A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX V
COMMENTS RECEIVED ON DRAFT SPECTACLED EIDER
RECOVERY PLAN
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) received comments on the Draft Spectacled
Eider Recovery Plan from the following parties: BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.; Phillips
Petroleum Company; and ARCO, Alaska, Inc. Comments, attached as part of this appendix,
were addressed in two ways: first, comments on format, style, or grammar were considered
and incorporated if they improved the document without compromising content or clarity;
second, comments on content were incorporated where appropriate and are addressed
individually below. In general, commenters expressed approval of the document, and
encouraged the Service to continue efforts to recover this species.
1. BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc:
This commenter encouraged the Service to “continue to base its assessments on the best
scientific information available and to work closely with native communities, industry and
other interested governmental authorities to ensure that data sets are integrated and that
remedial or corrective action aimed at properly managing spectacled eider populations has the
desired effect.”
The Service concurs that these are essential considerations and is committed to working closely
with all affected parties toward recovery of spectacled eiders. The Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended, requires the Service to use the best available scientific and commercial
information when making determinations for listing species as threatened or endangered. The
best available information was used in developing the recovery plan for spectacled eiders, and
will continue to be used in implementation of the plan.
2. Phillips Petroleum Company:
Phillips Petroleum urged the Service to “take extreme caution to assure that any actions
resulting from.., studies which might restrict or further restrict oil and gas development or
exploration activities [are]carefully considered.”
The Service carefully considers the likelihood of adverse effects to any listed species as a result
of any federally funded, permitted, or conducted activities under the authority of section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). If the activity may adversely affect a listed
species, formal consultation with the Service is required. Although there may be some
changes to project plans as a result of section 7 consultation, in most cases, project changes are
not likely to significantly restrict the action. The Service is committed to maintaining an
excellent working relationship with industry representatives in Alaska while fulfilling
obligations under the Act to protect spectacled eiders.
Appendix V - Page 1