Polar Bear Finally Listed as Threatened

Pro-development, pro-oil, anti-preservation Bush administration adds strings

By Dennis Zaki - The Bush administration reluctantly will list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because of shrinking sea ice from global warming.

The Bush administration reluctantly will list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because of shrinking sea ice from global warming.

"I believe this decision is most consistent with the record and legal standards of the Endangered Species Act - perhaps the least flexible law Congress has ever enacted," Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said.

"I am also announcing that this listing decision will be accompanied by administrative guidance and a rule that defines the scope of impact my decision will have, in order to protect the polar bear while preventing unintended harm to the society and economy of the United States," he said.

Protecting the oil company profits is what he meant to say.

From a State of Alaska press release:

Polar Bear Listed as Threatened; Governor Pledges to Work for Conservation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced its decision today to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne called Governor Sarah Palin this morning to inform her of the USFWS decision, and assured her that oil and gas developments are not to blame.

The state will work with the USFWS on the designation of critical habitat and development of any conservation actions that may be necessary to ensure the continued viability of the species.

While the state is disappointed with this decision, Governor Palin said, the state stands ready to assist the USFWS to ensure that polar bear populations remain viable for decades to come. "We offer the substantial expertise of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to assist in the protection of polar bears, and in minimizing negative impacts on the people of Alaska and on important activities elsewhere in the country," she said.

"Alaskans take our public trust responsibilities for our resources very seriously, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the federal agencies to address the conservation needs of these magnificent animals," Governor Palin said. "We will continue to take the steps necessary to ensure that polar bears continue to thrive for generations to come."

The Governor expressed her hope that federal agencies will continue to provide for customary and traditional uses of polar bears. She also remains concerned that federal actions do not threaten the viable, productive and environmentally responsible oil and gas industry along Alaska's North Slope. Attorney General Talis Colberg will review the USFWS decision and the accompanying administrative record to determine whether there are significant defects that merit judicial scrutiny.

Governor Palin's comments on the listing can be found at the following link:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/audio/GovPalinPolarBearsEdit.mp3

Recommend this page to a friend