Polar bears get 'critical habitat' off Alaska

By MATTHEW DALY
The Associated Press
updated 11/24/2010 5:57:19 PM ET 2010-11-24T22:57:19


WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is setting aside 187,000 square miles off Alaska as a "critical habitat" for polar bears, which could add restrictions to future offshore drilling for oil and gas.

The total, which includes areas of sea ice off the Alaska coast, is about 13,000 square miles less than was included in a preliminary plan released last year.

Tom Strickland, assistant Interior secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, said the designation would help polar bears stave off extinction, recognizing that the greatest threat is the melting of Arctic sea ice caused by climate change.

"This critical habitat designation enables us to work with federal partners to ensure their actions within its boundaries do not harm polar bear populations," Strickland said. "We will continue to work toward comprehensive strategies for the long-term survival of this iconic species."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40362221/ns/us_news-environment/

so that bears caught out at sea would have a fighting chance.

... safety platform (complete with shrink-wrapped meals) for any polar bears
that can climb up 50' of concrete & steel and drilling platform to ensure
that they'll continue to need to do so ...
:-(