Listing Endangered or Threatened Species; 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Revise the Critical Habitat Designation for the North Pacific right whale

2 organizations filed 2 public comments on Listing Endangered or Threatened Species; 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Revise the Critical Habitat Designation for the North Pacific right whale, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The comment window closed 1415d ago.

Abstract

We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and Save the North Pacific Right Whale to revise the critical habitat designation for the North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In May 2008, we issued a final rule designating approximately 3,050 square kilometers (1,175 square miles) and approximately 91,850 square kilometers (35,460 square miles) of critical habitat for North Pacific right whales in the Gulf of Alaska and the Southeast Bering Sea, respectively. The petition requests we revise this critical habitat to connect the two existing critical habitat areas by extending the Southeast Bering Sea boundary west and south to the Fox Islands, through Unimak Pass to the edge of the continental slope, and east to the Gulf of Alaska critical habitat area off the coast of Kodiak Island. We find that the petition to revise critical habitat, viewed in the context of information readily available in our files, presents substantial scientific information indicating the petitioned action may be warranted. We are hereby initiating a review of the currently designated critical habitat to determine whether revision is warranted. To ensure a comprehensive review, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to this action.

Commenters (2)

• Alaska Whitefish Trawlers Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Center for Biological Diversity

  1 filing · confidence 97%