Federal agency proposes 2M acres of water off Alaska as habitat for Cook Inlet beluga whales

Agency proposes waters off Alaska as whale habitat

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Nearly 2 million acres of water off Alaska’s largest and busiest city, Anchorage, have been proposed as critical habitat for beluga whales.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday announced the proposal to protect the approximately 300 remaining Cook Inlet belugas that were listed as endangered in October 2008.

The agency will collect public comment on the proposal through Jan. 31.

NOAA Fisheries acting administrator for Alaska Doug Mecum (MEE-come) says the agency used the best available science to make the habitat designation.

The state of Alaska opposes the listing and the designation of critical habitat off Anchorage’s shore.

Gov. Sean Parnell says he’s concerned about the potential economic impact the listing will have on development.

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On the Net:

National Marine Fisheries Service, tinyurl.com/ydbw2zf