Public Hearing on Polar Bears Tonight

By Anchorage Daily News, Alaska

Mar. 1–ANCHORAGE — The proposal to protect the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act is scheduled for a public hearing tonight in Anchorage.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will present information and answer questions about the species for about the first hour of the session, beginning at 7 p.m. Later, public comments will be accepted either verbally or in writing, or both. The meeting at Loussac Library’s Wilda Martson Theatre is scheduled to run until 10 p.m.

Relevant issues affecting the bears include biological factors, sea ice change, management programs or oil and gas development, according to a press release from the federal agency. Participants are encouraged to bring written comments for submission to the agency.

The federal agency will also accept written comments until April 9. Details can be found at alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/issues.htm.

At the end of December, the Bush administration said polar bears are in jeopardy and need stronger government protection because of melting sea ice related to global warming.

The worldwide population of polar bears is estimated at 20,000 to 25,000. About a fifth of that population occupies waters off Alaska’s shores or the nearby coastlines.

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