New environmental study being drafted on Makah Tribe whaling

Wednesday, May 23, 2012  

The Obama administration is preparing a new environmental impact statement on a whale hunt for the Makah Tribe of Washington.

The 1855 Treaty of Neah Bay guarantees the tribe's right to hunt whales. But the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the hunt must comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The tribe applied for a waiver consistent with the MMPA in 2005. But after years of work, the National Marine Fisheries Service on Monday said it was starting the process all over again based on new scientific information.

Comments on the new draft EIS will be accepted until August 10.

Get the Story:
U.S. halts Makah whaling study after seven years over 'new scientific information' (The Peninsula Daily News 5/23)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Intent To Terminate the Existing Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Prepare a New Environmental Impact Statement (May 21, 2012)