Group announces intent to sue over walrus petition

A conservation group says it will sue to force the federal government to act on a petition to list the Pacific walrus as a threatened species.

The Center for Biological Diversity in February petitioned to list walruses because of threats from global warming and offshore oil and gas development.

Spokesman Brendan Cummings says the Endangered Species Act requires an initial determination to be made within 90 days.

The deadline was May 8 and the conservation group on Tuesday filed its notice of intent to sue.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Bruce Woods in Anchorage says a walrus population survey is nearing completion.

He says the count will make it easier to evaluate the listing petition.