Endangered-species listing sought for U.S. beluga whales

WASHINGTON — The dwindling beluga whale population in Alaska's famed Cook Inlet could be extinct in 100 years and should be listed as an endangered species, a federal agency said Thursday.

The proposal is being made by the National Marine Fisheries Service, which studied a petition brought by environmentalists a year ago.

The findings, which were to be published today, are being strenuously opposed by business and industry groups — backed by all three members of Alaska's congressional delegation — who say the designation is unwarranted and economically damaging.

The report, which is not a final ruling, bypasses the lesser designation of "threatened" and goes straight to "endangered," which provides a greater level of protection for the 300 belugas that remain in the inlet.

The proposed listing sets in motion a 12-month review, during which the Fisheries Service will hold public hearings and identify critical habitat for the belugas. If the decision is upheld, the Bush administration could develop new rules requiring agencies such as the U.S. Corps of Engineers to consult with the Fisheries Service to ensure that no actions are taken to jeopardize the whales.

While still preliminary, the decision is a huge victory for local and national environmental groups that have been trying to get the belugas listed as an endangered species for the past decade.

"This is a very important milestone," said Bob Shavelson of Cook Inletkeeper, part of a coalition of environmental groups that petitioned the Fisheries Service a year ago.

Development groups and local governments along Cook Inlet have argued that restrictions on human activity in the inlet could cause big problems. Among the concerns: Gas and oil development, commercial fishing, a $340 million expansion of the Port of Anchorage and a proposed bridge.

"All it's going to do is impose additional costs and delays, at no added benefit," said Jason Brune, executive director of the Resources Development Council, a statewide business association that represents energy, mining, tourism and Native corporations.