OC Makes Comment: Proposed Rulemaking to Revise Critical Habitat for the Southern Resident Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment
RE: 50 CFR Part 226 | Docket No. 190829-0020 | RIN 0648-BH95
In 2001, Orca Conservancy was a co-petitioner for the federal listing to include the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
In 2005, there were 79 SRKWs when they received protection under the ESA. However, even with federal protection, as of 2019, the population now stands at 73-members across all three pods (J- K- and L-pod).
On June 21, 2014, Orca Conservancy submitted comments regarding the petition to revise critical habitat designation for SRKWs. Orca Conservancy moves to bring those comments forward (see below Dec. 18, 2019 comment) and to include additional comments herein.
On June 21, 2014, Orca Conservancy submitted the following comments regarding the petition to revise critical habitat designation for the Southern Resident killer whale population:
