Earthjustice says drilling for oil in the Arctic could chase away walruses, so they’ve launched a lawsuit demanding the Fish and Wildlife Service make it stop.
Specifically, a coalition of environmentalists has mounted a legal challenge to the FWS regulation that OKs a certain number of injuries and deaths to species during permitted company drills — the federal “incidental take” program, The Hill reported. Earthjustice and the group’s cohorts say that rule lets the likes of Shell Oil run roughshod over walruses when they drill in the Arctic.
“The Fish and Wildlife Service needs to do a much better job of protecting walrus mothers and calves struggling to survive in the dramatically changing Chukchi Sea,” Earthjustice attorney Erikl Grafe said, The Hill reported. “Today’s challenge seeks to protect walruses from suffering potential serious harm and harassment at the hands of companies like Shell Oil, which crashed and burned during its Arctic Ocean drilling efforts in 2012.”
The group said that drilling scares walruses from feeding areas and hurt their hearing, as well as trigger stampedes, The Hill reported.
“The Interior Department must better protect walruses and the fragile Arctic Ocean with its disappearing shoreline from harm,” said Cindy Shogan, the executive director for Alaska Wilderness League, The Hill reported.
Shell’s response wasn’t included in the story, and the FWS declined to comment, The Hill said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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