Posted on 10/22/2009 2:57:27 PM PDT by oldmomster
Reporting from Seattle - In what would be the largest habitat zone ever established in the U.S. to protect a species from extinction, the federal government today proposed designating 200,541 square miles on the coast of Alaska as critical habitat for polar bears.
Officials said the designation is not likely to further slow the pace of oil and gas development, and it crucially would not impose any controls to slow the biggest threat to polar bears, the melting of sea ice as a result of climate change.
Those steps are crucial for polar bears but are being addressed separately in Congress through proposals to cap greenhouse gas emissions, said Tom Strickland, assistant Interior secretary for fish, wildlife and parks.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
“Reporting from Seattle - In what would be the largest habitat zone ever established in the U.S. to protect a species from extinction, the federal government today proposed designating 200,541 square miles on the coast of Alaska as critical habitat for polar bears.”
Hmmm let me guess...no drilling, it will scare the poor bears?
zero never ceases to amaze me in his misguided priorities.
Baby steps...
Our media is soooo gullible.
Exactly what they are doing this for the bears have actually been growing in population...
Perhaps he can relocate them to the lower 48, just like the Gitmo detainees.
Maybe they should be moved to DC so that those officials that worry about them can care for them.
Exactly, they are not endangered, they are multiplying!
http://www.ktva.com/ci_13611126
State Wants Feds to De-List Polar Bears as Threatened
Christina Grande
Created: 10/21/2009 10:52:16 PM AKDT
The State of Alaska filed a lawsuit with the federal government to remove polar bears from the Endangered Species Act. The state also aims to make sure Ribbon Seals do not make it onto the list as well.
The state rolled out a 3-part plan, Wednesday, October 21st. First, it supported the federal government decision by not adding the Ribbon Seal to the Endangered Species Act. It also wants the state to have more power when it comes to labeling species endangered or threatened and lastly, remove polar bears from the Endangered Species Act list.
“Currently, some are attempting to improperly use the Endangered Species Act to shut down resource development,” said Governor Sean Parnell, R - Alaska.
Polar bears were added to the threatened list of the Endangered Species Act in 2008, due to the threat of retreating sea ice and climate change.
The Parnell administration filed a lawsuit in federal court that would remove this group from the list. “It was based on uncertain climate change, predictions about the future and it involves polar bears with a population that is at an all time historical high.
The administration says the number of polar bears jumped from ten thousand in the 1970’s to about 25 thousand world wide as of today.
“One of the key elements of this listing decision was this nexus between the issue of decline of sea ice would lead to a decline in population. We have had some decline in sea ice but we haven’t had decline population, so the theory upon which the entire listing is based into the future basis actually not born out by the facts on the ground,” said Attorney General Dan Sullivan.
Oh let’s guess...
designate that area.........WHERE THE OIL IS!
“The administration says the number of polar bears jumped from ten thousand in the 1970s to about 25 thousand world wide as of today.”
Wow. A whopping 25,000 in the entire world. A population explosion out of control. This must be stopped at all costs. Exterminate them all, because God wants us to kill them. sarc/ If the human population fell that low, it would be in serious threat of extinction.
The other day one of those polar bears whispered to me, “We promise Obama we won’t allow no oil drilling if he does this deal for us. And he’s gonna give us free fish! No more swimming around in cold water catching the darned things!”
What is Alaska's size in square miles?
Answer
663,267 square miles. World Almanac & Book of Facts 2007
Holy Bat-Sh*t that's ONE THIRD OF THE FRIKIN STATE!!!
That is bigger than EVERY STATE with the exception of Texas and almost as big as France
That area is almost THREE TIMES the size of New England (Approx 71,000 sq miles)
If Alaskans don't revolt over this naked Fed power grab over the "Control" of that much of their state, they are not made up of what I thought they were!
Just another pay-for-play payoff.
Somebody must've found some more oil or coal or something equally useful, I guess.
There, fixed that crap right off!
How about protecting the U.S. from extinction?
“Wow. A whopping 25,000 in the entire world. A population explosion out of control. This must be stopped at all costs. Exterminate them all, because God wants us to kill them. sarc/ If the human population fell that low, it would be in serious threat of extinction.”
Sorry, I don’t get it...what should the number of polar bears in the world be?
Democrats may not be evil, but then if so, what is?
Sarah should absolutely destroy zero on this. I can’t wait.
“No more swimming around in cold water catching the darned things!”
Perhaps one could best describe this bear line as unadulterated “Bear Sh*t”.
Polar bear mostly feed on seals.
Oh, they also like humans, ‘specially unwary oil well workers, miners, etc.
You are absolutely correct....they’ll eat you in a second given the chance. This will be putting their safety over the Native Americans’ safety.
Are you sayin’ that that polar bear was lyin’ to me? Probably wanted me to get a little closer so it could eat me.
Native Americans are given race based special status regarding ESA.
“Ancestors say must sacrifice bear to Spirits”.
PS Most Inuit are far too smart to allow Mr. Bear to munch on them without a shot at the bar.
PPS Count on there being a whole tribe of witnesses eager to testify that the bear was trying to kill their fellow tribesman.
Well, Native Americans lost their lives to Grizzlies when I lived in AK and the Polar is far more aggressive. The more Polars...the more chomping.
What kills me here: is Obama TRYING to provoke a personalized smackdown out of Palin’s stash of whuppass?
Polar bear habitat? In Alaska? Really?
Wow. A whopping 25,000 in the entire world. A population explosion out of control. This must be stopped at all costs. Exterminate them all, because God wants us to kill them. sarc/ If the human population fell that low, it would be in serious threat of extinction.
“Sorry, I dont get it...what should the number of polar bears in the world be?”
Don`t know. But a species that is doing well should certainly number far greater than 25,000. Good grief. That would`nt even come close to filling a football stadium. Would`nt even come close to filling half a stadium.
With numbers that low, a disease pandemic could push them over the edge into extinction.
“Don`t know. But a species that is doing well should certainly number far greater than 25,000.”
I still don’t understand why that is a problem? It’s not like there is a world wide territory for them...there used to be 10,000...what if this is too many? In the 50’s they were down to 5,000. How many there should be is entirely dependent on how many can the territory they live in support, I would think...and if we don’t know that number, why is this low? Read this;
http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba551/
Tell me; are you going to believe that or AlGore?
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