http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27101

Take Action to Protect Beluga Whale Habitat

In 2006, the Center for Biological Diversity — along with Trustees for Alaska, Cook Inletkeeper, and other organizations — petitioned to protect the Cook Inlet beluga under the Endangered Species Act. In October 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the federal agency charged with protecting marine mammals such as the beluga, finally listed the species as endangered. This overdue protection came only after litigation brought by the Center and allies. 

Unfortunately, rather than designate critical habitat for the beluga at the time of listing, as required by the Endangered Species Act, the Fisheries Service stated that it would defer habitat protection for a year. This decision was unjustified because the Fisheries Service already has ample information on the habitat needs of the beluga and on the threats to that habitat. In fact, a recently completed conservation plan for the beluga specifically identified essential habitat areas for the whale. There is simply no valid excuse to further delay habitat protection.

Last week the Fisheries Service finally began the overdue process of protecting Cook Inlet beluga critical habitat by publishing a notice requesting public comment on which areas should be protected.

Studies have shown that species with critical habitat are twice as likely to recover as species without any habitat designated.

Please let the Fisheries Service know that further delay in protecting the Cook Inlet beluga whale and its habitat is unacceptable. All areas identified in the conservation plan as Type 1, 2, or 3 habitat must be promptly protected.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27101

Once numbering more than a thousand whales, the Cook Inlet beluga has been reduced to approximately 375 individuals and is now threatened by oil and gas development, pollution, shipping, and other impacts to its habitat in Alaska. In October 2008, federal officials protected the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species -- over the objections of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. This long-overdue action came as a result of a petition and litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity and our allies.

While the Cook Inlet beluga whale is now listed under the Endangered Species Act, its home remains unprotected because the federal government has illegally delayed designation of critical habitat for the species. Just last week the administration finally launched the process of outlining that critical habitat, and is now accepting comments on which areas should be kept safe for belugas.

Please let the responsible federal officials know that they have a duty to protect all habitat necessary for the Cook Inlet beluga whale's recovery, and they must finalize and implement the habitat-protection rule as soon as possible

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27101