Public Comment Period Reopened on Sea Otter Critical Habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed the designation of a total of approximately 15,000 square kilometers of near-shore, shallow waters in five separate critical habitat units for the southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the northern sea otter. Since 2005, this population of otters has been protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The comment period on the proposed rule has been reopened and will remain open until July 9, 2009. The Service will hold one public hearing on June 18, 2009, at the Z.J. Loussac Library in Anchorage, Alaska. There will be an informational meeting with a questions and answer session from 7:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and we will accept public comments verbally from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. More...
