The vast majority of confirmed whale entanglements involved humpback whales.
"Kristen Monsell"
Biden administration reverses Trump-era plan to open most of NPR-A to drilling
The BLM says the decision still leaves nearly 12 million acres available for oil and gas leasing. That’s slightly more than 50% of the NPR-A. The Trump administration had wanted closer to 80% open to drilling.
Judge says Conoco can’t start gravel construction or mining at Willow oil project for up to 2 weeks
Conoco had planned to break ground at the gravel mine site on Feb. 12.
Alaska wanted Arctic ringed seals off endangered species list; federal officials rejected that request
The Obama administration listed the Arctic ringed seal under the Endangered Species Act in 2012, citing the effects of climate change on the ringed seal’s sea ice habitat.
‘We will give you one heck of a fight’: Lawsuits filed against drilling plan for Alaska’s Arctic Refuge
Two lawsuits filed Monday argue that the BLM’s environmental review process failed to follow numerous laws meant to protect wildlife, land, water and people.
Supreme Court says bearded seal still threatened, despite legal battle
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association and the American Petroleum Institute challenged the Endangered Species Act listing decision.
Feds approve first oil exploration in Arctic federal waters since Shell
It’s the first oil exploration in Arctic federal waters since Shell abandoned its campaign in 2015. The company, Eni, aims to begin drilling in December.
Entangled: Making the sea safer for whales
More than 30 times this year, the federal government has received reports of whales tangled in fishing gear along the West Coast. Sometimes the whales manage to wriggle free. Other times you see heart-rending pictures on the news or a rescue mission.