FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ISSUES PROPOSED RULE: MARINE MAMMALS; INCIDENTAL TAKE OF POLAR BEARS AND PACIFIC WALRUSES IN THE BEAUFORT SEA AND NORTH SLOPE OF ALASKA

WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a proposed rule called: Marine Mammals; Incidental Take of Polar Bears and Pacific Walruses in the Beaufort Sea and North Slope of Alaska.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on March 9 by Brian R. Nesvik, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Summary: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association to issue regulations facilitating the authorization of incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) and Pacific walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens) during year-round oil and gas industry activities in the Beaufort Sea (Alask...