What is the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision on the petition to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act?
Today, the Service is not making a final decision on this petition. However, the Service finds, based on currently available data, that there is sufficient scientific evidence of a global threat to the polar bear to warrant proposing it for listing as a threatened species under the ESA. This is the next step in a lengthy process which was initiated in 2005 and which will still require much additional work to enhance existing scientific models and analyses before a final decision can be made on whether to list the species. The Service now will actively seek additional scientific and commercial data, information, and comments on the proposed rule. The Service will accept comments for 90 days following the publication of the 12-month finding in the Federal Register, and will also hold one or more public hearings where the public can obtain information and offer comments. A copy of the proposed rule and other information about the proposal is available on the Internet at http://alaska.fws.
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