NOAA’s Fisheries Service listed the Cook Inlet beluga whales as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in October 2008.

NOAA’s Fisheries Service proposal designates a total of 3,016 square miles, including the upper portions of Cook Inlet, where whales concentrate in summer months, mid-Cook Inlet, the western shore of lower Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay on the eastern side of the lower inlet.

The State of Alaska expressed strong opposition to both the listing and critical habitat designation because of concerns about development.

“Listing more than 3,000 square miles of Cook Inlet as critical habitat would do little to help grow the beluga population, but it would devastate economic opportunities in the region,” Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell said. “The beluga whale population has co-xisted with industry for years. The main threat facing belugas was over-harvest, which is now regulated under a cooperative harvest management plan. Belugas are also protected under the Marine Mammal Act.”

According to NOAA, critical habitat designation would not stop development such as the expansion of the Port of Anchorage, mining, and gas exploration, but federal agencies would be required to consult NOAA’s Fisheries Services before funding or permitting any projects that may affect the critical habitat area.

Send comments to: Kaja Brix, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources, Alaska Region, NMFS, ATTN: Ellen Sebastian. Comments on the proposed critical habitat area must be received by Jan. 31. They also must be identified by “RIN 0648-AX50” and sent by one of the following methods:

• Electronic submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal Web site at http://www.regulations.gov.

• Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK, 99802-1668.

• Fax: 907-586-7557

• Hand deliver to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK.