 walruses carcasses found on the shore near Icy Cape, Alaska, according to an investigative team. The carcasses, the majority of which were young animals, were discovered along the beach above the high-tide line on Sept. 14 by a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) survey crew in the area.
In response to the discovery, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service put together a team comprised of representatives from USFWS, USGS, the Alaska SeaLife Center and the North Slope Borough to determine the extent and cause of the die-off. The National Marine Fisheries Service provided additional financial and technical support, with hunters from Barrow and Wainwright also assisting in the investigation. More... |
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Protection of Pacific Walrus Under the Endangered Species Act
May Be Warranted, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finds
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that a petition to protect the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) under the Endangered Species Act presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that adding the species to the federal list of threatened and endangered species may be warranted. This preliminary finding is based, in part, upon projected changes in sea ice habitats associated with climate change.
As a result, the Service is initiating a more detailed status review to determine if listing the species is warranted and opening a 60-day public comment period in order to give all interested parties an opportunity to provide information on the status of the Pacific walrus throughout its range. The 60-day public comment period will close November 9, 2009.
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Wildlife Refuge Land Exchange
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed three-party land exchange that would allow a road to be constructed between the communities of King Cove and Cold Bay. The exchange would add 56,393 acres to the Izembek and Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuges, designate 43,000 acres as wilderness, transfer 1,600 acres of refuge lands on Sitkinak Island to the State, and create a 206-acre, 9-mile corridor through Izembek Refuge upon which the road would be constructed.
Learn More (pdf)
Federal Register Notice (pdf)
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No Rats Found, Lab Results on Six Bird Tests Received
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received laboratory results on an initial group of bird carcasses collected on Rat Island in late May and Early April. Examination of the livers of two bald eagles, two glaucous winged gulls, one peregrine falcon, and one rock sandpiper all tested positive for the rodenticide brodifacoum. We are in the process of analyzing all of the viable bird remains and tissue samples collected, in order to more fully understand the cause of mortalities and more effectively plan future operations in the Aleutians. Results will be released when they are available. In addition, soil and water samples were collected, and will be analyzed to more fully understand the potential movement of the rodenticide into, and degradation from, the ecosystem. Learn More...
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Last updated: January 11, 2009 |
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